Nutrient intake in Spanish adolescents SCOFF high-scorers: the AVENA study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether adolescents with a positive score in a screening tool for possible eating disorders (ED) have a different diet intake in comparison with those with a negative score. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed in 235 adolescents (37.9 % boys) from Zaragoza (Spain). Age, gender, BMI, maternal education, nutrient intake (7-day record) and screening tool for detecting ED [sick control on fat food test (SCOFF)] were assessed. ANCOVA test was used to determine nutrient intake differences (namely energy, macronutrients and micronutrients) according to the SCOFF total score (SCOFF ≥2 indicates a possible case of ED). ANCOVA test was adjusted by age, maternal education and BMI. This research was based on data from the cross-sectional multicenter Alimentación y Valoración del Estado Nutricional en Adolescentes españoles (Feeding and Assessment of Nutritional status of Spanish Adolescents) study. RESULTS: The proportion of adolescents with possible symptoms of ED was 21.7 %. Girls SCOFF high-scorers (SCOFF+) mean daily energy intake was significantly lower than in those SCOFF low-scorers (SCOFF-) (P < 0.001); however, in boys there was no difference. Both in girls and boys, there were no statistically significant differences according to SCOFF questionnaire for macronutrient intake, adjusted by daily energy intake. Concerning micronutrients, in girls with SCOFF+ sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin B2 and niacin intakes were significantly lower than in those with SCOFF-; however, in boys, there were no differences. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent girls with current possible symptoms of ED presented lower total energy intake and several micronutrients intake compared with their peers without ED.

Reproducibility and relative validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire in European preschoolers: The ToyBox study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility and relative validity of a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in assessing food group estimates. METHODS: Food group estimates were assessed via a 37-item FFQ and a 3-d food record (FR). Pearson's correlation coefficients for log-transformed values were calculated to assess the reproducibility and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients for log-transformed values were calculated to assess the validity. Kindergartens from six European countries participated in the preparatory substudies of the ToyBox intervention study; data from preschool children 4 to 6 y of age (n = 196, reproducibility study; n = 324, validation study) were obtained. RESULTS: In the reproducibility study, positive Pearson's correlation coefficients for single and aggregated food groups ranged from 0.14 for pasta and rice to 0.90 for cooked vegetables. In the validation study, the FR gave higher estimates of 40 of the 50 food items (single and aggregated) examined compared with those obtained from the FFQ. Positive crude Spearman rank correlation coefficients ranged from 0.01 for total beverages (added sugar) and rice to 0.62 for tea. Corrections for the deattenuation effect did not improve observed correlations. Quartiles and tertiles were calculated for a small number of food groups (N = 14) owing to zero consumption in the rest of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Moderately good reproducibility and low-moderate relative validity of the FFQ used in preschool children was observed. Relative validity, however, varied by food and beverage group; for some of the "key" foods/drinks targeted in the ToyBox intervention (e.g., biscuits), the validity was good. The findings should be considered in future epidemiologic and intervention studies in preschool children.

Changes in body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators in healthy Spanish adolescents after lamb- (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken-basic diets.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of lamb consumption (Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Ternasco de Aragón) on health indicators including body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators of healthy young Spanish students living in the area of Aragón, Spain. METHODOLOGY: A randomized-controlled and cross-over trial (two periods of 8 weeks duration) assessing changes on body composition (body mass index and skinfold thicknesses) and cardiovascular risk indicators of 50 participants randomly assigned to follow a normocaloric diet with lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken. Body composition and serum cardiovascular risk profiles were measured both at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Healthy men (n = 22) and women (n = 28), aged 19.43 ± 0.85 years were studied. Suprailiac skinfold thickness and waist circumference significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. No significant changes were observed in the rest of the variables in either group. Tryacilglicerol and insulin serum concentrations significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that regular consumption of lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) can be integrated into a healthy, varied and well-balanced diet, as body composition and cardiovascular risk profile changes are similar or even healthier to those observed following chickenconsumption.

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del consumo de cordero (Indicación Geográfica Protegida (IGP), Ternasco de Aragón) en los indicadores de salud, incluyendo la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes españoles jóvenes y sanos que viven en la zona de Aragón. Metodología: Se han evaluado los cambios producidos en la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en dos períodos aleatorios, cruzados y controlados. 50 jóvenes fueron asignados aleatoriamente para seguir una dieta normocalórica con carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) o el pollo. La composición corporal se evaluó a través de medidas antropométricas y el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular en suero se midió al inicio y después de consumir la carne de cordero o de pollo. Resultados: Se ha estudiado una muestra compuesta por hombres sanos (n = 22) y mujeres sanas (n = 28), con edades comprendidas entre 19,43 ± 0,85 años. El pliegue cutáneo suprailíaco y la circunferencia de la cintura disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. No se observaron cambios significativos en el resto de variables en los dos grupos. Las concentraciones de triglicéridos y las concentraciones séricas de insulina disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que el consumo regular de carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) se puede integrar en una dieta sana, variada y equilibrada, ya que los cambios observados en la composición corporal y en el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular son similares o incluso más favorables en el grupo que consumió cordero que en el grupo que consumió pollo.