Global Dietary Patterns and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) are common. In the United States alone, approximately 25 million Americans are estimated to have at least one FGID. Nonpharmacological treatment options include psychological/behavioral approaches, and dietary interventions that can vary across countries. The aim of this review is to evaluate the available evidence for dietary interventions for the treatment of childhood FGIDs amongst various cultures and regions of the world. This review includes clinical trials of dietary therapies for the treatment of FGIDs in children posted on or before 13 July 2020 in PubMed. Overall, the consensus view suggests that the westernization of diets is linked to the development of FGIDs, and diets low in Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols (FODMAPs) may reduce abdominal symptoms. However, more work is needed to confirm these findings.

The national prevalence of disorders of gut brain interaction in the United Kingdom in comparison to their worldwide prevalence: Results from the Rome foundation global epidemiology study

“…To the authors' knowledge, this is the first DGBI epidemiology study that has compared food intake between the UK and other countries. The role of dietary intake in contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms is being appreciated increasingly in DGBI 31 . It is therefore interesting that there were differences in food intake of all 10 food groups surveyed between the UK and the rest of the world.…”

“…The role of dietary intake in contributing to gastrointestinal symptoms is being appreciated increasingly in DGBI. 31 It is therefore interesting that there were differences in food intake of all 10 food groups surveyed between the UK and the rest of the world. British diets consisted of lower rice intake, more regular milk and meat consumption, less frequent pasta consumption, and differences in the frequency of egg, tofu, fish, vegetables/legumes, and fruit consumption.…”

Investigation of the Quality of Life of Patients with Gastrointestinal Issues Treated in the Surgical Clinic of a Regional General Hospital in Greece

“…Over the course of the 50-day intervention (at day 0, 24 and 50), significant improvements were seen in patients’ QoL, especially their symptoms, physical strength and the psychological domain. However, other interventions to treat isolated disorders and symptoms involved physical exercise [ 23 , 24 ], maintaining normal body weight through appropriate diet [ 25 ], and limiting unhealthy behaviors in general [ 26 ].…”

“…It found moderate to high mean QoL scores, with the Mental Component scoring significantly higher than the Physical Component, moderate to high mean scores for state anxiety, and a correlation between better QoL in the Physical Component and lower patient ages, while better QoL in the Mental Component was associated with marriage/partnering and lower state anxiety. Action is necessary on a clinical or individual level, guided by health professionals, to promote appropriate dietary choices and interventions for the avoidance of behaviors that could harm or endanger patients’ health [ 25 , 26 ].…”

The Role of Food in Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: Introduction to a Rome Foundation Working Group Series

“…In addition to the food's nutritive role, it possesses osmotic and physical properties and exerts effects on enteroendocrine cells, bile acids, immune cells, and the gut microbiome and metabolome. In aggregate, these effects can influence the gut immune system and enteric nervous system leading to alterations in gut motility and sensation and affecting cognitive and affective functions (4,(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). Dietary adjustments or elimination diets have gained an increasingly prominent place as a treatment option (12)(13)(14)(15), initially mainly for irritable bowel syndrome, but now increasingly for other DGBIs, and this is reflected in the composition of this 2022 dedicated article series.…”