Fatma Nur Baran Aksakal

This study aims to examine the effects of physical activity, eating habits, sleep patterns, and media use on children’s body composition during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the relationship of these factors with sarcopenic obesity (SO). This prospective cross-sectional study has involved 431 healthy male and female child participants aged between 6 and 10 years during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. The daily routines of participants, including their dietary habits, levels of physical activity, and media usage patterns, have been assessed. The anthropometric measurements taken included body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and skinfold thickness assessments. Body composition analyses have been conducted using the bioelectrical impedance (BIA) method to determine the total body fat and muscle mass as well as the fat percentage. It has identified obesity in 25.2% and SO in 9.5%. Children with SO have had mean BMI SDS of 2.67 ± 0.4 and mean waist circumference of 78.5 ± 9 cm. Fruit consumption OR = 2.68, 95% CI (1.13–6.31), the number of household members OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.35–0.84), the duration of sitting time OR = 1.17, 95% CI (1.02–1.36)], and junk food consumption OR = 1.27, 95% CI (1.03–1.57)] have been found to be effective in the development of SO. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the body composition of children, resulting in an increased prevalence of obesity and sarcopenic obesity. This research highlights the critical importance of engaging in regular physical activity, consuming a balanced diet, and obtaining sufficient sleep, particularly during times of crisis. What is Known: • Sarcopenic obesity is a complex metabolic condition characterized by reduced muscle mass and increased adipose tissue. • COVID-19 pandemic-related physical inactivity potentially has led to adverse effects on muscle mass composition. What is New: • First comprehensive assessment of sarcopenic obesity development in children during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing advanced bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to evaluate changes in muscle mass and adipose tissue. • Systematic evaluation of the impact of sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits on sarcopenic obesity during the unprecedented lockdown period.

Background and objectives: Considering the information pollution in the field of nutrition and health in society, more than half of the community asks family physicians (FPs) as the closest counseling unit about healthy nutrition and related issues. However, FPs’ nutritional knowledge levels are limited, and nutrition-related courses are not an integral part of their education. There is a need to organize postgraduate nutrition-based training programs for FPs. Methods: In order to determine the training needs of FPs, a needs assessment questionnaire was developed by the researchers in order to select topics in which they need to be trained before preparing a training program. There were 26.252 FPs in Turkey at the time of the study. AHEF is the federation of all seventy-six FP associations in Turkey. FPs who are members of any of these associations constituted the study population. The questionnaire was sent to all registered FPs electronically. Results: The questionnaire was replied to by 1308 FPs, of whom 46% were female and the average working period was 15 ± 3 years (1–38). Only 26.4% of the FPs declared that they felt competent while answering patients’ questions on nutrition, 12.8% thought their knowledge was insufficient, 62.6% thought their knowledge was partly sufficient, and 23.2% recommend some kind of supplement to their patients. The topics that are indicated by the FPs were quantified and taken into consideration while the training program was prepared. The training program, which provided the first ever nutrition and nutrition communication online information platform for physicians in Turkey, was developed in collaboration with an NGO, the university, and AHEF. It consisted of eight online training topics starting in March 2022 and was conducted once every two weeks. Discussion: Postgraduate nutrition training programs for physicians and other health professionals who wish to improve their current knowledge of the role of nutrition and communication in the prevention and management of chronic diseases are limited worldwide. It is necessary to increase the level of nutrition knowledge of FPs with postgraduate training programs. Nutrition communication is the next step toward improvement.

Pertussis, caused by Bordetella pertussis, remains one of the most widespread, contagious, and vaccine-preventable diseases. It results in notable morbidity and mortality as well as severe medical, social, and economic burden. Despite high global vaccine coverage, pertussis continues to be a significant epidemiologic problem, with outbreak episodes every few years just as in the pre-vaccination era. In Türkiye, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the current burden of pertussis in different age and risk groups, leading to underdiagnosis and underreporting of the disease, especially in adults who are often not considered at risk. Available data from Türkiye also reveal inadequate levels of protective antibodies in preterm newborns, emphasizing the need for additional preventive measures. Authors stated that improving physician awareness of pertussis symptoms in patients with prolonged cough, increasing access to routine pertussis tests, and conducting surveillance studies would aid in accurate diagnosis and reporting in Türkiye. As the Turkish Ministry of Health Antenatal Care Management Guide suggests routine second and third pregnancy check-up visits at weeks 18–24 and 28–32 correspondingly, this period can be considered the ideal vaccination time for Türkiye. Introducing a booster dose of Tdap at around 10 years of age or during national military service would reduce transmission and protect susceptible individuals. Identifying individuals at high risk of severe pertussis and prioritizing them for a booster dose is also crucial in Türkiye. Enhancing surveillance systems, increasing healthcare professionals’ awareness through training, and organizing catch-up visits for missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic are mentioned as additional strategies to improve pertussis prevention in Türkiye. This review focuses on the global and regional burden of pertussis and obstacles to effective prevention and evaluates existing strategies to achieve lifelong pertussis prevention. Literature and current strategies were also discussed from a Turkish national standpoint.