Validation of a Mexican food photograph album as a tool to visually estimate food amounts in adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to validate a food photograph album (FPA) as a tool to visually estimate food amounts, and to compare this estimation with that attained through the use of measuring cups (MC) and food models (FM). We tested 163 foods over fifteen sessions (thirty subjects/session; 10-12 foods presented in two portion sizes, 20-24 plates/session). In each session, subjects estimated food amounts with the assistance of FPA, MC and FM. We compared (by portion and method) the mean estimated weight and the mean real weight. We also compared the percentage error estimation for each portion, and the mean food percentage error estimation between methods. In addition, we determined the percentage error estimation of each method. We included 463 adolescents from three public high schools (mean age 17·1 (sd 1·2) years, 61·8 % females). All foods were assessed using FPA, 53·4 % of foods were assessed using MC, and FM was used for 18·4 % of foods. The mean estimated weight with all methods was statistically different compared with the mean real weight for almost all foods. However, a lower percentage error estimation was observed using FPA (2·3 v. 56·9 % for MC and 325 % for FM, P< 0·001). Also, when analysing error rate ranges between methods, there were more observations (P< 0·001) with estimation errors higher than 40 % with the MC (56·1 %), than with the FPA (27·5 %) and FM (44·9 %). In conclusion, although differences between estimated and real weight were statistically significant for almost all foods, comparisons between methods showed FPA to be the most accurate tool for estimating food amounts.

[Somatophysiologycal and nutritional characterization of teen immigrants in Spain. Variation by gender and origin]. / Situación somatofisiológica y nutricional de los jóvenes inmigrantes en España. Variación según género y procedencia.

The 13 and 14 years of human life cycle are very sensitive to environment, so that migration and changes in living conditions related may influence further. The aim of this study is to characterize the nutritional and somatic status of the immigrant adolescent population of Madrid with the objectivity of bioanthropometric assessment. 519 adolescent students not born in Spain were evaluated. The sample was taken in the public schools of the Community of Madrid and conducted the following groups: Spanish control sample (38.9%), Latin America (50.9%), Magreb (4.5%), Asia (3.8%) and Eastern Europe (1.9%). The situation is Normal weight for the total sample, except in boys of Eastern Europe (Overweight). The pattern reflected a daily dietary intake of 3.73 +/- 0.91, being the dinner the most represented food. The diet quality as measured by KidMed showed that 10.2% followed a low quality diet, 58.6% have a better diet and 31.2% optimal. Higher scores were found in the Magreb group and lowest in Asia. In all groups showed a trend towards increased consumption of fruit and vegetables in Spain.

Growth rates of children of subsaharan African ancestry born to immigrant parents and of French children in Paris.

This comparative survey is based on two populations of children born and raised in Paris or the Paris area: 320 French children and 129 children whose parents are both of African ancestry from the Subsaharan area. They are part of a first generation born outside of their respective countries. A longitudinal study of growth from birth to four years of age shows population differences. The length and weight at birth of full-term African babies are significantly less than of French newborns. But, African infants catch-up quickly and reach the same length as French infants during the first month of life; their weight is already significantly greater than that of French infants from 1 to 6 months. The body mass index (BMI, W/H2 ) during the breast-feeding period indicates that the infants are of well nourished status. After the first year of life, the means for the BMI of the children born to Subsaharan immigrant parents are lower than means for French children. This suggests poorer nutritional status, which may be associated with the marginal socioeconomic status of African families living in the Paris area. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:757-763, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Situación somatofisiológica y nutricional de los jóvenes inmigrantes en España. Variación según género y procedencia

Los 13 y 14 años del ciclo vital humano son muy sensibles al entorno, por lo que los procesos migratorios y los cambios de condiciones de vida asociados pueden incidir en mayor medida. El objetivo del estudio es caracterizar la situación somática y nutricional de la población adolescente inmigrante de Madrid con la objetividad de la valoración bioantropométrica. Se han evaluado 519 adolescentes escolarizados no nacidos en España. Los muestreos se efectuaron en los centros escolares públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid y se realizaron los siguientes grupos: Muestra control española (38,9%), América Latina (50,9%), Norte de África (4,5%), Asia (3,8%) y Europa del Este (1,9%). La situación ponderal es de Normopeso para el total de la muestra, salvo en los varones de Europa del Este (Sobrepeso). El patrón alimentario reflejó una frecuencia diaria de ingestas de 3,73±0,91, siendo la comida más representada la cena. La calidad de la dieta medida por KidMed mostró que el 10,2% seguía una dieta de baja calidad, el 58,6% presenta una dieta mejorable y el 31,2% óptima. Las mayores puntuaciones se encontraron en el colectivo Magrebí y las más bajas en el Asiático. En todos los grupos se encontró una tendencia al aumento de la ingesta de fruta y verdura en España.

The 13 and 14 years of human life cycle are very sensitive to environment, so that migration and changes in living conditions related may influence further. The aim of this study is to characterize the nutritional and somatic status of the immigrant adolescent population of Madrid with the objectivity of bioanthropometric assessment. 519 adolescent students not born in Spain were evaluated. The sample was taken in the public schools of the Community of Madrid and conducted the following groups: Spanish control sample (38.9%), Latin America (50.9%), Magreb (4.5%), Asia (3.8%) and Eastern Europe (1.9%). The situation is Normal weight for the total sample, except in boys of Eastern Europe (Overweight). The pattern reflected a daily dietary intake of 3.73 ± 0.91, being the dinner the most represented food. The diet quality as measured by KidMed showed that 10.2% followed a low quality diet, 58.6% have a better diet and 31.2% optimal. Higher scores were found in the Magreb group and lowest in Asia. In all groups showed a trend towards increased consumption of fruit and vegetables in Spain.