Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria

ISSN:1644-0730, e-ISSN:1898-9594

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original articleIssue 19 (3) 2020 pp. 291-300

Katarzyna M. Boradyn1, Katarzyna E. Przybyłowicz1, Elżbieta Jarocka-Cyrta2

1Department of Human Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland
2
Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

The role of selected dietary and lifestyle factors in the occurrence of symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain – a pilot study

Abstract

Background. Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are a common health problem in the pediatric population. Research suggests that several environmental modifiable factors, such as physical activity, growth status and dietary habits, may determine the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with dietary intake, physical activity level and BMI in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP).

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 25 children (5–11 years old) with diagnosed FAP. Dietary intake data were collected using a 7-day food diary. Patients were asked about physical activity at school and during their free time. Participants collected information about gastrointestinal symptoms over a 2-week period. The frequencies of abdominal pain and stools were recorded as number of events per day; the severity of abdominal pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, and stool consistency based on the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Differences between groups were verified with the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results. In the group of children with insufficient intake of fiber, abdominal pain intensity was significantly higher (median: 1.75 points/day, IQR: 1.18–2.32) than among participants with adequate intake (median: 0.29 points/day, IQR: 0.08–0.57; p = 0.006). Stool frequency was significantly lower in children who reported moderate physical activity in their free time (median: 0.86 times/day, IQR: 0.64–1.14) than in children with high free time physical activity (median: 1.36 times/day, IQR: 1.29–1.50; p = 0.031). There was no significant association between other lifestyle factors and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Conclusion. Our results suggest that simple recommendations relative to modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet or physical activity, may reduce abdominal pain intensity and improve stool frequency in children with FAP.

Keywords: pediatric, dietary intake, physical activity, Body Mass Index, functional abdominal pain, lifestyle factors
pub/.pdf Full text available in english in Adobe Acrobat format:
https://www.food.actapol.net/volume19/issue3/6_3_2020.pdf

https://doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2020.0833

For citation:

MLA Boradyn, Katarzyna M., et al. "The role of selected dietary and lifestyle factors in the occurrence of symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain – a pilot study." Acta Sci.Pol. Technol. Aliment. 19.3 (2020): 291-300. https://doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2020.0833
APA Boradyn K. M., Przybyłowicz K. E., Jarocka-Cyrta E. (2020). The role of selected dietary and lifestyle factors in the occurrence of symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain – a pilot study. Acta Sci.Pol. Technol. Aliment. 19 (3), 291-300 https://doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2020.0833
ISO 690 BORADYN, Katarzyna M., PRZYBYłOWICZ, Katarzyna E., JAROCKA-CYRTA, Elżbieta. The role of selected dietary and lifestyle factors in the occurrence of symptoms in children with functional abdominal pain – a pilot study. Acta Sci.Pol. Technol. Aliment., 2020, 19.3: 291-300. https://doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2020.0833