Browsing by Author "Barros, Neuza"
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- Nutritional counselling in adults promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet as adjuvant in the treatment of major depressive disorder (INDEPT): a randomized open controlled trial study protocolPublication . Sousa-Santos, Nuno; Fialho, Mónica; Madeira, Teresa; Clara, Cátia; Veiga, Sofia; Martins, Raquel; Barros, Neuza; Santos, Gabriela; Santos, Osvaldo; Almeida, Carolina; Ganança, Licínia; Campos, Rui C.; Camolas, José; da Silva, Alda Pereira; Guarino, Maria Pedro Sucena; Heitor, Maria JoãoBackground Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Approximately one-third of patients with MDD do not respond to treatment, and often exhibit elevated inflammation biomarkers, which are associated with worse prognosis. Previous research has linked healthier dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), with a lower risk of MDD and symptoms of depression, potentially due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional counselling intervention promoting MedDiet to alleviate symptoms of depression in adults recently diagnosed with MDD and presenting with elevated inflammation biomarkers. Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that will recruit adults from outpatient clinics, between the ages of 18 and 70 years who have been diagnosed with MDD and are currently receiving treatment with the first prescribed antidepressant, and who exhibit elevated inflammation biomarkers (interleukin-6 and/or C-reactive protein). The control group will receive treatment-as-usual (TAU) only. The primary outcome of the study will be the change in symptoms of depression, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-II), after 12 weeks of intervention. Data analysis will follow an intention-to-treat approach. Secondary outcomes will include changes in inflammation biomarkers, quality of life, adherence to the MedDiet, and cost-effectiveness of nutritional counselling. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after the 12-week intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Discussion This study will be the first RCT to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention with anti-inflammatory properties, as an adjuvant in the treatment of MDD, in individuals diagnosed with MDD and elevated inflammation biomarkers. The results of this study may contribute to the development of more effective and personalized interventions for MDD patients with elevated inflammation biomarkers.
- Veggies4myHeart digital game: an educational tool to promote vegetable consumption in preschool children - a multicentre experimental studyPublication . Braga-Pontes, Cátia; Ferreira, Patrícia V.; Barros, Neuza; Vieito, Leonel; Lages, Marlene; Simões-Dias, Sara; Torre, Sophie Bucher Della; Guarino, Maria P.Background Vegetable consumption as part of a balanced and diversified dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Even though the scientific evidence for these benefits is strong, the consumption of vegetables remains far below recommendations, especially in early childhood. Despite existing literature, the evidence on how to increase vegetable consumption in preschool children remains limited and the development and validation of new strategies should be pursued in varied contexts. The study presented herein aimed to compare the impact of educational sessions based on the serious game Veggies4myHeart and repeated exposure to vegetables on preschool children’s willingness to taste them and also their nutrition knowledge, measured at baseline and post-intervention, in Portuguese and Swiss preschool children. Methods The intervention was carried out in preschools with 39 Portuguese and 45 Swiss children, from 3 to 6 years old, in their preschools, between May 2019 and February 2021. Children participated in weekly 20-minute educational sessions for 5 weeks, delivered by trained nutritionists and incorporating the Veggies4myHeart digital game. Willingness to taste was assessed by offering the five raw vegetables in standard portions and recording whether each child tasted them at baseline, throughout the intervention, and post-intervention. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using three questionnaires applied before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS software and statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Results Comparing the results between the two countries post-intervention, statistically significant differences were found in the willingness to taste lettuce, carrot, and red cabbage, with Portuguese children showing more willingness to taste these vegetables than Swiss children (p < 0,05). Improvements in nutrition knowledge, from baseline to post-intervention, were observed in both countries (p < 0,001), but without statistically significant differences between countries (p = 0.114). Conclusions Despite differences in context and eating habits of Portuguese and Swiss children, the intervention with the Veggies4myHeart digital game increased preschoolers’ willingness to taste vegetables, supporting the value of repeated exposure combined with digital tools. Improvement in nutrition knowledge further reinforces the potential of serious games as comprehensive educational strategies for promoting healthy habits in young children.