http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42 2026-06-01T13:44:35Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42080 Title: Salivary Amylase Gene Copy Number Relates with BMI Z-Score and with Response to Lifestyle Intervention for Children with Overweight and Obesity Authors: Monserrat-Mesquida, Margalida; Bouzas, Cristina; Cardoso, Hélia; García, Silvia; Argelich, Emma; Mateos, David; Marques, Monica; Campos, Catarina; Lamy, Elsa; Tur, Josep A Abstract: The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen significantly, with numerous associated health risks. Emerging research suggests a potential role for genetic factors; particularly, copy number variations (CNVs) of the amylase 1 gene (AMY1) may influence obesity through dietary behavior and metabolic regulation. This study aimed to examine the relationship between BMI z-score, dietary intake, and salivary AMY1 gene copy number (CN) in children with overweight and obesity, and to assess the relationship between AMY1 CN and the impact of lifestyle intervention on these parameters. The study included 90 children aged 2–6 years with overweight or obesity. Participants were randomized into either a parent support intervention group or a standard care control group. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, and salivary AMY1 gene copy number were assessed at baseline and after a 9-month intervention. Positive correlations were found between AMY1 gene copy number, BMI z-score, and carbohydrate intake, suggesting a potential role of this gene in dietary behavior-related obesity. The parent support intervention led to significant reductions in children’s BMI, BMI z-score, and energy and macronutrient intake compared to standard care. Although there was no direct association between AMY1 copy number and changes in BMI z-score, higher AMY1 copy numbers were associated with greater reductions in polyunsaturated fatty acid intake. These findings highlight an interaction between salivary AMY1 gene copy number, dietary intake, and obesity in children. These results support the relevance of genetic factors in obesity-related dietary patterns and emphasize the effectiveness of targeted family-based lifestyle interventions. 2025-08-31T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42078 Title: Empowering Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Through Personalized Intervention Portfolios Using a Healthy Lifestyle Recommender System to Prevent and Control Obesity in Young Adults: Pilot Study Protocol from the HealthyW8 Project Authors: Garcia, Silvia; Ródenas-Munar, Marina; Bohn, Torsten; Kemperman, Astrid; Rodrigues, Daniela; Evers, Suzan; Lamy, Elsa; Pérez-Jiménez, María; Forberger, Sarah; Onorati, Maria Giovanna; Devecchi, Andrea; De Magistris, Tiziana; Halimi, Jihan; Ivanova, Yoanna; Doychinov, Boyko; Bouzas, Cristina; Tur, Josep Abstract: Background: Rising obesity rates among young adults increase long-term health risks, especially cardiometabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. Digital interventions can offer scalable solutions to promote and support healthy behaviors by integrating personalized diet, physical activity promotion, and behavioral support. Objective: To assess the feasibility, user friendliness, adherence, and satisfaction of the Healthy Lifestyle Recommender System (HLRS). Secondary outcomes will include measures of metabolic health and obesity. Methods: A 3-month, single-arm pilot study conducted across European countries, including Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, enrolling 351 young adults (18–25 years old, BMI 18.5–29.9 kg/m2). The intervention includes a mobile app for meal planning (Nutrida v.1), gamified physical activity encouragement (GameBus), and real-time monitoring via a wearable smartwatch device. Primary outcomes are adherence and engagement, measured through app usage and participant feedback; secondary outcomes include anthropometry, physical activity, dietary patterns, psychological well-being, and selected biomarkers of metabolic health. Expected Outcomes: Improved engagement is expected to enhance lifestyle behaviors, supporting weight management and overall well-being. Findings will guide future large-scale interventions. Conclusions: This study will contribute to minimizing the impact of obesity in Europe. 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42077 Title: Can music change salivary secretion? Effects of auditory stimulation on salivary flow and composition Authors: Guedes, David; Simões, Carla; Prada, Marilia; Garrido, Margarida; Caeiro, Inês; Mataloto, Diogo; Lamy, Elsa Abstract: Previous research shows that music associated with the sweet taste can impact the perception of sweetness in foods. One possible explanation for this effect is that music induces changes in the biology of the oral medium, which may contribute to shaping taste perception. However, this hypothesis requires further empirical investigation, including different physiological measures. In this study, we investigated the influence of music crossmodally associated with sweetness on measures of salivary flow and composition (including protein profile and alpha-amylase enzymatic activity). Saliva samples were collected from 30 normal-weight individuals ( M age = 31.97, SD age = 8.81 years, 60 % women) while listening to “high sweetness” music (HS), “low sweetness” music (LS), and in silence. Our findings revealed (i) an association between saliva protein composition and sensitivity to the sweet taste; (ii) an increase in salivary alpha-amylase enzymatic activity in response to music (vs. silence) without changes in salivary flow; (iii) no differences in salivary parameters between soundtracks (HS vs LS). The absence of differences between HS and LS soundtracks indicates that the modulation of alpha-amylase is driven mainly by the auditory stimulation itself rather than by differences in the sensory-affective attributes of music. This pattern points to a dissociation between autonomic activation and psychosensory perception. 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42072 Title: Paisagens em transição: agroecologia, floresta, território e sustentabilidade Authors: Pedroso, Nuno; Baptista, Fátima Editors: Portugal, José Carlos; Barreiros, Sofia Abstract: As paisagens rurais e periurbanas europeias enfrentam desafios crescentes decorrentes das alterações climáticas, da degradação dos solos, da escassez de água e da perda de biodiversidade, exigindo uma transformação profunda dos sistemas agrícolas e florestais. Este artigo discute o papel da agroecologia, dos sistemas agroflorestais e das abordagens regenerativas na construção de territórios mais resilientes e sustentáveis, destacando o contexto particular das regiões mediterrânicas portuguesas. A partir da experiência do MED – Instituto Mediterrâneo para a Agricultura, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento, são apresentadas linhas de investigação e intervenção centradas na adaptação climática, gestão sustentável dos recursos naturais, saúde do solo, uso eficiente da água, biodiversidade funcional e inovação agroalimentar. O texto analisa igualmente a importância das cadeias curtas de abastecimento, dos territórios periurbanos como espaços de experimentação e da articulação entre conhecimento científico, políticas públicas e envolvimento das comunidades locais. Defende-se que a sustentabilidade deve ser entendida de forma integrada, conciliando objetivos ambientais, sociais e económicos, e que a regeneração dos solos constitui uma prioridade estratégica para assegurar a resiliência das paisagens, a segurança alimentar e o desenvolvimento dos territórios. Neste contexto, a ciência, a inovação e a participação dos diversos atores assumem um papel central na construção de sistemas agroalimentares e florestais mais sustentáveis e adaptados aos desafios do futuro. 2025-07-31T23:00:00Z