Family meals and food insecurity in Spanish adolescents.

The world is not on track to achieve the goal of food security for the global population by 2030. New approaches to understand individuals' food insecurity are needed, especially insecurity related to children and adolescents, since it is associated with health and psychosocial problems. The study aimed to characterise the family dinners among a representative cohort of schooled adolescents (n = 1017) and their parents (n = 261) in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain) and how family dinners could be related to household food insecurity. The survey findings revealed that in 2022, 19.2% of the adolescents were experiencing household food insecurity. Adolescents with a lower socioeconomic status and of foreign origin showed the highest likelihood of experiencing household food insecurity. Household food security was also associated with some characteristics of family dinners, such as better quality and a higher frequency (seven or more dinners eaten together per week). Based on this finding, possible ways in which family dinners could offer a beneficial effect, alleviating the consequences of food insecurity in adolescents, are discussed. In line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal of guaranteeing food security, the promotion of family dinners and their quality, frequency, and duration to leverage the beneficial effect in states of household food insecurity in Spanish adolescents should be taken into account to design actions and public campaigns in Spain.

Barriers to home food preparation and healthy eating among university students in Catalonia.

Despite college being a critical life stage for developing enduring healthy dietary behaviours, Spanish university students show poor adherence to a healthy diet. Since research has shown an association between home cooking and healthy eating, the aim of this study was to analyse the main barriers that influence home food preparation and healthy eating among students at three Catalan universities. Focus groups, the photovoice technique and a validated questionnaire were used. Six focus groups (10 female; 14 male; aged 18-22) were conducted. NVivo9, was used to analyse the transcripts using an inductive thematic analysis. In two focus groups, the photovoice technique was used to further explore their perceptions about a healthy diet and their barriers for home cooking and healthy eating. The validated questionnaire was sent out to obtain data on students' diet quality, food environment and cooking self-efficacy for the focus group's design. We found that lack of motivation was the main barrier to healthy eating and home cooking, which was further influenced by the lack of cooking self-efficacy. Young adults lacked the knowledge and skills to prepare quick, affordable, and nutritious meals. Hence, even lack of time was cited as a primary barrier, time constraints seemed to be related to personal priorities. Students did not feel motivated to eat healthy and adopt time-deepening behaviours that influence food-choices. Thus, further research is required to develop context-specific culinary interventions that enhance students' cooking self-efficacy and identify strategies for encouraging students to adopt healthier eating habits.

[Immunonutrition and (its impact on) health. Micronutrients and debilitating factors]. / Inmunonutrición y (su impacto en la) salud. Micronutrientes y factores debilitantes.

Introduction: Introduction: the interaction between immunity and nutrition is complex and multifaceted. Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are essential for immune function. In turn, immune function and lifestyle habits can affect nutritional needs and micronutrient utilization, creating an interdependence between nutrition and immunity that can be modulated by both external and internal factors. Objectives: to examine the relationship between micronutrient intake and immune function, and how debilitating factors such as aging, disease, and stress can impact this relationship. Methods: a review of scientific evidence and recommendations from major international scientific societies was conducted to identify the importance of micronutrients in immune function and how debilitating factors can alter their impact. Results: the effect of different micronutrients on immune function is described. Debilitating factors like aging, stress, and chronic diseases can compromise the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections. However, adequate intake of micronutrients and healthy habits can help to strengthen immunity and mitigate the effects of these debilitating factors. Conclusion: immunonutrition is a critical component for maintaining a strong and healthy immune system. Sufficient intake of micronutrients and healthy lifestyle habits can help improve immunity, especially in the presence of debilitating factors.

Introducción: Introducción: la interacción entre la inmunidad y la nutrición es compleja y multifacética. Los micronutrientes, incluidos las vitaminas y los minerales, son esenciales para la función inmunológica. A su vez, la función inmunológica y los hábitos de vida pueden afectar las necesidades nutricionales y la utilización de micronutrientes, creando una interdependencia entre la nutrición y la inmunidad que puede ser modulada por factores externos e internos. Objetivos: examinar la relación entre la ingesta de micronutrientes y la función inmunológica y cómo factores debilitantes, como el envejecimiento, la enfermedad y el estrés, pueden afectar esta relación. Métodos: se realizó una revisión de la evidencia científica y de las recomendaciones de las principales sociedades científicas internacionales para identificar la importancia de los micronutrientes en la función inmunológica y cómo los factores debilitantes pueden alterar su impacto. Resultados: se describe el efecto de diferentes micronutrientes sobre la función inmunológica. Los factores debilitantes como el envejecimiento, el estrés y las enfermedades crónicas pueden comprometer el sistema inmunológico y hacer que el cuerpo sea más susceptible a las infecciones. Sin embargo, una ingesta adecuada de micronutrientes y unos hábitos saludables pueden ayudar a fortalecer la inmunidad y mitigar los efectos de estos factores debilitantes. Conclusión: la nutrición inmunológica es un componente crítico para mantener un sistema inmunológico fuerte y saludable. Una ingesta suficiente de micronutrientes y unos hábitos de vida saludables pueden ayudar a mejorar la inmunidad, especialmente en presencia de factores debilitantes.

EU-27 ecological footprint was primarily driven by food consumption and exceeded regional biocapacity from 2004 to 2014.

The European Union (EU) plans to decarbonize the region by 2050. As highlighted by the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy, food systems are essential for this transition. Here we investigate the resource dependence and carbon emissions of the EU-27's food systems from 2004 to 2014 via an ecological footprint (EF)-extended multi-regional input-output approach, accounting for demand and supply (including trade), and considering multiple externalities. Food contributes towards almost a third of the region's EF, and appropriates over half of its biocapacity. Average reliance on biocapacity within national borders decreased, while reliance on intra-EU biocapacity increased; yet a quarter of the biocapacity for food consumption originates from non-EU countries. Despite a reduction in both total EF and food EF over the study period, EU-27 residents demand more from nature than the region's ecosystems can regenerate-highlighting the need for new or strengthened food and trade policies to enable a transformation to sustainable EU food systems.

Food Sustainability Knowledge, Attitudes, and Dietary Habits among Students and Professionals of the Health Sciences.

The importance of a sustainable diet is an emerging concept within sustainable food systems. Food systems emit 30% of greenhouse gases, which needs to change. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and habits of students and professionals in the health sciences regarding a sustainable diet, comparing these to the Spanish population. We further aimed to analyse the consistency between the knowledge and attitudes of these individuals and their dietary habits and analyse the consumption of different food groups that are typical of a sustainable diet. A survey was completed by a total of 415 participants, both university students in the health sciences and health professionals. These two groups were more knowledgeable of sustainable diets than the general population, although certain concepts are unfamiliar to both populations. A positive attitude towards sustainable food habits was also observed among the population studied. The health sector reported having better eating habits than the overall population. A significant positive correlation was observed between higher fruit and vegetable consumption and deeper knowledge and more favourable attitudes. People with less knowledge and worse attitudes reported consuming more red and processed meat. The findings of this study could inform targeted interventions for health professionals given the need to promote a healthy diet but also a healthy and sustainable diet for planetary health.

Beetroot juice ingestion does not improve neuromuscular performance and match-play demands in elite female hockey players: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PURPOSE: Beetroot juice is a dietary supplement that contains high levels of inorganic nitrate (NO3-) and that its intake has proven effective at increasing blood nitric oxide (NO) concentrations improving endurance performance. However, the effect of this supplement in team sport performance, especially in female athletes, has been barely studied. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of beetroot juice supplementation on neuromuscular performance and match-play demands in elite female field hockey players. METHODS: Eleven elite female hockey players (22.8 ± 5.1 years) belonging to a bronze team medal in Eurohockey Club Champions Cup participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups undergoing a test battery with beetroot juice (70 mL, 6.4 mmol NO3-) or placebo (70 mL, 0.04 mmol NO3-) in two different days with one week between protocols. The neuromuscular test battery consisted of a countermovement jump, isometric handgrip strength (i.e., dominant hand), 20 m-sprint and repeated sprint ability test (RSA). Afterward, a simulated hockey match play (2 × 12.5 min) was performed and recorded by Global Positioning System (GPS). RESULTS: No statistically significant improvements were observed in any physical parameters analysed comparing beetroot juice compared to placebo ingestion, countermovement jump (p = 0.776, ES = 0.16), isometric handgrip strength (p = 0.829; ES = - 0.08), 20 m sprint test (p = 0.227; ES = - 0.23), mean repeated sprint ability (p = 0.955, ES = 0.03) and in any physical match demands measured by GPS (p = 0.243-1.000; ES = 0.02-0.47). CONCLUSION: Acute beetroot juice supplementation did not produce any statistically significant improvement in neuromuscular performance or match-play demands in elite female field hockey players. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the following ID: NCT05209139. The study was retrospectively registered by 26 January 2022.

Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review.

Substances with modulatory capabilities on certain aspects of human cognition have been revered as nootropics from the dawn of time. The plant kingdom provides most of the currently available nootropics of natural origin. Here, in this systematic review, we aim to provide state-of-the-art information regarding proven and unproven effects of plant-derived nootropics (PDNs) on human cognition in conditions of health and disease. Six independent searches, one for each neurocognitive domain (NCD), were performed in parallel using three independent scientific library databases: PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus. Only scientific studies and systematic reviews with humans published between January 2000 and November 2021 were reviewed, and 256 papers were included. Ginkgo biloba was the most relevant nootropic regarding perceptual and motor functions. Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions. Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions. Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.

Vital role for primary healthcare providers: urgent need to educate the community about daily nutritional self-care to support immune function and maintain health.

The importance of self-care to improve health and social well-being is well recognised. Nevertheless, there remains a need to encourage people to better understand how their body works, and how to keep it healthy. Because of its important role, part of this understanding should be based on why the immune system must be supported. This highly complex system is essential for defending against pathogens, but also for maintaining health throughout the body by preserving homeostasis and integrity. Accordingly, the immune system requires active management for optimal functioning and to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. In addition to regular exercise, healthy sleeping patterns, cultivating mental resilience, adequate nutrition through healthy and diverse dietary habits is key to the daily support of immune function. Diet and the immune system are closely intertwined, and a poor diet will impair immunity and increase the risk of acute and chronic diseases. To help elucidate the roles of primary healthcare providers in supporting individuals to engage in self-care, an international group of experts reviewed the evidence for the roles of the immune system in maintaining health and for nutrition in daily immune support, and discussed implications for population health and clinical practice.

Consumers' Acceptability and Perception of Edible Insects as an Emerging Protein Source.

In recent years in Western Europe, studies on entomophagy have drawn the attention of many researchers interested in identifying parameters that could improve the acceptability of insect consumption in order to introduce insects as a sustainable source of protein into the future diet. Analysing the factors involved in consumer acceptability in the Mediterranean area could help to improve their future acceptance. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an ad-hoc questionnaire in which 1034 consumers participated. The questionnaire responses allowed us to study the areas relevant to acceptance: neophobia, social norms, familiarity, experiences of consumption and knowledge of benefits. Only 13.15% of participants had tried insects. Disgust, lack of custom and food safety were the main reasons for avoiding insect consumption. Consequently, preparations with an appetising appearance need to be offered, with flours being the most accepted format. The 40-59-year-old age group was the one most willing to consume them. To introduce edible insects as food in the future, it is important to inform people about their health, environmental and economic benefits because that could increase their willingness to include them in their diet.

Effect of supplementation with leucine alone, with other nutrients or with physical exercise in older people with sarcopenia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Older adults are at a greater risk of developing sarcopenia as a result of reduced mobility, malnutrition, dietary changes and certain diseases. There are no systematic reviews in the literature analysing the effects of supplementation with leucine alone or as part of a supplement, and with or without physical exercise in older people with sarcopenia. We aimed to systematically review the evidence in intervention studies on the effects of supplementation with leucine, either alone, combined with other supplements, or combined with other supplements and physical exercise in older people with sarcopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature searches related to the topic were conducted in three databases (Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane and SciELO) looking for articles published prior to December 2020. This review includes intervention studies in older adults over 60 years of age with a history of sarcopenia where researchers reported on the effects of leucine supplementation, with or without physical exercise, related to the disease's treatments or outcomes. RESULTS: The systematic review identified three intervention studies examining the effect of leucine without physical exercise, one on leucine with physical exercise, seven on leucine paired with another nutrient and without physical exercise, and twelve on leucine paired with another nutrient and physical exercise. The results revealed that leucine supplementation alone and without physical exercise did not improve markers of sarcopenia, whereas interventions pairing leucine with supplements, particularly leucine-enriched protein supplements, are a promising treatment for the improvement of sarcopenic markers, whether with or without physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Leucine supplementation, specifically paired with protein supplements, both with and without physical exercise, was found to be an effective dietary intervention for the improvement of sarcopenia. Further dietary interventions are necessary to calculate effective dosage quantities for both leucine and nutrient supplementation as an integral part of the treatment.

Edible Insect Consumption for Human and Planetary Health: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to examine the health outcomes and environmental impact of edible insect consumption. Following PRISMA-P guidelines, PubMed, Medline ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched until February 2021. Twenty-five articles met inclusion criteria: twelve animal and six human studies (randomized, non-randomized, and crossover control trials), and seven studies on sustainability outcomes. In animal studies, a supplement (in powdered form) of 0.5 g/kg of glycosaminoglycans significantly reduced abdominal and epididymal fat weight (5-40% and 5-24%, respectively), blood glucose (10-22%), and total cholesterol levels (9-10%), and a supplement of 5 mg/kg chitin/chitosan reduced body weight (1-4%) and abdominal fat accumulation (4%) versus control diets. In other animal studies, doses up to 7-15% of edible insect inclusion level significantly improved the live weight (9-33%), reduced levels of triglycerides (44%), cholesterol (14%), and blood glucose (8%), and increased microbiota diversity (2%) versus control diet. In human studies, doses up to 7% of edible insect inclusion level produced a significant improvement in gut health (6%) and reduction in systemic inflammation (2%) versus control diets and a significant increase in blood concentrations of essential and branched-chain amino acids and slowing of digestion (40%) versus whey treatment. Environmental indicators (land use, water footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions) were 40-60% lower for the feed and food of edible insects than for traditional animal livestock. More research is warranted on the edible insect dose responsible for health effects and on environmental indicators of edible insects for human nutrition. This research demonstrates how edible insects can be an alternative protein source not only to improve human and animal nutrition but also to exert positive effects on planetary health.

Consensus-building around the conceptualisation and implementation of sustainable healthy diets: a foundation for policymakers.

BACKGROUND: Healthy and sustainable diets need to be adopted to reduce the negative impact of food consumption on human and planetary health. Food systems account for a third of greenhouse gas emissions. "Dietary Patterns for Health and Sustainability" is a World Health Organization (WHO) project that aims to build consensus among international food, health, and sustainability experts and policymakers on how to conceptualise healthy and sustainable diets and on the actions and policies that could be implemented in the WHO European Region to promote these diets. METHODS: A qualitative study among European food, health, and sustainability experts and policymakers to elicit their views on multiple dimensions of food sustainability and health was carried out using a three-phase process, including semi-structured interviews, a Nominal Group Technique, and focus groups during a participatory WHO workshop held in Copenhagen. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the three data sources. RESULTS: The workshop resulted in a shared understanding of the interconnected components of sustainable healthy eating habits. As a result of this understanding, a variety of potential solutions were identified, including actions across different policy domains, tools, strategic guidelines, needs, and pathways for sustainable healthy diets. The pathways included the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, as well as the simultaneous execution of an aligned and coherent mix of policies at the local and national levels. CONCLUSIONS: The prioritised actions should be aimed at helping government policymakers promote sustainable healthy diets and make decisions on improving dietary patterns for citizens' health and wellbeing in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the European Region.

Spanish validation of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) for adolescents.

PURPOSE: Weight Bias Internalization (WBI) is pervasive and potentially damaging for health. Little is known about WBI in youth. As negative effects of WBI have been observed when controlling for BMI, measures that allow WBI to be assessed across different weight categories are needed. The Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M) is one of the most frequently used scales in this field. Our purpose was to obtain a Spanish validated version of the WBIS-M for adolescents across different weight statuses. METHODS: The data were collected from 298 secondary students (mean age 14.31; 48.32% girls; 18.8% were overweight and 6.4% had obesity). Internal structure was examined by a cross-validation analysis, using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in different subsamples. RESULTS: Item 1 showed a psychometric anomalous functioning and was deleted. The one-factor structure of the 10-item version was confirmed with adequate fit ([EFA (KMO = 0.915, χ2(55) = 1075.633, p < 0.0001)]; [CFA (χ2(35) = 200.515; GFI = 0.995; PGFI = 0.992; NFI = 0.991; SRMR = 0.060)]). Internal consistency was high [Formula: see text] ω = 0.93). Significant correlations with the same set of external variables assessed in the original version (anti-fat bias, self-esteem, mood, body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, binge eating), all of them correlates of WBI in adolescents, were found. Girls and participants with obesity obtained higher scores. CONCLUSION: The results provide support for the validity and reliability of our WBIS-M version for use with adolescents across weight categories in Spain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, evidence obtained from well-designed cohort studies.

Interacciones entre antibióticos y alimentos. Riesgo de resistencias antimicrobianas / Antibacterial agents-food interaction. Risk of antimicrobial resistance

Fundamentos: Analizar cuáles son los antibióticos y los alimentos involucrados en las interaccionesfarmacocinéticas de absorción con mayor relevancia clínica y proponer su relación con la resistencia aantibióticos.Métodos: Revisión bibliográfica narrativa basada en la búsqueda bibliográfica de estudios publicados desdeel 1996 en PubMed.Resultados: Los antibióticos más afectados han sido las tetraciclinas, las quinolonas y los antituberculosos y,de los alimentos, la leche y sus derivados. Cuando se toman conjuntamente se produce una interacciónfarmacocinética de absorción que puede comprometer la biodisponibilidad del fármaco y/o de ciertosnutrientes, como el calcio. Este tipo de interacción puede ser un factor de riesgo de las resistencias.Conclusiones: Las interacciones entre los antibióticos y los alimentos existen y pueden ser un factor de riesgode las resistencias antimicrobianas. Para evitarlas se debe separar en el tiempo la administración de estosfármacos y los alimentos. El abuso en el empleo de estos fármacos y su mala utilización durante años haoriginado una fuerte presión selectiva en el mundo microbiano, favoreciendo el incremento de laspoblaciones resistentes y, consecuentemente, más patógenas. Es imprescindible que los profesionalessanitarios tengan formación específica e información actualizada para poder detectarlas y evitarlas. (AU)

Background: Analyze which are the antibiotics and foods involved in the absorption pharmacokineticinteractions with greater clinical relevance and propose their relationship with antibiotic resistance.Methods: Narrative bibliographic review based on the bibliographic search of studies published since 1996 inPubMed.Results: The most affected antibiotics have been tetracyclines, quinolones and antituberculous drugs and,from food, milk and its derivatives. When taken together, an absorption pharmacokinetic interaction occursthat can compromise the bioavailability of the drug and / or of certain nutrients, such as calcium. This type ofinteraction can be a risk factor for resistance.Conclusions: Interactions between antibiotics and food exist and can be a risk factor for antimicrobialresistance. To avoid them, the administration of these drugs and food must be separated in time. The abusein its use and its misuse for years has caused a strong selective pressure in the microbial world, favoring theincrease of resistant populations and, consequently, more pathogenic. It is essential that health professionalshave specific training and updated information to be able to detect and avoid them. (AU)

Community Assessment for a Low-Carbohydrate Nutrition Education Program in South Africa.

Eat Better South Africa (EBSA) is an organization that provides low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) nutrition and health education programs for women from under-resourced South African communities. Community assessments are essential to explore participants' potential facilitators and challenges of adhering to new dietary behaviours and should be implemented before any dietary interventions. This study is a qualitative community assessment to enable the EBSA program to better meet potential participants' needs and explore their willingness to enrol in the EBSA program. Sixty women from two communities in the Western Cape were interviewed through six focus group discussions. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12 software, and four themes were developed around the women's (1) role within the households; (2) dietary behaviour; (3) health perceptions; and (4) willingness to participate in an LCHF program. Women mentioned that they were responsible for cooking and shopping for their households. They expressed their understanding of healthy and unhealthy behaviours and their dietary patterns. Some women showed concerns about LCHF diets, but others wanted to learn more due to their knowledge of other people's positive experiences with the diet. There was a general desire to become healthy. However, the women anticipated dietary behaviour change to be challenging. Those challenges mostly revolved around their socioeconomic environments. The findings are intended to inform EBSA (or other nutrition interventions) on what to consider when implementing their interventions in these communities.

Which diet has the lower water footprint in Mediterranean countries?

The Mediterranean region is increasingly water scarce, with the food system being the largest driver of water use. We calculate the water resources related to food consumption in nine major Mediterranean countries, by means of the water footprint (WF), for the existing situation (period 2011-2013) as well as the Mediterranean and EAT-Lancet diets. We account for different food intake requirements according to gender and six age groups. These nine countries - Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco - represent 88% of the population of all countries bordering the Mediterranean. As first major observation, we find that the EAT-Lancet diet, a scientifically optimised diet for both nutrition and certain environmental indicators, requires less water resources than the Mediterranean diet, a culturally accepted diet within the region. In terms of water resources use, adherence to the former is thus more beneficial than adherence to the latter. As second major observation, we find that the EAT-Lancet diet reduces the current WF for all nations consistently, within the range -17% to -48%, whereas the Mediterranean diet reduces the WF of the European countries, Turkey, Egypt and Morocco within the range of -4% to -35%. For the Maghreb countries Tunisia and Algeria, the Mediterranean diet WF is slightly higher compared to the current WF and the proportions of food product groups differ. Such dietary shifts would be important parts of the solution to obtain the sustainable use of water resources in Mediterranean countries.

Social Inequalities in Breakfast Consumption among Adolescents in Spain: The DESKcohort Project.

Breakfast has a critical role in energy balance and dietary regulation. Consequently, it is considered an important component of a healthy diet, especially in adolescence, when there are great opportunities to consolidate habits and establish future patterns of healthiness in adulthood. Socioeconomic position (SEP) causes inequalities that are reflected in health behaviors, physical activity, mental health, and diet. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2019-2020 DESKcohort project (Spain) to explore the relationships between breakfast and sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and school performance of 7319 adolescents. Our findings showed that the prevalence of skipping breakfast every day was 19.4% in girls and 13.7% in boys and was related to students' SEP. The risk of skipping breakfast was 30% higher in girls from the most disadvantaged SEP, in comparison to those in the most advanced SEP (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-1.54). Also, boys from the most disadvantaged SEP showed 28% higher risk of skipping breakfast than those in the most advanced SEP (PR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.04-1.59). In conclusion, future public policies should be adapted considering a SEP and gender perspective to avoid increasing nutritional and health inequalities.

Influence of circadian rhythms on sports performance.

Chronobiology is the scientific discipline of study of biological rhythms, a term that has gained ground in the sports world. Recently numerous studies have indicated that the time of day in which sports are practiced influences the achievement of good physical performance. The aim of this review was to study the relationship between circadian rhythms and physical performance, according to the latest published data. In addition, the physiological processes involved in the physical response and the differences according to the type of sport and athletes' characteristics were studied. A bibliographic search was carried out through five databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Researcher Gate, Google Scholar, UOC Library), focusing on articles published in the last ten years and written in English and Spanish. 36 papers met the inclusion criteria. Body temperature is a factor that shows a circadian pattern with a marked peak in the later afternoon, time of the day at which physical performance is at its highest, i.e. speed, agility, distance covered, jumping power. The perception of effort is also higher in the afternoon. Regarding the chronotype, evening types seem to be the most affected to do sports out of their optimal time-of-day. The tendency shows more morning types as age increases. Training sessions should be planned according to the optimal time of day for each athlete. It's essential to take into account individual chronotype. The desynchronization of circadian rhythms can cause a decrease in physical performance.

Obesity, Mediterranean Diet, and Public Health: A Vision of Obesity in the Mediterranean Context from a Sociocultural Perspective.

Obesity is a disease that straddles medico-nutritional, psychological, and socio-cultural boundaries. There is a clear relationship between lifestyle and obesity, and today the Mediterranean diet in the Mediterranean area may represent an interesting corrective asset. However, we should not be under any misapprehension about the model's capacity for action in non-nutritional terms. Our societies are experiencing a process of rapid change, and the Mediterranean area is no exception. The aim of this article is to present a view of obesity in the Mediterranean context from an open, mainly socio-cultural perspective, but from different points of view (medical, nutritional), seeking points of convergence and elements that contribute to the understanding of and approach to the disease in the context of the Mediterranean diet. As a public health and a multidimensional social problem, obesity must be dealt with in a holistic, open, and cross-disciplinary manner to ensure that it can be understood coherently. The only way to keep the usefulness of the Mediterranean diet within desirable limits will be our societies' vitality and interest in rapidly adapting the Mediterranean diet to social change, thus providing valid answers to today's needs.

Family Meals, Conviviality, and the Mediterranean Diet among Families with Adolescents.

Two aspects that characterize the Mediterranean diet (MD) are "what" and "how" we eat. Conviviality relates to "how" we eat and to the pleasure of sharing meals with significant people. The most studied concept is "family meals", which includes conviviality, which involves "enjoying" family meals. Given the lack of research on convivial family meals in Mediterranean countries, the purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the family meal representations and practices of families with 12- to 16-year-old adolescents to assess whether they responded to a pattern of conviviality, and to examine their association with MD adherence. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted and food frequency and family meal questionnaires were administered. A food pattern analysis was carried out and digital photos of meals were analyzed to examine eating habits and meal composition, respectively. The findings showed that parents believed family meals are a space for socialization and communication. Items relating to the conviviality of family meals identified in the study were meal frequency, meals at the table, lack of digital distractions, pleasant conversations, and time spent on family meals. Attention should be paid to conviviality in Mediterranean families when designing multi-approach strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescents.