Vegetarian diets in Spain: Temporal evolution through national health surveys and their association with healthy lifestyles.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalent consumption trend between 2001 and 2017 and the healthy lifestyles associated with consuming a plant-based diet in the Spanish population. METHODOLOGY: A representative Spanish sample was analysed (>15 years old) from the Spanish National Health Survey for years 2001 (n=8568), 2006 (n=25,649), 2011 (n=19,027) and 2017 (n=21,986). The population was classified as omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan. The lifestyle variables were physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI). The χ2 test was used to evaluate diet change between 2001 and 2017. T-Student and χ2 were used to compare lifestyles of omnivores and vegetarians/vegans. Logistic regression was used to analyse lifestyles associated with plant-based diets. RESULTS: 0.2% of the Spanish population followed a plant-based diet. Between plant-based diet consumers there was an increase in vegans vs. vegetarians between 2001 (9.5% vs. 90.5%) and 2017 (65.3% vs. 34.7%) (p=0.007). Compared to 2001, following a plant-based diet was more likely in 2006 (OR=2.08, p=0.004), 2011 (OR=1.89, p=0.02) and 2017 (OR=1.75, p=0.04). Those who consume alcohol (OR=0.65, p=0.008), who were overweight (OR=0.48, p<0.001) or who were obese (OR=0.40, p=0.001) were less likely to consume a plant-based diet. CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in the consumption of plant-based diets between 2001 and 2017, there was a low prevalence of consumption in all years studied. There was a greater probability of consuming plant-based diets among the Spanish population with healthy behaviours. These findings could help design strategies focused on healthy nutritional behaviours.

Edad de menopausia, condición nutricional y componentes del síndrome metabólico en mujeres españolas / Menopausal age, nutritional status and components of the metabolic syndrome in Spanish women

La enfermedad cardiovascular es la primera causa de morbimortalidad en la mujer, situación que es modulada por los procesos de desarrollo ontogenético, especialmente los relacionados con la transición menopáusica. El objetivo de este trabajo fue asociar la edad de menopausia con la condición nutricional y la presencia de componentes del síndrome metabólico. Participaron 332 mujeres españolas (edad media: 58,17±6,31 años). Se midieron el peso, talla, perímetro de cintura, de cadera y pliegues adiposos subcutáneos, estimándose el Índice de Masa Corporal, cintura-talla, cintura cadera y las variables de composición corporal: porcentaje de grasa, masa grasa y masa libre de grasa total y relativa. Se tomó la presión arterial y los niveles de colesterol y glucosa, obteniéndose la puntuación de riesgo cardiovascular por protocolo Framingham. La edad media de menopausia (50,28±2,91 años) fue estimada por método retrospectivo, se establecieron categorías: temprana (<49,28 años), media (49,28 a 51,28 años) y tardía (>51,28 años). Además, se categorizó según criterio de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, considerándose menopausia temprana (<45 años) o normal (≥45 años). Se aplicaron test T-Student, U Man-Whitney, ANOVA o Kruskal-Wallis para la comparación de medias y Chi-cuadrado para el contraste de proporciones. Las mujeres con menopausia temprana mostraron mayor adiposidad y patrón de acúmulo graso centralizado, mientras que su componente musculoesquelético relativo fue bajo. La presión arterial, los niveles séricos de colesterol y glucosa son superiores en las menopaúsicas tempranas; en consecuencia, estas presentan mayor riesgo cardiovascular. La prevalencia de hipertensión, hipercolesterolemia e hiperglucemia descienden progresivamente entre las menopaúsicas tempranas y tardías

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women, that situation is modulated by ontogenetic development processes, especially those related to the menopausal transition. The aim of this work was to associate the age of menopause with nutritional status and the presence of components of the metabolic syndrome. A total of 332 Spanish women participated (mean age: 58.17±6.31 years). Weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and subcutaneous skinfold were measured, estimating Body Mass Index, waist-height, waist-hip and body composition variables: percentage of fat, fat mass and total and relative fat-free mass. Blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels were taken, obtaining the cardiovascular risk score by Framingham. The mean age of menopause (50.28±2.91 years) was estimated by retrospective method, categories were established: early (<49.28 years), middle (49.28 to 51.28 years) and late (>51.28 years). In addition, it was categorized according to the World Health Organization, considering early (<45 years) or normal menopause (≥45 years). T-Student, U Man-Whitney, ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for the comparison of means and Chi-square for the contrast of proportions. Women with early menopause showed higher adiposity and centralized fat accumulation pattern, while their relative musculoskeletal component was low. Blood pressure, serum cholesterol and glucose levels are all higher in early menopause; consequently, early menopause presents greater cardiovascular risk. The prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and hypergly cemia decrease progressively between early and late menopause

Associations between food consumption habits with meal intake behaviour in Spanish adults.

The aim of the present study is to explore the contribution of different types of meal intake behaviour on a healthy diet and seeks to find associations with food consumption habits. A cross-sectional survey with data from 1332 Spanish adults aged between 20 and 79 years was conducted. The survey was carried out during the cardiovascular health event 'Semanas del Corazon 2008' in four Spanish cities. Several food consumption habits such as the recommended intake of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, as well as the regular consumption of fatty and salty food and ready-made meals, were used as dependent variables in logistic regression. We evaluated different meal intake behaviour such as the type of meals, snacking, and drinks taken with a meal. Our survey revealed that snacking is positively associated with the regular consumption of salty and fatty food, and having sugary drinks with meals was positively associated with the regular consumption of ready-made meals. Having a forenoon meal is positively associated with the consumption of two or more portions of milk and dairy products and vegetables, and taking an afternoon meal with the recommended intake of milk and dairy products and fruits. Drinking water during a meal increases the probability of consuming two or more portions of fruits and vegetables. Our results enhance the understanding of the contribution that meal intake behaviour makes to a healthy diet based on food consumption habits. This work provides an insight into eating behaviour and would make a useful contribution to interventions aimed at promoting healthier eating habits.

Diferencias de género en las poblaciones emigrantes magrebí y latinoamericana de España / Gender differences in immigrant Maghrebian and Latin American populations in Spain

Los procesos migratorios implican una diferenciación por género, que va desde la decisión del desplazamiento hasta las distintas opciones de inserción en las sociedades receptoras. Por otra parte, la migración es una de las fuerzas responsables del cambio en las relaciones de género. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las diferencias de género en dos colectivos inmigrantes asentados en Madrid. Se seleccionaron, de una población de 96 mujeres magrebíes y 125 latinoamericanas, a aquellas que tenían o habían tenido pareja estable. Se examinaron las diferencias entre cónyuges respecto a la edad al matrimonio, el nivel de estudios, el acceso laboral y los sectores ocupacionales en sus países de origen y en España, así como el impacto de la migración. Se encontraron mayores diferencias entre cónyuges en el colectivo magrebí y un acceso mayor al mercado laboral por parte de las mujeres inmigrantes en España. Los resultados encontrados señalan hacia un cambio en las relaciones de género con la emigración que puede repercutir desfavorablemente sobre la salud física y psíquica de la mujer.

The migratory processes imply a gender differentiation ranging from the decision to migrate to the different options for incorporation into the welcoming societies. On the other hand, migration is one of the responsible forces for a change in gender relationships. The objective of this paper was to analyze gender differences in two immigrant populations living in Madrid . From a population of 96 Maghrebian women and 125 Latin American women, we selected those who had or had had a stable couple. Differences between spouses as to age at marriage, schooling, access to work and working sectors in their respective countries of origin and in Spain as well as the impact of migration were also analyzed. Greater differences between spouses were found in the Maghrebian population and a greater access to work market for the immigrant women living in Spain. The results pointed to a shift in gender relationships in the context of migration that might negatively affect physical and psychical health of women.