Breakfast quality and its relationship to the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents in Guadalajara (Spain).

INTRODUCTION: Many young people today skip the first meal of the day in order to lose weight. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of breakfast quality and skipping breakfast on the BMI and on the prevalence of overweight and obesity. METHOD: A nutritional study was carried out on a population of 467 secondary school students (12-17 years of age) in Guadalajara, Spain based on seven-day food journal and food frequency questionnaires. Sociodemographic data were also collected. Anthropometric measurements of weight and adiposity (BMI, percentage body fat) were also taken. RESULTS: Boys aged 15-17 ate the highest proportion of full breakfasts (18.18%), compared with 4.34% for girls the same age. Inverse relationships were recorded between breakfast energy intake and the BMI (-0.1132) and between the BMI and calcium, fibre, dairy product, and cereal intake. There was practically no correlation between protein intake and the BMI. Subjects who did not eat dairy products and those who ate cooked breakfasts had the highest BMIs. CONCLUSIONS: Skipping breakfast was not an effective way to lose weight, and weight was inversely related to breakfast quality.

[Quality of the diet of a population of young people of Guadalajara]. / Calidad de la dieta de una población de jóvenes de Guadalajara.

INTRODUCTION: The population of Guadalajara traditionally has consumed a Mediterranean diet with the typical variations of the central zone of the peninsula, but the acquisition of erroneous habits of life they can be translated, specially in the young people, in a not healthful nourishing conducts. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of the diet, by means of an index of healthy nourishment (IAS) and percentage of adhesion to the Mediterranean diet (% ADM), of a teen population (n = 467) and their relation with different physiological parameters and sociodemográficos. METHOD: A nutritional study has been realized on the quality of the diet in a teen population of Guadalajara of 467 young people (12-17 years) by means of questionnaires of frequency of consumption of seven days. Likewise, there has determined the ingestion of nutrients and the index of healthy nourishment (IAS) using the program of nutrition DIAL(c). RESULTS: The results show that the average of the population takes a diet with an acceptable IAS (62.78), though with trend towards low qualities, with high ingestions of saturated fats (38.90 +/- 6.58 g), cholesterol (384.69 +/- 74.24 mg) and sodium (3,395.43 +/-729.57 mg). Respect to % MDA there has been obtained an average value of 42.86 +/- 15.52%. These values differ depending on the age (improves with the age), the sex (better quality of the diet consumed by the girls). Likewise, all the factors sociodemográficos and the way of life considered, they influence the quality indicators used.

Elementos ultratrazas ¿Nutrientes o tóxicos? / Ultratrace elements. Nutrients or toxics?

Los elementos ultratrazas son objeto de investigación constante encaminada a determinar su significado nutricional y su impacto sobre la salud, teniendo en cuenta sus posibles efectos tóxicos. Aunque, hasta el momento no se ha demostrado que estos elementos sean esenciales para el ser humano, en estudios animales se han observado signos de deficiencia y efectos beneficiosos. En la presente revisión se proporciona información sobre la esencialidad y aspectos toxicológicos de arsénico, níquel, aluminio y silicio, considerando su implicación en diversas patologías, como enfermedades neurodegenerativas, cardiovasculares y osteoporosis. Así, a pesar de su carácter eminentemente tóxico, el As y el Ni afectan al metabolismo de metionina/homocisteína y están involucrados en el proceso reproductivo. El Si parece desempeñar un papel en la mineralización ósea y participar en el proceso aterosclerótico, además contrarrestar los efectos neurotóxicos del Al (AU)

Ultratrace elements are being investigated in order to determine their nutritional significance and their impact on health, taking into account their possible toxic effects. Although these elements have not been shown to be essential for human, both apparent deficiency sings and beneficial effects have been found in animals studies. This review provides information on the essentiality and toxicological aspect of arsenic, nickel, aluminium and silicon and considers their involvements in several pathologies, such as osteoporosis, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, in spite of their eminently toxic character, arsenic and Nickel affect to the metabolism of metionina/homocisteína and, therefore, are involved in the reproductive process. Silicon seems to play a role in the bone mineralization and to participate in the atherosclerotic process, in addition to neutralize the neurotoxic effects of the aluminium (AU)

[Relation between the breakfast quality and the academic performance in adolescents of Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha)]. / Relación entre la calidad del desayuno y el rendimiento académico en adolescentes de Guadalajara (Castilla-La Mancha).

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the breakfast quality and skipping it on academic performance of a population of adolescents. METHOD: A nutritional study on the breakfast quality has been performed in a population of adolescents from Guadalajara (467 young people; age: 12-17 years) by means of questionnaires of seven-day consumption frequency. Besides, we have collected socio-demographic data and academic scores of these people. RESULTS: Most of the students interviewed take a deficient breakfast since only 4.88% have a complete breakfast. The girls aged 15-17 years are those taking the poorest quality breakfast since 8.33% of them skip this meal. 68.29% take breakfasts which quality may be improved. The breakfast quality is directly related with the mean score obtained during the course 2003-04. This relationship is not so clear-cut when the different mandatory subjects in the different academic orientations are considered since it depends on the type of subject (comprehension, memory, concentration, physical activity...). CONCLUSIONS: The population studied consumes a poor breakfast, which may affect the academic outcomes, especially those for certain subjects.

Ingesta diaria de níquel entre jóvenes españoles. Valoración del riesgo toxicológico / Dietary nickel intake by spanish children. Risk assessment

El níquel es un elemento mineral presente en la mayoría de Resumen: los alimentos que puede producir diferentes tipos de trastornos clínicos. Objetivo: El objetivo del presente trabajo es conocer la ingesta de este elemento en población juvenil de Guadalajara y evaluar el riesgo que tienen de sufrir alguno de sus efectos deletéreos ya que los jóvenes, por sus hábitos, constituyen una población de riesgo. Para ello se ha realizado una encuesta de frecuencia de consumo de 7 días cuantitativa. Para el cálculo de la ingesta de nutrientes se ha empleado el programa informático DIAL. Asimismo, se han determinado parámetros antropométricos mediante técnicas validadas. La ingesta media de níquel en la población estudiada es de 160,46±66,75ìg/día, siendo mayor el consumo de este elemento en la población masculina que en la femenina (161,60±65,78 vs 159,63±68,13 ìg/día). Esta ingesta representa un 51,4% y un 59,4%, respectivamente, de la Ingesta Diaria Tolerable (IDA). La ingesta de níquel está correlacionada con nutrientes como vitamina D, biotina, vitamina B1, fibra, fibra, calidad de la grasa, Mg, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, F y Cr. El Ni puede interaccionar con algunos de estos nutrientes como el Fe, Mg, Cu, Zn o Mn con las consiguientes repercusiones fisiológicas. El consumo de Ni está asociado, asimismo, a una disminución de determinados parámetros antropométricos, especialmente con el IMC y el contenido corporal graso. En conclusión la ingesta de níquel en estos jóvenes no entraña ningún riesgo en principio para su salud siempre y cuando no sean personas ya sensibilizadas por este metal. Asimismo, se advierte una ligera acción a nivel de la composición corporal (AU)

Nickel is a ubiquitous mineral responsible of different clinical actions. The of this work es knowledge of the nickel intake by children and to evaluate the risk that they have of suffering some of their deleterious effects since the youths, for their habits, they constitute a population of risk. For this dietary intake was assessed with a quantitative food frequency questionary of 7 days and the DIAL program. The anthropometric parameters were measured by validated techniques. The average nickel intake in studied population was of 160.46±66.75ìg/d, being greater the consumption of this element in the male that in female (161.60±65.78 versus 15.63±68.13 ìg/d). These intakes represent 51.4% and 59,4%, respectively, of TDI. The nickel intake was correlated with other nutrients like vitamin D, biotine, vitamin B1, fiber, fat quality, Mg, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, F and Cr, with the physiologic risks. The consumption of Ni it is associate, also, to a decrease of certain anthropometric parameters like BMI and corporal fat. In conclusion, the nickel intake in these children people no involves no risk for his health as long as they are not people already sensitivited by this metal. Also, a slight action is noticed at level of the corporal composition (AU)

Consumo de cereales de desayuno en universitarios de estudios sanitarios. Contribución a la ingesta de cromo / Breakfast cereals intake of students of Health Faculties. Chronium intake

Objetivos: Estudiar el consumo de cereales de desayuno entre la población universitaria de Alcalá, pertenecientes a estudios sanitarios; el contenido de cromo en los cereales de mayor consumo del mercado nacional para poder valorar la proporción de la ingesta adecuada y de ESADDI del Cr que es cubierta por este grupo de alimentos, así como analizar la influencia de distintos factores. Materiales y métodos: Para el estudio epidemiológico se ha realizado una encuesta sobre frecuencia de consumo (7 días) y hábitos de vida sobre una población de estudiantes (n=250) de ambos sexos (76,76 por ciento mujeres y 23,24 por ciento hombres) y con edades comprendidas entre 18-25 años. Respecto a la determinación del contenido de cromo se ha realizado, tras mineralización ácida, con EAA electrotermal. Resultados: El contenido de cromo entre los cereales ha oscilado entre 0,12 ñ 0,01 µg/g de los cereales ricos en fibra y 0,28 ñ 0,09 µg/g de los cereales chocolateados. Cereales que son consumidos por un 56,70 por ciento de la población encuestada, con una ingestión de 24,38ñ4,54 g/día. Con estos valores de consumo se cubre un 20 por ciento, aproximadamente, de la Ingesta adecuada. En el estudio epidemiológico se ha obtenido que el consumo de cereales está influido por los distintos factores estudiados. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio pone de manifiesto que con pequeños cambios en nuestros hábitos alimentarios supondría un aumento de la ingesta de cromo suficiente no sólo para cubrir las necesidades diarias sino también para formar depósitos necesarios en edades futuras en la prevención de determinadas patologías crónicas (AU)

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of selenium in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We compared CSF and serum selenium levels, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 27 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (13 females, 14 males, mean +/- SD age 73.6 +/- 7.4 years) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 34 matched controls (18 females, 16 males, mean +/- SD age 70.7 +/- 7.8 years). CSF and serum selenium levels did not differ significantly between AD-patient (11.4 +/- 7.8 ng/ml and 28.5 +/- 13.0 ng/ml, respectively) and control groups (13.3 +/- 7.0 ng/ml and 22.5 +/- 17.5 ng/ml). These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. These results suggest that CSF selenium concentrations are apparently unrelated with the reported oxidative stress processes in patients with AD.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of transition metals in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 26 patients patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) without major clinical signs of undernutrition, and 28 matched controls. CSF zinc levels were significantly decreased in AD patients as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The serum levels of zinc, and the CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, and manganese, did not differ significantly between AD-patient and control groups. These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, and scores of the MiniMental State Examination in the AD group. Weight and body mass index were significantly lower in AD patients than in controls. Because serum zinc levels were normal, the possibility that low CSF zinc levels were due to a deficiency of dietary intake seems unlikely. However, it is possible that they might be related to the interaction of beta-amyloid and/or amyloid precursor protein with zinc, that could result in a depletion of zinc levels.

Cerebrospinal fluid levels of transition metals in patients with Parkinson's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 37 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 37 matched controls. The CSF levels of zinc were significantly decreased in PD patients as compared with controls (p < 0.05). The serum levels of zinc, and the CSF and serum levels of iron, copper, and manganese, did not differ significantly between PD-patient and control groups. There was no influence of antiparkinsonian therapy on CSF levels of none of these transition metals. These values were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale of the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group, with the exception of CSF copper levels with the duration of the disease (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). These results suggest that low CSF zinc concentrations might be related with the risk for PD, although they could be related with oxidative stress processes.

Cerebrospinal fluid selenium and chromium levels in patients with Parkinson's disease.

We compared CSF and serum levels of selenium and chromium, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 28 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 43 matched controls. The CSF and serum levels of these trace metals did not differ significantly between PD patients and controls. CSF selenium and chromium levels were not correlated with age, age at onset, duration of the disease, scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale of the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group. Although antiparkinsonian therapy did not influence significantly the CSF levels of selenium, PD patients not treated with levodopa had significantly higher CSF selenium levels than controls (p < 0.01). It is possible that increased CSF selenium levels could indicate an attempt of protection against oxidative stress. The normality of CSF and serum chromium levels suggest that these values are not related with the risk for PD.

Plasma levels of inorganic sulfates in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Some investigators reported pharmacogenetic differences in the metabolism of sulfur-containing drugs and lower plasma sulfate levels in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared with controls. However, other group did not confirm these findings. We studied the plasma levels of sulfate by indirect atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 55 PD patients and 57 age and sex-matched controls. The plasma sulfate levels did not differ significantly between PD patients and control groups (mean +/- SEM 73 +/- 8 and 75 +/- 7 mg/l, respectively). They were not influenced by antiparkinsonian drugs and they did not correlate with age at onset, duration, Hoehn & Yahr staging or activities of daily living subscale of the Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale. There was a low but significant correlation of plasma sulfate levels with motor examination (r = -0.39, p < 0.05) and total score (r = -0.33, p < 0.05) of this scale in the PD group. These data suggest that plasma sulfate levels are apparently unrelated with the risk for PD.