Impact of Gluten-Free Diet on Physical Fitness in Celiac Disease Patients

This study aims to understand the impact of a gluten-free diet on physical fitness in children with Celiac Disease (CD). The research takes place at Meir Medical Center in Kfar-Saba, Israel, and involves 50 newly diagnosed CD patients along with 50 control subjects. The importance of this study lies in its potential to improve care for CD patients by understanding how a gluten-free diet affects their physical fitness, a crucial aspect of overall health. Participants will undergo various measurements and evaluations at enrollment and 6 months later. These include anthropometric measurements like height, weight, and body mass index, a Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire, and a Eurofit fitness testing to evaluate speed, stamina, and strength. The Eurofit tests include the Flamingo balance test, Seat and reach test, Standing broad jump test, Handgrip test, Sit-ups test, Bent arm hang test, Twenty meter endurance shuttle run test, and Wingate anaerobic fitness test. Additionally, a bone speed of sound test will be performed to measure bone density. CD subjects will also be evaluated for their adherence to a gluten-free diet through questioning by a pediatric gastroenterologist and a clinical dietitian.