Szilvia Boros
7005536685
Publications - 13
Effect of gardening activities on domains of health: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Publication Name: BMC Public Health
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Gardening activities became increasingly popular in health promotion. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of gardening-based training or horticultural therapy on domains of health, including mental, physical and general health. Method: The MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, Greenfile, CINAHL, WHO ICTRP, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched from their inception to September 2023. Peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or experimental studies with intervention and control groups in English that evaluated the effect of gardening activity or horticultural therapy on health domains. Adult participants living with chronic conditions were selected. Author, year, location, sample size, participant characteristics, study characteristics, type of intervention, measurement time points, measured outcomes, measurements, effect sizes and p values were extracted. Results: Twenty-three studies (n = 4535) with 13 RCTs and 10 quasi-experimental studies were included. The participants had a mean age of 54.39 years, and the majority of them were females (63.25%). Types of chronic conditions included physical dysfunction, pain, obesity, anxiety, depression, hypertension, cognition disfunction, etc. The effects of gardening activities were compared with those of the control by categorizing health into three domains: mental health (SMD = -0.31; 95% CI: -0.97, 0.34), physical health (SMD = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.62, 0.11) and general health (SMD = -0.08; 95% CI: -0.20, 0.05). Conclusions: Gardening-based training programs have a small-to-medium effect on mental health in people living with chronic conditions. Relatively small effects were found for physical health and general health. Future research is recommended to better understand the impact of gardening activities on health. Trial registration: This systematic review is registered to PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) with registration ID: CRD42024504948.
Open Access: Yes
Case Report: From disordered eating to an eating disorder—a case study of an orienteering athlete with anorexia nervosa and the shortcomings of the multidisciplinary approach
Publication Name: Frontiers in Psychology
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
This case study explores the transition from disordered eating (DE) to an eating disorder (ED) in a 23-year-old female orienteer. Despite her talent as an athlete, her eating habits and training practices led to significant health concerns. After following an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet for 3 years, she exhibited symptoms of DE, including low energy intake (1,200 kcal/day), low body weight (50.1 kg, BMI: 16.9), and amenorrhea. Her condition deteriorated over 2 years, resulting in a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN) by February 2023. During the treatment process, the athlete utilized a multidisciplinary approach that included dietitians, psychologists, and physicians. Despite achieving some initial progress, including a slight increase in body weight and the return of menstruation in July 2022, her health declined after psychological consultations were halted, leading to a further decrease in body fat and persistent low serum iron levels. This case highlights the importance of continuous monitoring, timely intervention, and a coordinated multidisciplinary team in addressing DE and ED in athletes. It also highlights the significance of effective communication among healthcare professionals and the need for comprehensive treatment strategies that include psychological, nutritional, and medical support. This study highlights the significance of early detection, suitable intervention, and the prevention of long-term health complications, such as decreased bone density and cardiovascular issues, in athletes with DE and ED.
Open Access: Yes
Balancing Performance and Health in Elite Hungarian Athletes: The Relationship Among Disordered Eating Risk, Body Composition, and Nutrition Knowledge
Publication Name: Nutrients
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: disordered eating (DE) and eating disorders (ED) can negatively impact athletes’ health, wellbeing, and athletic performance. Objective: this cross-sectional study aims to assess DE risk, body composition, and nutrition knowledge among elite Hungarian athletes. Methods: DE risk was assessed using DESA-6H and EAT-26 scales, nutrition knowledge through the Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ), and body composition with the OMRON BF511 device. The data were analyzed using Kendall’s tau correlations, Mann–Whitney U tests, and ROC analysis. Results: a total of 71 athletes participated (39.4% males, mean age = 24.8 years, SD = 4.8 years and 60.6% females, mean age = 24.3 years, SD = 4.3 years). At-risk scores on the DESA-6H scale were recorded for nine athletes (12.7%), while 32.4% scored in the risk zone on the EAT-26, with female athletes in aesthetic, endurance and weight-dependent sports being most affected. Low BF was observed in four males and four females. Nutrition knowledge (49.1%) was below the acceptable threshold. DESA-6H significantly correlated with EAT-26 scores, BMI, sports nutrition knowledge, and A-NSKQ total scores. A statistically significant difference by gender was found in the EAT-26 total score (p = 0.019, d = 0.65). Risk groups significantly differed in A-NSKQ scores (p = 0.026, d = 0.511) and sport nutrition knowledge, specifically (p = 0.016, d = 0.491). Using EAT-26 to identify at-risk athletes and the DESA-6H recommended cut-off, the ROC analysis showed a sensitivity of 29.1% and a specificity of 95.7%. Conclusions: insufficient nutrition knowledge plays a role in being at-risk for DE and ED. These results underscore the need for early detection, early sport nutrition education across all elite athletes, with particular attention to female athletes in aesthetic, endurance and weight-dependent sports, and for monitoring these athletes to prevent DE. Further work is warranted to optimize screening tools such as EAT-26 and DESA-6H for elite athletes.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/nu17020231
We remember Vilmos Schulhof (1874-1944)
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2024-11-17
Volume: 165
Issue: 46
Page Range: 1837-1839
Description:
No description provided
Open Access: Yes
The impact of neurolinguistic programming on anxiety, self-confidence, self-esteem, and performance in non-elite finswimmers
Publication Name: Complementary Therapies in Medicine
Publication Date: 2025-10-01
Volume: 93
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Few studies have addressed mental health in finswimmers. Objective: This study examines the effect of NLP used as mental training on the finswimmers’ anxiety, self-confidence, self-esteem, and swimming records. Methods: The NLP intervention lasted two months. The study involved thirty young finswimmers (mean age M = 15.53, SD = 1.024), divided equally into two groups: the experimental and the control group. We carried out a pre- and post-test research design and conducted a follow-up test. We used two questionnaires, the French version of the CSAI-2R and the French version of the PSPP, along with semi-structured interviews for all three tests. Results: In the post-intervention test, the experimental group significantly decreased their cognitive anxiety (β = −3.47, p < .001) and somatic anxiety (β = −2.20, p = .001). Significantly increased their self-confidence (β = 2.07, p < .001), their global self-esteem (β = 1.93, p = .002), and their physical self-worth (β = 2.13, p = .004). The same parameters, except for the global self-esteem, also recorded significant change in the follow-up test, p < .005. Time effect did not show significance in the body attractiveness, physical strength, physical conditioning, and sport competence. Furthermore, outcomes showed notable between-subject variability in the mental skills, suggesting substantial variability in baseline parameter levels between individuals. Consequently, the finswimmers enhanced their swimming records. Conclusions: NLP showed a powerful impact in optimizing finswimmers’ mental health and, accordingly, their athletic performance. Besides, the technique showed relatively durable effectiveness. Coaches can reinforce the effect through ongoing NLP training.
Open Access: Yes
Convergent validity of the Hungarian version of the Disordered Eating Screen For Athletes (DESA-6H) – Results of a pilot study
Publication Name: Mentalhigiene Es Pszichoszomatika
Publication Date: 2025-10-13
Volume: 26
Issue: 3
Page Range: 123-137
Description:
Background: Adequate nutrient intake is an essential part of athletes’ preparation, which results in more effective training adaptation, recovery, better body composition ratios, and improved sports performance. Inadequate nutrient intake or lack of knowledge can lead to disordered eating and eating disorders, the prevalence of which is higher among athletes than in the general population. In most cases, these unwanted outcomes occur because athletes do not seek the help of a qualified dietitian. According to a 2019 report by the International Olympic Committee, disordered eating and eating disorders’ point prevalence ranges from 6% to 45% in women and 0% to 19% in men. In Hungary, no athlete sample has been tested with screening questionnaires for eating disorders, and the development of reliable measurement tools for identifying this problem is also necessary. Objective: The aim of this study is to present the Hungarian version of the DESA-6 questionnaire (DESA-6H) for screening disordered eating among athletes and to investigate its convergent validity (CV), as well as to evaluate athletes’ nutritional behaviors based on comparative study results. Methods: The DESA-6H questionnaire was tested on elite athletes (n = 131) and recreational athletes (n = 123) aged 14 and older. Kendall’s tau-b correlation was used to establish the CV between the DESA-6H and the total EAT-26 score, as well as between the DESA-6H and the three subscales of the EAT-26. The same method was used to test the potential linear relationship between eating behavior questionnaires and weekly training hours. Chi-square tests were conducted to test the relationships between nominal variables. Differences between groups based on age and sport participation levels were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and post-hoc analyses were conducted using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The CV analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the DESA-6H and the total EAT-26 score (τb = 0.49, p < 0.001), the EAT-26 Dieting subscale (τb = 0.53, p < 0.001), and the EAT-26 Bulimia subscale (τb = 0.39, p < 0.001). In the total sample, 20.4% scored above the threshold on the DESA-6H, while 40.1% scored above the threshold on the EAT-26. Among sports categories, the highest prevalence was found in aesthetic, weight-dependent, and endurance sports. A significant difference was observed in the DESA-6H scores based on gender (U = 4948.50, Z = –5.210, p < 0.001) and sports participation level (U = 6847.50, Z = –2.123, p = 0.034), with large (Cohen’s d = 0.68) and small ( Cohen’s d = 0.26) effect sizes. The Mann-Whitney U-test showed no significant difference between the 14–17-year-old and 18+ age groups in terms of DESA-6H scores (U = 6082.00, Z = –1.017, p = 0.309). No statistically significant differences were found between the two age groups on the EAT-26 scores either (U = 6490.00, Z = –0.220, p = 0.826). Overall, the statistical tests consistently supported the convergent validity of the DESA-6H when compared with the EAT-26. Conclusions: Based on the results of our research, it can be concluded that the DESA-6H questionnaire is a reliable tool for screening disordered eating among Hungarian athletes. Its application can help in the early detection and prevention of eating disorders.
Open Access: Yes
Examining the relationship between physical activity and sleep among university students
Publication Name: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 7
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Objective: Physical activity and adequate sleep are essential for health and wellbeing. University students face distinct challenges affecting their habits. This study investigates sociodemographic impacts on physical activity and sleep patterns, and examines the association between physical activity and sleep quality in Hungarian university students. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among students (N = 1,340, mean age 20.00 ± 1.59 years; 60.7% female and 39.3% male) from the Budapest University of Economics and Business. The survey was based on sociodemographic data, the Hunarian version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires. In IPAQ-SF, respondents indicated physical activities lasting at least 10 min during the last seven days. Responses were categorised by WHO and IPAQ guidelines. Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) was calculated. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most participants (85.8%–86.9%) performed below the WHO recommendations for moderate-intensity physical activity. Significant sex differences were noted in physical activity levels (p < 0.001 for vigorous intensity; p < 0.043 for moderate intensity), with men being more active than women. Regarding sleep quality, 57.1% of participants reported good sleep quality (PSQI 0–5), 36.1% had moderate sleep disturbances (PSQI 6–10), and 6.8% experienced poor to severe sleep disturbances (PSQI 11–21). Women reported significantly poorer sleep quality than men did (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between energy expenditure on physical activity and sports participation frequency (β = −0.09, p = 0.012), indicating that regular sports participation may buffer against potential negative effects of high overall physical activity on sleep quality. The model explained 3.1% of the variance in sleep quality (R2 = 0.031, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The relationship between physical activity (MET-minutes/week) and sleep quality was moderated by the frequency of sports participation. Given that poor sleep can negatively impact academic performance, health, and well-being, these findings support the promotion of organized sports within university settings. Interventions targeting both physical activity and sleep hygiene may yield synergistic benefits, particularly for students with sedentary lifestyles.
Open Access: Yes
Eating disorders and disordered eating on wrestling sport: a systematic review
Publication Name: BMC Nutrition
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Although there are studies on the effects of eating disorders (EDs) among athletes, a limited number of studies have been conducted in wrestling. This systematic review aims to identify the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and disordered eating (DE) in wrestling, which is important for developing healthier weight control behaviours within the sport. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol, focusing on publications from the last 10 years. PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science were used to identify eligible studies with the searching terms “Eating disorders” AND “wrestlers” OR “Eating disorders” AND “wrestling” OR “Disordered eating” AND “wrestlers” OR “Disordered eating” AND “wrestling” OR “Anorexia Nervosa” AND “wrestlers” OR “Anorexia Nervosa” AND “wrestling” OR “Bulimia Nervosa” AND “wrestlers” OR “Bulimia Nervosa” AND “wrestling” within the timeframe from 2014 to 2024. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. When all studies were considered as a homogeneous group, the analysis revealed: (a) wrestlers are significantly more susceptible to Eds than other branches, (b) wrestlers have unhealthy weight control behaviors to control weight for optimum performance and to enhance their muscular appearance due to body image issues. It is recommended that future research address eating disorders, which have predominantly been studied in male wrestlers, within female wrestlers as well. Additionally, it is advised to identify potential causes contributing to the elevated risk of eating disorders among wrestlers and to develop targeted prevention strategies.
Open Access: Yes
Mindful eating under pressure in combat sport: a single-case study of an adolescent athlete
Publication Name: Frontiers in Psychology
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine closely how mindful eating intervention influences the eating behavior of a kickboxer 10 days before the competition. Methods: A mindful intervention was conducted. A mixed method was used, in which data was collected from two semi-structured interviews and four scales [Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Mindful Eating Scale (MEQ-30)]. The first semi-structured interview and four scales were administered before the intervention process, and the last interview was conducted after the competition. 10 days before the competition, 10 sessions of “mindful raisin eating” exercise, each lasting 10 min, were performed. The scores obtained from the scales were calculated manually. The data collected from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. Results: According to the administered 4 scales initially, the athlete’s average scores were (X̄=16) on the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), (X̄=3.125) on the “shape concern” sub-dimension of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), (X̄=4) on the Emotional Eating sub-dimension of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and (X̄=2.5) on both the “awareness” and “eating control” sub-dimensions of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ-30). Qualitative data showed, positive improvements were detected in eating attitudes and behaviors, stress management, perceived performance, and body image, respectively. During the mindful eating exercises, she lost approximately 2.4 kg (~3.9% of her body weight) without experiencing stress on weigh-in day. She also reported that focusing on mindful eating helped her avoid unhealthy foods and made her feel safe and calm. Conclusion: It was stated by the athlete that there were positive improvements in eating attitudes and behaviors, level of coping with stress, perceived performance and body perception.
Open Access: Yes
Initial Validation of the Hungarian Version of Abridged Nutrition for Sport Knowledge Questionnaire (ANSKQ-HU)
Publication Name: Sports
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 12
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Nutrition knowledge is essential for optimizing performance, recovery, and overall health in athletes. This study aimed to (1) adapt and validate the Hungarian version of the ANSKQ (Trakman et al., 2017) (ANSKQ-HU) and (2) assess the nutrition knowledge of Hungarian elite and recreational athletes. Following standard translation procedures and expert review, face validity was established. Data were collected from 1.335 athletes, and item difficulty, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and reliability analyses were performed. A three-factor structure emerged: (1) Fundamentals of nutrition, energy needs, and prohibited substances; (2) Micronutrients and performance-enhancing sports nutrition; and (3) Utilization of macronutrients. While Cronbach’s alpha values were low (α = 0.41–0.62), this seemed acceptable given the dichotomous nature of the questionnaire. Most participants scored poorly (63.3%), with the lowest results in the micronutrients and performance-enhancing nutrition factor. Only 6.9% had formal nutrition education and most frequently respondents received help from coaches, family members, and friends. These findings highlight a significant gap in sports nutrition knowledge among Hungarian athletes and support the need for educative activities organized by sport nutrition professionals. The ANSKQ-HU is a reliable and valid tool for assessing nutrition knowledge in Hungarian athletes and can be a useful questionnaire for their support team (nutritionists, physicians).
Open Access: Yes
Therapeutic role of physical activity in relationship between chronic pain and sleep quality in musculoskeletal disorders
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2026-02-01
Volume: 167
Issue: 8
Page Range: 300-308
Description:
Musculoskeletal diseases represent a major public health problem worldwide, as they are associated with pain, reduced musculoskeletal function, and diminished quality of life. They affect more than 1.7 billion people globally, and their prevalence continues to rise due to ageing, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and psychosocial factors. Chronic pain is the most common complaint, which may appear as an independent condition or as a consequence of other diseases such as osteoarthritis, spondylosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and sleep disturbances are closely and mutually related: inadequate sleep increases pain sensitivity, reduces the efficiency of pain processing, and contributes to the persistence of chronic pain. The aim of this review study is to examine the relationship between pain, the most common symptom of degenerative joint and spinal diseases and sleep quality. Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in certain musculoskeletal diseases and predict a subsequent decline in functional status. Therapeutic options include balneotherapy and complex physiotherapy, both of which have been shown to reduce pain and improve musculoskeletal function. Several studies have reported long-term benefits of balneotherapy, mud therapy, and aquatic physiotherapy. In addition, regular moderate-intensity physical activity plays a key role in reducing pain and improving functional status and sleep quality. Monitoring physical activity using questionnaire-based methods and objective wearable devices enables a more accurate assessment, safe planning, and continuous tracking of physical activity levels. Overall, a multimodal, individualized therapeutic approach is the most effective in the management of musculoskeletal diseases, targeting the simultaneous improvement of pain, sleep, and lifestyle-related factors. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(8): 300–308.
Open Access: Yes
A Disordered Eating Screen For Athletes magyar változata (DESA-6H) konvergens validitásának vizsgálata – Egy pilot study eredményei [Convergent validity of the Hungarian version of the Disordered Eating Screen For Athletes (DESA-6H) – Results of a pilot study]
Publication Name: Mentalhigiene Es Pszichoszomatika
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 26
Issue: 4
Page Range: 242-243
Description:
A Disordered Eating Screen For Athletes magyar változata (DESA-6H) konvergens validitásának vizsgálata – Egy pilot study eredményei [Convergent validity of the Hungarian version of the Disordered Eating Screen For Athletes (DESA-6H) – Results of a pilot study] Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika, 26(3), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1556/0406.2025.00074 A fenti cikk Mellékletében másolási hiba folytán két kérdés nem megfelelően jelent meg. A 136. oldalon a kérdések felsorolásánál a 2. kérdés két válaszlehetőség sorrendjét felcseréltük.
Open Access: Yes
Disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders among athletes
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2026-05-01
Volume: 167
Issue: 19
Page Range: 746-752
Description:
Eating behavior and its disorders in sport are closely related to the development of sports nutrition and exercise physiology, as well as to performance and body ideal expectations placed on athletes. Since the late 1970s, eating disorders have received increasing public health attention, which has also extended to athletic populations. The aim of this phenomenon-centered, thematic narrative literature review is to illustrate the forms and consequences of disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders in athletic populations across different sport contexts, based on international literature published between 1980 and 2000. Based on the reviewed studies, disordered eating behaviors and eating disorders are multifactorial origin, with biological, psychological, sociocultural, and sport-specific factors all playing a role in their development. The concept of the female athlete triad proved to be a milestone; however, the involvement of male athletes has also been confirmed, particularly in weight-class and aesthetic sports. However, it should be emphasized that athlete status in itself does not uniformly imply an increased risk. Primary prevention, early detection, and multidisciplinary care are fundamentally important in preserving athletes’ health. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(19): 746–752.
Open Access: Yes
