Margherita Caroli

Azienda Sanitaria Locale Brindisi | ASL Brindisi · department of prevention, Nutrition Unit

Adequate complementary feeding practices are important for short- and long-term child health. In industrialized countries, the formulation of several commercial baby foods (CBFs) and an increase in their consumption has been noticed. Aim: To update and analyze the nutritional composition of CBFs available in the Italian market. Methods: Data co...

During the complementary feeding period, any nutritional deficiencies may negatively impact infant growth and neurodevelopment. A healthy diet containing all essential nutrients is strongly recommended by the WHO during infancy. Because vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular in many industrialized countries, some parents ask the pediatr...

Obesity is a chronic disease, in which treatment outcomes are highly dependent on patient and family adherence to behavioural recommendations. The role of healthy eating, physical activity, medication adherence as well as adherence to pre- and post-bariatric surgery protocols are of utmost importance for long-term treatment outcomes. Even the best...

Healthy eating in childhood and adolescence is important for proper growth and development and to establish a healthy foundation for future dietary habits. This paper aims to describe the elaboration of dietary plans for pediatric ages highlighting critical points related to the application of the Italian nutrient recommendations. National database...

Several institutions propose responsive feeding (RF) as the caregivers’ relational standard when nurturing a child, from breast/formula feeding onwards. Previous systematic reviews (SRs) on caregivers’ feeding practices (CFPs) have included studies on populations from countries with different cultures, rates of malnutrition, and incomes, whereas th...

No consensus currently exists on the appropriate age for the introduction of complementary feeding (CF). In this paper, a systematic review is conducted that investigates the effects of starting CF in breastfed and formula-fed infants at 4, 4-6, or 6 months of age (i) on growth at 12 months of age, (ii) on the development of overweight/obesity at 3...

Adequate and balanced nutrition is essential to promote optimal child growth and a long and healthy life. After breastfeeding, the second step is the introduction of complementary feeding (CF), a process that typically covers the period from 6 to 24 months of age. This process is, however, still highly controversial, as it is heavily influenced by...

In 2021 a multidisciplinary expert panel of four Italian scientific Pediatric Societies produced a Document on Complementary feeding (CF). The aim was to provide useful clinical advice for pediatricians working in Pediatric Divisions, the Primary Care Services, residents or Ph.D. students, pediatric nurses, and specialists. The nutrition committees...

Suboptimal nutrient quality/quantity during complementary feeding (CF) can impact negatively on infants’ healthy growth, even with adequate energy intake. CF must supplement at best human milk (HM) or formulas, which show nutritional differences. Considering this, a differentiated CF is probably advisable to correctly satisfy the different nutritio...

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the Edueat® Method, through experiential workshops focused on the use of all 5 senses. In two different primary schools in the same city, questionnaires were administered in two months with a follow-up one year later. Participants: 119 children (age 8.2–9.0) chosen randomly; con...

Adiposity rebound (AR) refers to the second rise of the body mass index (BMI) curve that usually occurs physiologically between five and seven years of age. AR timing has a great impact on patients’ health, since early adiposity rebound (EAR) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome later in life. We aimed to investigate the prevale...

The aim was to determine whether commercial baby foods marketed within Europe (up to 36 months of age) have inappropriate formulation and high sugar content and to provide suggestions to update European regulations and recommendations as part of a nutrient profile model developed for this age group. The latter was produced following recommended Wor...

Background: Adiposity rebound (AR) refers to the second rise of the BMI curve that usually occurs physiologically between 5 and 7 years of age. AR timing has a great impact on children´s health, being the early adiposity rebound (EAR) associated with the development of metabolic disease later in life. Aim: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of...

While most of the time unconsidered, child and adolescent obesity has been also associated with impaired brain health and function that can definitely affect their social interaction and integration, and then well‐being and mental health. The European Childhood Obesity Group recently gathered experts in the field who discussed the main available an...

L’ampia tematica relativa all’educazione alla salute e all’assistenza, all’educazione terapeutica, alla promozione del coinvolgimento dell’assistito (e, se opportuno, della sua famiglia) nel suo percorso di salute in modo che sia sempre più protagonista e dunque efficace nel gestirlo, ha avuto ampio spazio nelle attività del Gruppo di Lavoro Primar...

Background: Health risks associated with the high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) include overweight or obesity and their complications such as diabetes, as well as oral and dental decay, among others. Aim: The aim of the present statement is to inform health care professionals, parents, care-givers, teachers and school head teac...

The Italian Consensus Position Statement on Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents integrates and updates the previous guidelines to deliver an evidence based approach to the disease. The following areas were reviewed: (1) obesity definition and causes of secondary obesity; (2) physical and psychosocial comorbidi...

- L’EDUCAZIONE ALLA SALUTE COME CONTRASTO ALLE DISUGUAGLIANZE Nell’infanzia e nell’adolescenza l’educazione alla salute non persegue solo la “promozione della salute” ma ha importanti ricadute anche sulla riduzione dello svantaggio sociale e sulle condizioni dell’intera comunità - EDUCARE ALLA SALUTE NEI MOMENTI DI PASSAGGIO: ALLATTAMENTO, SVEZZAM...

This study reviewed the link between social media and the growing epidemic of childhood obesity in Europe. A task force from the European Academy of Paediatrics and the European Childhood Obesity Group searched published literature and developed a consensus statement. It found that there was evidence of a strong link between obesity levels across E...

L’ISTAT ci dice che i ragazzi tra i 15 e i 17 anni residenti in Italia sono circa 1.700.000. Nel 2016, 262.164 pazienti (15,5%) è risultato affetto da almeno una patologia cronica, mentre 54.124 (3,2%) da almeno due: nell’11,7% dei casi si è trattato di patologie allergiche, nel 4,1% di patologie respiratorie croniche ostruttive, nell’1% di cardiop...

La Società Italiana di Pediatria Preventiva e Sociale (SIPPS), insieme alla Federazione Italiana Medici Pediatri (FIMP) ed alla Società Italiana di Medicina Perinatale (SIMP) ha quindi deciso di approfondire il problema dell’adeguatezza delle diete vegetariane relativamente alla crescita ed allo sviluppo neurocognitivo dei bambini, nonché dei loro...

There is a high prevalence of obesity among children, which has shown a steady increase in recent decades, despite some recent signs of stabilization in many industrialized countries, including Italy. The obese child frequently presents metabolic and nonmetabolic risk factors, often manifesting overt morbidity for hypertension, dyslipidemia, glucos...

Adequate dietary intake of micronutrients is not necessarily achieved even in resource-rich areas of the world wherein overeating is a public health concern. In Europe, population-based data suggests substantial variability in micronutrient intake among children. Two independent surveys of micronutrient consumption among European children were eval...

Background and objectives: Little information is available on severe obesity in childhood. This study estimates the prevalence of severe obesity in 8- to 9-year-old children resident in Italy and its association with gender, age, geographical area and parents' nutritional status and education using the World Health Organization (WHO) and Internati...

I l principale compito del pediatra è quello di valutare il livello di salute del bambino e se questo non è ottimale porre in atto tutte le azioni mediche e sociali per migliorarlo. In genere una crescita in altezza e peso " normale " è considera-ta un indice semplice ed attendibile di un buon livello di salute fisica del bambino. Per valutare se u...

Background: Interdisciplinary state-of-the-art interven-tions to treat obesity demand equally interdisciplinary outcome assessments. The Bariatric Evaluation Score for Children (BAREV-C) was developed to reliably and com-prehensively assess the outcomes of non-surgical and surgical obesity treatment in children and adolescents. Methods: BAREV-C ass...

Objective: To determine and compare attitudes, skills, and practices in childhood obesity management in 4 European countries with different obesity prevalence, health care systems, and economic situations. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to primary health care providers from France, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine. The questionnaire...

Background: Interdisciplinary state-of-the-art interventions to treat obesity demand equally interdisciplinary outcome assessments. The Bariatric Evaluation Score for Children (BAREV-C) was developed to reliably and comprehensively assess the outcomes of non-surgical and surgical obesity treatment in children and adolescents. Methods: BAREV-C asses...

Background: Interdisciplinary state-of-the-art interven-tions to treat obesity demand equally interdisciplinary outcome assessments. The Bariatric Evaluation Score for Children (BAREV-C) was developed to reliably and com-prehensively assess the outcomes of non-surgical and surgical obesity treatment in children and adolescents. Methods: BAREV-C ass...

of the working groups and suggestions for future research - Volume 15 Issue 8A

Objective: To test a surveillance system on diet and physical activity based on data gathered at well-child visits. Design: Cross-sectional data collection on growth, diet, physical activity and sociodemographic variables. Setting: Offices of 179 paediatricians in three Italian regions. Subjects: 26 898 children for a total of 32 915 well-ch...

Early nutrition is considered to be crucial for development of persistent obesity in later life. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of complementary feeding patterns across European countries. Most European infants introduce solid foods earlier than 6 completed months of age as recommended by WHO. The commonest risk factors for early i...

74 – PERISCOPE Project: how to translate healthy lifestyle in funny and enjoyable ones to preschool children and their families - Volume 15 Issue 8A

63 – Therapeutic education as common tool in the prevention and early treatment of childhood obesity - Volume 15 Issue 8A

Compared to exclusive breastfeeding, the introduction of solids leads to a reduction of dietary fats. We explore the hypothesis that dietary fats consumed in the 6-24-month period might have later effects on non-communicable disorders and health. We have considered studies on dietary fats as substrate for oxidation and energy production, effects on...

The construction of a school is the first pedagogical act. Its form, the relationship with nature, light, materials and colours provides important educational inputs for children. Different social, philosophical, pedagogical and architectural theories on the spaces built for and around the child have led to the construction of different kindergarte...

The aim of this study is to develop and test a method to perform focus groups (FGs) and to elicit the subjective views of preschool-age children on physical activity and perceived kindergarten barriers to practice it. FGs have been held in three different kindergarten classes with 49 children who were 4-5 years old. Children were asked to draw them...

The aim of the study was to examine the gross motor skill performance of overweight and non-overweight preschool children from South of Italy, and to investigate possible differences by gender. Participants were 38 boys and 42 girls (4.5 ± 0.5 yr) categorized as overweight (n = 38) and non-overweight (n = 42), according to the IOTF body mass index...

PERISCOPE project assesses factors promoting or preventing obesity development in early age. A specific aim is to assess preschool children's physical activity habits in three different European countries. PERISCOPE has been implemented in 1094 children attending kindergartens in Denmark, Italy and Poland. The parents' and children's physical activ...

We compared television food advertising to children in several countries. We undertook a collaboration among 13 research groups in Australia, Asia, Western Europe, and North and South America. Each group recorded programming for 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days between 6:00 and 22:00, for the 3 channels most watched by children, between October 2007 a...

The objective of this study was to synthesize available information on prevalence and time trends of overweight and obesity in pre-school children in the European Union. Retrieval and analysis or re-analysis of existing data were carried out. Data sources include WHO databases, Medline and Google, contact with authors of published and unpublished d...

An international consensus on the methodology of a public health surveillance system will be essential in order to have a correct understanding of the progress of the growing challenge posed by the epidemic of obesity, to make inter-country comparisons possible, and overall to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive programmes and interventions. R...

In April 2006 the WHO released a set of growth standards for children from birth to the age of 5 y. Prior to their release, the standards were field-tested in 4 countries. The main objective was to compare children's length/height-for-age and weight-for-length/height based on the new standards with clinician assessments of the same children. The st...

Introduction. Parents are responsible not only for the genetic structure of their children, but also for passing on their behaviours and attitudes toward life. It is, therefore, interesting to study if there is any connection between school-age children's obesity and that of their parents as well as between children's obesity and parents' education...

Introduction. The latest increase in childhood obesity has focused attention on the important consequences that this phenomenon may have on public health in relationship to the increasing risk that an obese child may become an obese adult. There is, therefore, the need for early detection of childhood obesity prevalence and its trend at different l...

To assess the role of television as tool for childhood obesity prevention. Review of the available literature about the relationship between television and childhood obesity, eating habits and body shape perception. The reviewed studies showed the following: television watching replaces more vigorous activities; there is a positive correlation betw...

Childhood obesity increases the risk of morbidity whether or not obesity persists into adulthood. Measurement of body fat content using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a useful tool in epidemiologic studies. Both tricep skinfold thickness (TST, mm) and body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) are indirect, simple methods and easy to perform for assessing body...

This book addresses the ever increasing problem of obesity in children and adolescents, the long-term health and social problems that arise from this, and approaches to prevention and management. Aimed at doctors, and all health-care professionals, it will be of interest to all those concerned with the increasing prevalence of obesity in both the d...

This book addresses the ever increasing problem of obesity in children and adolescents, the long-term health and social problems that arise from this, and approaches to prevention and management. Aimed at doctors, and all health-care professionals, it will be of interest to all those concerned with the increasing prevalence of obesity in both the d...

The increased prevalence of obesity highlights the need of programs for its prevention. In the obesity prevention programs calorie and nutrient intake, emotional and social cues related to food intake must be considered. Thus, in order to prevent development of obesity modifying the nutritional factors it would be necessary: increasing breast-feedi...

To investigate gastric emptying of a mixed solid and liquid meal in normal weight and obese children. 114 volunteer children of school age (range 6-11 y) entered the study. Children were considered as being underweight, normal weight, obese, severely obese according to their body mass index (BMI), and were examined using a non-invasive ultrasound m...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lean body mass variation in obese children and adolescents under Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PSMF) treatment through two indirect, not invasive, methods: The Slaughter-Lohman formal as an anthropometric method, and the urinary excretion of 3-Methylhistidine (3MHIS) as a biochemical method. Materials and...

Hair trace element (TE) (Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb) levels from 336 healthy subjects were measured by the Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. The subjects were divided in three groups: 157 full-term neonates (75 male and 82 female), 86 children (41 male and 45 female) ages 6 to 11 yr, and 93 adolescents (51 male and 42 female) 11...

This study was performed to investigate the metabolic Trace Element (TE) status of mother-neonate pairs at delivery. Hair concentrations of Cr,Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se and Br, in 18 full-term and 24 preterm newborn infants and their mothers were determined by PIXE technique. No difference was detected between preterm and full-term neonates for all measur...

We examined the efficiency and safety of PSMF in the treatment of 24 obese female children and adolescents. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of 13 children, age: 8.81±1.42 years old, EW%:53.88±17.17; Group B consisted of 11 adolescents, age:15.54±2.39, EW% 46.99±9.67. The PSMF was based on Protein g 1.8±0.08.Kg IBW.day,...