Patrones de desayuno en estudiantes universitarios de España, Túnez y Estados Unidos. Factores antropométricos, sociodemográficos y de estilo de vida / Breakfast patterns in university students of Spain, Tunisia, and The United States of America. Anthropometric, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors

La mayoría de los estudios apoyan la tesis de que el desayuno es la comida más importante del día. Un desayuno adecuado contribuye a lograr un patrón dietético global saludable y a mejorar la calidad de la dieta. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los principales patrones de desayuno en tres poblaciones universitarias de España, Túnez y Estados Unidos, analizar sus semejanzas y diferencias y estudiar la influencia de factores antropométricos, sociodemográficos y de estilo de vida en la adherencia a cada patrón. Se realizó un estudio transversal con datos de 730 estudiantes matriculados en las Universidades de Castilla-La Mancha, Cartago e Internacional de Florida en 2013. El consumo de alimentos se obtuvo mediante dos recordatorios de 24 horas, no consecutivos, uno de ellos en fin de semana. Los patrones se identificaron mediante análisis factorial exploratorio. La adherencia de los estudiantes a cada patrón se evaluó usando las puntuaciones factoriales. Se obtuvieron cuatro patrones para cada país. El principal patrón de los universitarios españoles incluyó pan, tomate, sal y aceite de oliva (varianza explicada: 20,85%); el principal de los tunecinos contenía pan, mermelada, nata y mantequilla (varianza explicada: 12,73%) y el principal de los americanos incluyó huevos, leche entera y azúcares (varianza explicada: 10,77%). Género, peso, IMC o comer fuera de casa fueron factores que influyeron en la adherencia a diferentes patrones. El estudio mostró la coexistencia de patrones tradicionales con otros occidentalizados y modelos transicionales intermedios. No se determinó un patrón generalizable asociado a mejores resultados del IMC(AU)

Most studies support the conclusion that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. An adequate breakfast contributes to achieving a healthy global dietary pattern and improving quality of diet. The objective of this study was to determine the main breakfast patterns of three university populations from Spain, Tunisia, and The United States of America, analyze their similarities and differences, and study the impact of anthropometric, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors on the adherence to each pattern. A cross-sectional study was developed with data from 730 students enrolled at the University of Castilla-La Mancha, University of Carthage, and Florida International University, during 2013. Food consumption data were obtained by means of two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls including one weekend day. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify breakfast patterns. Factor scores were used to assess students' adherence to each pattern. Four breakfast patterns were obtained for each country. The main pattern of the Spanish students included bread, tomato, salt, and olive oil (explained variance: 20.85%); the main model of the Tunisians included bread, jam, cream and butter (explained variance: 12.73%); and the first pattern of the Americans was characterized by eggs, whole milk and sugars (explained variance: 10.77%). Gender, weight, BMI or eating out of home were factors that influenced the adherence to different patterns. Breakfast patterns obtained in this work showed the coexistence of traditional models with westernized and transitional ones. It was not determined a generalizable pattern associated with better BMI results(AU)

Food consumption in Tunisian university students and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviours.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterise food consumption among students at the University of Carthage (Tunisia), assessing quality of diet and main dietary patterns, and their association with potential conditioning factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Participants self-reported food consumption in two 24-h recalls and information about sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics such as BMI, birthplace, physical activity, eating places or kitchen appliances. Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and the Nutrient Rich Foods (NRF) index (NRF9.3) were used to assess diet quality. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to identify eating patterns. Linear regression models were used to test the association of dietary patterns with the diet quality markers. SETTING: Students at the University of Carthage, Tunisia. PARTICIPANTS: 132 students. RESULTS: Almost 96 % of participants need shifts towards healthier food. Four main food patterns were identified 'Traditional food', 'Transitional food', 'European breakfast' and 'Western food'. 'Traditional food' was the first dietary model, positively associated with MDS and NRF9.3. Women showed higher adherence to 'European breakfast' and higher quality of diet by NRF9.3. Students eating out of home showed higher adherence to 'Western food', those who never kept a regular schedule of meals consumed lower amount of vegetables and tubers, and sedentary or low active students had a higher intake of ready-to-eat products. CONCLUSIONS: Diet quality of the participating Tunisian students is inadequate, but traditional Mediterranean diet remains the main pattern in spite of the advanced transitional nutrition. Some lifestyle risk behaviours affecting quality of diet were identified in this work, which supports the youth's particular vulnerability.

Fiber Patterns in Young Adults Living in Different Environments (USA, Spain, and Tunisia). Anthropometric and Lifestyle Characteristics.

Benefits of dietary fiber go beyond its effect on chronic diseases associated with development. Consequently, the pattern of fiber intake has been considered an indicator for diet quality. Young adults are especially vulnerable to a food environment that drives an increase in chronic diseases linked to economic development. The aim of this work was to characterize patterns of fiber intake among university students. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 730 students enrolled at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), the University of Carthage (Tunisia), and Florida International University (USA). Mean age was 21.2. Food consumption was self-reported in two 24-h recalls. Mean dietary fiber intake was 17.8 g, not reaching the adequate intake. Contrary to expectations, American participants were the highest consumers (p < 0.001), and also exhibited the highest BMI. Cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruit were the main food sources of fiber. Fiber from appetizers, prepared and precooked meals, sauces, spices and condiments accounted for 16.7% in American participants, 7.4% in Spanish participants and 2.6% in Tunisian participants. Total fiber intake increased with energy intake but did not depend on smoking habits and physical activity in any country. It is essential to improve consumers' interpretation of guidelines on fiber intake.

Hábitos alimentarios y evaluación nutricional en una población universitaria tunecina / Food habits and nutritional assessment in a tunisian university population

Introducción: La nutrición y la salud tienen gran importancia a lo largo de la vida y, en particular, en la edad adulta, donde se encuadra la población productiva que sostiene la sociedad. Por ello es fundamental evaluar la calidad de su dieta y sus posibles factores condicionantes. Objetivos: Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron caracterizar los hábitos alimentarios y evaluar la calidad de la dieta de una población de estudiantes universitarios adultos de la Universidad Virtual de Túnez, país del Norte de África que se encuentra en transición nutricional. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio transversal con una muestra de 54 estudiantes de dicha Universidad. Los datos se recogieron mediante recordatorio de 24 horas autoadministrado y una encuesta sobre hábitos alimentarios considerando algunos factores socioeconómicos y demográficos que pueden condicionar la ingesta. El Índice de Alimentación Saludable y el Índice de Adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea se usaron como indicadores de la calidad de la dieta.Resultados y discusión: Los resultados del estudio mostraron una dieta hipocalórica en dicha población. Un 18% de la energía total diaria la aportaron las proteínas y alrededor del 40% la aportaron los hidratos de carbono. Se encontró un alto consumo de azúcares simples, grasa saturada y colesterol. Aparte de los aceites y grasas, los alimentos cárnicos fueron la principal fuente de lípidos (19%), aportando el grupo del pescado sólo el 3%. Según el Índice de Alimentación Saludable más del 50% de los estudiantes tienen una dieta calificada como inadecuada y más del 40% tienen necesidad de cambios en su dieta. El estudio también mostró baja adherencia al patrón de dieta mediterráneo (AU)

Introduction: Nutrition and health are of great importance throughout life, in particular in adulthood due to active population is included among the adults. Therefore, it is essential to assess the quality of the diet and the possible conditioning factors. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to characterize food habits and assess the quality of the diet of university students from the Virtual University of Tunisia, a North African country in nutritional transition. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed with data collected from a sample of 54 students from this University. For each individual a questionnaire involving socio-economic and demographic data was self-reported. Food consumption was gathered by a 24 hours recall. The assessment of diet quality was conducted by Healthy Eating Index and Mediterranean Diet Score. Results and discussion: The study revealed that the diet of this population is hypocaloric. The percentage of total energy from proteins was 18% and the percentage of total energy from carbohydrates was about 40%. The diet was high in simple sugars, saturated fat and cholesterol. Apart from oils and fat, the main source of lipids had an animal origin from meat (19%), and the fish group only provided 3% of this macronutrient. According to Healthy Eating Index classification more than 50% of students scored "poor" and more than 40% "needs improvement" about the quality of their diet. The study also showed low adherence rates to the Mediterranean diet (AU)

[Food habits and nutritional assessment in a tunisian university population]. / Hábitos alimentarios y evaluación nutricional en una población universitaria tunecina.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition and health are of great importance throughout life, in particular in adulthood due to active population is included among the adults. Therefore, it is essential to assess the quality of the diet and the possible conditioning factors. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize food habits and assess the quality of the diet of university students from the Virtual University of Tunisia, a North African country in nutritional transition. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed with data collected from a sample of 54 students from this University. For each individual a questionnaire involving socio-economic and demographic data was self-reported. Food consumption was gathered by a 24 hours recall. The assessment of diet quality was conducted by Healthy Eating Index and Mediterranean Diet Score. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The study revealed that the diet of this population is hypocaloric. The percentage of total energy from proteins was 18% and the percentage of total energy from carbohydrates was about 40%. The diet was high in simple sugars, saturated fat and cholesterol. Apart from oils and fat, the main source of lipids had an animal origin from meat (19%), and the fish group only provided 3% of this macronutrient. According to Healthy Eating Index classification more than 50% of students scored "poor" and more than 40% "needs improvement" about the quality of their diet. The study also showed low adherence rates to the Mediterranean diet.

Introducción: La nutrición y la salud tienen gran importancia a lo largo de la vida y, en particular, en la edad adulta, donde se encuadra la población productiva que sostiene la sociedad. Por ello es fundamental evaluar la calidad de su dieta y sus posibles factores condicionantes. Objetivos: Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron caracterizar los hábitos alimentarios y evaluar la calidad de la dieta de una población de estudiantes universitarios adultos de la Universidad Virtual de Túnez, país del Norte de África que se encuentra en transición nutricional. Métodos: Se desarrolló un estudio transversal con una muestra de 54 estudiantes de dicha Universidad. Los datos se recogieron mediante recordatorio de 24 horas autoadministrado y una encuesta sobre hábitos alimentarios considerando algunos factores socioeconómicos y demográficos que pueden condicionar la ingesta. El Índice de Alimentación Saludable y el Índice de Adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea se usaron como indicadores de la calidad de la dieta. Resultados y discusión: Los resultados del estudio mostraron una dieta hipocalórica en dicha población. Un 18% de la energía total diaria la aportaron las proteínas y alrededor del 40% la aportaron los hidratos de carbono. Se encontró un alto consumo de azúcares simples, grasa saturada y colesterol. Aparte de los aceites y grasas, los alimentos cárnicos fueron la principal fuente de lípidos (19%), aportando el grupo del pescado sólo el 3%. Según el Índice de Alimentación Saludable más del 50% de los estudiantes tienen una dieta calificada como inadecuada y más del 40% tienen necesidad de cambios en su dieta. El estudio también mostró baja adherencia al patrón de dieta mediterráneo.