Direct Comparison of (Anthropometric) Methods for the Assessment of Body Composition.

OBJECTIVE: Several methods for the assessment of body composition exist, yet they yield different results. The present study aimed to assess the extent of these differences on a sample of young, healthy subjects. We hypothesised that differences in body composition results obtained with different methods will vary to the extent that a subject can be misclassified into different nutritional categories. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Underwater weighing (UWW), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometry (ANT), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were used to assess body composition. An extensive list of ANT regression equations (or sets of equations) was analysed in terms of accuracy and precision relative to DXA. RESULTS: When DXA-determined body fat (BF) values were taken as a reference, UWW overestimated BF in both genders. In contrast, BIA (measured with a given bioimpedance analyser) underestimated BF in females, although BIA-determined BF did not differ from DXA in males. A huge difference in BF estimates (8-29% for females and 6-29% for males, for DXA-determined BF of 25.5% and 13.9% for females in males, respectively) was observed across a number of ANT regression equations; yet, ANT proved not to be inferior to DXA, provided that regression equations with the highest combinations of accuracy and precision were chosen. CONCLUSIONS: The study proved grounds for comparison of body composition results of young, healthy subjects, obtained with different methods and across a wide range of ANT regression equations. It also revealed a list of the most appropriate ANT regression equations for the selected sample and reported their accuracy and precision.

Intergenerational changes in body height, body mass, and body mass index in an understudied population.

Objectives: Secular trends in body height have been proved indicative of socio-economic development of a country or a region, as well as of childhood and adolescent (mal)nutrition. Being taller has been associated with enhanced longevity, with several body height related factors involved. While basic anthropometric measurements, including body height, have long been performed in developed societies, primarily in men and children, far less data are available for adults and women in particular. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to collect basic anthropometric data related to the assessment of nutritional status of adult population, both men and women, to establish normative anthropometric data, and provide intergenerational analysis for height, body mass, and body mass index (BMI) of adults of both genders. Subjects and methods: Body height and body mass data of the participating 845 volunteers were collected from March 2017 to April 2018 by trained interviewers during home visits. BMI and gender-related percentile values were calculated, and percentile curves constructed. The protocol of the study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Republic of Slovenia. Results: Eleven weighted percentile values (3, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 75, 85, 90, 95, and 97) for body height, body mass, and BMI are presented, as are the non-weighted percentile curves for these parameters for both, adult men and women. Secular trends and age-related height loss of the reported parameters are being discussed. Conclusion: The reported percentile values provide an insight into the secular trend of body height, mass, and BMI of an understudied population, i.e. adults of both genders in a transitional society. As such, they can be useful to researchers, ergonomic professionals, health programme coordinators, and policy makers.

Assessment of the Use of Food Supplements by Military Personnel: Study Protocol and Results.

Due to their specific mode of operation, military personnel are challenged physically as well as mentally. In most countries, the use of food supplements by military personnel is not regulated, and a high prevalence of supplementation is expected. However, data on this are scarce or very limited, without insights into the importance of supplementation for the intake of bioactive substances. Our goal was, therefore, to develop a study protocol to enable an assessment of the prevalence of using food supplements and an estimate of the contribution of supplementation practices to the dietary intake of specific nutrients and other compounds. The protocol was tested in a study of Slovene Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire in a sample of 470 participants from different military units-about half from the barracks located across the country, and the other half returning from military operations abroad. To provide meaningful results, we recorded the use of food supplements and functional foods available in single-sized portions (i.e., energy drinks, protein bars, etc.). Altogether, 68% of the participants reported supplementation, most commonly with vitamin, mineral, and protein supplements. Military rank, participation status in military operations, and physical activity were the main determinants of the specific supplements used. Surprisingly, a lower prevalence of overall and protein supplementation was observed in subjects returning from military operations abroad (62 vs. 74%) than in personnel stationed in barracks across Slovenia; however, the frequency of the use of energy drinks and caffeine supplements was higher in this population (25 vs. 11%). The study design allowed for estimations of the daily intake of supplemented bioactive compounds. We describe the challenges and approaches used in the study to support similar studies in the future and within other populations.

A Web-Based 24-H Dietary Recall Could Be a Valid Tool for the Indicative Assessment of Dietary Intake in Older Adults Living in Slovenia.

The methodology used in dietary surveys could, to a large extent, follow the instructions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), where 24-h dietary recall (24HDR) is recommended for (sub) population studies. However, it is necessary to examine the suitability of 24HDR for indicative dietary intake in older adults. This study aimed to compare participants' dietary intakes with the recommendations and to compare dietary intakes derived from a 24HDR using an OPEN web-based application to those obtained from reference weighed food records (WFRs). Forty-nine Slovenian residential home residents completed both assessments, and a comparison with dietary reference values was performed. Estimates from these two methods were compared and the correlations between them were assessed. The findings revealed that dietary intakes derived from the WFR method mostly differed from the recommended intakes. The 24HDR underestimated dietary intake compared to the WFR for 66% of monitored parameters, while 75% of these parameters were correlated, mostly at a moderate level (0.3-0.69). In conclusion, the diets of residential home residents in this study mostly differed from recommendations. Both methods for dietary intake assessment provided comparable results for most of the monitored parameters in expected deviations. A web-based 24HDR could be a valid tool for the indicative assessment of dietary intake in older adults. However, further validations are required.

Faster, Stronger, Healthier: Adolescent-Stated Reasons for Dietary Supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the underlying reasons and sources of recommendation for dietary supplement (DS) use among adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of children's development in Slovenia in September to October, 2014. SETTING: Nationally recruited sample. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents aged 14-19 years enrolled in 15 high schools (n = 1,463). VARIABLES MEASURED: Reasons for and sources of recommendation for DS use, sports club membership, sports discipline, and extent of physical activity (PA) were self-reported data. ANALYSIS: Chi-square test of independence was performed to compare the prevalence of DS use between groups with different extents of PA and nonathletes/athletes, referring to 11 different reasons and 9 different sources of recommendation for DS use. RESULTS: Use of DS was widespread among adolescents (69%), athletes (76%), and nonathletes (66%). Higher prevalence of supplementation was observed in males, who justified it use for sports performance enhancement and better development and function of muscles. In contrast, females emphasized immune system improvement. Higher extent of PA was associated with a higher prevalence of DS use. This was especially evident in males, who participated in team sports. A high percentage of adolescents (41%) decided on their own to use DS and because of advice from parents or relatives (30%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Several reasons for the widespread use of DS in adolescents were associated with sports participation. Therefore, educational programs regarding DS use should be targeted primarily to adolescents and their parents who are involved in sports, and especially team sports.