Higher Adherence to the EAT-Lancet Diets After a Lifestyle Intervention in a Pediatric Population with Abdominal Obesity.

Ana Ojeda-Rodríguez, Gabriela Paula-Buestan, Itziar Zazpe, Maria Cristina Azcona-Sanjulian, Amelia Martí Del Moral

Journal: Nutrients 2025;16(24):4270

PMID: 39770892

Plain Language Summary

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The rising prevalence of paediatric obesity underscores the need for effective lifestyle interventions that improve diet quality while aligning with global health goals. Emphasising plant-based, whole-food diets not only supports weight management and metabolic health but also reduces the environmental impact of food systems. The EAT-Lancet Commission highlights the dual benefit of such dietary shifts, promoting both individual well-being and sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate changes in adherence to planetarian dietary patterns, as measured by planetary environmental impact indices, following a lifestyle intervention in a paediatric population. This research was a randomised controlled clinical trial which enrolled a total of 126 children and adolescents, aged 7 to 16 years, with waist circumferences above the 90th percentile based on national reference data. Participants were randomised into two groups: a usual care group and an intensive intervention group, with a 1:3 allocation ratio. Results showed that an intensive lifestyle intervention in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity has a positive effect on weight management and overall health. Additionally, the intervention resulted in improved adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet, as reflected in planetary health diet indexes, signifying a notable shift toward healthier and more sustainable eating habits among participants. Authors concluded that higher adherence to planetarian diets, as promoted by the EAT-Lancet guidelines, can positively influence health outcomes in paediatric populations with abdominal obesity.

Abstract

: The rising prevalence of pediatric obesity highlights the urgent need for effective lifestyle interventions that improve diet quality, in line with global health objectives. Tackling obesity through planetarian dietary practices not only enhances individual health but also mitigates the environmental impact of food systems. The EAT-Lancet Commission's plant-based dietary recommendations underscore the dual benefit of promoting human health while supporting environmental sustainability. This study aims to assess changes in adherence to a planetarian diet, measured through planetary environmental impact indices, following a lifestyle intervention in a pediatric population. : In this randomized controlled trial, 107 participants with abdominal obesity were assigned to either a usual care group or an intensive intervention group, the latter following a moderately hypocaloric Mediterranean diet combined with nutritional education. Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was evaluated using both the EAT-Lancet Diet Score and the EAT-Lancet Diet Index. : The intensive lifestyle intervention significantly improved adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet, leading to notable reductions in body mass index (BMI), weight, and waist circumference, alongside improvements in both anthropometric and clinical outcomes. : This study demonstrates that intensive lifestyle interventions in children and adolescents with abdominal obesity can reduce BMI-SDS (BMI-standard deviation score) and improve adherence to planetarian dietary patterns, leading to enhanced health outcomes. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of such interventions and to determine their broader applicability across diverse pediatric populations.

Address: Lipids and Atherosclerosis Unit, Internal Medicine Unit, Reina Sofia University Hospital, 14004 Cordoba, Spain.; Department of Medical and Surgical Science, University of Cordoba, 14004 Cordoba, Spain.; Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Av. Menendez Pidal, s/n, 14004 Cordoba, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.; Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Physiology, University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.; IdiSNA, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra, C/Irunlarrea 3, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.; Paediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Av. Pío XII 36, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.

Patient Centred Factor

Laboratory Testing

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors

Jadad Score

Allocation Concealment

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