Nutritional quality and carbon footprint of university students' diets: results from the EHU12/24 study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diets in terms of nutritional characteristics and quality from the perspectives of health, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and possible associations with each other in a representative sample of students at a public university. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. Dietary intake was evaluated with a validated FFQ, and diet quality was assessed through the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) and MedDietScore (MDS). GHGE data were obtained from the literature. In addition, sex, socio-economic status (SES) and body fat (BF) status were analysed as covariates. SETTING: Basque Autonomous Community, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 26 165 healthy adults aged 18-28 years. RESULTS: Student diets were characterised by low consumption of carbohydrates (38·72 % of total energy intake (TEI)) and a high intake of lipids (39·08 % of TEI). Over half of the participants had low dietary quality. The low-emitting diets were more likely to be consumed by subjects with low HEI-2010 scores (ß: 0·039 kg eCO2/1000 kcal/d) and high MDS scores (ß: -0·023 kg eCO2/1000 kcal/d), after controlling for sex, SES and BF status. Both the low-emitting and healthy diets were more likely to be consumed by women and by those with normal BF percentage. CONCLUSIONS: UPV/EHU university students' diets were characterised by moderate quality from a nutritional perspective and moderate variation in the size of carbon footprints. In this population, diets of the highest quality were not always those with the lowest diet-related GHGE; this relationship depended in part on the constructs and scoring criteria of diet quality indices used.

Validation of a 52-mtSNP minisequencing panel for haplogroup classification of forensic DNA samples.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a useful tool in forensic investigation as it provides information about the matrilineal ancestry of individuals. In addition, mtDNA can be analyzed when the analysis of other nuclear markers is underperforming. Recently, we developed a minisequencing panel for the simultaneous analysis of 52 mtDNA SNPs to classify maternal lineages into the main haplogroups and their phylogeographic origin. In order to make this panel suitable for forensic genetics laboratories, a validation study has been performed in accordance with the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines, including species specificity, reproducibility, sensitivity, and stability tests. The results demonstrate that the panel of 52 mtDNA SNPs is highly sensitive, since it enables to obtain complete genetic profiles of samples containing minimal amounts of DNA (1 pg). Furthermore, it provides sufficient genetic information to detect the matrilineal biogeographical origin of highly degraded samples, i.e., ancient dating skeletal remains, and samples with the presence of inhibitors, such as hematin and humic acid. In addition, this panel can detect mixtures in samples whose mtDNA haplogroups of contributors are different. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate the suitability of this minisequencing panel of 52 mtDNA SNPs to be used in forensic cases, with samples of low amount or degraded DNA.

Effective resolution of the Y chromosome sublineages of the Iberian haplogroup R1b-DF27 with forensic purposes.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found within the non-recombining region of the Y chromosome (NRY) represent a powerful tool in forensic genetics for inferring the paternal ancestry of a vestige and complement the determination of biogeographical origin in combination with other markers like AIMs. In the present study, we introduce a panel of 15 Y-SNPs for a fine-resolution subtyping of the haplogroup R1b-DF27, in a single minisequencing reaction. This is the first minisequencing panel that allows a fine subtyping of R1b-DF27, which displays high frequencies in Iberian and Iberian-influenced populations. This panel includes subhaplogroups of DF27 that display moderate geographical differentiation, of interest to link a sample with a specific location of the Iberian Peninsula or with Iberian ancestry. Conversely, part of the intricacy of a new minisequencing panel is to have all the included variants available to test the effectiveness of the analysis method. We have overcome the absence of the least common variants through site-directed mutagenesis. Overall, the results show that our panel is a robust and effective method for subtyping R1b-DF27 lineages from a minimal amount of DNA, and its high resolution enables to improve male lineage discrimination in Iberian and Southwest European descent individuals. The small length of the amplicons and its reproducibility makes this assay suitable for forensic and population genetics purposes.

Nutritional Adequacy and Diet Quality in Colorectal Cancer Patients Postsurgery: A Pilot Study.

Recent evidence has shown that an unhealthy diet is associated with a higher risk of tumor recurrence, metastasis, and death among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The aims of this study were to assess nutritional adequacy and diet quality in a group of CRC patients postsurgery and to identify possible associations between dietary and nutritional aspects and environmental factors and weight status. This was an observational study conducted on a random sample of 74 patients, aged 50-69 years. Dietary intake was evaluated utilizing a validated frequency questionnaire, and diet quality was evaluated utilizing the Healthy Eating Index for Spanish Diet and the MedDietScore. Data regarding socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyles, dietary supplements use, and body mass index were collected. Subjects followed a diet characterized by a low carbohydrate intake (94% of the cases), excessive protein (48%), high fat intake (67%), and some micronutrient deficiencies. The inadequacy of some nutrients was associated with male gender, overweight/obesity, smoking, and low educational level; and low adherence to the MedDiet was identified in those with a low educational level (adjusted odds ratio = 4.16, P < 0.05). Therefore, such patients should be an important target group when applying educational programs and giving individualized nutritional advice to improve their quality of life.

On-campus food purchase behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions on food availability in a Spanish university community.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate food purchasing behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions about on-campus food availability by a university community and to analyze differences in these aspects between students, education and/or research staff (ERS), and administrative and services staff (ASS), and between males and females. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that involved a representative sample of students (n = 1089), ERS (n = 396), and ASS (n = 300) who completed an anonymous online survey. A previously adapted version of the questionnaire was administered. The results were weighted to ensure representativeness of this community population using weighted coefficients. RESULTS: The results showed that most of the participants purchased food on campus (91.6%), especially for lunch (67.4% of foods and 37.4% of drinks) and snack (65.4% of foods and 45.4% of drinks). Hot drinks (i.e., coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc.; 60.5%), bottled water (49.2%), and hot foods (i.e., small servings [38.2%] and sandwiches/hamburgers [31.7%]) were the most purchased items. Taste (98.6%) was the most important determinant in choice, followed by price for students, nutritional value for ASS, and health value for ERS. The "top 5" opinions suggested for the campus food environment and potential changes were "greater capacity to access free filtered drinking water", "greater capacity to recycle food packaging," "more healthy options in vending machines", "discounts for healthy choices," and "allergen labeling." CONCLUSION: Interventions that improve sustainability and the affordability of products with high nutritional quality, price-manipulation directives, and allergen information on labeling would be well received among this community.

Prevalence and magnitude of body weight and image dissatisfaction among women in dietetics majors.

Some authors have suggested that body weight dissatisfaction may be high in students majoring in dietetics. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the extent of body weight and image dissatisfaction in a sample of women in dietetics major. Additionally, predictors of magnitude of body weight dissatisfaction were analyzed. Participants were 62 volunteers with normalweight whose mean age was 21.87 +/- 1.89 years old (non-random sample). The assessment instruments included anthropometric measurements, a somatomorphic matrix test and an eating disorders inventory (EDI-2). Data were analyzed using SPSS vs. 15.0. A larger proportion of students chose an ideal body weight lower than actual weight (67.7%) and body image with less body fat and more muscle mass than actual values (56.4%). The magnitude of body weight dissatisfaction was associated with muscle mass and body fat dissatisfaction, and with the subscale of EDI-2 "body dissatisfaction". So, from a public health standpoint, we consider important to continue working in this line of research with the aim of better understanding the extent of body weight dissatisfaction in women dietitians, and how this dissatisfaction could interfere with their professional practice.

Food groups, diet quality and colorectal cancer risk in the Basque Country.

BACKGROUND: The results obtained to date concerning food groups, diet quality and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk vary according to criteria used and the study populations. AIM: To study the relationships between food groups, diet quality and CRC risk, in an adult population of the Basque Country (North of Spain). METHODS: This observational study included 308 patients diagnosed with CRC and 308 age- and sex-matched subjects as controls. During recruitment, dietary, anthropometric, lifestyle, socioeconomic, demographic and health status information was collected. Adherence to the dietary recommendations was evaluated utilizing the Healthy Eating Index for the Spanish Diet and the MedDietScore. Conditional logistic regressions were used to evaluate the associations of food group intakes, diet quality scores, categorized in tertiles, with CRC risk. RESULTS: The adjusted models for potential confounding factors showed a direct association between milk and dairy products consumption, in particular high-fat cheeses [odds ratio (OR) third tertile vs first tertile = 1.87, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.11-3.16], and CRC risk. While the consumption of fiber-containing foods, especially whole grains (OR third tertile vs first tertile = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.39-0.98), and fatty fish (OR third tertile vs first tertile = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.27-0.99) was associated with a lower risk for CRC. Moreover, higher MD adherence was associated with a reduced CRC risk in adjusted models (OR third tertile vs first tertile = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.20-0.80). CONCLUSION: Direct associations were found for high-fat cheese, whereas an inverse relation was reported for fiber-containing foods and fatty fish, as well as adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Gene-Diet Interactions in Colorectal Cancer: Survey Design, Instruments, Participants and Descriptive Data of a Case-Control Study in the Basque Country.

Epidemiologic studies have revealed inconsistent evidence of gene-diet interaction in relation to colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to analyze them in a sample of cases and controls from the population-based bowel cancer screening program of the Osakidetza/Basque Health Service. This study analyzed dietetic, genetic, demographic, socioeconomic factors and lifestyles. In the present manuscript, the survey design, sampling, instruments, measurements and related quality management were presented. Moreover, we analyze differences between cases and controls in some data, especially those related to diet. The participants were 308 cases and 308 age- and sex-matched subjects as controls. Cases were more likely than controls to have overweight/obesity (67.5% vs. 58.1%, p < 0.05), a lower intake of vitamin B2 (0.86 ± 0.23 vs. 0.92 ± 0.23 mg/1000 kcal, p < 0.01) and calcium:phosphorus ratio (0.62 ± 0.12 vs. 0.65 ± 0.13, p < 0.01). A higher proportion of cases than controls did not meet the Nutritional Objectives for saturated fatty acids (85.7% vs. 67.5%, p < 0.001) or cholesterol (35.4% vs. 25.0%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, the present study provides valuable data for analyzing the complexity of gene-diet interaction in relation to CRC. The results presented here suggest that overweight/obesity and a high intake of certain dietary components, especially saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, are more frequent in cases than in controls.

Development of a new screening method to determine the main 52 mitochondrial haplogroups through a single minisequencing reaction.

This work presents the design, development and optimization of a screening method based on single-base extension sequencing to simultaneously analyze a panel of 52 mitochondrial SNPs. This enables to recognize the main mitochondrial haplogroups and to discriminate even between lineages from the same phylogenetic branch that diverged in different continents. The unavailability of individuals harboring infrequent variants was a limitation to optimize the panel. To overcome this, we have modified DNA by site-directed mutagenesis to create the unavailable allelic variants. This allowed us to verify the reliability of this panel and its usefulness to be applied in biomedicine, forensic and population genetic studies.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with susceptibility for development of colorectal cancer: Case-control study in a Basque population.

Given the significant population diversity in genetic variation, we aimed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified in studies of colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility were also relevant to the population of the Basque Country (North of Spain). We genotyped 230 CRC cases and 230 healthy controls for 48 previously reported CRC-susceptibility SNPs. Only the rs6687758 in DUPS10 exhibited a statistically significant association with CRC risk based on the crude analysis. The rs6687758 AG genotype conferred about 2.13-fold increased risk for CRC compared to the AA genotype. Moreover, we found significant associations in cases between smoking status, physical activity, and the rs6687758 SNP. The results of a Genetic Risk Score (GRS) showed that the risk alleles were more frequent in cases than controls and the score was associated with CRC in crude analysis. In conclusion, we have confirmed a CRC susceptibility locus and the existence of associations between modifiable factors and the rs6687758 SNP; moreover, the GRS was associated with CRC. However, further experimental validations are needed to establish the role of this SNP, the function of the gene identified, as well as the contribution of the interaction between environmental factors and this locusto the risk of CRC.

GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene copy number analysis in paraffin-embedded tissue using quantitative real-time PCR.

GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes possess an inherited deletion associated with a lack of enzyme activity. The heterozygous condition of this deletion is difficult to determine in low-quality DNA with existing PCR protocols. We designed and validated a multiplex real-time PCR assay by adapting the DeltaDeltaCt relative quantification method for the analysis of GSTT1 and GSTM1 markers to accurately differentiate the three genotypes ( *1/1, *1/0, and *0/0) in degraded DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Gene copy number values obtained provide for unambiguous homozygous and heterozygous differentiation. The efficacy shown by the PCR assay endorses its usefulness for complete genotyping of glutathione S-transferases in archival tissues.

Cooperative learning strategies to teach nutrition to geriatric nursing staff.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that cooperative learning strategies will help to increase nutrition knowledge of nurses and nursing assistants caring for the elderly in different institutional communities of the Basque Country, Spain. The target population was a sample of volunteers, 16 nurses and 28 nursing assistants. Training consisted of 12 nutrition education sessions using cooperative strategies conducted over a period of 3 consecutive weeks. The assessment instruments included two pretest and two posttest questionnaires with questions selected in multiple-choice format. The first questionnaire was about general knowledge of applied nutrition (0-88 point scale) and the second one on geriatric nutrition knowledge (0-18 point scale). Data were analyzed using SPSS vs. 11.0. The outcomes indicated a significant increase in general nutrition knowledge (difference between the pre- and post-test mean score: 14.5+/-10.1; P<0.001) and in geriatric nutrition knowledge for all participants (difference between the pre- and post-test mean score: 4.6+/-4.6; P<0.001). So the results indicated that cooperative learning strategies could improve the nutrition knowledge of nursing staff. Additionally, the results of this study provide direction to continuing nutrition education program planners regarding appropriate content and methodology for programs.

Body shape in relation to socio-economic status in young adults from the basque Country.

Body shape has a great variability determined, partly, by energy intake and physical activity, as well as by gender and age. The aim of this research was to analyse the relation between socio-economic status (SES) and body shape estimated through the somatotype, in a sample of university students. The sample included 316 males and 635 females aged 18-33. Somatotype was estimated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric technique. The information included data of SES. A MANOVA test was used to test differences among groups. The mean somatotypes were 4.0-4.4-2.3 in males and 5.4 -3.4-2.2 in females. Sexual dimorphism for the whole somatotype was found (p < 0.001). There is a greater stability of the body shape in females regarding SES and more variability in males. Males' somatotype was significantly related to SES, low socioeconomic levels were associated with high values of endomorphy and mesomorphy.

A short training program improves the accuracy of portion-size estimates in future dietitians.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a short training program, using real foods, would decreased their portion-size estimation errors after training. 90 student volunteers (20.18+/-0.44 y old) of the University of the Basque Country (Spain) were trained in observational techniques and tested in food-weight estimation during and after a 3-hour training period. The program included 57 commonly consumed foods that represent a variety of forms (125 different shapes). Estimates of food weight were compared with actual weights. Effectiveness of training was determined by examining change in the absolute percentage error for all observers and over all foods over time. Data were analyzed using SPSS vs. 13.0. The portion-size errors decreased after training for most of the foods. Additionally, the accuracy of their estimates clearly varies by food group and forms. Amorphous was the food type estimated least accurately both before and after training. Our findings suggest that future dietitians can be trained to estimate quantities by direct observation across a wide range of foods. However this training may have been too brief for participants to fully assimilate the application.

[Anthropometric characterization of an institutionalized elderly population from Caracas, Venezuela]. / Caracterización antropométrica de una población de adultos mayores institucionalizados de la ciudad de Caracas, Venezuela.

Most of the anthropometric standards are derived from adult populations but not from older subjects, so their use to evaluate the nutritional status in the elderly may not be the most appropriate. In this sense, the anthropometric characteristics and their relationship to sex and age in a cross-sectional sample of 809 Venezuelan subjects (370 males and 439 females), aged 60 to 102 years old, randomly selected from a elderly institution-alised population were studied. The results indicate that anthropometric variables show different degrees and signs of sexual dimorphism. Males presented higher stature, weight, waist and calf circumferences and higher bone diameters, while females have higher hip and thigh perimeters, and bigger trunk and extremities skinfolds. Independently of the changes observed in these variables with age, the difference spread between the sexes tends to stay and even to increase with age in the height and weight, in hip perimeter and in thigh and calf skinfolds; while, on the contrary, they attenuate in waist perimeter and in triceps, subescapular and suprailiac skinfolds. Males and females appear to be more similar for these variables in the advanced ages. In general, these results could be used as reference elements for similar researches in Venezuela, due to the low number of studies developed in the country in older populations

Associations between STR autosomal markers and longevity.

Life span is a complex and multifactorial trait, which is shaped by genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and stochastic factors. The possibility that highly hypervariable short tandem repeats (STRs) associated with longevity has been largely explored by comparing the genotypic pools of long lived and younger individuals, but results so far have been contradictory. In view of these contradictory findings, the present study aims to investigate whether HUMTHO1 and HUMCSF1PO STRs, previously associated with longevity, exert a role as a modulator of life expectancy, as well as to assess the extent to which other autosomal STR markers are associated with human longevity in population from northern Spain. To that end, 21 autosomal microsatellite markers have been studied in 304 nonagenarian individuals (more than 90 years old) and 516 younger controls of European descent. Our results do not confirm the association found in previous studies between longevity and THO1 and CSF1PO loci. However, significant association between longevity and autosomal STR markers D12S391, D22S1045, and DS441 was observed. Even more, when we compared allelic frequency distribution of the 21 STR markers between cases and controls, we found that 6 out of the 21 STRs studied showed different allelic frequencies, thus suggesting that the genomic portrait of the human longevity is far complex and probably shaped by a high number of genomic loci.

[Relationship between the ratio of fish to meat consumption and diet adequacy in university young women]. / Relación entre el índice de consumo de pescado y carne y la adecuación y calidad de la dieta en mujeres jóvenes universitarias.

INTRODUCTION: In Western populations fish consumption is lower than meat consumption and this fact can influence on the total diet quality. OBJECTIVE: Verify if the relationship between the ratio of fish to meat consumption and diet adequacy and quality in a group of women university students. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: 47 women of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) took part in this study; the mean age was 19.6+/-1.2 years. Dietary intake was evaluated with a food frequency questionnaire validated. From quantitative data on food, energy and nutrients intake were estimated by CESNID software. Two diet quality indices were also calculated: the ratio of fish to meat consumption and the Healthy Eating Index for Spanish diet (HEISD). Statistical analyses were carried out using the SPSS 21.0 software package. RESULTS: The ratio of fish to meat was 0.4 and the majority of the participants (91.5%) eaten more meat than fish. The university students with a high intake of fish were eating more fruit and less sweets. The ratio fish/ meat was associated positively with the scores of some components of the HEISD and with the intake of some nutrients: proteins, niacin, potassium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, E, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12 and C. CONCLUSION: A higher consumption of fish than meat was associated with a better dietary profile in the consumption of some foods and nutrients, in the sample studied.

Introducción: En las poblaciones occidentales el consumo de pescado es menor que el de carnes y esto puede influir en la calidad de la dieta total. Objetivo: Comprobar si la relación entre el consumo de pescado y carne está vinculada con la adecuación y calidad de la dieta en un grupo de mujeres universitarias. Participantes y métodos: En este estudio participaron un total de 47 mujeres de la Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) con una edad media fue de 19,6+/-1,2 años. La ingesta dietética se evaluó con un cuestionario de frecuencias de consumo validado. A partir de los datos cuantitativos de consumo se calculó la ingesta de energía y nutrientes, utilizando el programa CESNID. Se estimaron dos índices de calidad de la dieta: el índice pescado/ carne y el Índice de Alimentación Saludable para población española (IASE). El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS versión 21.0. Resultados: El índice pescado/carne fue de 0,4 y la mayoría de las participantes (91,5%) consumían más carnes que pescado. Las universitarias que tenían mayores ingestas de pescado consumían más fruta y menos dulces. El índice pescado/carne se asoció positivamente con mayores puntuaciones en muchos de los componentes del IASE y con mayor adecuación en la ingesta de algunos nutrientes: proteínas, niacina, potasio, hierro, zinc, vitamina D, E, tiamina, riboflavina, piridoxina, vitamina B12 y C. Conclusión: Un mayor consumo de pescado que de carne está relacionado con un mejor perfil dietético en el consumo de ciertos alimentos y nutrientes, en la muestra estudiada.

[Influence of sport practice and physical exercise on anthropometric indicators and weight satisfaction in men university students: a pilot study]. / Influencia de la practica fisico-deportiva sobre indicadores antropometricos y la satisfaccion con el peso en hombres estudiantes universitarios: estudio piloto.

INTRODUCTION: University students generally have low levels of physical activity, which could affect the body weight and composition and the knowledge and acceptance of their own body. OBJECTIVE: To assess weight status and body composition, as well as self-perception and satisfaction with body weight in university students, and to analyze the influence of sport practice and physical exercise on these variables. METHODS: A sample of 62 male students with a mean age of 20.7+/-1.7 years was evaluated. Sport practice and physical exercise in leisure time were analyzed by questionnaire. Weight status and body composition were assessed by anthropometry. Data about self-reported and desired weight and self-reported height were also registered. Measurements of actual, self-reported and desired weight were used to estimate self- perception and satisfaction with weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: Overall 17.7% of participants had overweight and 6.5% underweight. The energy consumption due to sport practice and/or physical exercise was ≤ 3,000 kcal/ week in the 45.2% of the students and > 3,000 kcal/week in the 32.3%. Self-perception and satisfaction with weight was better in the group who practiced sport and/or physical exercise at the rate of ≤ 3.000 kcal/week than in those who did not practice any sport or exercise (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regular practice of sport or physical exercise is associated with a better self-perception and satisfaction with body weight compared with a sedentary lifestyle. The university studies period should be used to promote sport practice and physical exercise, using the resources or assets of the University.

Introducción: Los jovenes universitarios presentan en general niveles bajos de actividad fisica, lo que podria repercutir en su peso y composicion corporal y en el conocimiento y aceptacion de su propio cuerpo. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de peso y la composicion corporal, asi como la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal en universitarios, y analizar la influencia de la actividad fisico-deportiva sobre estas variables. Métodos: La muestra estuvo formada por 62 estudiantes varones con una edad media de 20,7+/-1,7 anos. La practica de deporte y/o ejercicio fisico en el tiempo libre se analizo mediante cuestionario. El estado de peso y la composicion corporal se evaluaron mediante antropometria. Tambien se registraron datos de peso autodeclarado y deseado, y de talla autodeclarada. Las medidas de peso real, autodeclarado y deseado se utilizaron para estimar la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso. El analisis estadistico se realizo con el programa SPSS version 22.0. Resultados: El 17,7% de los participantes presentaba sobrepeso y el 6,5% bajo peso. El 45,2% tenia un gasto por el deporte y/o ejercicio fisico ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana y el 32,3% > 3.000 kcal/semana. La autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso fue mejor en el grupo que practicaba deporte y/o ejercicio fisico a razon de ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana, que en aquellos que no practicaban ningun ejercicio fisico o deporte (P < 0,05). Conclusión: La practica regular de actividad fisicodeportiva moderada esta relacionada con una mejor percepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal, en comparacion con el sedentarismo. Deberia aprovecharse el periodo de estudios universitarios para fomentar la practica de ejercicio fisico-deportivo, empleando los recursos o activos con los que cuenta la Universidad.

Influencia de la práctica físico-deportiva sobre indicadores antropométricos y la satisfacción con el peso en hombres estudiantes universitarios: estudio piloto / Influence of sport practice and physical exercise on anthropometric indicators and weight satisfaction in men university students: a pilot study

Introducción: Los jóvenes universitarios presentan en general niveles bajos de actividad física, lo que podría repercutir en su peso y composición corporal y en el conocimiento y aceptación de su propio cuerpo. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de peso y la composición corporal, así como la autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso corporal en universitarios, y analizar la influencia de la actividad físico-deportiva sobre estas variables. Métodos: La muestra estuvo formada por 62 estudiantes varones con una edad media de 20,7+/-1,7 años. La práctica de deporte y/o ejercicio físico en el tiempo libre se analizó mediante cuestionario. El estado de peso y la composición corporal se evaluaron mediante antropometría. También se registraron datos de peso autodeclarado y deseado, y de talla autodeclarada. Las medidas de peso real, autodeclarado y deseado se utilizaron para estimar la autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS versión 22.0. Resultados: El 17,7% de los participantes presentaba sobrepeso y el 6,5% bajo peso. El 45,2% tenía un gasto por el deporte y/o ejercicio físico ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana y el 32,3% > 3.000 kcal/semana. La autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso fue mejor en el grupo que practicaba deporte y/o ejercicio físico a razón de ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana, que en aquellos que no practicaban ningún ejercicio físico o deporte (P < 0,05). Conclusión: La práctica regular de actividad físicodeportiva moderada está relacionada con una mejor percepción y satisfacción con el peso corporal, en comparación con el sedentarismo. Debería aprovecharse el periodo de estudios universitarios para fomentar la práctica de ejercicio físico-deportivo, empleando los recursos o activos con los que cuenta la Universidad (AU)

Introduction: University students generally have low levels of physical activity, which could affect the body weight and composition and the knowledge and acceptance of their own body. Objective: To assess weight status and body composition, as well as self-perception and satisfaction with body weight in university students, and to analyze the influence of sport practice and physical exercise on these variables. Methods: A sample of 62 male students with a mean age of 20.7+/-1.7 years was evaluated. Sport practice and physical exercise in leisure time were analyzed by questionnaire. Weight status and body composition were assessed by anthropometry. Data about self-reported and desired weight and self-reported height were also registered. Measurements of actual, self-reported and desired weight were used to estimate self- perception and satisfaction with weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Overall 17.7% of participants had overweight and 6.5% underweight. The energy consumption due to sport practice and/or physical exercise was ≤ 3,000 kcal/ week in the 45.2% of the students and > 3,000 kcal/week in the 32.3%. Self-perception and satisfaction with weight was better in the group who practiced sport and/or physical exercise at the rate of ≤ 3.000 kcal/week than in those who did not practice any sport or exercise (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Regular practice of sport or physical exercise is associated with a better self-perception and satisfaction with body weight compared with a sedentary lifestyle. The university studies period should be used to promote sport practice and physical exercise, using the resources or assets of the University (AU)

Body image and body composition: comparisons of young male elite soccer players and controls.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate body composition and body image (perception and satisfaction) in a group of young elite soccer players and to compare the data with those of a control group (age and BMI matched). Participants were 56 volunteer males whose mean age and BMI were 19.6 (SD 1.3) years and 23.3 (SD 1.1) kg/m2, respectively. Results showed that soccer players have a higher lean mass and lower fat mass than controls. Moreover, body perception (difference between current and actual image) was more accurate in controls than in soccer players, and the results suggest a tendency for soccer players to aspire to have more muscle mass and body fat. Soccer players perceived an ideal image with significantly higher body-fat percentage than their current and actual images. There were no body-dissatisfaction differences between groups, however. Although the results are necessarily limited by the small sample size, the findings should be of interest to coaches of young elite soccer teams.