Open Access
Development of a prediction protocol for the screening of metabolic associated fatty liver disease in children with overweight or obesity
(Wiley, 2022) Osés Recalde, Maddi; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Medrano Echeverría, María; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Miranda Ferrúa, Emiliano; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Sánchez-Valverde, Félix; Ortega, Francisco B.; Cabeza Laguna, Rafael; Villanueva Larre, Arantxa; Idoate, Fernando; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Osasun Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias de la Salud; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Background: the early detection and management of children with metabolic associ-ated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is challenging. Objective: to develop a non-invasive and accurate prediction protocol for the identi-fication of MAFLD among children with overweight/obesity candidates to confirma-tory diagnosis. Methods: a total of 115 children aged 8–12 years with overweight/obesity, rec-ruited at a primary care, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The external vali-dation was performed using a cohort of children with overweight/obesity (N=46)aged 8.5–14.0 years. MAFLD (≥5.5% hepatic fat) was diagnosed by magnetic reso-nance imaging (MRI). Fasting blood biochemical parameters were measured, and25 candidates’ single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined. Variablespotentially associated with the presence of MAFLD were included in a multivariatelogistic regression. Results: children with MAFLD (36%) showed higher plasma triglycerides (TG),insulin, homeostasis model assessment ofinsulin resistance (HOMA-IR), alanineaminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), glutamyl-transferase (GGT)and ferritin (p< 0.05). The distribution of the risk-alleles of PPARGrs13081389, PPARGrs1801282, HFErs1800562 and PNLPLA3rs4823173 was significantly different between children with and without MAFLD (p<0.05). Threebiochemical- and/or SNPs-based predictive models were developed, showingstrong discriminatory capacity (AUC-ROC: 0.708–0.888) but limited diagnosticperformance (sensitivity 67%–82% and specificity 63%–69%). A prediction proto-col with elevated sensitivity (72%) and specificity (84%) based on two consecutive steps was developed. The external validation showed similar results: sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 85%. Conclusions: the HEPAKID prediction protocol is an accurate, easy to implant, minimally invasive and low economic cost tool useful for the early identification and management of paediatric MAFLD in primary care.
Open Access
Effects of a family-based lifestyle intervention plus supervised exercise training on abdominal fat depots in children with overweight or obesity: a secondary analysis of a nonrandomized clinical trial
(American Medical Association, 2022) Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Cabeza Laguna, Rafael; Idoate, Fernando; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Medrano Echeverría, María; Villanueva Larre, Arantxa; Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Sanz Muñoz, Aritz; Ortega, Francisco B.; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ciencias de la Salud; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Osasun Zientziak; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Importance Excess abdominal fat is a major determinant in the development of insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders. Increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) seems to precede the development of insulin resistance and is therefore a prime target of childhood lifestyle interventions aimed at preventing diabetes. OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of added exercise to a family-based lifestyle intervention program designed to reduce VAT plus subcutaneous (ASAT), intermuscular (IMAAT), and pancreatic (PAT) adipose tissue in children with overweight or obesity and to explore the effect of changes in VAT on insulin resistance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This 2-group, parallel-design clinical trial was conducted in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. A total of 116 children with overweight or obesity participated and were assigned to a 22-week family-based lifestyle program (control group [n = 57]) or the same program plus an exercise intervention (exercise group [n = 59]). Data were collected between September 1, 2014, and June 30, 2017, and imaging processing for fat depot assessments and data analysis were performed between May 1, 2019, and February 12, 2021. INTERVENTIONS The compared interventions consisted of a family-based lifestyle and psychoeducation program (two 90-minute sessions per month) and the same program plus supervised exercise (three 90-minute sessions per week). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome of this study was the change in VAT between baseline and 22 weeks as estimated by magnetic resonance imaging. The secondary outcomes were changes in ASAT, IMAAT, and PAT. The effect of changes in VAT area on insulin resistance was also recorded. RESULTS The 116 participants included in the analysis (62 girls [53.4%]) had a mean (SD) age of 10.6 (1.1) years, and 67 (57.8%) presented with obesity. Significantly greater reductions were recorded for the exercise group in terms of reduction in VAT (−18.1% vs −8.5% for the control group; P = .004), ASAT (−9.9% vs −3.0%; P = .001), and IMAAT (−6.0% vs −2.6%; P = .02) fat fractions compared with the control group. Changes in VAT explained 87.6% of the improvement seen in insulin resistance (β = −0.102 [95% CI, −0.230 to −0.002]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that the addition of exercise to a lifestyle intervention program substantially enhanced the positive effects on abdominal fat depots in children with overweight or obesity. In addition, the reduction in VAT seemed to largely mediate the improvement of insulin sensitivity. These results highlight the importance of including exercise as part of lifestyle therapies aimed at treating childhood obesity and preventing the development of type 2 diabetes.
Open Access
Evaluación de los requerimientos nutricionales en el paciente crítico
(2023) Osés Recalde, Maddi; Escalada Hernández, Paula; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientzien Fakultatea
La evaluación de los requerimientos nutricionales en pacientes críticos es una tarea compleja para los profesionales de las unidades de cuidados intensivos. La desnutrición es una complicación común en estos pacientes, con una alta prevalencia en todos los hospitales. El aumento en la secreción de hormonas catabólicas sumada a los factores proinflamatorios aumentados, predisponen al paciente crítico a un alto riesgo de desnutrición. En este contexto, el aporte nutricional que reciben estos pacientes suele ser limitado y/o estar interrumpido por procedimientos clínicos específicos, agravando dicha condición. La desnutrición en el paciente crítico se ha asociado a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones y a una mayor mortalidad. La atención nutricional óptima de este tipo de pacientes requiere una determinación precisa y objetiva del gasto energético, para poder proporcionar un aporte nutricional acorde al mismo. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es identificar y valorar los métodos de evaluación de los requerimientos nutricionales en el paciente crítico. Esta revisión bibliográfica ha identificado las ecuaciones predictivas, el método de Fick y la calorimetría indirecta como los métodos más utilizados en la práctica clínica para calcular el gasto energético. Así, la literatura científica establece que determinación adecuada del gasto energético es imprescindible para realizar una pauta nutricional acorde al mismo. A su vez, a pesar de encontrar recomendaciones concretas del aporte de macronutrientes, es imprescindible individualizar la pauta nutricional de cada paciente a sus requerimientos. La correcta evaluación y monitorización de la alimentación es clave, y enfermería tiene la responsabilidad de realizarla correctamente. Se concluye que la calorimetría indirecta es la mejor metodología para determinar el gasto energético. La capacitación de las enfermeras en la valoración, control y monitorización de la ingesta ayudaría a mejorar los resultados en salud de los pacientes críticos.
Open Access
Effects of time-restricted eating and resistance training on skeletal muscle tissue quantity, quality and function in postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity: a study protocol
(Elsevier, 2024-12-30) Alfaro-Magallanes, Víctor Manuel; Medrano Echeverría, María; Echarte Medina, Jon; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Izquierdo Rodríguez, Claudia; Concepción Álvarez, Mara de la Caridad; Galbete Jiménez, Arkaitz; Idoate, Fernando; Zugasti Murillo, Ana; Petrina Jáuregui, María Estrella; Goñi Gironés, María Elena; Ribelles, María Jesús; Amasene, María; Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Tejada-Garrido, Clara I.; Elejalde, E.; Azcárate Jiménez, Unai Xabier; Ruiz Sarrias, Oskitz; Sayar-Beristain, Onintza; García-Ramos, Amador; Martínez Labari, Cristina; Armendáriz Brugos, Cristina; Villanueva Larre, Arantxa; Ruiz Ruiz, Jonatan; Cabeza Laguna, Rafael; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Estadística, Informática y Matemáticas; Estatistika, Informatika eta Matematika; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background & aims: time-restricted eating (TRE) shows promise for weight loss and improving menopauserelated body composition and cardiometabolic health, but its effects on skeletal muscle tissue (SMT) in postmenopausal women are unknown. This study investigates the effects of three weight loss interventions over 12 weeks on SMT quantity, quality, function, and cardiometabolic health in postmenopausal women with overweight/obesity, with effects persistence evaluated at a 12-month follow-up. Methods and results: in this randomized controlled trial, 78 postmenopausal women (50–65 years; BMI 25–40 kg/m2; sedentary lifestyle; eating window ≥12 h/day; no severe metabolic impairments) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups for 12 weeks: TRE, TRE + resistance training, or CR + resistance training. The TRE groups will reduce their eating window to 8 h and receive nutritional advice to adhere to a Mediterranean diet. The CR group will follow a personalized hypocaloric diet (− 500 kcal/day). Resistance training groups will perform supervised resistance training 3 times/week. Primary Outcome: Change in SMT quantity measured by MRI at baseline and after 12 weeks. Secondary Outcomes: intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), strength, power, body weight and composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors. Conclusion: this study will illustrate the effects of TRE and TRE combined with resistance exercise compared with the currently recommended obesity-lifestyle treatment on SMT quantity, quality, function, and cardiometabolic markers. The results will offer insights into dietary strategies to combat obesity and metabolic diseases without increasing sarcopenia risk in postmenopausal women, a sparsely studied and particularly affected population.
Open Access
Effects of exercise in addition to a family-based lifestyle intervention program on hepatic fat in children with overweight
(American Diabetes Association, 2020) Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Medrano Echeverría, María; Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Maiz, Edurne; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Martínez Vizcaíno, Vicente; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
OBJECTIVE Pediatric hepatic steatosis is highly prevalent and closely related to type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of supervised exercise to a family-based lifestyle and psycho-educational intervention results in greater reduction of percentage of hepatic fat (HF), adiposity, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children with overweight/obesity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study subjects of this nonrandomized, two-arm, parallel design clinical trial were 116 overweight/obese children (10.6 +/- 1.1 years of age, 53.4% girls) living in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain). For 22 weeks, they followed either a lifestyle and psycho-education program (control intervention [CInt], N = 57), consisting of two family-based education sessions/month, or the same plus supervised exercise (intensive intervention [II], N = 59) focused mainly on high-intensity aerobic workouts (3 sessions/week, 90 min/session). The primary outcome was the change in percentage of HF (as measured by MRI) between baseline and the end of the intervention period. Secondary outcomes included changes in BMI, fat mass index (FMI), abdominal fat (measured by DEXA), blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, gamma-glutamyl transferase, glucose, and insulin concentrations. RESULTS A total of 102 children completed the trial (N = 53 and N = 49 in the CInt and II groups, respectively). Percentage of HF decreased only in the II group (-1.20 +/- 0.31% vs. 0.04 +/- 0.30%, II and CInt groups, respectively), regardless of baseline value and any change in adiposity (P < 0.01). BMI, FMI, abdominal fat (P <= 0.001), and insulin (P < 0.05) were reduced in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Multicomponent intervention programs that include exercise training may help to reduce adiposity, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis in overweight/obese children.
Open Access
Differences in specific abdominal fat depots between metabolically healthy and unhealthy children with overweight/obesity: the role of cardiorespiratory fitness
(Wiley, 2023) Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Medrano Echeverría, María; Villanueva Larre, Arantxa; Cabeza Laguna, Rafael; Idoate, Fernando; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Rodríguez Vigil, Beatriz; Álvarez de Eulate, Natalia; Alberdi Aldasoro, Nerea; Ortega, Francisco B.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ciencias de la Salud; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Osasun Zientziak; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoaren eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritzaren
Objectives: Fat depots localization has a critical role in the metabolic health status of adults. Nevertheless, whether that is also the case in children remains under- studied. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (i) to examine the differ-ences between metabolically healthy (MHO) and unhealthy (MUO) overweight/obesity phenotypes on specific abdominal fat depots, and (ii) to further explore whether cardiorespiratory fitness plays a major role in the differences between metabolic phenotypes among children with overweight/obesity. Methods: A total of 114 children with overweight/obesity (10.6 ±1.1 years, 62 girls) were included. Children were classified as MHO (n=68) or MUO. visceral (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous (ASAT), intermuscular abdominal (IMAAT), psoas, hepatic, pancreatic, and lumbar bone marrow adipose tissues were measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the 20 m shuttle run test. Results: MHO children had lower VAT and ASAT contents and psoas fat fraction compared to MUO children (difference =12.4%– 25.8%, all p<0.035). MUO- unfit had more VAT and ASAT content than those MUO- fit and MHO- fit (difference =34.8%– 45.3%, all p<0.044). MUO- unfit shows also greater IMAAT fat fraction than those MUO- fit and MHO- fit peers (difference =16.4%– 13.9% respectively, all p≤0.001). In addition, MHO- unfit presented higher IMAAT fat fraction than MHO- fit (difference =13.4%, p<0.001). MUO- unfit presented higher psoas fat fraction than MHO- fit (difference =29.1%, p=0.008). Conclusions: VAT together with ASAT and psoas fat fraction, were lower in MHO than in MUO children. Further, we also observed that being fit, regardless of metabolic phenotype, has a protective role over the specific abdominal fat depots among children with overweight/obesity.
Open Access
Dietary determinants of hepatic fat content and insulin resistance in overweight/obese children: a cross-sectional analysis of the Prevention of Diabetes in Kids (PREDIKID) study
(Cambridge University Press, 2019) Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Medrano Echeverría, María; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Huybrechts, Inge; Díez, Ignacio; Henriksson, Hanna; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased in parallel with childhood obesity. Dietary habits, particularly products rich in sugars, may influence both hepatic fat and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The aim of the study was to examine the associations of the consumption of foods (cereals, fruits and vegetables, meat/meat products, dairy products, dairy desserts/substitutes (DDS) fish/shellfish, total and added sugars), sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and food components (macronutrients and fiber), on hepatic fat and HOMA-IR. Dietary intake (two non-consecutive 24h-recalls), hepatic fat (magnetic resonance imaging) and HOMA-IR were assessed in 110 children (10.6-1.1 years old) with overweight/obesity. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations of dietary intake with hepatic fat and HOMA-IR adjusted for potential confounders (sex, age, energy intake, maternal educational level, total and abdominal adiposity and sugar intake). The results showed that there was a negative association between cereal intake and hepatic fat (-0.197, P<0.05). In contrast, both SSB consumption (=0.217; P=0.028) and sugar in SSB (=0.210, P=0.035), but not DDS or sugar in DDS or other dietary components, were positively associated with hepatic fat regardless of potential confounders including total sugar intake. In conclusion, cereal intake might decrease hepatic fat, whereas SSB consumption and its sugar content may increase the likelihood of having hepatic steatosis. Although these observations need to be confirmed using experimental evidence, these results suggest that healthy lifestyle intervention programs are needed to improve dietary habits as well as to increase the awareness of the detrimental effects of SSB consumption early in life.
Open Access
Identification of sociodemographic, biochemical and epigenetic biomarkers of hepatic steatosis in children with overweight or obesity
(2022) Osés Recalde, Maddi; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
La obesidad infantil se ha convertido en unos de los problemas más graves en materia de salud pública del siglo XXI. En las últimas dos décadas, y de forma paralela a la epidemia de la obesidad infantil, diferentes comorbilidades asociadas como las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 y la enfermedad metabólica asociada al hígado graso (en inglés MAFLD; metabolic associated fatty liver disease) han aumentado su prevalencia en la población infantil. La MAFLD se ha convertido en la comorbilidad más frecuente de la obesidad infantil, siendo hoy en día a nivel mundial la primera causa de enfermedad hepática crónica en población pediátrica. La MAFLD puede progresar a esteatohepatitis y cirrosis, complicando su pronóstico y la reversibilidad de la patología. Sin embargo, su evolución asintomática, junto con la dificultad de su diagnóstico por tratarse de métodos costosos y/o invasivos (biopsia hepática y/o resonancia magnética), impiden su identificación y diagnóstico precoz. La evolución y progresión de la MAFLD pediátrica es compleja, multifactorial y no está del todo esclarecida. Ciertos polimorfismos genéticos y modificaciones epigenéticas, así como factores sociodemográficos y de estilo de vida se han relacionado con el desarrollo de esta enfermedad. Así, la identificación de los factores de riesgo de desarrollo de MAFLD, así como el estudio de biomarcadores de la enfermedad es crucial para su prevención y tratamiento temprano. En este sentido, asociaciones médicas y científicas subrayan la necesidad de desarrollar métodos de cribado útiles para la detección de la MAFLD pediátrica. Por ello, los objetivos de la presente Tesis Doctoral Internacional son: i) desarrollar un protocolo mínimamente invasivo y con alta capacidad predictiva, para la identificación de esteatosis hepática en niños/as con sobrepeso u obesidad, ii) analizar el papel de los miRNAs como biomarcadores de la obesidad infantil y de sus comorbilidades mediante un análisis sistematizado de los estudios publicados que identifican perfiles de miRNAs en la obesidad pediátrica y/o en sus comorbilidades asociadas, y iii) identificar miRNAs potencialmente marcadores de MAFLD y/o resistencia a la insulina en niños/as preadolescentes y estudiar su asociación con factores de riesgo metabólico. Para dar respuesta a estos objetivos se llevaron a cabo cuatro estudios en el contexto de tres proyectos de investigación: EFIGRO, PREDIKID y MICROKID. Las conclusiones de esta Tesis Doctoral son: i) los factores sociodemográficos y de estilos de vida como la pertenencia a una etnia minoritaria, la prematuridad, un elevado índice cintura-talla, el consumo de bebidas azucaradas, el tiempo de visualización de pantallas, y la baja capacidad cardiorrespiratoria están consistentemente asociados con la presencia de esteatosis hepática en niños/as con sobrepeso u obesidad, ii) los métodos de cribado de MAFLD pediátrica disponibles muestran una limitada precisión y aplicabilidad, iii) el índice HEPAKID es la primera herramienta de cribado basada en datos antropométricos, sociodemográficos y de estilos de vida capaz de identificar a niños/as con sobrepeso u obesidad con elevado riesgo de padecer esteatosis hepática, iv) los niveles elevados de triglicéridos (TG), HOMA-IR, alanina aminotransferasa (ALT), aspartato aminotransferasa (AST), gamma-glutamil transferasa (GGT) y ferritina en plasma, así como la presencia de alelos de riesgo de las variantes genéticas PPARGrs13081389, PPARGrs1801282, HFErs1800562 y PNLPLA3rs4823173 se asocian consistentemente con la presencia de esteatosis hepática en niños/as con sobrepeso u obesidad. Sin embargo, su capacidad predictiva es baja por lo que no son suficientes para el cribado de la MAFLD, v) el protocolo de predicción HEPAKID muestra una alta sensibilidad, especificidad y capacidad discriminatoria, así como con una mínima inversión de tiempo y de recursos económicos, para identificar la MAFLD en niños/as con sobrepeso u obesidad y que deben ser derivados a unidades especializadas para la confirmación del diagnóstico, vi) los miRNAs circulantes son biomarcadores prometedores de enfermedades asociadas a la obesidad como la MAFLD y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Sin embargo, no ha sido posible identificar un perfil de miRNAs concreto asociado con las comorbilidades mencionadas en niños/as con obesidad en la literatura científica actual, vii) el miRNA circulante miR-660-5p parece ser un biomarcador predictivo de la presencia de MAFLD en niños/as preadolescentes, independientemente de su peso corporal y viii) los miRNAs circulantes miR-320a, miR 142-3p, miR-190a-5p, miR-374a-5p y los de la familia let-7 podrían servir como potenciales biomarcadores de la resistencia a la insulina en población pediátrica.
Open Access
Trends in adherence to the mediterranean diet in spanish children and adolescents across two decades
(MDPI, 2023) Herrera-Ramos, Estefanía; Tomaino, Laura; Sánchez Villegas, María Almudena; Ribas-Barba, Lourdes; Gómez, Santiago F.; Wärnberg, Julia; Osés Recalde, Maddi; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Terrados, Nicolás; Tur, Josep A.; Segú, Marta; Fitó, Montserrat; Homs, Clara; Benavente-Marín, Juan C.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Zapico, Augusto G.; Sánchez-Gómez, Jesús; Jiménez-Zazo, Fabio; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Sevilla-Sánchez, Marta; Pulgar, Susana; Bouzas, Cristina; Sistac-Sorigué, Clara; Schröder, Helmut; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Unhealthy dietary habits determined during childhood may represent a risk factor to many of the chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence in children and adolescents (8–16 years) living in Spain was investigated using the KIDMED questionnaire in a comparative analysis of two cross-sectional nationwide representative studies: enKid (1998–2000, n = 1001) and PASOS (2019–2020, n = 3540). Taking into account the educational level of pupils, as well as the characteristics of the place of living, a significant association was found between a KIDMED score ≥ 8 (optimal MD adherence) and primary education as well as residency in an area of <50,000 inhabitants, while living in the southern regions was associated with non-optimal MD adherence (p < 0.001). Participants of the 2019–2020 study showed an increase in the consumption of dairy products (31.1% increase), pasta/rice (15.4% increase), olive oil (16.9% increase), and nuts (9.7% increase), as well as a decreased sweets and candies intake (12.6% reduction). In contrast, a significantly lower MD adherence was found when comparing the 2019–2020 (mean ± SE: 6.9 ± 0.04) and the 1998–2000 study (7.37 ± 0.08); p < 0.001), due to less consumption of fish (20.3% reduction), pulse (19.4% reduction), and fruits (14.9% reduction), and an increased intake of commercial goods/pastries or fast-food intake (both 19.4% increase). The lowest adherence was recorded for adolescents also in the most recent study, where 10.9% of them presented a KIDMED score ≤ 3. This study shows that eating habits are deteriorating among Spanish children and adolescents. Such findings point out the urgency of undertaking strong measures to promote the consumption of healthy, sustainable, and non-ultra-processed food, such as those available in an MD, not only at a scientific and academic level, but also at a governmental one.
Open Access
Determinants of adherence to the mediterranean diet in Spanish children and adolescents: the PASOS Study
(MDPI, 2022) Bibiloni, María del Mar; Gallardo Alfaro, Laura; Gómez, Santiago F.; Wärnberg, Julia; Osés Recalde, Maddi; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Terrados, Nicolás; Segú, Marta; Lassale, Camille; Homs, Clara; Benavente-Marín, Juan C.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Zapico, Augusto G.; Sánchez-Gómez, Jesús; Jiménez-Zazo, Fabio; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Sevilla-Sánchez, Marta; Herrera-Ramos, Estefanía; Pulgar, Susana; Sistac-Sorigué, Clara; Schröder, Helmut; Bouzas, Cristina; Tur, Josep A.; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias de la Salud
A progressive shift away from traditional healthy dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), has been observed in recent decades. The aim of this study was to assess determinants of optimal adherence to the MedDiet in Spanish children and adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was included in the PASOS nationwide representative study in Spain. Participants were 3607 children and adolescents; 8–16 years old. Primary and secondary outcome measures of weight and height were measured. Adherence to the MedDiet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children and adolescents, as well as parental physical activity and dietary habits, were assessed. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was observed in 45.5% of primary school students and 34.8% of secondary school students (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.56–0.75). Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was higher in children/adolescents meeting daily recommended moderate and vigorous physical activity (OR: 2.39, 95%CI: 1.97–2.89) and in those meeting daily recommended screen time on week-days (OR: 2.05, 95%CI: 1.77–2.38) and weekends (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.48–2.10). Participants with optimal adherence to the MedDiet were more likely to have mothers with a high-level education and high-tercile of SDQS, mothers who never smoked or were former smokers, and mothers who met the recommended physical activity and screen time. It can be concluded that a low prevalence of optimal adherence to the MedDiet was found among current Spanish children and adolescents. Optimal adherence to the MedDiet was associated with reaching the recommendations on physical activity and screen time, with the highest maternal educational level, and healthier maternal life-styles.