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.

Mediterranean diet adherence is associated with lifestyle, physical fitness, and mental wellness among 10-y-olds in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) within a population of children from Santiago, Chile. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between MD adherence, body composition, physical fitness, self-esteem, and other lifestyle factors. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study of a sample of children (N = 515; 10.6 ± 0.5 y) was conducted. Weight, body mass index, skinfolds, and waist circumference were measured. Physical fitness was determined using aspects of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health fitness test battery for children. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents questionnaire. Self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg scale and the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire measured self-concept. Participants completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children and also were asked to report the number of hours per day they spent watching various screen-based devices. RESULTS: All findings were significant at the level P < 0.001. Adherence to an MD was consistently and negatively associated with percentage body fat (r = -0.302) and subscapular skinfold thickness (r = -0.329). Positive associations were found with PAQ-C (r = 0.277), self-esteem (r = 0.301) and self-concept (r = 0.234), and for physical fitness, especially for explosive power of the legs (r = 0.355). Positive correlations with handgrip strength were found in boys (r = 0.323), whereas negative correlations with screen time were found in girls (r = -0.511). CONCLUSION: Given its relation to a healthier body composition, physical fitness, healthier lifestyle behaviors, and mental wellness, the MD should be promoted amongst youngsters.

Different healthy habits between northern and southern Spanish school children.

AIM: Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth-grade primary school children (aged 11-12 years) from northern and southern Spain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n = 329) in the north and Granada (n = 284) in the south of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded. RESULTS: Boys reported a higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p = 0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p = 0.041; ♂: p = 0.008), lower aerobic fitness (♀: p = 0.000; ♂: p = 0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p = 0.008, ♂: p = 0.007) than northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p = 0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, the physical activity level was inversely related to weight status. Overweight and obese northern boys reported less physical activity than healthy-weight northern boys (p = 0.020) and overweight and obese southern girls reported less physical activity than healthy-weight southern girls (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need for health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here.

[Relationship between physical fitness and body composition in primary school children in northern Spain (Logroño)]. / Relación entre condición física y composición corporal en escolares de primaria del norte de España (Logroño).

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is more prevalent in developed countries, but the negative effects it has on children's health could be decreased by good physical fitness. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the level of physical fitness of a group of school children in a city in the North of Spain (Logroño, La Rioja), and to analyze the relationship with the body composition, blood pressure and various socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 329 students aged 11-12 from all 31 schools of the city. Data included their socio-demographic background, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biological maturity and physical fitness. RESULTS: Male students and students with normal body weight fared better in physical fitness tests than females and than those who suffered from overweight or obesity. 88% of boys and 80% of girls were found to have healthy aerobic capacity, while only 73% of immigrant children demonstrated this. A major risk of suffering from overweight or obesity was associated with inferior results in physical fitness tests, finding inverse relationships between the percentage of body fat and maximal oxygen uptake (r = -0.524), lower-body explosive strength (r = -0.400) and speed performance (r = 0.385). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between physical fitness and body composition demonstrates the importance of intervening in order to improve physical fitness, especially with respect to aerobic capacity, with special emphasis needed for immigrant and female students.

Introducción: La obesidad infantil es una epidemia que afecta especialmente a los países desarrollados, pero cuyos efectos negativos sobre la salud podrían verse disminuidos por una buena condición física. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de condición física de una población de escolares de una ciudad del norte de España (Logroño, La Rioja), así como analizar las relaciones del mismo con la composición corporal, la tensión arterial y diversos factores sociodemográficos. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra representativa compuesta por 329 escolares de 11-12 años de las 31 escuelas de la ciudad. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, tensión arterial, desarrollo madurativo y de condición física. Resultados: Los escolares de género masculino y los normopesos obtuvieron rendimientos superiores en las pruebas de condición física que las chicas y que quienes padecían sobrepeso u obesidad. El 88% de los niños y el 80% de las niñas presentaron valores saludables de capacidad aeróbica, mientras que sólo el 73% de los inmigrantes lo hicieron. Un mayor riesgo de padecer sobrepeso u obesidad se asoció con un menor rendimiento en las pruebas de condición física, encontrándose relaciones inversas entre el porcentaje graso y el volumen máximo de oxígeno (r = -0,524), la fuerza explosiva del tren inferior (r = -0,400) y el rendimiento en velocidad (r = 0,385). Conclusiones: Las relaciones encontradas entre la condición física y la composición corporal ponen de manifiesto la importancia de realizar intervenciones destinadas a mejorar la condición física, especialmente la capacidad aeróbica, haciendo hincapié en los alumnos inmigrantes y de género femenino.

[Physical activity habits in schoolchildren: influential factors and relationships with physical fitness]. / Hábitos de práctica física en escolares: factores influyentes y relaciones con la condición física.

INTRODUCTION: Current lifestyles have led to an increase in sedentary activities and a decrease in physical activity, which can lead to a worsening of the present and future health of children. AIMS: This study sought to describe the lifestyle and physical activity habits of schoolchildren in a city in northern Spain and to analyse the relationships between these habits and body composition, physical fitness and certain socio-demographic factors. METHODS: The study was conducted on a representative sample of 329 sixth grade elementary school students (aged 11-12) from 31 schools in Logroño (La Rioja). Socio- demographic data, anthropometric data, blood pressure, development level, physical fitness and lifestyle habits and physical activity were recorded. RESULTS: The male students who performed extracurricular sports activities and those at earlier stages of development reported higher levels of physical activity. Direct correlations between physical exercise and fitness were detected, especially with respect to aerobic capacity (r = 0.38), and inverse correlations with hours in front of a screen (r = -0.18), but not with body composition. CONCLUSIONS: Given the relationships between levels of physical activity and fitness, strategies to promote physical exercise should be encouraged in order to improve the health of young people. Interventions should focus on promoting access to extracurricular sports activities, reducing sedentary habits and increasing the level of physical exercise in girls.

Introducción: Los estilos de vida actuales han provocado un aumento de las actividades sedentarias y una disminución de la actividad física, lo que puede conllevar un empeoramiento de la salud presente y futura de la población infantil. Objetivos: El objetivo del estudio fue describir los hábitos de vida y actividad física de una población de escolares de una ciudad del norte de España, así como analizar las relaciones entre dichos hábitos y la composición corporal, la condición física y algunos factores sociodemográficos. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra representativa de 329 escolares de sexto de primaria (11-12 años) de las 31 escuelas de Logroño (La Rioja). Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, tensión arterial, desarrollo madurativo, condición física y hábitos de vida y de actividad física. Resultados: Los alumnos de género masculino, quienes practicaban actividades deportivas extraescolares y los que se encontraban en un estadio de desarrollo menor reportaron mayores niveles de actividad física. Se encontraron correlaciones directas entre la práctica y la condición física, especialmente con la capacidad aeróbica (r=0,38), e inversas con las horas frente a la pantalla (r=- 0,18), pero no con la composición corporal. Conclusiones: Dadas las relaciones entre los niveles de actividad y la condición física, estrategias de promoción de la práctica física deberían fomentarse con el fin de mejorar la salud de los jóvenes. Las intervenciones deberían centrarse en favorecer el acceso a las actividades deportivas extraescolares, reducir los hábitos sedentarios y aumentar el nivel de práctica física del género femenino.

Hábitos de práctica física en escolares: factores influyentes y relaciones con la condición física / Physical activity habits in schoolchildren: influential factors and relationships with physical fitness

Introducción: Los estilos de vida actuales han provocado un aumento de las actividades sedentarias y una disminución de la actividad física, lo que puede conllevar un empeoramiento de la salud presente y futura de la población infantil. Objetivos: El objetivo del estudio fue describir los hábitos de vida y actividad física de una población de escolares de una ciudad del norte de España, así como analizar las relaciones entre dichos hábitos y la composición corporal, la condición física y algunos factores sociodemográficos. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra representativa de 329 escolares de sexto de primaria (11-12 años) de las 31 escuelas de Logroño (La Rioja). Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, tensión arterial, desarrollo madurativo, condición física y hábitos de vida y de actividad física. Resultados: Los alumnos de género masculino, quienes practicaban actividades deportivas extraescolares y los que se encontraban en un estadio de desarrollo menor reportaron mayores niveles de actividad física. Se encontraron correlaciones directas entre la práctica y la condición física, especialmente con la capacidad aeróbica (r=0,38), e inversas con las horas frente a la pantalla (r=- 0,18), pero no con la composición corporal. Conclusiones: Dadas las relaciones entre los niveles de actividad y la condición física, estrategias de promoción de la práctica física deberían fomentarse con el fin de mejorar la salud de los jóvenes. Las intervenciones deberían centrarse en favorecer el acceso a las actividades deportivas extraescolares, reducir los hábitos sedentarios y aumentar el nivel de práctica física del género femenino (AU)

Introduction: Current lifestyles have led to an increase in sedentary activities and a decrease in physical activity, which can lead to a worsening of the present and future health of children. Aims: This study sought to describe the lifestyle and physical activity habits of schoolchildren in a city in northern Spain and to analyse the relationships between these habits and body composition, physical fitness and certain socio-demographic factors. Methods: The study was conducted on a representative sample of 329 sixth grade elementary school students (aged 11-12) from 31 schools in Logroño (La Rioja). Socio-demographic data, anthropometric data, blood pressure, development level, physical fitness and lifestyle habits and physical activity were recorded. Results: The male students who performed extracurricular sports activities and those at earlier stages of development reported higher levels of physical activity. Direct correlations between physical exercise and fitness were detected, especially with respect to aerobic capacity (r = 0.38), and inverse correlations with hours in front of a screen (r = -0.18), but not with body composition. Conclusions: Given the relationships between levels of physical activity and fitness, strategies to promote physical exercise should be encouraged in order to improve the health of young people. Interventions should focus on promoting access to extracurricular sports activities, reducing sedentary habits and increasing the level of physical exercise in girls (AU)

Relación entre condición física y composición corporal en escolares de primaria del norte de España (Logroño) / Relationship between physical fitness and body composition in primary school children in northern Spain (Logrono)

Introducción: La obesidad infantil es una epidemia que afecta especialmente a los países desarrollados, pero cuyos efectos negativos sobre la salud podrían verse disminuidos por una buena condición física. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el nivel de condición física de una población de escolares de una ciudad del norte de España (Logroño, La Rioja), así como analizar las relaciones del mismo con la composición corporal, la tensión arterial y diversos factores sociodemográficos. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra representativa compuesta por 329 escolares de 11-12 años de las 31 escuelas de la ciudad. Se obtuvieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, tensión arterial, desarrollo madurativo y de condición física. Resultados: Los escolares de género masculino y los normopesos obtuvieron rendimientos superiores en las pruebas de condición física que las chicas y que quienes padecían sobrepeso u obesidad. El 88% de los niños y el 80% de las niñas presentaron valores saludables de capacidad aeróbica, mientras que sólo el 73% de los inmigrantes lo hicieron. Un mayor riesgo de padecer sobrepeso u obesidad se asoció con un menor rendimiento en las pruebas de condición física, encontrándose relaciones inversas entre el porcentaje graso y el volumen máximo de oxígeno (r = -0,524), la fuerza explosiva del tren inferior (r = -0,400) y el rendimiento en velocidad (r = 0,385). Conclusiones: Las relaciones encontradas entre la condición física y la composición corporal ponen de manifiesto la importancia de realizar intervenciones destinadas a mejorar la condición física, especialmente la capacidad aeróbica, haciendo hincapié en los alumnos inmigrantes y de género femenino (AU)

Introduction: Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is more prevalent in developed countries, but the negative effects it has on children’s health could be decreased by good physical fitness. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the level of physical fitness of a group of school children in a city in the North of Spain (Logroño, La Rioja), and to analyze the relationship with the body composition, blood pressure and various socio-demographic factors. Methods: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 329 students aged 11-12 from all 31 schools of the city. Data included their socio-demographic background, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biological maturity and physical fitness. Results: Male students and students with normal body weight fared better in physical fitness tests than females and than those who suffered from overweight or obesity. 88% of boys and 80% of girls were found to have healthy aerobic capacity, while only 73% of immigrant children demonstrated this. A major risk of suffering from overweight or obesity was associated with inferior results in physical fitness tests, finding inverse relationships between the percentage of body fat and maximal oxygen uptake (r = -0.524), lower-body explosive strength (r = -0.400) and speed performance (r = 0.385). Conclusions: The relationship between physical fitness and body composition demonstrates the importance of intervening in order to improve physical fitness, especially with respect to aerobic capacity, with special emphasis needed for immigrant and female students (AU)