Activities, Participation and Quality of Life Concepts in Children and Adolescents with Celiac Disease: A Scoping Review

Nutrients. 2017 Aug 24;9(9):929. doi: 10.3390/nu9090929.

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is a food-related chronic condition and adherence to a strict gluten-free diet is the only available treatment. Adherence to the restrictive diet is challenging among children, especially adolescents. The aim was to describe existing knowledge about food-related activities, participation, and quality of life in daily life among children and adolescents with CD and to illuminate gaps in knowledge. The scoping review methodology was applied and literature searches were conducted in electronic databases. Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria. Food-related activities were identified, classified, and coded under the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health adapted for children and youth (ICF-CY) concepts of activities and participation. A wide variety of study populations, objectives, methods, and tools involving 55 different food-related activities were found. Incorporation of the ICF-CY concepts and quality of life captures new insights into everyday challenges. Reviewing the CD literature using this different lens reveals areas yet to receive sufficient attention. Further research can deepen the understanding of daily functioning of children with CD and the underlying skills required to participate in daily food-related activities while adhering to the diet. This can lead to the development of standardized disease-specific assessment tools and suitable intervention programs.

Keywords: Celiac disease; ICF-CY; food-related activities; gluten-free diet; quality of life.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Age Factors
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease / diet therapy
  • Celiac Disease / physiopathology
  • Celiac Disease / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior
  • Cost of Illness
  • Diet, Gluten-Free
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Quality of Life*
  • Social Behavior*
  • Social Participation*