Nutrition and health最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of the Appetite and Food Satisfaction Questionnaire (AFSQ); a simple dietary tool to screen for peritoneal dialysis patients with reduced diary intake.","authors":"Andrew Davenport","doi":"10.1177/02601060251368433","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251368433","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are at risk of malnutrition due to dietary restrictions and gastro-intestinal effects of dialysis. <b>Aims/Objectives:</b> Evaluation of the Appetite and Food Satisfaction Questionnaire (AFSQ) which has been proposed as a simple, rapid screening tool to detect PD patients with reduced appetite and food intake. <b>Methods:</b> The AFSQ, a simple six-question tool combining pictorial images with a Likert scale of 0 to 3 was used to assess dietary protein intake in PD patients, who had contemporaneous body composition measured with bioimpedance, and assessments of dietary protein intake and dialysis adequacy. <b>Results:</b> AFSQs from 177 PD patients were reviewed, mean age 61.8 ± 15.2 years, 58.2% male, 46.9% diabetic, 36.2% white, median treatment 17 (14-30) months. The median AFSQ score was 5 (3-8), ranging from 0 to 17. Those with highest scores (≥7), had lower normalised dietary protein intake (nPNA) vs those with the lowest scores (0-3) (0.75 ± 0.17 vs 0.88 ± 0.26 g/kg/day), and lower 24-hour sodium removal (103 (48-111) vs 127 (81-168) mmol), <i>P</i> < 0.05. On multi-variable testing higher AFSQ cores were associated with lower nPNA and soft lean mass index (standardised <i>β</i> -0.19 and -0.18, <i>P</i> = 0.031 and 0.036, respectively). <b>Conclusion:</b> Multi-ethnic PD patients were readily able to complete the simple 6 question AFSQ. Patients with the highest food dissatisfaction scores had lower estimates of dietary protein intake, sodium removal and lean tissue mass. Thus, the AFSQ may have a role as a simple rapid screening tool to highlight PD patients who would benefit from formal dietitian review, particularly in resource limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1223-1229"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13338486/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Associations between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and body mass index among female nutrition students: A classification and regression tree analysis.","authors":"Gloria Cecilia Deossa-Restrepo, Marco Segura-Buján, Argenis Giraldo, Sebastián Flores-Alvarado, Leonardo Galavis-Villamizar","doi":"10.1177/02601060251377593","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251377593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The university period is critical for establishing positive lifestyle habits that can reduce long-term risk for chronic diseases. <b>Aim:</b> To analyze the associations between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and body mass index (BMI) among female university students enrolled in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at the University of Antioquia. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 251 female students (22.0 ± 2.8 years) selected via proportion-based random sampling. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, and food frequency data were collected using standardized questionnaires administered by trained nutritionists. A Dietary Index (DI) was calculated from 35 food groups to assess diet quality. Kendall's Tau-C test was used to evaluate associations between specific food groups and BMI. Additionally, Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was applied to identify the variables most strongly associated with BMI, modeled both as categorical and continuous outcomes. <b>Results:</b> Students with higher food spending (<i>p</i> = 0.013), a healthy DI (<i>p</i> = 0.015), and enrollment in the contributory health system (<i>p</i> = 0.027) were more likely to have a normal BMI. CART analysis revealed that better DI scores and reduced screen time were associated with lower BMI, with the DI emerging as the primary discriminating variable. Individual food group analysis showed significant associations between BMI and frequent consumption of high-sodium sauces (<i>p</i> = 0.005; <i>r</i> = 0.142), canned foods (<i>p</i> = 0.034; <i>r</i> = -0.111), and sugar-sweetened beverages (<i>p</i> = 0.003; <i>r</i> = -0.113), though these correlations were weak. <b>Conclusion:</b> University settings should prioritize interventions such as healthy food services, nutrition education workshops, and accessible recreational facilities to promote healthy lifestyles among students. These strategies may help reduce the risk of overweight and obesity and support long-term health.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1363-1374"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145131474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring breakfast dietary patterns in Spanish youth: Reliability of the Spanish Youth Breakfast Consumption Questionnaire (SYBC-Q).","authors":"Pablo Campos-Garzón, Romina Gisele Saucedo-Araujo, Manuel Herrador-Colmenero, Yaira Barranco-Ruiz","doi":"10.1177/02601060251368960","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251368960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Reliable tools to assess breakfast habits are essential, as breakfast quality is linked to health and development in youth. However, validated instruments for Spanish children and adolescents are scarce. <b>Objectives:</b> To assess the reliability of the Spanish Youth Breakfast Consumption Questionnaire (SYBC-Q) in a sample of Spanish children and adolescents. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 248 young people participated in the study: 77 children (46.8% girls; 10.7 ± 0.7 years) and 171 adolescents (50.3% girls; 14.1 ± 1.7 years). They completed the questionnaire twice, 14 days apart, on the same days of the week and schedule. The tool includes 21 items grouped into seven food categories and two breakfast quality scores. Test-retest reliability was analyzed using the kappa coefficient (κ) and Spearman's correlation (Rho). Analyses were performed separately by age group and gender. <b>Results:</b> Children showed an acceptable to good level of agreement and a moderate to high correlation between test and retest (κ: 0.23-0.71; Rho: 0.37-0.76). However, low agreement and poor correlation were found for 'Take Cheese' and 'Take Milk dessert' in girls (both, κ < 0.20; Rho < 0.30). Adolescents presented an acceptable to perfect level of agreement and a low to high correlation between test and retest (κ: 0.24-0.82; Rho: 0.24-0.82), but a low level of agreement in the items 'Take pâte' in girls and 'Take dried fruits' in boys (both, κ: < 0.20; Rho: < 0.30). <b>Conclusion:</b> Overall, the SYBC-Q is a reliable tool for assessing the breakfast consumption and quality in Spanish children and adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1265-1273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13365622/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963133","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the relationship between dietary factors and hair health: A systematic review.","authors":"Nuno Gomes, Nuno Silva, Beatriz Teixeira","doi":"10.1177/02601060251367206","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251367206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundSpecific foods and nutrients have a significant importance in maintaining healthy hair, which is a crucial aspect of an individual's identity and self-esteem.AimTo identify, through a literature review, the association between the consumption of specific foods and/or nutrients and the health of the hair.MethodsThis review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on the PROSPERO platform (registration number: CRD42024527250). The databases Medline (PubMed), Web of Science and Scopus were consulted between March and June 2024. The following inclusion criteria were considered: individuals aged ≥3 years old; the consumption/intake of specific foods/nutrients; and articles written in English and Portuguese. The search expression combined terms related to 'diet', 'nutrition' and 'hair health' (<i>n</i> = 1287 articles), where language filters and duplicate removal were applied.ResultsThe analysis of 17 studies involved 61332 participants, predominantly women (97%). Vitamin D stood out as the most studied nutrient (five studies), while alopecia and hair loss were the most studied hair health parameters (eight and five studies, respectively). Higher levels of vitamin D and iron were inversely related to alopecia. Conversely, a higher intake of alcoholic and sugary beverages was found to be positively correlated with hair loss.ConclusionDiet and nutrition play a crucial role in hair health, particularly vitamin D and iron supplementation, while limiting alcohol and soft drinks may be beneficial. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1231-1242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13338483/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antenatal breastfeeding education approaches for breast soreness prevention among primiparous Indonesian women: A study protocol.","authors":"Eka Nurhayati, Edi Sampurno, Ekawaty Lutfia Haksari, Lisana Shidiq Aliya, Fatimatasari Fatimatasari, I Made Moh Yanuar Saifudin, Emma Clare Lewis, Prasetya Lestari","doi":"10.1177/02601060251413559","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251413559","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundInadequate positioning and attachment in the early postpartum period frequently result in breast soreness, which is among the leading causes of breastfeeding discontinuation. These conditions compromise exclusive breastfeeding and may adversely affect infant nutrition, underscoring the importance of effective antenatal breastfeeding education. Yet, few studies have evaluated clinical approaches to improving breastfeeding technique during pregnancy in this setting.ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the impact of antenatal breastfeeding education delivered through clinical demonstrations on the incidence of breast soreness among primiparous Indonesian women.MethodsA quasi-experimental design with equivalent-time samples will be used. Participants will be pregnant women in their third trimester, randomized 1:1 into experimental and control groups. The intervention group will receive two 40-minute sessions, including a clinical demonstration of correct breastfeeding positioning and attachment, and an educational electronic booklet (\"e-booklet\"), while the control group will receive standard educational materials once. Primary outcomes will be evaluated at 7 and 14 days postpartum. Data analysis will include independent t-tests and repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare mean differences between groups, with multivariate logistic regression used to identify covariates.SummaryThis protocol will inform future interventions and programs aimed at strengthening breastfeeding education among primiparous mothers in Indonesian community settings. Findings may also guide the application of evidence-based best practices in similar contexts worldwide, with potential implications for reducing early feeding difficulties.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1107-1114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiometabolic status among shift workers under meal time regulation: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Fatqiatul Wulandari, Imas E Khoiriyah, Anisa J Naim, Anita N Walker, Dominikus R Atmaka, Ime A Khuang, Qing Feng","doi":"10.1177/02601060261464874","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060261464874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To date, findings have denoted that disrupted meal timing and eating during biologically inappropriate hours are associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes among shift workers. However, solid evidence remains lacking due to the small number of clinical studies and low methodological quality. This review investigated how an intervention targeting shift workers' meal timing affects cardiometabolic markers. The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL Complete, and Scopus were searched using a predefined search strategy. Only randomized controlled trials of adults aged ≥18 under a shift work environment were included. Four trials met the inclusion criteria. Three studies assigned fasting periods during the night shift, ranging between 19:45 and 06:30 h, and one study used 10-h self-selected Time-Restricted Eating (TRE). A 10 h self-selected TRE reported a significantly lower VLDL-C particle size compared with the control group. Four studies reporting fasting insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance observed a significant change in one trial after an 8.5-h overnight fast. No studies pointed to significant changes in HDL-C. In the postprandial measurement, 10.75 h of night fasting showed significantly lower glucose AUC, non-esterified fatty acids AUC, and 2-h glucose than in the meal- and snack-at-night group. Body weight was slightly lower after a short overnight fast. The scarcity of trials investigating mealtime interventions and cardiometabolic markers among shift workers limits the generalizability of the findings and raises concerns regarding the robustness of the preliminary positive outcomes. Therefore, more trials with larger sample sizes and longer study durations are required, given the limited number of studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"2601060261464874"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of ultra-processed food consumption and pro-inflammatory dietary load in adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome: A case-control study.","authors":"Isidro Miguel Martín Pérez, Sebastián Eustaquio Martín Pérez","doi":"10.1177/02601060251369916","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060251369916","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition marked by widespread musculoskeletal pain, persistent fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Its pathophysiology involves central sensitization, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary factors-particularly the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs)-may exacerbate these mechanisms and contribute to increased symptom burden. <b>Aims/Objectives:</b> This study aimed to examine the dietary patterns, inflammatory potential of the diet, and body composition profiles in adults diagnosed with FMS compared to healthy controls. <b>Methods/Methodology:</b> A case-control study was conducted with 89 adults (45 with FMS and 44 healthy controls). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Food items were classified using the NOVA system, and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) was calculated. Anthropometric data, body composition, and clinical variables-including pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale, VAS), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)-were recorded. Statistical analyses included t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests (significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Results/Findings:</b> Patients with FMS consumed significantly more UPFs (34.5 ± 8.9% vs. 26.7 ± 7.1% of total energy intake; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and had higher DII scores (45.3 ± 8.7 vs. 35.1 ± 9.2; <i>p</i> < 0.001). The FMS group exhibited higher body mass index (27.5 ± 4.2 vs. 24.9 ± 3.8 kg/m²; <i>p</i> = 0.014), increased fat mass (34.5 ± 5.3% vs. 28.1 ± 4.7%; <i>p</i> = 0.011), and lower muscle mass (47.5 ± 4.8% vs. 49.3 ± 4.2%; <i>p</i> = 0.019). Clinically, they reported greater pain (VAS: 6.8 ± 1.9 vs. 1.2 ± 0.5; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and fatigue (FSS: 5.1 ± 1.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.7; <i>p</i> < 0.001), with significant impairments in FIQ scores. Nutritional analysis showed lower intakes of magnesium, vitamin C, and polyphenols, and higher consumption of saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. <b>Conclusion:</b> Adults with FMS display a pro-inflammatory dietary profile characterized by high UPF consumption and reduced intake of protective nutrients. These patterns are associated with worsened symptomatology and adverse body composition, underscoring the potential role of anti-inflammatory dietary strategies in multidisciplinary FMS management.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1243-1254"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145192256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Creatine supplementation in type 2 diabetes: A critical appraisal of the evidence gap.","authors":"Marco Machado","doi":"10.1177/02601060261431066","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060261431066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Creatine supplementation has long been proposed as a potentially beneficial adjunct to exercise for improving metabolic health, owing to its well-described effects on skeletal muscle energetics and glucose transport. In individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), mechanistic and preclinical studies suggest that creatine may enhance exercise-induced GLUT4 translocation, muscle glycogen storage, and insulin sensitivity. However, despite this biological plausibility, the available clinical evidence remains limited and inconsistent, precluding firm conclusions regarding its therapeutic value in T2D. This commentary critically examines the persistent translational gap between mechanistic promise and clinical outcomes, with particular emphasis on the methodological limitations of existing trials, safety considerations in a metabolically vulnerable population, and the need for contemporary, high-quality evidence. We argue that future research must move beyond short-term surrogate endpoints and incorporate longer follow-up, rigorous clinical outcomes, and integration with standard-of-care pharmacological therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1135-1137"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147434482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Water is K'é: A multi-level intervention to promote healthy beverage choices among Navajo families: Trial rationale and study protocol.","authors":"Carmen George, Brianna John, Asia Soleil Yazzie, Karianne Jones, Melanie Aspaas, Anna Folz, Christina Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Letizia Trevisi, Zibiao Zhang, Malyssa Egge, Louise Benally, Kerlissa Bitah, Eva Bennett, Renee Halwood-Goldtooth, Joann Lameman, Nora Nelson, Sonya Shin","doi":"10.1177/02601060261431541","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060261431541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundFamily-level interventions can promote early child health. Partnering with community stakeholders, we co-developed Water is K'é, a culturally grounded family intervention delivered in early childhood education settings to promote healthy beverage choices and wellbeing among Navajo. (Diné) children ages two to seven. This manuscript describes the rationale, design, and methods of the study.AimTo evaluate the impact of Water is K'é on beverage behaviors among children and families, and on family cohesion and cultural connectedness.MethodsDiné and non-Diné researchers and community advisors developed the intervention and study design using community engagement methods. In this cluster-randomized crossover trial, early childhood education sites on Navajo Nation will be enrolled and randomly assigned to begin the intervention in year one or serve as a waitlist control until year two. Child-caregiver dyads will be enrolled at the start of the school year, with optional participation from other family members. The intervention strengthens the cultural connection to water, encourages behavior change, and addresses water access through 4 monthly lesson plans, social media content, and tailored strategies to increase children's access to drinking water throughout the day. Primary endpoints include beverage habits and family cohesion. Collected data includes surveys, optional health measures, and qualitative interviews.SummaryWater is K'é is a multilevel, community-designed intervention emphasizing Navajo language and culture. Innovative features include participant choice of health measures and family member enrollment. If successful, the program could be scaled across Navajo Nation and adapted for other early childhood programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1115-1123"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13056425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147504624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prognostic impact of weight loss during radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review.","authors":"Emelie von Wascinski, Julijana Vracaric, Klaus-Henning Kahl, Stefan Schiele, Anna Rubeck, Lukas Käsmann, Johannes Doescher, Johannes Zenk, Georg Stüben, Maria Neu","doi":"10.1177/02601060261419743","DOIUrl":"10.1177/02601060261419743","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundMalnutrition and weight loss (WL) are frequent in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) during radiotherapy (RT), affecting treatment tolerance and outcomes. Nutritional interventions aim to minimize WL and support therapy completion, yet the prognostic value of WL during RT remains unclear.Aims/ObjectivesTo systematically evaluate the prognostic impact of WL before, during and after RT in patients with HNC.Methods/MethodologyThis systematic review included studies from 2012 involving adult patients treated with definitive or postoperative RT for HNC, studies were eligible if WL/body mass index (BMI) change was analysed versus survival outcomes (overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS)/cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival (DFS)). A structured PubMed and Cochrane search was conducted and results were synthesized narratively.Results/FindingsEight studies met the inclusion criteria. Pretreatment WL > 10% consistently predicted inferior OS and disease-specific survival (DSS). WL during RT varied widely between studies: most reported no association with OS, whereas single studies reported worse DSS with critical WL, worse OS with ΔBMI >1 kg/m², or an apparent survival advantage with greater WL. Posttreatment WL ≥ 10% was associated with reduced DFS. Comparability was limited by heterogeneous WL definitions, timing and treatment techniques.ConclusionPretreatment WL is a strong negative prognostic factor in HNC, whereas evidence for WL during or after RT remains inconsistent. Standardized WL assessment and structured nutritional support should be integrated into routine RT care. Future prospective studies using harmonized definitions are needed to clarify prognostic relevance and guide evidence-based nutrition management.</p>","PeriodicalId":19352,"journal":{"name":"Nutrition and health","volume":" ","pages":"1169-1178"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13338475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146195156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}