1.
Association between Mediterranean Diet and Fatty Liver in Women with Overweight and Obesity.
Leone, A, Bertoli, S, Bedogni, G, Vignati, L, Pellizzari, M, Battezzati, A
Nutrients. 2022;14(18)
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition resulting from excessive lipid accumulation in the liver in individuals with low alcohol consumption. Obesity is an established risk factor for the development of NAFLD, and 50% to 75% of people with obesity also have NAFLD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between Mediterranean diet and non-invasive indices of fatty liver in a large sample of women with overweight and obesity. This study is a cross-sectional study of 2967 consecutive women with overweight and obesity. Results show that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower indices of fatty liver in women with overweight and obesity (particularly obese women than in women who are overweight). Authors conclude that women with obesity, especially during the premenopausal period, may benefit more from following a Mediterranean-style diet.
Abstract
Obesity is a risk factor for NAFLD. However, not all people with obesity have an excessive intrahepatic fat content. Adherence to a high-quality dietary pattern may also promote liver health in obesity. A cross-sectional study of 2967 women with overweight and obesity was carried out to assess the association between a Mediterranean diet and fatty liver. All women underwent clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling, ultrasound measurements of abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat, and assessment of adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the 14-item MEDAS questionnaire. Fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD fatty liver steatosis (NAFLD-FLS) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were calculated. In women with obesity, the MEDAS score was inversely associated with FLI (β = -0.60, 95% CI: -1.04, -0.16, p = 0.008), NAFLD-FLS (β = -0.092, 95% CI: -0.134, -0.049, p < 0.001) and HSI (β = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.04, p = 0.011). Stronger associations were observed in premenopausal women with obesity. Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with NAFLD-FLS in women with overweight, independently of menopausal status. In conclusion, Mediterranean diet is associated with a better liver status in women with overweight and obesity. This may have a public health impact and be useful in drafting nutritional guidelines for NAFLD.
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Ultra-processed foods and obesity and adiposity parameters among children and adolescents: a systematic review.
De Amicis, R, Mambrini, SP, Pellizzari, M, Foppiani, A, Bertoli, S, Battezzati, A, Leone, A
European journal of nutrition. 2022
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Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are mostly or entirely lacking whole foods and fibre and are often high in fat sugar and salt. The consumption of UPFs may be linked to obesity in adolescents and this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesis the current research investigating this link. The results showed that over the long-term, the consumption of UPFs was associated with obesity, abdominal obesity, and increased body mass index in children. It was concluded that the long-term consumption of UPFs negatively impacts body composition in children and adolescents. This study could be used by healthcare professionals to understand the importance of dietary advice recommending whole foods with limited or no processed foods for the healthy body development of children.
Abstract
PURPOSE According to the NOVA classification, ultra-processed foods are products made through physical, biological and chemical processes and typically with multiple ingredients and additives, in which whole foods are mostly or entirely absent. From a nutritional point of view, they are typically energy-dense foods high in fat, sugar, and salt and low in fiber. The association between the consumption of ultra-processed food and obesity and adiposity measurements has been established in adults. However, the situation remains unclear in children and adolescents. METHODS We carried out a systematic review, in which we summarize observational studies investigating the association between the consumption of ultra-processed food, as defined by NOVA classification, and obesity and adiposity parameters among children and adolescents. A literature search was performed using PUBMED and Web of Science databases for relevant articles published prior to May 2021. RESULTS Ten studies, five longitudinal and five cross-sectional, mainly conducted in Brazil, were included in this review. Four longitudinal studies in children with a follow-up longer than 4 years found a positive association between the consumption of ultra-processed food and obesity and adiposity parameters, whereas cross-sectional studies failed to find an association. CONCLUSION These data suggest that a consistent intake of ultra-processed foods over time is needed to impact nutritional status and body composition of children and adolescents. Further well-designed prospective studies worldwide are needed to confirm these findings considering country-related differences in dietary habits and food production technologies.