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Background: Every year the global incidence of obesity increases considerably and among the factors that favor it is bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor widely used in plastics and omnipresent in many everyday objects., Methods: A total of 19 studies published between 2018 and 2023 that addressed the relationship between BPA exposure and obesity were included in this review in order to better understand its behavior and mechanisms of action., Results: The studies reviewed conclude that BPA is an obesogen that alters the function of hormonal receptors, promotes metabolic syndrome, affects certain genes, etc., leading to a greater risk of developing obesity. With important emphasis on the ability to cause epigenetic changes, thus transmitting the effects to offspring when exposure has occurred during critical stages of development such as during gestation or the perinatal period., Conclusions: There is sufficient evidence to show that BPA is a risk factor in the development of obesity. Even so, further research is necessary to exhaustively understand the causal relationship between the two in order to develop prevention measures and avoid possible future adverse effects.

The aims of this research were to evaluate the current nutritional status, dietary intake, and level of physical activity and assess the need for intervention. This was a cross-sectional study with 2724 participating children aged 6-9 years old. Nutritional status was assessed using nutrimetry, dietary intake with a 3-day food-recall questionnaire and physical activity with an ad hoc questionnaire. The nutricode with the highest prevalence was healthy weight/normal stature, with 51.3% of the sample. For the BMI for age Z-score, those in the overweight/obesity category represented 37.5% of the sample, while the thinness category included 7.6%. Intake of calories, proteins, sugar, lipids, SFA, MUFA, and cholesterol were significantly higher than recommended. The thinness groups consumed a significantly higher amount of excess calories while the overweight/obesity groups had the lowest mean excess calorie intake. Children in the thinness category presented the highest rates at both ends of the spectrum for sedentary activities. This study showed the high prevalence of malnutrition in schoolchildren. The results for the risk of thinness and overweight/obesity according to individual nutrient intake should be carefully interpreted. Lifestyle is a fundamental aspect to consider when combating malnutrition, especially at the level of dietary and physical activity habits, to combine various methods of intervention to improve nutritional status.

Air pollution significantly impacts cardiovascular health, yet pollution reduction strategies in cardiovascular disease prevention remain limited. Dietary flavonoids show promise in protecting cardiovascular health, but their potential to mitigate air-pollution-induced risks is unexplored. This study investigates this research gap. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, literature from 2014-2024 was searched across MedLine/PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MDPI databases. Of 463 identified studies, 53 were eligible for analysis based on PICO criteria. Findings revealed significant impacts of air pollution on cardiovascular health, including increased disease risks and mortality. Flavonoid intake demonstrated protective effects against these risks. Flavonoid mechanisms include improved endothelial function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, antiplatelet effects, cardioprotection, and enhanced lipid and glucose metabolism. Higher flavonoid intake was consistently associated with reduced cardiovascular risks. While reducing pollution remains crucial, promoting flavonoid-rich diets is a promising complementary strategy. Public health initiatives should raise awareness about these benefits. Further research on direct interactions between flavonoid intake and air pollution exposure is needed. Current evidence supports integrating dietary interventions into broader strategies to reduce air pollution's cardiovascular impacts.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore sleep patterns and the potential relationship between sleep and tryptophan intake among Spanish university students. A total of 11,485 students self-reported their sleep and dietary patterns and habits. Tryptophan intake was calculated using a food intake matrix and results were presented as quartiles of total intake. Short sleep duration prevalence was 51.0%, with males exhibiting a significantly higher frequency. A total of 55.0% of participants presented inadequate sleep efficiency, with males again presenting a higher rate. Median tryptophan intake was 692.16 ± 246.61 mg/day, 731.84 ± 246.86 mg/day in males and 677.24 ± 244.87 mg/day in females ( p = 0.001). Dietary tryptophan intake below the first quartile (<526.43 mg/day) was associated with a higher risk of short sleep duration in males (1.26; 95%CI: 1.02-1.55) and females (1.19; 95%CI: 1.05-1.34) and with the Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia in males (2.56; 95%CI: 1.36-4.82) and females (1.47; 95%CI: 1.10-2.05). Regarding academic specializations, females in the humanities field showed a higher risk of Athens Insomnia Scale insomnia due to low tryptophan intake (Q1: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.04-9.55 and Q2: 3.41; 95%CI: 1.01-11.5). In summary, lower tryptophan consumption appears to be associated with poorer sleep quality in Spanish university students; however, other social factors affecting students may also influence sleep quality. These findings have important implications for nutritional recommendations aimed at enhancing tryptophan intake to improve sleep quality.

The World Health Organization estimates that one fifth of university students have experienced major depressive disorder at some point in their lives. Nutrition may be one of the modifiable factors that influence the development of depression. Specifically, low omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin D levels, both nutrients found in high quantities in fish, have been linked to depressive disorders. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among young Spanish university students, in addition to the pattern of fish consumption among students and the possible relationship between fish consumption and the presence of depression. Data were collected retrospectively from a nationally representative sample of 11,485 Spanish university students aged 18 years or older in 11 Spanish universities, from 2012 to 2022. The respondents were analyzed according to frequency of consumption and compliance with weekly recommendations for fish intake and the presence of depression. Regression models were also performed to determine students' odds of depression as a function of compliance with recommendations according to selected sociodemographic variables. The prevalence of depression was 10.5%; it was more prevalent in women, older students and in those with both high and low BMIs. In addition, it was also more prevalent in those that lived outside the family home, with roommates and those who were employed. Sixty-seven percent of the students met the fish intake recommendations. The most common frequency of fish consumption was 1-2 times/week (44.2%), and the least frequent was 2.3% daily fish consumption. Students from northern universities were more likely to consume fish (68.4%) than those from southern universities (66.4%). Non-consumption of fish was found to increase the risk of depression (ORa = 1.45 (1.28-1.64); AF = 31.0% (21.9-39.0)), but it was the student's own conditions that had the greatest influence on the development of the disorder. In summary, a lower consumption of fish seems to be associated with a higher incidence of depression in Spanish university students; however, other social factors of the student may influence the development of the disorder, and all of this should be taken into account for the development of prevention strategies.

Vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels <20 ng/mL in serum) is a common health condition among pregnant women, especially in high-risk groups. Evidence has connected vitamin D levels with many health-related problems during pregnancy, including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Because of vitamin D’s effect on both mother and fetus, we systematically review the association between 25(OH)D level and its health effects. From a total of 143 studies, 43 came from PubMed, 4 from Cochrane, and 96 from EMBASE. After screening, we identified 38 studies as candidates for inclusion. Ultimately, we limited this review to 23 articles originating from 12 countries, written in English or Spanish, and conducted between 2010 and 2022. We conducted this review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and evaluated the quality and strength of the evidence by using the Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology (SING). These systematic reviews summarize findings that support vitamin D’s role in reducing risks of multiple outcomes and the possible contribution of adequate vitamin D levels to a healthy pregnancy.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of dysfunctions in social interaction, communication, and behaviors. The etiology of ASD is not yet fully understood; however, it consists of the interaction between genetics and the environment. An increasing amount of evidence points to the possibility that gestational and early-childhood vitamin D deficiency may be involved in the etiology of some cases of ASD. Herein, we systematically review the literature for studies on vitamin D status during pregnancy and ASD outcomes. Forty-three studies in the PubMed and 124 studies in EMBASE databases were initially found. After screening, 26 were identified as candidate studies for inclusion. Finally, 14 articles met the inclusion criteria, which originated from nine countries. The studies included 10 original research studies and four review studies conducted between 2012 and 2020. The strength of evidence that vitamin D levels during pregnancy increase the risk of developing autism is very low. This is because the evidence relies exclusively on observational studies that did not equally consider all important confounders and that assessed the indirect relationship between vitamin D as a surrogate for sunlight exposure and autism risk. The findings of this systematic review are consistent with the hypothesis that low vitamin D levels might contribute to the development of autism. However, we must also recognize the possible confusion bias and therefore experimental studies with very large sample sizes, given incidence of autism, that allow us to detect blood levels in pregnant women would be helpful to clarify this point.

Iodine deficiency is one of the most important health problems in the world. It intervenes in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which carry out important functions, so that a deficit of this mineral causes alterations of different kinds such as those related to growth. The objective of the present study was to know the prevalence of iodine deficit in the diet of Valencian children from 6 to 8 years old and their relationship with anthropometry. The analysis of the dietary intake was carried out through questionnaires. Thirteen schools participated in the study. The sample studied consists of 661 school children belonging to the Valencian Community, between 6 and 8 years of age: 298 boys and 363 girls. 79.12% of the children did not meet recommended daily iodine intakes. When comparing the groups of girls and boys with an inadequate intake, in general, girls show worse nutritional adequacy. When comparing the groups of girls and boys with sufficient iodine intake, no statistically significant differences were observed. No immediate effects of iodine deficiency on children's anthropometry were observed. Intake of dairy products, fish and iodized salt is recommended, since they can contribute to the diet the iodine required to avoid a deficiency.

Calcium is an important nutrient for child development. The main objective of this study was to assess calcium intake and its adequacy with dietary reference intake (DRI) in Spanish children. The ANIVA (Antropometría y Nutrición Infantil de Valencia) study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. During two academic years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, 1176 schoolchildren aged 6-9 years were selected from 14 primary schools in Valencia (Spain). Three-day food records were used to assess dietary intake, completed by parents/guardian. Anthropometric data (weight and height) were evaluated in all subjects. Nutritional intake was compared to estimated average requirements (EARs) and adequate intake (AI) values to determine nutritional adequacy. A percentage of 25.77% had inadequate calcium intake, and a significantly higher prevalence was observed in girls ( p = 0.006). Adequate calcium intake showed a positive association with the height z -score ( p = 0.032). When assessing dietary patterns, schoolchildren with adequate calcium intakes had better nutritional adequacy in all nutrients, except cholesterol ( p = 0.086) and fluorine ( p = 0.503). These results suggest a public health problem that must be addressed through nutrition education programs to increase intake of calcium-rich food and to correct the associated dietary pattern.