Self-Reported Effects of Diet on Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Healthy Children.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate self-reported dietary effects, including beans, on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in healthy children.
Results Summary
Beans were the most frequently reported food item (24%) to induce GI symptoms among children, though only 8% of children overall reported diet-induced GI symptoms. Children with existing GI symptoms were more likely to report dietary impacts on symptoms.
Population
Healthy children aged 1-18 years old.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
diet | increase | GI symptoms | healthy children | 8% | induced GI symptoms regularly | #1 |
beans | increase | GI symptoms | healthy children | 24% | reported as inducing GI symptoms | #2 |
plums | increase | GI symptoms | healthy children | 21% | reported as inducing GI symptoms | #3 |
cream | increase | GI symptoms | healthy children | 14% | reported as inducing GI symptoms | #4 |
diet | increase | GI symptoms | children with GI symptoms (constipation, abdominal pain, troublesome gases) | 22% | could potentially induce GI symptoms | #5 |
diet | increase | GI symptoms | children with No/Seldom GI symptoms | 2% | could potentially induce GI symptoms | #6 |
diet | decrease | GI symptoms | children with GI symptoms (constipation, abdominal pain, troublesome gases) | 21% | adjusted to regulate GI symptoms | #7 |
diet | decrease | GI symptoms | children with No/Seldom GI symptoms | 4% | adjusted to regulate GI symptoms | #8 |
diet | increase | GI symptoms | children who had already experienced GI symptoms | - | impacted on GI symptoms to a greater, but still very limited, extent | #9 |
OBJECTIVES: Evidence on dietary effects on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in healthy children is lacking. Despite this, dietary advice is still common practice in the treatment of children's GI symptoms. The aim was to investigate self-reported dietary effects on GI symptoms in healthy children. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study on children, a validated self-reporting questionnaire including 90 specified food items was used. Healthy children aged 1-18 years old and their parents were invited to participate. Descriptive data were presented as median (range) and n (%). RESULTS: In total, 265 of 300 children (9 years [1-18]; 52% boys) answered the questionnaire. Overall, 21 of 265 (8%) reported that diet induced GI symptoms regularly. In total, 2 (0-34) food items were reported per child as inducing GI symptoms. The most frequently reported items were beans (24%), plums (21%), and cream (14%). More children with GI symptoms (constipation, abdominal pain, troublesome gases) than with No/Seldom GI symptoms reported that diet could potentially induce GI symptoms (17/77 [22%] vs 4/188 [2%], P ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, they adjusted their diet to regulate GI symptoms (16/77 [21%] vs 8/188 [4%], P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Few healthy children reported that diet induced GI symptoms, and only a minority of food items were reported to induce GI symptoms. Children who had already experienced GI symptoms reported that diet impacted on GI symptoms to a greater, but still very limited, extent. Results can be used to determine accurate expectations and goals of dietary treatment of GI symptoms in children.