Open Access
Is greater social support from parents and friends related to higher physical activity levels among adolescents?
(MDPI, 2023) Camargo, Edina Maria de; Costa, Cristiane Galvão da; Piola, Silva Piola; Araújo Bacil, Eliane Denise; López Gil, José Francisco; Campos, Wagner de; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Increasing physical activity levels during adolescence have been put on the agenda by several researchers. This study verified the association between social support from parents and friends and different amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among adolescents in public school. The present study had a cross-sectional design and included a representative sample of 1984 adolescents (aged 15–17). The ASAFA (Apoio Social para prática de Atividade Física para Adolescentes) scale and the QAFA (Questionário de Atividade Física para Adolescentes) were used to determine social support and physical activity, respectively. For statistical analysis, a conceptual model for structured equations and weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted were applied. Social support from parents increased the odds of engaging in 180 min/week of MVPA by 46.7%, 47.8% for 300 min/week, and 45.5% for 420 min/week. Social support from friends showed similar relations trends: 23.8% for 180 min/week, 23.6% for 300 min/week, and 21.2% for 420 min/week. Social support from parents and friends increased the probability of adolescents reaching the amounts of physical activity investigated. The results indicate that greater social support (from parents and friends) was associated with a higher level of MVPA in Brazilian adolescents.
Open Access
Electronic device and social network use and sleep outcomes among adolescents: the EHDLA study
(BMC, 2023) Gaya, Anelise; Brum, Rodolfo; Brites, Keith; Gaya, Adroaldo; Borba Schneiders, Letícia de; Duarte Junior, Miguel Angelo; López Gil, José Francisco; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Considering the evident risk in the literature between the use of screen devices and sleep, there are still few studies on the relationship between each electronic screen device, media programs and sleep duration and sleep-related problems among adolescents and which variables interfere in these relationships. Therefore, this study has the following objectives: (1) to determine which are the most common electronic display devices related to sleep time and outcomes and (2) to determine which are the most common social network applications, such as Instagram and WhatsApp, associated with sleep outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 1101 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. Age, sex, sleep, psychosocial health, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), sport practice, and time spent on screen devices were assessed by an ad hoc questionnaire. Linear regression analyses were applied, adjusting for several covariables. Poisson regression was applied between the sexes. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Cell phone use was more associated with sleep time (13%). In boys, time spent on cell phones (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.09; p < 0.001) and videogames (PR = 1.08; p = 0.005) had a higher prevalence ratio. When psychosocial health was included in the models, we found the greatest association (Model 2: PR = 1.15; p = 0.007). For girls, time spent on the cell phone was significantly associated with sleep-related problems (PR = 1.12; p < 0.001), and adherence to the MD became the second most important in the model (PR = 1.35; p < 0.001), followed by psychosocial health and cell phone use (PR = 1.24; p = 0.007). Time spent on WhatsApp was associated with sleep-related problems only among girls (PR = 1.31; p = 0.001) and was the most important variable in the model along with MD (PR = 1.26; p = 0.005) and psychosocial health (PR = 1.41; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest a relationship between cell phones, video games, and social networks with sleep-related problems and time.
Open Access
Are the use and addiction to social networks associated with disordered eating among adolescents? Findings from the EHDLA study
(Springer, 2023) López Gil, José Francisco; Chen, Sitong; Jiménez-López, Estela; Abellán-Huerta, José; Herrera-Gutiérrez, Eva; Panisello Royo, Josefa María; Mesas, Arthur; Tárraga López, Pedro J.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The objective of this study was to examine whether the use and addiction of social networks are associated with disordered eating in Spanish adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study. The fnal sample included 653 adolescents (44.0% boys). Social network use (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) was evaluated by a single item scale with multiple response options. The Short Social Networks Addiction Scale-6 Symptoms was used to determine addiction to social networks. Disordered eating behaviors were assessed with the Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food scale. Adolescents with high social network use had greater odds of disordered eating (odds ratio [OR]=1.88, 95% confdence intervals [CI] 1.17–3.02). Adolescents with high social network addictive behaviors also showed a higher likelihood of presenting disordered eating (OR=2.04, 95% CI 1.34–3.12). Social network use and addiction must be considered factors related to disordered eating among adolescents.
Embargo
Physical fitness and activity levels as predictors of subjective well-being in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a 2-year longitudinal analysis of the diactive-1 cohort study
(Wiley, 2025-03-05) Muñoz Pardeza, Jacinto; López Gil, José Francisco; Huerta Uribe, Nidia; Hormazábal Aguayo, Ignacio; Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Rodrigo; Ezzatvar, Yasmin; Izquierdo Redín, Mikel; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Subjective well-being (SWB), including cognitive and affective components, may be influenced by the management of type 1diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Physical fitness and adherence to physical activity (PA) are associated with better glycaemic stabilityand diabetes management. However, the relationship with SWB is not yet understood. The aim of the study was to determinethe relationship between physical fitness, PA, and SWB over two years in youths with T1DM. This longitudinal study involved83 participants (aged 6–18 years; 44.6% girls) from the Diactive-1 Cohort. Physical fitness was assessed by spirometry (peak ox-ygen consumption) and dynamometry (handgrip strength). PA domains were measured using triaxial accelerometers, whereasthe number of days participating in muscle-strengthening activities was assessed using a question. The Cuestionario Único deBienestar Escolar was used to determine SWB. Glycaemic stability was determined when glycosylated hemoglobin < 7%, coef-ficient of variability ≤ 36%, and time-in-range target > 70% were met. The linear mixed models used considered three assess-ments and subject variability, showing significant associations between overall physical fitness (unstandardized beta coefficient[B] = 1.778, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.413–3.158; p = 0.012) and total PA (B = 0.034, 95% CI 0.005–0.063; p = 0.020) withSWB. Although time did not moderate the association with physical fitness (p = 0.116), this was true for PA only in the secondyear (p = 0.020). In contrast, glycaemic stability did not moderate the associations (p > 0.05). In conclusion, physical fitness andPA are associated with greater SWB in young people with T1DM, which may play a role in the psychological aspects of diseasemanagement.
Open Access
What is the role of adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in relation to physical fitness components among adolescents?
(Wiley, 2023) Tapia-Serrano, Miguel Ángel; López Gil, José Francisco; Sevil-Serrano, Javier; García Hermoso, Antonio; Sánchez-Miguel, Pedro Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa–1225/2022
Background: Physical inactivity, excessive sedentary time, and lack of sleep time have been independently associated with lower health-related physical fitness. However, little is known about the combined association between 24-h movement guidelines (i.e., physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration) and components of physical fitness. Objective: The main aim was to examine the likelihood of having high/very high levels on different components of physical fitness based on meeting with 24-h movement guidelines. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1276 Spanish youths (13.07±0.86; 55.88% boys), aged 11–16 years, completed self-reported questionnaires on physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep duration. Physical fitness components were assessed by 20-m shuttle-run test, standing long jump test, handgrip strength test, and 4×10-m shuttle-run test. Meeting 24-h movement guidelines was defined as: 9–11h/day (children aged 5–13) or 8–10h/day (adolescents aged 14–17) of sleep, ≤2h/day of recreational screen time and at least 60min/day of moderateto-vigorous physical activity. The probability of having a high/very high score for each physical fitness components (i.e., ≥60th centile according to the normative cut-off points for European adolescents) in relation to adherence to 24-h movement guidelines was analyzed using a series of binary logistic regressions. Results: Participants who met the three 24-h movement guidelines were more likely to have high/very high for cardiorespiratory fitness (OR=3.31; 95% CI: 1.79, 6.14; p<0.001), standing long jump (OR=1.91; 95% CI: 1.06, 3.45; p=0.031), muscular fitness (OR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.86; p=0.048) and physical fitness (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.66; p=0.012), but not for handgrip strength (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.01; p=0.636) and speed/agility (OR=1.65; 95% CI: 0.92, 2.96; p=0.093), compared to those who did not meet all three recommendations. Conclusion: Since meeting the three 24-h movement guidelines increased the likelihood of having higher levels in most physical fitness components, it seems necessary to promote these movement behaviors early in life, as they could serve as a gateway for improving health-related fitness in future generations.
Open Access
Exploring the link between home garden use and severe obesity: insights from a nationwide survey in Tuvalu
(International Society of Global Health, 2023) Lin, PoJen; Lee, Irene (Tai-Lin); Hershey, María Soledad; Shih, Wei-Chih; Tausi, Selotia; Sosene, Vine; Maani, Pauke P.; Tupulaga, Malo; Wu, Stephanie M.; López Gil, José Francisco; Lo, Yuan-Hung; Shiau, Shi-Chian; Hsu, Yu-Tien; Chang, Chia-Rui; Wei, Chihfu; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa, 1225/2022
Background Obesity is prevalent and increasing but understudied across Pacific Islanders. Tuvalu is a South Pacific country with a high obesity rate and faces multiple threats of food insecurity. Home garden serves as a sustainable food source and can be a possible intervention for the obesity pandemic in Tuvalu. This study investigated Tuvaluans’ home garden use and obesity, and explored factors associated with increased use of home gardens. Methods We conducted a nationwide, cross-sectional study in Tuvalu during 2022. Structured questionnaires were administered during the in-person interviews, and trained interviewers measured the height and weight of each participant. The association between home garden use, obesity and severe obesity were tested with univariate and multivariable logistic regression. We also applied overlapping weights to balance the distribution of baseline demographic factors. Results The average body mass index was 34.87 kilogrammes (kg)/square metre (m2 ) among the study population of 1024 adults (630 from Funafuti and 394 from other islands in Tuvalu). Overall, people having home gardens was associated lower odds for severe obesity compared to those without a home garden in overlap weighting models (odds ratio (OR)=0.946, 95% CI=0.897-0.997, P=0.039) and the association was stronger in Funafuti (OR=0.927, 95% CI = 0.866-0.991, P= 0.027) than in the outlying islands (OR= 0.967, 95% CI = 0.889-1.052, P = 0.435). Furthermore, increased age was positively associated with having a home garden in Funafuti, and smoking showed an inverse association. Conclusions Having a home garden is associated with lower odds of severe obesity in Tuvalu, and the association is stronger in Funafuti. Smokers are less likely to have home gardens, and increased age is positively associated with having home gardens. These findings promote more home garden utilisation and provide evidence for targeted interventions in Tuvalu.
Open Access
Is higher adherence to the mediterranean diet associated with greater academic performance in children and adolescents? a systematic review and meta-analysis
(Elsevier, 2024-06-18) López Gil, José Francisco; Victoria-Montesinos, Desirée; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: the aim of the present study was to synthesize the available evidence from the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and academic performance in children and adolescents. Methods: a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, which adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) were examined from inception to April 8th, 2024. Results: eighteen studies were included in the current systematic review and sixteen in the meta-analysis. The relationship between adherence to the MedDiet and academic performance among children and adolescents was statistically significant (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14 to 0.21, p < 0.001; inconsistency index [I2] = 56.7%). The influence analysis revealed that removing individual studies one at a time did not result in any changes to the overall results (p < 0.05 in all cases). Conclusions: a higher adherence to the MedDiet could play a relevant role in academic performance among children and adolescents.
Open Access
Mediterranean diet and cardiometabolic biomarkers in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
(American Medical Association, 2024-07-12) López Gil, José Francisco; García Hermoso, Antonio; Martínez González, Miguel Ángel; Rodríguez Artalejo, Fernando; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Importance: no prior systematic review and meta-analysis has specifically verified the association of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet)-based interventions with biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents. Objective: to review and analyze the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of MedDiet-based interventions on biomarkers of cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents. Data Sources: four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus) from database inception to April 25, 2024. Study Selection: only RCTs investigating the effect of interventions promoting the MedDiet on cardiometabolic biomarkers (ie, systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], triglycerides [TGs], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) among children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years) were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Data were extracted from the studies by 2 independent reviewers. Results across studies were summarized using random-effects meta-analysis. Main Outcome and Measures: the effect size of each trial was computed by unstandardized mean differences (MDs) of changes in biomarker levels (ie, SBP, DBP, TGs, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) between the intervention and the control groups. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Results: nine RCTs were included (mean study duration, 17 weeks; range, 8-40 weeks). These studies involved 577 participants (mean age, 11 years [range, 3-18 years]; 344 girls [59.6%]). Compared with the control group, the MedDiet-based interventions showed a significant association with reductions in SBP (mean difference, -4.75 mm Hg; 95% CI, -8.97 to -0.52 mm Hg), TGs (mean difference, -16.42 mg/dL; 95% CI, -27.57 to -5.27 mg/dL), TC (mean difference, -9.06 mg/dL; 95% CI, -15.65 to -2.48 mg/dL), and LDL-C (mean difference, -10.48 mg/dL; 95% CI, -17.77 to -3.19 mg/dL) and increases in HDL-C (mean difference, 2.24 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.34-4.14 mg/dL). No significant associations were observed with the other biomarkers studied (ie, DBP, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR). Conclusions and Relevance: these findings suggest that MedDiet-based interventions may be useful tools to optimize cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents.
Open Access
A cluster randomized controlled trial of the Archena Infancia Saludable project on 24-h movement behaviors and adherence to the mediterranean diet among schoolchildren: a pilot study protocol
(MDPI, 2023) López Gil, José Francisco; García Hermoso, Antonio; Smith, Lee; Gallego, Alejandra; Victoria-Montesinos, Desirée; Ezzatvar, Yasmin; Hershey, María Soledad; Gutiérrez Espinoza, Héctor; Mesas, Arthur; Jiménez-López, Estela; Sánchez-Miguel, Pedro Antonio; López-Benavente, Alba; Moreno Galarraga, Laura; Chen, Sitong; Brazo-Sayavera, Javier; Fernández-Montero, Alejandro; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Panisello Royo, Josefa María; Tárraga López, Pedro J.; Kales, Stefanos N.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the protocol of pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) that will evaluate the effects of a lifestyle-based intervention. The Archena Infancia Saludable project will have several objectives. The primary objective of this project is to determine the 6-month effects of a lifestyle-based intervention on adherence to 24-h movement behaviors and Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in schoolchildren. The secondary objective of this project is to test the intervention effects of this lifestyle-based intervention on a relevant set of health-related outcomes (i.e., anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, perceived physical fitness, sleep habits, and academic performance). The tertiary objective is to investigate this intervention’s “halo” effect on parents’/guardians’ 24-h movement behaviors and adherence to the MedDiet. Methods: The Archena Infancia Saludable trial will be a cluster RCT submitted to the Clinical Trials Registry. The protocol will be developed according to SPIRIT guidelines for RCTs and CONSORT statement extension for cluster RCTs. A total of 153 eligible parents/guardians with schoolchildren aged 6–13 years will be randomized into an intervention group or a control group. This project focuses on two fundamental pillars: 24-h movement behaviors and MedDiet. It will mainly focus on the relationship between parents/guardians and their children. Behavior change strategies for dietary and 24-h movement behaviors in schoolchildren will be based on healthy lifestyle education for parents/guardians through infographics, video recipes, brief video clips, and videos. Conclusions: Most of the current knowledge on 24-h movement behaviors and adherence to the MedDiet is based on cross-sectional or longitudinal cohort studies, warranting a need to design and conduct RCTs to obtain more robust evidence on the effect of a healthy lifestyle program to increase 24-h movement behaviors and to improve adherence to the MedDiet in schoolchildren.
Open Access
Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and 24-h movement guidelines in Spanish young people
(AME Publishing, 2023) López Gil, José Francisco; Pozo Cruz, Jesús del; Pozo Cruz, Borja del; Tárraga López, Pedro J.; García Hermoso, Antonio; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: No prior research has investigated how exposure to environmental tobacco smoke is related to the combination of 24-h movement behaviors among young populations thus far. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between exposure to secondhand smoke and the 24-h movement guidelines. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using data from the last available wave of the Spanish National Health Survey [2017], a nationally representative survey of the Spanish children and adult population. The final sample included 4,378 (49.0% girls) Spanish young people aged 2-14 years. Results: A lower likelikood of meeting screen time (ST) and all three 24-h movement guidelines were found in those exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in unadjusted models. After adjusting for several covariates, meeting screen time [odds ratio (OR) =0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59-0.97], sleep duration (OR =0.75; 95% CI, 0.58-0.96), and all three 24-h movement guidelines (OR =0.63; 95% CI, 0.44- 0.91) reached significance after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: Given the inverse associations found, environmental tobacco smoke exposure should be a relevant factor to consider when promoting 24-h behaviors in the young population. Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke in the environment is essential, as it can potentially influence the 24-h movement behaviors of young people, and consequently, the health benefits associated with such behaviors.