Estimation of dietary folic acid intake in three generations of females in Southern Spain.

An adequate folic acid intake has been related to female fertility. The recommended intake of this vitamin was recently increased to 400µg/day, with an additional 200µg/day during pregnancy. The Mediterranean Diet includes sources of folate such as pulses, green-leaf vegetables, fruit, cereals, and dried fruits; other foods of interest are liver and blue fish. The objectives were to determine the foods that contribute most to folate intake and analyze the factors that influence their consumption by three generations in a female population (n=898; age, 10-75yrs) from Southern Spain: 230 adolescents (10-16yrs), 296 healthy pregnant women (19-45yrs), and 372 menopausal women (>45yrs). Participants completed a previously validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Over 90% of their folate intake was supplied by cereals, fruit, natural juice, pulses, and cooked and raw vegetables. The mean (SD) daily intake of folate was 288.27(63.64) µg. A higher Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was significantly related to a greater folate intake. The daily folate intake was not significantly influenced by educational level, number of children, or place of residence (rural vs. urban). In logistic regression analysis, the factors related to an adequate folate intake (>2/3 of recommendations) were higher age, higher MDS, and lower BMI.

The relationship of obesity with lifestyle and dietary exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Phytoestrogens are natural components of plants, including numerous foods that form part of the habitual diet of humans and animals. They have similar estrogenic effects to those of synthetic endocrine disrupters such as monomers of plastic materials, e.g., polycarbonates and epoxy resins. The most frequently used monomer is bisphenol A (BPA), which has been found to migrate from drink and food packaging, plastic baby bottles, and the coating of cans. Numerous studies have associated exposure to endocrine disrupters with obesity, classifying them as obesogens. The objectives of this study were to estimate the dietary exposure to phytoestrogens and BPA in a group of Spanish schoolchildren and to estimate their potential obesogenic effects. The diet of this population of healthy Spanish children was estimated to have a mean total estrogenic capacity of 5.10-12 M eq.E2 (5 pmol/day). The effects of this additional estrogenic burden are highly controversial, and no definitive conclusion has been reached. Thus, some authors consider exposure to these substances with estrogenic activity to be positive at certain stages of life, whereas others regard it as posing a risk at any age. In the present population of children, the likelihood of normal weight versus obesity was significantly related to the total proliferative effect (OR = 0.51, p = 0.026) as well as to the energy expenditure on physical activity, with lesser activity implying a greater risk of obesity (OR = 13.54, p = 0.001). Further research is warranted on the obesogenic effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors present in foods.

[Exposure of phytoestrogens intake through diet in a sample of females]. / Estimación de la ingesta de fitoestrógenos en población femenina.

INTRODUCTION: The phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds that are part of many foods of plant origin and could therefore modulate aspects related hormones, such as type of antioxidant reactions, learning about intakes of these compounds in different populations clarify important aspects on their responses on the human body. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the exposure of phytoestrogens through diet, in a sample of women of all ages belonging to the university community (teachers, students and administrative), residents in the province of Granada, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 52 adult females, aged between 20 and 63 years completed a questionnaire individually Frequency of Food Consumption (FFQ) composed of a total of 144 foods. It weighted the total daily consumption of phytoestrogens standardizing these values referring to the daidzein as substance pattern (mg/day). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with a level of significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The results show that the total intake of phytoestrogens was (0.89 mg/day), and most of phytoestrogens was consumed in the form of lignanos. The total consumption of isoflavones, was 0.12 mg/day, of lignanos was 1.32 mg/day intake coumestrol was not significative. A linear regression analysis determined the equation to calculate intake phytoestrogens took into account 9 food groups (R: 0.918; p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Average intake of phytoestrogens in Spain, is comparable to intakes reported by similar studies in Germany, England and the United States (< 1 mg/ day). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the intake of phytoestrogens, when comparing results by age, educational level, marital status or physical activity. The intake of phytoestrogens (mg/day) can be estimated from the intake (g/day) from 9 food groups.

[Assessment of the diet of school children from Granada and influence of social factors]. / Valoración de la dieta de escolares granadinos e influencia de factores sociales.

INTRODUCTION: To perform a balanced diet adapted to the needs of the different life stages is important for a correct peopleís physical and psychological growth, preventing disease, and obtaining an optimal health status. The industrialized society is characterized by unbalanced energy balance due to an increase of energy intake through foods and decreased energy waste with increased SFA consumption. OBJECTIVE: To assess average dietary intake and how certain demographical and socio-economic factors have an influence on dietary habits of a sample of schoolchildren from Granada city. METHODS: The study population comprises 3,190 children and adolescents schooled at Granada city, with ages comprised between 8 and 15 years. A previously validated specific questionnaire was created including lifestyle habits, dietary habits, 24-hour recall, and frequency of foods consumption. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The average caloric ingestion in this population is higher than the predicted average waste recommended by WHO, with higher energy values being found in males. The caloric profile found in our sample is clearly unbalanced. The main protein sources were meats and dairy products. There were high intakes of SFA, PUFA, and cholesterol, markedly surpassing the recommended values. Vitamin E intake did not reach the daily recommended values. With regards to dietary habits, the study population spends less than 30 minutes for breakfast and about half an hour for lunch and dinner, those spending more time for meals having the highest energy and proteins intake.

Organochlorine pesticides in serum and adipose tissue of pregnant women in Southern Spain giving birth by cesarean section.

Since the appearance of DDT, increasingly potent insecticides have been developed to overcome the resistance developed by insects to successive products. Pesticides are also used in public health programs to control disease vectors. Despite legislation to control the use of certain products, they repeatedly appear in the adipose tissue, milk and serum of human populations. The present study determined the presence of organochlorine molecules in the adipose tissue, serum, and umblical cord of women giving birth by cesarean section in order to establish a possible correlation in organochlorine molecule content between these biological compartments and to examine fetal exposure to molecules with hormonal effects. Presence of nine organochlorines was detected by GC/ECD and confirmed by GC/MS. Highly significant differences (p<0.000) were observed between adipose tissue and maternal serum in concentrations of lindane, HCB, DDE, DDD, and endosulfan but not (p>0.5) in concentrations of endosulfan II or endosulfan sulfate. Only DDE concentrations differed (p<0.001) between maternal serum and umbilical cord serum. An association between pp'DDE and op'DDT was observed in maternal serum (p<0.094). An association in pp'DDE and pp'DDD content was found between adipose tissue and umbilical cord serum, and in pp'DDT content between adipose tissue and maternal serum. Results obtained indicate that exposure can be measured solely in serum when relatively high concentrations of pesticides are present.

Effects of maternal diet and environmental exposure to organochlorine pesticides on newborn weight in Southern Spain.

An appropriate eating pattern is essential during childbearing years and pregnancy to ensure a healthy pregnancy and newborn. Our group developed a Mediterranean Diet Score for Pregnancy (MDS-P) based on the MD and the specific need of pregnant women for Fe, Ca, and folic acid. Humans are daily exposed to endocrine disruptors, which may alter body weight and hormone system regulation. This study analyzed the relationship of maternal diet and in utero exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with newborn weight in mothers and newborns from Southern Spain. Higher MDS-P score, folic acid supplementation, and greater in utero exposure to endosulfan-diol and endosulfan-1 were related to higher newborn weight. MDS-P score was not associated with maternal weight gain during pregnancy (above or below 12 Kg). Residues from one or more OCPs were detected in 96.5% of umbilical cord serum samples from 320 newborns. The most frequent residues were endosulfans (96.5%). The presence of endosulfan-diol, endosulfan-I, p-p´DDT, folic acid supplementation, and a higher MDS-P (>8) were predictive factors for newborn overweight (>3500 g). Conversely, smoking during pregnancy, shorter gestation time (32-36 vs. 37-39 weeks), and lesser maternal weight gain during pregnancy predicted lower newborn weight (<2500 g). These results indicate prenatal exposure to OCPs in Southern Spain and its possible impact on the weight of healthy full-term newborns. Further studies are warranted to interpret the consequences of this exposure and identify preventive measures. Adherence to the MD and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy emerged as predictive factors for overweight in newborns.

Assessment of the estrogenicity of the diet of a healthy female Spanish population based on its isoflavone content.

Phytoestrogens are natural components of plants consumed by humans. The hormonal activity of these substances has long been known. Various in vitro tests have demonstrated the agonistic or antagonistic estrogenic activity of some phytoestrogens. The objective of this study was to estimate the supply of isoflavones in the diet of a healthy adult female population and to assess its estrogenic effect. The diet was assessed by questionnaire and the estrogenicity of the estimated isoflavone content was tested by E-screen, finding a mean total estrogenic capacity of 0.129 × 10⁻¹° eq.E2 (12.9 pmol day⁻¹), corresponding to a daily isoflavone intake of 265.8 µg day⁻¹. This study offers a preliminary insight into the phytoestrogen content of the diet of a healthy active population of Spanish women. The effects of this additional hormonal burden are highly controversial, and this approach to estimating dietary phytoestrogen intake of specific populations may help to elucidate its implications for human health.

[Effect of a physical activity program on the anthropometric and physical fitness of women over 60 years]. / Incidencia de un programa de actividad física sobre los parámetros antropométricos y la condición física en mujeres mayores de 60 años.

This paper wants to determine the incidence of twelve weeks of physical activity on physical capacity and morphology of women over 60 yrs without disabilities in the district of Iquique, Chile. Before and after the intervention period was determined anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness status of the sample. Anthropometric variables were weight, height and waist and hip circumferences. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip was determined. To evaluate the status of the physical condition was used handgrip dynamometry test, countermovement vertical jump and get in and out. The balance was tested through the test of visual reference monopodal balance and flexibility through the test of trunk flexion (sit and reach test). Results show a positive effect of the intervention program on the performance of every physical test (p < 0.05). Anthropometric parameters showed a reduction in waist-hip ratio (p = 0.029) and waist circumference (p = 0.014), without rest of the variables analyzed showed changes of interest. Among the observed associations, vertical jump test showed a negative correlation with balance test and getting in and out test, both before and after treatment (R = -0.495, R = -0.699 in PREtest and R = -0.373, R = -0.463 at the POSTtest for the CMJ relation and balance and CMJ and Ln S-L test respectively, P < 0.05). In conclusion, a program of physical activity lasting 12 weeks, improves physical capacity (balance, grip strength, leg strength and flexibility) and anthropometric parameters (waist-hip ratio and waist circumference), in healthy women over 60yrs of the district of Iquique, Chile.

Association between dietary antioxidant quality score (DAQs) and bone mineral density in Spanish women.

BACKGROUND: Several lines of evidence suggest a tight association between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in humans. The intake of antioxidants may influence Bone Mineral Density by acting as free radical scavengers, preventing oxidation-induced damage to bone cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the Dietary Antioxidant Quality Score and bone mineral density in a sample of healthy women. METHODS: A total of 280 women were grouped into three major groups: women aged ≤ 35 years; women aged 36-45, and finally women aged >45 years. Calcaneous Bone Mineral Density (g/cm²) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data on the eating habits of each participant were collected with a structured 24-hour diet recall questionnaire. A Dietary Antioxidant Quality Score was used to calculate antioxidant-nutrient intake. RESULTS: A significant and positive association was observed among Bone Mineral Density and dietary intake of vitamin C and selenium. Zinc intake was significantly related to Bone Mineral Density in the youngest group. Low antioxidant consumers were considered individuals whose Dietary Antioxidant Quality Score was lower or equal than the median (3.5), and high antioxidant consumers were those whose Dietary Antioxidant Quality Score were higher than 3.5. Bone Mineral Density was higher in the participants defined as high antioxidant consumers in all aged groups. CONCLUSION: The study showed that there is an association between Bone Mineral Density and the Dietary Antioxidant Quality Score in all the women studied. Therefore, new therapies for osteoporosis based on higher dietary antioxidant intakes might be developed basing on the results obtained in this study.

Organochlorine pesticides in umbilical cord blood serum of women from Southern Spain and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Exposure of pregnant women to organochlorine (OC) pesticides largely derives from contaminated food, but environmental, occupational, and domestic factors have also been implicated. We investigated the presence of nine OC residues in the umbilical cord blood of newborns in Southern Spain and analyzed the relationship of this exposure with maternal and pregnancy variables, including maternal adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD). OCs were detected in 95% of umbilical cord blood samples from the 318 mothers, who had a mean degree of adherence to the MD of 56.77 (SD: 16.35) (range, 0-100). The MD prioritizes consumption of vegetable and fruit over meat and dairy products, and OCs are generally lipophilic molecules that accumulate in foods of animal origin. Consumption of meat, fish, and dairy products was associated with dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in umbilical cord serum, and dairy product intake with lindane. Vegetable consumption was also associated with lindane and fruit intake with endosulfan I. We found no significant association between MD adherence and the presence of OC residues in serum. However, closer adherence to the MD may offer greater protection against OC exposure because of its reduced content in meat and dairy products.

Comparison of methods to evaluate the quality of the Mediterranean diet in a large representative sample of young people in Southern Spain.

The objective of this study was to compare the usefulness of two methods to evaluate diet quality in young people in Southern Spain: a new Mediterranean Diet Pattern (MDP) and a modification of the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) for the Mediterranean area. The study population was 3190 schoolchildren aged 8-15 yrs. The questionnaires used were first validated (Bland-Altman plot and Wilcoxon tests) in a randomized sample. The DQI gives a more detailed evaluation of food components, whereas the MDS gives global information on food groups but includes foods characteristically consumed in the Mediterranean region. Highly similar results were obtained using the MDP and the adapted DQI-I, which appear to be equally useful to evaluate diet quality in a Mediterranean population. The fact that we selected the same types of food for both indices may explain the similar overall evaluations. According to these results, both methods appear to be equally appropriate for evaluating diet quality in a Mediterranean population.

[Study of nutritional menus offered at noon school in Granada]. / Estudio de los menús escolares servidos en colegios de Granada.

OBJECTIVE: It has been considered a study of nutritional menus offered at noon School in Granada. Balanced diet in children and youth will enable the prevention of diseases in adulthood. Comparing the menus prepared on school and the services offered by catering. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The menus are aimed at 5,399 children from Granada, analyzed 354 school menus from 29 centres, public and private schools. Eleven colleges have their own kitchen, while 18 had hired a catering service. The amounts provided in each menu were estimated using standardized photographs of different sizes ration identified by those responsible for the dining room or by weighing Served directly from the ration. Nutritional assessment was determined by software, and the statistical treatment with the program SPSS v. 15.0. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the intakes of energy and nutrients from the menus developed in the centres and catering services. In the catering firms, the available energy and nutrition is similar, and in the menus prepared at the centres, there are significant differences in relation to some nutrients, depending on whether public school or private. CONCLUSIONS: The energy, protein and lipid is high and low input from carbohydrates. It is the frequency of excessive consumption of meat and derivatives. To balance the diet of school, it is necessary to complement the menu of midday meals with the rest of the day.

Dietary exposure assessment of pregnant women to bisphenol-A from cans and microwave containers in Southern Spain.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), material for polycarbonate and epoxy resin synthesis, has been detected in canned food, among other food containers. In mammal studies, BPA transferred from mother to fetus, caused abnormality of reproductive organs, and advanced female puberty. BPA from canned food and microwave containers was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Population was cohort of mother-son pairs established at Granada University Hospital. Frequency of food consumption (including canned food) was studied with a semi-quantitative questionnaire. The most frequently consumed products were fish and juice cans, consumed 1-3 times/week by 34.7% and 22.3% of the study population, respectively. The women made little use of polymer microwave containers, 52.8% never using them and 45.9% using them <3 times/month. Estimated mean (standard deviation) intake of BPA was 1.1(0.839) microgram/day. No relationship was found between BPA exposure and maternal socio-demographic variables or newborn characteristics. This study offers the first estimate of BPA dietary intake by pregnant women in Southern Spain. The consumption of canned foods and drinks by these women means that their exposure was lower than EFSA estimates for the European population. Nevertheless it remains of concern, given the proven undesirable effects of low-level exposure and higher susceptibility of pregnant women.

Diet quality of young people in southern Spain evaluated by a Mediterranean adaptation of the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I).

The aim of this study was to assess whether the recently developed Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was useful to evaluate the diet quality of a young Mediterranean population. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in southern Spain (Granada-Andalucia) from 2002 to 2005. Dietary information (24 h recall and FFQ) and socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected from a representative sample of the population (n 288, 44.1 % females and 55.9 % males) aged 6-18 years (mean 12.88 (sd 2.78) years). DQI-I was designed according to the method of Kim et al. modified by Tur et al. for Mediterranean populations. It focused on four main characteristics of a high-quality diet (variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance). This young population from southern Spain obtained 56.31 % of the total DQI-I score, indicating a poor-quality diet. A higher score was associated with a longer breakfast and greater physical activity. The DQI-I may require further modification for application in Mediterranean populations, differentiating between olive oil and saturated fats, among other changes. Further research is needed to develop a new diet quality index adapted to the Mediterranean diet.