Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Predictive tool for cardio-metabolic risk in children with obesity
Highlights
Coordinator
Profiling of vulnerable targets (in connection with SPOKE 5) through: a) analyses of existing data in children affected by obesity and ageing population at risk of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) b) screening of socioeconomic factors, lifestyle and dietary habits, environmental factors, food knowledge, nutritional status, body composition, functional status and disability, quality of life, genetic, metagenetic, phenotypic profiles, exposure to endocrine disruptors chemicals (EDCs), immune system functions in children and aging population with malnutrition c) human-derived biological samples analysis (including samples for the gut microbiome structure analysis and function).
Identification of sustainable tailored multidimensional approach including nutritional strategies aimed at reducing malnutrition in target specific populations by exploiting the interactions between environment, food, genotype and phenotype: a) analysis of the positive and negative interactions between lifestyle, socioeconomic status, clinical condition, psychological distress, medical treatment and diet for the implementation of sustainable dietary patterns; b) malnutrition biomarker validation; c) draft of sustainable nutritional protocols (in connection with Spoke 1 and 4).
Systematic evaluation of existing data on nutritional status and critical issues for target specific groups with malnutrition (M8)
Identification and mapping of specific target groups with malnutrition (M24)
Report on lifestyle, socioeconomic status, clinical condition, psychological distress, medical treatment, diet, cultural and environmental determinants of malnutrition in target specific populations (M24)
Evaluation and harmonisation of existing nutritional protocol, dietary guidelines for specific target groups with malnutrition (M10)
Validated biomarkers and reference ranges for specific target groups with malnutrition (M36)
Development of new, sustainable, easy to use diagnostic tools for early malnutrition assessment in specific target groups (M36)
New sustainable nutrition protocols for specific target groups with malnutrition (M20)
The WHO estimated that nearly 41 million children (<5 yrs) and over 340 million children and adolescents (5-19 yrs) present overweight or obesity. The effects of pediatric obesity and its complications may have on life span, predicting a shorter life expectancy. In particular, metabolic disorders and malnutrition factors are closely linked to overweight and obesity already in pediatrics and it predicts cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes type 2 (T2D) and all-cause mortality in adults. The chronic inflammatory status related to obesity, body composition, body-fat distribution deficit in micronutrients and vitamins are critical players in the risk of T2D and CVD development. An association between the patterns and the health outcomes exists and the lifestyle habits acquired in early life, persisting to later childhood and were associated with cardiometabolic markers at school age independently of BMI. Thus, the aim of the project will be to find effective strategies of lifestyle medicine and sustainable dietary protocols to counteract childhood obesity.
A cohort of children and adolescents with essential obesity (BMI-z score≥2, aged 2-18 years) will be enrolled.
Exclusion criteria will be: known secondary obesity conditions, use of any medications, and concomitant chronic or acute illnesses were considered. At enrolment, in all subjects, family history, neonatal and early life data, sleep quality, physical activity report, clinical evaluation, dietary pattern and biochemical profile will be considered to create the screening tool.
Based on the observed results will be developed:
Moreover, bio-molecular profiles useful to monitor disease evolution offering novel potential preventive and therapeutic targets and creating an evolution tool will be identified and validated.
It is expected:
