Open Access
Influence of physical activity on bone mineral content and density in overweight and obese children with low adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern
(MDPI, 2018) Muñoz-Hernández, Victoria; Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Gracia-Marco, Luis; Medrano Echeverría, María; Merchán Ramírez, Elisa; Martínez Ávila, Wendy D.; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to examine the associations of physical activity and the adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) with bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in children with overweight and obesity. A total of 177 (n = 80 girls) children with overweight and obesity aged 8 to 12 years old participated in the study. Both BMC and BMD were assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary patterns were assessed by the KIDMED questionnaire and two 24-hour recalls. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometers for 7 consecutive days (24 hours/day). Low adherence to the MDP was observed in 82.4% of participants. Higher physical activity levels (of at least moderate intensity) and lower sedentary time were significantly associated with BMC and BMD in children with low adherence to the MDP (all p < 0.05). No associations were observed between physical activity and BMC and BMD in children with high adherence to the MDP. In conclusion, engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity and reducing the time spent in sedentary behavior might be particularly beneficial for improving bone health in overweight or obese children with poor adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern.
Open Access
Changes in lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 confinement in Spanish children: a longitudinal analysis from the MUGI project
(Wiley, 2021) Medrano Echeverría, María; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua, 2019 904 116
Background: Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic could have affected lifestyle behaviours of children, however evidence about it is emerging and yet scarce. Objectives: To examine the effects of the COVID-19 confinement on lifestyle behaviours in Spanish children, and to assess the influence of social vulnerabilities on changes in lifestyle behaviours. Methods: Physical activity (PA), screen time, sleep time, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (KIDMED) and sociodemographic information were longitudinally assessed before (N = 291, 12.1 ± 2.4 years, 47.8% girls) and during the COVID-19 confinement (N = 113, 12.0 ± 2.6 years, 48.7% girls) by online questionnaires. Results: During the COVID-19 confinement, PA (−91 ± 55 min/d, P <.001) and screen time (±2.6 h/d, P <.001) worsened, whereas the KIDMED score improved (0.5 ± 2.2 points, P <.02). The decrease of PA was higher in children with mother of non-Spanish origin (−1.8 ± 0.2 vs −1.5 ± 0.1 h/d, P <.04) or with non-university studies (−1.7 ± 0.1 vs −1.3 ± 0.1 h/d, P <.005) in comparison to their counterparts. Conclusion: This study evidence the negative impact of the COVID-19 confinement on PA levels and sedentary behaviours of Spanish children. These findings should be taken into account to design and implement public health strategies for preserving children´s health during and after the pandemic, particularly, in children with social vulnerabilities.
Open Access
The effect of a family-based lifestyle education program on dietary habits, hepatic fat and adiposity markers in 8-12-year-old children with overweight/obesity
(MDPI, 2020) Arenaza Etxeberría, Lide; Medrano Echeverría, María; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Amasene, María; Díez, Ignacio; Rodríguez Vigil, Beatriz; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Healthy lifestyle education programs are recommended for obesity prevention and treatment. However, there is no previous information on the effects of these programs on the reduction of hepatic fat percentage. The aims were (i) to examine the effectiveness of a 22-week family-based lifestyle education program on dietary habits, and (ii) to explore the associations of changes in dietary intake with percent hepatic fat reduction and adiposity in children with overweight/obesity. A total of 81 children with overweight/obesity (aged 10.6 ± 1.1 years, 53.1% girls) and their parents attended a 22-week family based healthy lifestyle and psychoeducational program accompanied with (intensive group) or without (control) an exercise program. Hepatic fat (magnetic resonance imaging), adiposity (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and dietary habits (two non-consecutive 24 h-recalls) were assessed before and after the intervention. Energy (p < 0.01) fat (p < 0.01) and added sugar (p < 0.03) intake were significantly reduced in both groups at the end of the program, while, in addition, carbohydrates intake (p < 0.04) was reduced exclusively in the control group, and simple sugar (p < 0.05) and cholesterol (p < 0.03) intake was reduced in the exercise group. Fruit (p < 0.03) and low-fat/skimmed dairy consumption (p < 0.02), the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers (KIDMED, p < 0.01) and breakfast quality index (p < 0.03) were significantly higher in both control and intervention groups after the intervention. Moreover, participants in the exercise group increased the adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (p < 0.001), whereas the ratio of evening-morning energy intake was significantly lower exclusively in the control group after the program (p < 0.02). Changes in energy intake were significantly associated with changes in fat mass index (FMI) in the exercise group, whereas changes in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption was associated with percent hepatic fat reduction (p < 0.05) in the control group. A 22-week family-based healthy lifestyle program seems to be effective on improving diet quality and health in children with overweight/obesity and these should focus on SSB avoidance and physical activity.
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
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.
Open Access
Effects of exercise on bone marrow adipose tissue in children with overweight/obesity: role of liver fat
(Oxford University Press, 2024-08-07) Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Idoate, Fernando; Gracia-Marco, Luis; Medrano Echeverría, María; Alfaro-Magallanes, Víctor Manuel; Alcántara Alcántara, Juan Manuel; Rodríguez Vigil, Beatriz; Osés Recalde, Maddi; Ortega, Francisco B.; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Cabeza Laguna, Rafael; Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y de Comunicación; Ingeniaritza Elektrikoa, Elektronikoa eta Telekomunikazio Ingeniaritza; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute of Smart Cities - ISC; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Gobierno de Navarra / Nafarroako Gobernua
Context: Exercise reduces adiposity, but its influence on bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF) is unknown; nor is it known whether a reduction in liver fat content mediates this reduction. Objectives: This work aimed to determine whether incorporating exercise into a lifestyle program reduces the lumbar spine (LS) BMFF and to investigate whether changes in liver fat mediate any such effect.Methods Ancillary analysis of a 2-arm, parallel, nonrandomized clinical trial was conducted at primary care centers in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. A total of 116 children with overweight/obesity 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]). The compared interventions consisted of a family-based lifestyle program (two 90-minute sessions/month) and the same program plus supervised exercise (three 90-minute sessions/week). The primary outcome examined was the change in LS-BMFF between baseline and 22 weeks, as estimated by magnetic resonance imaging. The effect of changes in hepatic fat on LS-BMFF were also recorded.Results Mean weight loss difference between groups was 1.4 +/- 0.5 kg in favor of the exercise group. Only the children in the exercise group experienced a reduction in LS-BMFF (effect size [Cohen d] -0.42; CI, -0.86 to -0.01). Importantly, 40.9% of the reductions in LS-BMFF were mediated by changes in percentage hepatic fat (indirect effect: beta=-0.104; 95% CI, -0.213 to -0.019). The effect of changes in hepatic fat on LS-BMFF was independent of weight loss.Conclusion The addition of exercise to a family-based lifestyle program designed to reduce cardiometabolic risk improves bone health by reducing LS-BMFF in children with overweight or obesity. This beneficial effect on bone marrow appears to be mediated by reductions in liver fat.
Open Access
Independent and joined association between socioeconomic indicators and pediatric obesity in Spain: the PASOS study
(MDPI, 2023) Homs, Clara; Berruezo, Paula; Arcarons, Albert; Wärnberg, Julia; Osés Recalde, Maddi; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Terrados, Nicolás; Tur, Josep A.; Segú, Marta; Fitó, Montserrat; 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; Bouzas, Cristina; Milà, Raimon; Schröder, Helmut; Gómez, Santiago F.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Childhood obesity is a public health problem worldwide. An important determinant of child and adolescent obesity is socioeconomic status (SES). However, the magnitude of the impact of different SES indicators on pediatric obesity on the Spanish population scale is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between three SES indicators and obesity in a nationwide, representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents. A total of 2791 boys and girls aged 8 to 16 years old were included. Their weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. SES was assessed using two parent/legal guardian self-reported indicators (educational level -University/non-University- and labor market status -Employed/Unemployed-). As a third SES indicator, the annual mean income per person was obtained from the census section where the participating schools were located (≥12.731€/<12.731€). The prevalence of obesity, severe obesity, and abdominal obesity was 11.5%, 1.4%, and 22.3%, respectively. Logistic regression models showed an inverse association of both education and labor market status with obesity, severe obesity, and abdominal obesity (all p < 0.001). Income was also inversely associated with obesity (p < 0.01) and abdominal obesity (p < 0.001). Finally, the highest composite SES category (University/Employed/≥12.731€ n = 517) showed a robust and inverse association with obesity (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.16–0.48), severe obesity (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05–0.81), and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.23–0.54) in comparison with the lowest composite SES category (Less than University/Unemployed/<12.731€; n = 164). No significant interaction between composite SES categories and age and gender was found. SES is strongly associated with pediatric obesity in Spain.
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
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.