UNASSIGNED: Gut microbiota influences energy homeostasis in part through circulating hormones. Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 is a biomarker whose increase in systemic circulation is associated with positive effects on body weight and metabolism. In a recent clinical trial, probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation showed positive effects on eating behaviors and insulin resistance in overweight participants undergoing a weight-loss intervention. In this context, this ancillary study aimed at assessing the impact of L. rhamnosus HA-114 supplementation on plasma IGFBP-2 levels in these individuals, and whether this modulation correlated with changes in fat mass, energy metabolism, and eating behaviors.
UNASSIGNED: Fasting plasma IGFBP-2 concentrations were quantified in 100 overweight or obese men and women enrolled in a 12-week diet-based weight reduction program (-500 kcal/day), in combination with probiotic L. rhamnosus HA-114 or placebo supplementation. Baseline and changes in circulating IGFBP-2 concentrations were correlated with anthropometric parameter, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiorespiratory function and eating behaviors.
UNASSIGNED: On average, the intervention reduced BMI by 4.6 % and increased IGFBP-2 by 13 %, regardless of supplementation group. Individuals who presented an increase in IGFBP-2 levels had significantly greater reductions in BMI. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with loss in fat mass (r = 0.2, p < 0.001) in the probiotic-supplemented group, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors. Baseline IGFBP-2 levels were not associated with weight loss or improvements in cardiometabolic parameters.
UNASSIGNED: Probiotic supplementation with L. rhamnosus HA-114 did not modulate plasma IGFBP-2 levels. Changes in IGFBP-2 levels were correlated with greater reductions in BMI, but not with other metabolic parameters or eating behaviors, indicating that the benefits of HA-114 on eating behaviors are likely independent of IGFBP-2. Additional changes in microbiota might be required to modulate IGFBP-2 and observe its associations with eating behaviors and cardiometabolic improvements.

BACKGROUND: Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) offer broad recommendations based on scientific evidence, focusing on food groups rather than nutrients that should be included in the diet. Emerging adulthood (18-30 years) is a critical period for poor dietary quality and mental health. Eating habits (EHs) are formed early in life and are influenced by various factors, such as emotional state, which can lead to either binge or restricted eating, ultimately increasing the risk of eating disorders (EDs). This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the extent of adherence to the Saudi Healthy Plate Dietary Guidelines (SHPDGs) and its potential association with Eating Concerns (ECs) among Saudi females (aged 18-30 years) from all provinces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: A validated online questionnaire was used to assess eating behaviors (EBs) using the Starting The Conversation (STC) instrument and EC symptoms using the Eating Disorders Screen for Primary Care (ESP) screening tool.
RESULTS: The total sample size was 1092 participants with a mean age of 23.02 ± 3.47. Only 0.7% of the participants adhered to the SHPDGs and were free of EC symptoms. Conversely, 50.4% of participants who exhibited EC symptoms had poor adherence to the SHPDGs. Across Saudi Arabian provinces, high adherence to the SHPDGs was more prominent in both the Eastern and Western provinces (37.5%) than in the Central and Southern provinces (0%). The most striking result was that the Central province exhibited a high percentage of poor adherence to the SHPDGs (25.6%). Moreover, high adherence to SHPDGs was not associated with the probability of ECs.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed a trend of poor adherence to SHPDGs among Saudi females, with a large proportion also experiencing EC symptoms. Accordingly, the authors recommend increasing awareness within the Saudi community about SHPDGs using educational campaigns on social media platforms to enhance the importance of adopting a healthy diet, especially among females, and demonstrate that the impact on their health and well-being is that they are experiencing multiple phases that involve pregnancy and giving birth involves specific nutritional requirements.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a disorder between gynecology and psychiatry which includes cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms from mild to severe. The most severe form of PMS is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and it is considered a form of depressive disorder. An association between diet composition and the occurrence of PMS and its severity have been suggested. As such, this manuscript discusses the relationships between diet composition, dietary patterns and eating behaviors, and PMS. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched for related studies up to 18 January 2024. A text search with the following keywords singly or in combination was conducted: \"Premenstrual syndrome\", \"Nutrition\", \"Diet composition\", \"Dietary patterns\", and \"Eating behaviors\". Studies published so far showed that low intake of simple carbohydrates, fats, salt, and alcohol, and high of fresh, unprocessed foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of PMS and reduce the severity of its symptoms. However, further studies are needed to formulate definitive recommendations for the use of vitamins, micronutrients and other dietary ingredients supplementation in women with PMS to improve functioning, overall well-being, and physical health. Large, randomized, double-blind clinical trials across diverse populations are necessary to formulate clear recommendations for supplementation in women with PMS.

Over the past few decades, people in Saudi Arabia have become less inclined to adopt active lifestyles and healthy eating habits due to the increasing use of digital technologies such as social media. The objective of this online-based cross-sectional study was to assess the role of social media food advertisements and physical activity on eating behaviors among the general population in Saudi Arabia (n = 471). Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which consisted of four parts: (i) sociodemographic information, (ii) attitude towards social media, (iii) eating behaviors-related information, and (iv) exposure to and engagement with social media advertisements. The study\'s outcome variable, eating behaviors (healthy vs. unhealthy), was assessed using the following question: \"Are you on a healthy diet (such as a balanced diet, keto, or low carb)?\" A multiple binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors that influence unhealthy eating behaviors. Approximately 79.6% of the participants had unhealthy eating behaviors. Participants who were not involved in daily physical activity were more likely to have unhealthy eating behaviors compared to their counterparts (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.86). Participants who watched food ads on social media channels 1-3 times a week (AOR = 2.58) or daily (AOR = 3.49) were more likely to have unhealthy eating behaviors than their counterparts. Participants whose appetite to try foods increases always (AOR = 1.42) or usually (AOR = 2.88) after viewing ads on social media were more likely to have unhealthy eating behaviors. These findings suggest that policymakers should take immediate action to regulate food advertising policy to promote a healthy food environment across the country. Saudis should be encouraged to engage in more physical activity, which could support the maintenance of healthy eating patterns and lifestyles.

Eating disorders (EDs) are among the most dangerous mental illnesses, that are characterized by high mortality rates, multisystem comorbidity, and an often chronic and relapsing disease course. EDs occur most commonly in the female gender, with a ratio of 10 females to 1 male for anorexia nervosa (AN). We present the case of a 15-year-old Saudi boy who presented with weight loss (BMI 11.6 kg/m2) and began to have symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in prayer and ablution. His first treatment plan was psychoeducation. He then developed a fear of gaining weight and began to count calories; he was diagnosed with AN and started on olanzapine 2.5 mg. The patient had a history of multiple admissions due to electrolyte imbalance, hypokalemia, hypoglycemia, and anal fissure due to constipation, and was prescribed olanzapine 5 mg, fluoxetine 20. His last admission was the worst, as he became semi-comatose with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13, was diffused and disoriented to time and person, unable to walk or sit, and was uncooperative in answering questions. During admission, we changed the fluoxetine to paroxetine 25 mg and increased the olanzapine to 10 mg, and the patient showed a huge improvement physically and mentally. This case emphasizes the significance of including paroxetine in the treatment of diagnoses for AN to prevent unnecessary wasting of time and effort.

Background Since February 2020, the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Saudi Arabia has been rising. The Saudi Arabian government implemented strict lockdown measures in March 2020 in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Globally, changes in socioeconomic levels and health during quarantine have been reported. Additional detrimental effects of the stay-at-home mandate include less physical activity among adult populations, anxiety, stress, and emotional eating. This study aimed to assess the impact of quarantine during the COVID‑19 pandemic on physical activity practice and weight. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted using a newly developed validated online questionnaire survey. The data were collected during quarantine in June 2020, including each adult who lived in Saudi Arabia during the quarantine. The data were reviewed and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 4,970 eligible participants completed the study survey. About 78.1% of the study participants performed physical activity inside the house during the pandemic. Overall, 30.9% reported increased body weight during the lockdown, and the most reported cause of increased body weight was feeling bored and empty. Regarding factors associated with physical activity and weight changes, 82.2% of participants aged 25-30 years performed physical activity during the pandemic. Increased weight was significantly higher among participants aged more than 30 years. Conclusions This study shows an increased level of physical activity among the study participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among younger, female, and unmarried participants. More than half of the participants reported weight change, either weight gain or weight loss. Weight gain was higher in older participants. Regarding eating habits, there was an increased tendency toward eating a healthy diet.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal or early childhood secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure increases obesity risk. However, the potential mechanisms underlying this association are unclear, but obesogenic eating behaviors are one pathway that components of SHS could perturb. Our aim was to assess associations of prenatal and early childhood SHS exposure with adolescent eating behaviors.
METHODS: Data came from a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort (N = 207, Cincinnati, OH). With multiple informant models, we estimated associations of prenatal (mean of 16 and 26 weeks of gestation maternal serum cotinine concentrations) and early childhood cotinine (average concentration across ages 12, 24, 36, and 48 months) with eating behaviors at age 12 years (Child Eating Behaviors Questionnaire). We tested whether associations differed by exposure periods and adolescent\'s sex. Models adjusted for maternal and child covariates.
RESULTS: We found no statistically significant associations between cotinine measures and adolescent\'s eating behaviors. Yet, in females, prenatal cotinine was associated with greater food responsiveness (β: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.38) and lower satiety responsiveness (β: -0.14; 95% CI: -0.26, -0.02); in males, prenatal and postnatal cotinine was related to lower food responsiveness (prenatal: β: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.04, -0.06; postnatal: β: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.06, -0.11). No significant effect modification by sex or exposure window was found for other eating behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal and early childhood SHS exposures were not related to adolescent\'s eating behavior in this cohort; however, biological sex may modify these associations.

UNASSIGNED: Restricted interests and repetitive behavior are characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The likelihood that persons with ASD will respond adversely to unfamiliar situations is great. The novel coronavirus outbreak has resulted in disruptions to all aspects of routine and behavior. Hence, this study proposed to investigate the impact of the outbreak on the eating behavior and routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia through the perceptions of their parents.
UNASSIGNED: A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was utilized to obtain data from 150 parents of children with ASD aged ≤18 years in Saudi Arabia. The data collected included demographic data of the parents, the ASD status of the family, impact of COVID-19 to the family, eating behavior of the children with ASD, and daily routines of the children with ASD. Moreover, parents were able to provide comments regarding their children\'s eating behavior or daily routines.
UNASSIGNED: The study found that changes in the eating behavior of children with ASD were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the number of children with ASD, the age of the children with ASD, the gender of the children with ASD, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Moreover, changes to dinner-time routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD. Also, changes to morning routines were found to differ significantly (p<0.05) based on the age of the children with ASD, their gender, and the severity of their ASD symptoms. Additionally, impact of COVID-19 to the family had a significant impact to eating behavior and daily routines of the children with ASD.
UNASSIGNED: This study found that the eating behavior and daily routines of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia have been considerably worsened and changed. The study recommends the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams and parents to modify or design interventions that help to change their eating behavior and routine can be implemented in the home. It also recommends the provision of virtual helplines to aid parents of children with ASD in such cases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic weight management and treatments for type 2 diabetes (T2D) involve a combination of lifestyle-based (diet, exercise) and pharmaceutical interventions. In people with obesity or T2D, understanding the impact of drivers/triggers on appetite and eating behaviors can be crucial to successful medical management. This study aimed to characterize perceptions and experiences regarding appetite and eating behaviors among people with obesity or T2D and identify drivers/triggers of food choices.
METHODS: This non-interventional, cross-sectional, qualitative study utilized semi-structured concept elicitation interviews to explore the perceptions of people with obesity and/or T2D around appetite, eating behaviors and drivers/triggers of food choices. Adult US residents (≥ 18 years) with stable body weight (± 5 kg) in the 3 months preceding participation were included in the study.
RESULTS: Forty-five participants (obesity: n = 15; overweight: n = 10; T2D: n = 20) were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. A subset of participants described eating behaviors on smartphone-based app tasks over 5 days. Most (> 96%) discussed the influence of hunger, cravings and satiety on food choices. Participants identified 22 drivers/triggers (including health, 95.6%; culture/heritage, 93.3%; location, 91.1%; stress, 88.8%). Participants also discussed associations between drivers/triggers and eating behavior concepts (appetite, hunger, cravings, satiety, motivation/determination). A conceptual model illustrating eating behavior concepts and related drivers/triggers was developed. The concept elicitation interviews identified a multitude of drivers and triggers and characterized the association of such drivers/triggers with seven core patient-reported concepts encompassing eating behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings build upon existing models of factors influencing food choices. Findings confirm prior research regarding impact of drivers/triggers on food choice in people with obesity and T2D and indicate underlying disease state does not appear to influence eating behaviors in people with stable body weight.

Fish intake in youth is commonly inadequate with several potential determinants. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the influence of potential fish intake determinants in a nationwide sample of Polish youth. Associations between the participants\' fish intake and their gender, age, body mass index, place of residence (region and size of locality), school type, nutritional knowledge about fish, and their parents\'/legal guardians\' fish intake were assessed. A total sample of 1317 adolescents (870 female, 447 male) aged 14-22 from 32 secondary schools from all regions of Poland participated in the study. Median fish intake among the youth was 34.9 g/week. The recommendation to consume at least 300 g of fish/week was followed by 6% of participants. Fish intake was determined by gender and the type of school, with males and comprehensive high school students consuming more fish, but it was not determined by the region or size of the locality of residence and age group, nor did the body mass index determine fish intake. Participants\' fish intake was positively associated with their nutritional knowledge about fish, as well as with their parents\'/legal guardians\' fish intake. Most youths do not follow the recommendation to consume at least 300 g of fish weekly; hence, nutritional education on the recommendations and the benefits of fish consumption is necessary.