Development of a food composition database of different food contaminants CONT11 and estimation of dietary exposure in children of southern Spain.

Increasing food security is one of the Sustainable Development Goals. One of the main risks in food is the increase in food contaminants. Processing methods, such as the addition of additives or heat treatment, influence contaminant generation and increase their levels in food. The aim of the present study was to create a database using a methodology similar to that of food composition databases but with a focus on potential food contaminants. CONT11 collects information on 11 contaminants: hydroxymethyl-2-furfural, pyrraline, Amadori compounds, furosine, acrylamide, furan, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzopyrene, nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines. This is collected for more than 220 foods obtained from 35 different data sources. A food frequency questionnaire validated for use with children was used to validate the database. Contaminant intake and exposure in 114 children aged 10-11 years were estimated. Outcomes were within the range of values described by other studies, confirming the usefulness of CONT11. This database will allow nutrition researchers to go a step further in assessing dietary exposure to some food components and the association of this with disease, whilst also informing strategies to reduce exposure.

Anthropometric differences between world-class professional track cyclists based on specialty (endurance vs. sprint).

BACKGROUND: Despite previous research suggesting that certain anthropometric characteristics are required to successfully perform in track cycling, current literature fails to describe these characteristics in depth in large cohorts of professional UCI cyclists. The main aims of the present study were to determine the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of world-class professional track cyclists (male and female). METHODS: Anthropometric measurements were conducted of the body composition of ninety-eight world-class professional track cyclists in line with the International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry protocol. RESULTS: Male sprinters had a significantly larger body mass (85.9±8.3 vs. 74.0±6.5; P<0.001), muscle mass (44.1.9±4.4 vs. 35.3±2.5; P<0.001), body fat percentage (regardless of the formula used) and BMI (26.1±1.5 vs. 22.4±1.2; P<0.001) than endurance male cyclists. Furthermore, in females, sprinters had a higher BMI than endurance cyclists (23.4±2 vs. 1.4±1.6; P<0.01), with no differences in total body mass or body fat (P>0.05). None of the studied anthropometric parameters were found to differ between finalists and non-finalists, with the exception of femur breadth, upper arm girth, thigh girth and thigh skinfold. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-sport differences exist in the anthropometric characteristics of world-class professional track cyclists depending on their discipline (sprinter vs. endurance). Male sprinters showed a greater BMI, muscle mass and limb girth, and lower fat percentage than endurance cyclists. Female sprinters also showed a higher BMI than endurance cyclists, although no differences were seen in fat percentage or muscle mass.

Profiles for identifying problematic dietary habits in a sample of recreational Spanish cyclists and triathletes.

There is a lack of sufficient information on the dietary intake and nutritional supplementation of recreational endurance athletes throughout the year. The present observational study sought to assess the dietary intake and nutritional supplementation habits of recreational cyclists and triathletes from Spain. 4,037 cyclists and triathletes completed self-report measures. Nutritional profiles were developed and differences were examined according to sporting discipline and gender. Differences between groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or chi-squared test. Next, micro- and macro-nutrients were grouped according to whether or not guideline intake amounts were met. The clustering of dietary habits was then examined via K-means cluster analysis. Triathletes took more supplements than cyclists (X2 = 36.489; p value = .000) and females took more supplements than males (X2 = 5.920; p value = .017). Females and triathletes reported greater protein and CHO consumption than males and cyclists, respectively. Triathletes also reported a higher consumption of total fat, MUFA, PUFA, EPA, DHA and fibre. Females and triathletes tended to consume more vitamins and minerals than males and cyclists, respectively. Two main dietary habit clusters emerged which may be used to inform nutritional interventions targeting recreational athletes not meeting nutritional requirements. There is an imbalance in the main nutrients making up the diet of recreational Spanish athletes, characterised by insufficient CHO and excessive protein.

Likelihood of suffering from an eating disorder in a sample of Spanish cyclists and triathletes.

BACKGROUND: During recent years, there has been increasing interest in the study of eating disorders within sports practitioners, with prevalence being reported to be higher than in the general population. The aim of this study was to describe and predict eating disorders according to sex, body mass index, age and sport discipline within a sample of athletes. METHODS: A sample of 4037 cyclists and triathletes from across Spain was selected. Athletes self-reported demographic characteristics and completed the revised restraint scale, SCOFF questionnaire and Mediterranean diet adherence screener. To be eligible for inclusion, participants had to be over eighteen years old. RESULTS: Males were significantly less likely than females (p < 0.001; OR = 0.33), and triathletes (p < 0.01; OR = 0.76) were less likely than cyclists to suffer from an eating disorder. Possibility of suffering from an eating disorder increased with increasing body mass index (p < 0.001; OR = 1.38) and decreasing age (p < 0.001; OR = 0.97). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that the roles of sex, sport discipline, age and body mass index predict risk factors for eating disorders in a sample of Spanish athletes. Clinical diagnosis seems necessary to better understand the factors and mechanisms at play when Spanish athletes develop an eating disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Ethics Committee of the University of Granada (N°883) data: 16/11/2015.

Anthropometric Characteristics, Body Composition and Somatotype of Elite Male Young Runners.

The purpose of the present study was to describe the anthropometric characteristics, body composition and somatotype of elite male young runners (EYR), and to compare these variables according to the specialty in which they engaged (middle-distance vs. long-distance). This will enable an anthropometric profile chart to be established for them. Ninety EYR aged 17 to 23 years (18.4 ± 2.0) participated in the study. Athletes were divided into two groups according to the event in which they participated: middle-distance runners (MDR, n = 56) and long-distance runners (LDR, n = 34). Sixteen anthropometric variables were recorded for each participant: Weight, height, eight skinfolds, four girths, and two breadths. Body mass index (BMI), body composition and somatotype were calculated. Comparing MDR with the group of LDR, significant differences were found to exist for height, weight, relaxed upper arm girth, flexed and tensed upper arm girth, total upper arm area, upper arm muscle area, and thigh muscle area. No significant differences were observed in the other variables. MDR are taller, heavier and have larger girths than LDR. Coaches and sports scientists can use the data obtained to better control training, as well as for talent identification and athlete selection.

World and Olympic mountain bike champions' anthropometry, body composition and somatotype.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe the anthropometric profile of male Olympic cross country (XCO) mountain bikers. METHODS: Fifty one XCO bikers participated in this study, divided into an elite group who competed in top level international competitions, and a non-elite group who competed at a national level. The elite group was further classified according to whether they had been world or Olympic champion mountain bikers (WOC) or not (NWOC). The anthropometric profiles included the measurements of height, weight, arm span, skinfolds, girths, and breadths. Body Mass Index (BMI), body composition and somatotype were also calculated. Variables was described as mean, standard deviation and range. The standardizing of the variables was carried out using the Shapiro-Wilk with Lillieforts correction and homoscedasticity was analyzed using the Levene Test. After verifying that the variables were normal, the data were analyzed using non-paired t-tests (elite vs. non-elite and WOC vs. NWOC). RESULTS: Elite riders had significantly lower BMI, lower percentage of fat, total thigh area and larger thigh muscle area than the sub-elite riders, and presented significantly lower values for the endomorphic component and higher values for the ectomorphic component. The mean somatotype of the elite riders could be defined as ecto-mesomorphic (1.7-4.6-3.1). CONCLUSIONS: Comparisons between of WOC riders and NWOC, showed that the WOC bikers had a significantly higher value for weight, arm span, upper arm girth relaxed and upper arm girth flexed and tensed, calf girth, total upper arm area, and upper arm muscle area than the NWOC riders group.

The association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and health-related quality of life among adolescents / Associação entre comportamentos de estilo de vida saudável e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde entre adolescentes

Abstract Objective: The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and health-related quality of life in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Method: The study involved 456 adolescents aged between 11 and 14 years. They completed questionnaires on the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children [PAQ-C]), and quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27). Body mass index was calculated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to determine whether health-related quality of life could be predicted by the measured variables. The variables were analyzed in a stepwise manner, with Mediterranean diet entered in the first step, body mass index in the second, and physical activity in the third. Results: Mediterranean diet accounted for 4.6% of the variance in adolescent's health-related quality of life, with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet predicting higher health-related quality of life-scores. Body mass index accounted for a further 4.1% of the variance, with a higher body mass index predicting lower health-related quality of life scores. Finally, physical activity explained an additional 11.3% of the variance, with a higher level of physical activity being associated with higher health-related quality of life scores. Together, these variables explained 20% of the variance in the adolescents' health-related quality of life. Conclusions: Physical activity, body mass index, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are important components to consider when targeting improvements in the health-related quality of life of adolescents, with physical activity representing the component with the greatest influence.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi examinar a associação entre o índice de massa corporal, a atividade física, a adesão à dieta mediterrânea e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em uma mostra de adolescentes espanhóis. Método: O estudo envolveu 456 adolescentes entre 11 e 14 anos. Eles preencheram questionários sobre a dieta mediterrânea (Kidmed), atividade física (Questionário de Atividade Física para Crianças mais velhas, PAQ-C) e qualidade de vida (Kidscreen-27). Foi calculado o índice de massa corporal. Análises de regressão linear hierárquica foram usadas para determinar se a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde pode ser prevista pelas variáveis medidas. As variáveis foram introduzidas de forma gradual com a dieta mediterrânea na primeira etapa, índice de massa corporal na segunda etapa e atividade física na terceira. Resultados: A dieta mediterrânea representou 4,6% da variância na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde dos adolescentes e uma maior adesão à dieta mediterrânea foi preditiva de maiores escores de qualidade de vida relacionados à saúde. O índice de massa corporal representou um adicional de 4,1% de variância e um maior índice de massa corporal foi preditivo de menores escores de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Por fim, a atividade física representou um adicional de 11,3% da variância e um maior nível de atividade física foi associado a maiores escores de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde. Juntas, essas variáveis representam 20% da variância na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde dos adolescentes. Conclusões: A atividade física, o índice de massa corporal e a adesão à dieta mediterrânea são importantes componentes para considerar ao visar melhorias na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde dos adolescentes, a atividade física é o componente com maior influência.

The association between healthy lifestyle behaviors and health-related quality of life among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to examine the association between body mass index, physical activity, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and health-related quality of life in a sample of Spanish adolescents. METHOD: The study involved 456 adolescents aged between 11 and 14 years. They completed questionnaires on the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED), physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children [PAQ-C]), and quality of life (KIDSCREEN-27). Body mass index was calculated. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to determine whether health-related quality of life could be predicted by the measured variables. The variables were analyzed in a stepwise manner, with Mediterranean diet entered in the first step, body mass index in the second, and physical activity in the third. RESULTS: Mediterranean diet accounted for 4.6% of the variance in adolescent's health-related quality of life, with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet predicting higher health-related quality of life-scores. Body mass index accounted for a further 4.1% of the variance, with a higher body mass index predicting lower health-related quality of life scores. Finally, physical activity explained an additional 11.3% of the variance, with a higher level of physical activity being associated with higher health-related quality of life scores. Together, these variables explained 20% of the variance in the adolescents' health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity, body mass index, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet are important components to consider when targeting improvements in the health-related quality of life of adolescents, with physical activity representing the component with the greatest influence.

Factors associated with low adherence to a Mediterranean diet in healthy children in northern Spain.

There is a tendency in Mediterranean countries to abandon the characteristic Mediterranean diet. This is especially apparent within younger populations. This could have negative consequences for health such as, cardiovascular diseases, obesity or metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to describe adherence to the Mediterranean diet within a population of school children and to examine the influence of different socio-demographic factors and lifestyle habits. The study was conducted on a representative sample of 321 school children aged 11-12 years from 31 schools in the city of Logroño (La Rioja). Socio-demographic variables, anthropometric variables, blood pressure, level of development, aerobic fitness, lifestyle, physical activity habits and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were recorded. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet was reported by 46.7% of school children, with low adherence being reported by 4.7% of them. Children attending state schools, immigrants and families from low-to-medium socio-economic strata reported significantly lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p = .039), but the results did not reveal any significant differences in terms of body composition. Correlations were found between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and other lifestyle habits, especially level of physical activity (r = .38) and screen time (r = -.18). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet differs according to the type of school attended by children, and the child's nationality and socio-economic status. Children who attended state schools, immigrants and those from families with a medium-to-low socio-economic status were less likely to follow healthy diets.