Vitamin B2, vitamin B12 and total homocysteine status in children and their associations with dietary intake of B-vitamins from different food groups: the Healthy Growth Study.

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between the dietary intakes of certain B-vitamins from different food sources with the relevant plasma status indices in children. METHODS: A representative subsample of 600 children aged 9-13 years from the Healthy Growth Study was selected. Dietary intakes of vitamins B2, B12, B6 and folate derived from different food sources were estimated. Plasma levels of vitamin B2 (or riboflavin), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total homocysteine (tHcy) were also measured. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of vitamin B2 below 3 µg/L were found in 22.8 % of the children. Children in the lower quartile of dietary vitamin B2 intake were found to have the lowest plasma vitamin B2 levels compared to children in the upper three quartiles (5.06 ± 7.63 vs. 6.48 ± 7.88, 6.34 ± 7.63 and 6.05 ± 4.94 µg/L respectively; P = 0.003). Regarding vitamin B12 children in the lower quartile of dietary intake had higher mean plasma tHcy levels compared to children in the upper two quartiles, respectively (6.00 ± 1.79 vs. 5.41 ± 1.43 and 5.46 ± 1.64 µmol/L; P = 0.012). Positive linear associations were observed between plasma vitamin B2 levels and dietary vitamin B2 derived from milk and fruits (ß = 0.133; P = 0.001 and ß = 0.086; P = 0.037). Additionally, nonlinear associations were also observed between plasma vitamin B2 levels and vitamin B2 derived from red meat, as well as between tHcy levels and vitamins B12 and B6 derived from milk; vitamins B12, B6 and folate derived from cereal products and folate derived from fruits. CONCLUSION: A considerably high prevalence of poor plasma vitamin B2 status was observed in children. The intake of milk, fruits and cereals was associated with more favorable tHcy levels, while the intake of milk and fruits with more favorable plasma B2 levels. However, these findings need to be further confirmed from controlled dietary intervention studies examining the modulation of biomarkers of B-vitamins.

Comparison of different approaches to calculate nutrient intakes based upon 24-h recall data derived from a multicenter study in European adolescents.

PURPOSE: The European "Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence" (HELENA) project evaluated two different approaches to harmonize the matching procedures between 24-h recall data and food composition databases. In the first approach, the 24-h recall data were linked to the local/national food composition databases using standardized procedures, while in the second approach, the 24-h recall data were linked to the German BLS database which includes a larger food list. The aim of this paper was to compare the intakes of energy and eight nutrient components calculated via both approaches. METHODS: Two non-consecutive 24-h recalls were performed in 1268 adolescents. Energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fat, fiber, water, alcohol, calcium and vitamin C were calculated via the two approaches at individual level. Paired samples t test and Pearson's correlations were used to compare the mean intakes of energy and the eight mentioned nutrients and to investigate the possible associations between the two approaches. RESULTS: Small but significant differences were found between the intakes of energy and the eight food components when comparing both approaches. Very strong and strong correlations (0.70-0.95) were found between both methods for all nutrients. CONCLUSION: The dietary intakes obtained via the two different linking procedures are highly correlated for energy and the eight nutrients under study.

Breakfast habits among European adolescents and their association with sociodemographic factors: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe breakfast habits at food group level in European adolescents and to investigate the associations between these habits and sociodemographic factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Secondary schools from nine European cities participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study. Breakfast habits were assessed twice using a computer-based 24 h dietary recall. Adolescents who consumed breakfast on at least one recall day were classified as 'breakfast consumers' and adolescents who did not have anything for breakfast on either of the two recall days were considered 'breakfast skippers'. A 'breakfast quality index' to describe breakfast quality was created based on the consumption or non-consumption of cereals/cereal products, dairy products and fruits/vegetables. The sociodemographic factors studied were sex, age, region of Europe, maternal and paternal education, family structure and family affluence. SUBJECTS: Adolescents (n 2672, 53 % girls) aged 12-17 years. RESULTS: The majority of the adolescents reported a breakfast that scored poorly on the breakfast quality index. Older adolescents, adolescents from the southern part of Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status were more likely to consume a low-quality breakfast. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the need to promote the consumption of a high-quality breakfast among adolescents, particularly in older adolescents, adolescents from southern Europe and adolescents from families with low socio-economic status, in order to improve public health.