Open Access
Validity, reliability, and calibration of the physical activity unit 7 item screener (PAU-7S) at population scale
(BioMed Central, 2021) Schröder, Helmut; Subirana, Isaac; Wärnberg, Julia; Medrano Echeverría, María; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Terrados, Nicolás; Tur, Josep A.; Segú, Marta; Homs, Clara; García-Álvarez, Alicia; Benavente-Marín, Juan C.; Barón-López, F. Javier; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Zapico, Augusto G.; Sánchez-Gómez, Jesús; Jiménez-Zazo, Fabio; Marín-Cascales, Elena; Sevilla-Sánchez, Marta; Herrera-Ramos, Estefanía; Pulgar, Susana; Bibiloni, María del Mar; Sistac-Sorigué, Clara; Gómez, Santiago F.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background: Validation of self-reported tools, such as physical activity (PA) questionnaires, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and the concurrent, construct, and predictive validity of the short semi-quantitative Physical Activity Unit 7 item Screener (PAU-7S), using accelerometry as the reference measurement. The effect of linear calibration on PAU-7S validity was tested. Methods: A randomized sample of 321 healthy children aged 8–16 years (149 boys, 172 girls) from the nationwide representative PASOS study completed the PAU-7S before and after wearing an accelerometer for at least 7 consecutive days. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured. Cronbach alpha was calculated for internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was determined by intra-class correlation (ICC). Concurrent validity was assessed by ICC and Spearman correlation coefficient between moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) derived by the PAU-7S and by accelerometer. Concordance between both methods was analyzed by absolute agreement, weighted kappa, and Bland-Altman statistics. Multiple linear regression models were fitted for construct validity and predictive validity was determined by leave-one-out cross-validation.
Open Access
Perceived quality of life is related to a healthy lifestyle and related outcomes in spanish children and adolescents: The physical activity, sedentarism, and obesity in spanish study
(MDPI, 2023) Ródenas-Munar, Marina; Monserrat-Mesquida, Margalida; Gómez, Santiago F.; Wärnberg, Julia; Medrano Echeverría, María; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Pulgar, Susana; Segú, Marta; Fitó, Montserrat; Torres, Silvia; 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; Schröder, Helmut; Bouzas, Cristina; Tur, Josep A.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for safeguarding the well-being and quality of life perception, appropriate growth, and development of children and adolescents, while also mitigating the risk of future adult-onset diseases. Objective: To assess associations between perceived quality of life and healthy lifestyle and related outcomes in Spanish children and adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 8–16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3534) were included in the nationwide study of Physical Activity, Sedentarism, and Obesity in Spanish Youth (PASOS). Data were collected through (1) questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthy lifestyle outcomes (dietary intake, physical fitness, sleep, and screen time), and (2) anthropometric measurements for weight status assessment. Data were analysed by logistic regression, using the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as the grouping variable. Results: Participants with a lower HRQoL were those with a lower adherence to the MedDiet and lower achievement of the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. They were also less likely to follow the recommendations for screen time and sleep (with the exception of the weekend) compared to participants with a higher HRQoL. Participants with a lower HRQoL showed a lower healthy weight status and poorer physical fitness than those with a higher HRQoL. Conclusions: Healthy eating habits, healthy weight status (normal weight), appropriate sleep time, physical fitness, and limited screen time play a crucial role in the perceived quality of life in children and adolescents.
Open Access
Twenty-year trend in the prevalence of increased cardiometabolic risk, measured by abdominal obesity, among Spanish children and adolescents across body mass index categories
(BCM, 2024-11-05) Schröder, Helmut; Juton, Charlotte; Goran, Michael I.; Wärnberg, Julia; Osés Recalde, Maddi; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Herrera-Ramos, Estefanía; Terrados, Nicolás; Tur, Josep A.; Segú, Marta; Fitó, Montserrat; Ribas-Barba, Lourdes; Bautista-Castaño, Inmaculada; Peña-Quintana, Luis; Berruezo, Paula; 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; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Gómez, Santiago F.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background: identifying children and adolescents with cardiometabolic risk at an early stage is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. From a practical perspective, this could be accomplished by assessing the presence of abdominal obesity, which serves as a surrogate indicator of increased cardiometabolic risk and is easy to measure. However, the assessment of abdominal obesity via waist circumference has not yet become a standard procedure in pediatric healthcare. The present study aimed to analyze the secular trends in increased cardiometabolic risk, as indicated by waist circumference among Spanish children and adolescents. Methods: this study included 4861 children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years from two nationwide representative cross-sectional surveys, the EnKid study and the PASOS study, conducted in 1998–2000 and 2019–2020, respectively. Anthropometric variables were measured in both surveys by trained personnel. Three different waist-to-height (WHtR) cutoffs were used to define abdominal obesity as criteria for cardiometabolic risk. BMI categories were defined according to the IOTF and WHO growth charts. Results: abdominal obesity [waist to height ratio (cm/cm) > 0.49] significantly increased from 40.7 to 56.1% and 93.8 to 97.2% in participants with overweight and obesity, respectively, between 1998–2000 and 2019–2020 (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for sex and age, revealed that the odds of being at increased cardiometabolic risk in 2019–2020 was 1.99 (95% CI 1.48–2.67) in participants with overweight in comparison with 1998–2000. The effect size was comparable among the three WHtR criteria for abdominal obesity or the BMI categories according to IOTF and WHO boundaries. Conclusions: the prevalence of Spanish children with increased cardiometabolic risk, identified by abdominal obesity, significantly increased among those with overweight during the last two decades. This finding underlines the need of including the measurement of waist circumference as a standard procedure in pediatric practice.
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
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
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
Walkability and socio-economic status in relation to walking, playing and sports practice in a representative Spanish sample of youth: the PASOS study
(Public Library of Science, 2024) Aznar, Susana; Jiménez-Zazo, Fabio; Romero-Blanco, Cristina; Gómez, Santiago F.; Homs, Clara; Wärnberg, Julia; Medrano Echeverría, María; Gusi, Narcís; González Gross, Marcela; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Terrados, Nicolás; Tur, Josep A.; Segú, Marta; Lassale, Camille; Colom, Antoni; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Sánchez-Gómez, Jesús; Alcaraz, Pedro E.; Sevilla-Sánchez, Marta; Zapico, Augusto G.; Herrera-Ramos, Estefanía; Pulgar, Susana; Bibiloni, María del Mar; Sistac-Sorigué, Clara; Schröder, Helmut; Molina-García, Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Purpose Physical activity (PA) provides multiple health-related benefits in children and adolescents, however, at present, the majority of young people are insufficiently physically active. The aim of this study was to evaluate if neighborhood walkability and/or socio-economic status (SES) could affect the practice of walking, play outdoors and sports practice in a representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents. Methods A sample of 4092 youth (aged 8-16 years old) from 245 primary and secondary schools in 121 localities from each of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities participated in the study. Walk Score was used to evaluate walkability of the neighborhood and household income was used as an indicator of SES. A 7-item self-reported validated questionnaire, was used to assess PA levels, and in a subsample of 10% of the participants, randomly selected from the entire sample, PA was objectively measured by accelerometers. Results Youth from more walkable areas reported more minutes walking per day compared with those from less walkable neighborhoods (51.4 vs 48.8 minutes, respectively). The lowest average minutes spent in playing outdoors was found among participants from low-SES and low-walkable neighborhoods. Neighborhood SES influenced on the participation in team sports during the weekend, being this participation higher in high SES neighborhoods. Conclusion Providing high walkable environments seems a good strategy to promote PA regardless SES levels. It seems that improving the walkability is a key component to partially overcome the SES inequalities, especially in urban areas with low SES. High-SES environments can offer better sports facilities and more organized physical activities than low-SES ones.
Open Access
Impact of COVID-19 confinement on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Spanish university students: role of gender
(MDPI, 2021) Rodríguez Larrad, Ana; Mañas, Asier; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; González Gross, Marcela; Espin, Ander; Aznar, Susana; Serrano Sánchez, José Antonio; Vera García, Francisco J.; González Lamuño, Domingo; Ara, Ignacio; Carrasco Páez, Luis; Castro Piñero, José; Gómez Cabrera, Mari Carmen; Márquez, Sara; Tur, Josep A.; Gusi, Narcís; Benito, Pedro J.; Moliner-Urdiales, Diego; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Jiménez Pavón, David; Casajús, José Antonio; Irazusta, Jon; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias de la Salud
During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations were instructed to live in home-confinement to prevent the expansion of the disease. Spain was one of the countries with the strictest conditions, as outdoor physical activity was banned for nearly two months. This study aimed to analyse the changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviours in Spanish university students before and during the confinement by COVID-19 with special focus on gender. We also analysed enjoyment, the tools used and motivation and impediments for doing physical activity. An online questionnaire, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and certain 'ad hoc' questions, was designed. Students were recruited by distributing an invitation through the administrative channels of 16 universities and a total of 13,754 valid surveys were collected. Overall, university students reduced moderate (-29.5%) and vigorous (-18.3%) physical activity during the confinement and increased sedentary time (+52.7%). However, they spent more time on high intensity interval training (HIIT) (+18.2%) and mind-body activities (e.g., yoga) (+80.0%). Adaptation to the confinement, in terms of physical activity, was handled better by women than by men. These results will help design strategies for each gender to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour during confinement periods.
Open Access
Parents' diet quality and physical activity are associated with lifestyle in spanish children and adolescents: the PASOS study
(MDPI, 2023) Monserrat-Mesquida, Margalida; Ródenas-Munar, Marina; Gómez, Santiago F.; Wärnberg, Julia; Medrano Echeverría, María; González Gross, Marcela; Gusi, Narcís; Aznar, Susana; Marín-Cascales, Elena; González Valeiro, Miguel A.; Serra-Majem, Lluis; Pulgar, Susana; Segú, Marta; Fitó, Montserrat; Según, Genís; 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; Schröder, Helmut; Tur, Josep A.; Bouzas, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases are associated with a low-quality diet, low physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Objective: To assess how parents’ diet and physical activity habits were associated with their offsprings’ lifestyles. Study design: A cross-sectional analysis of 8–16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 2539; 51.9% girls) was carried out within the frame of the first edition of the Physical Activity, Sedentarism, Lifestyles, and Obesity in Spanish Youth study (PASOS-2019). Data on adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), daily moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and screen time per day (television, computer, video games, and mobile phone) were collected from children and adolescents, and data on parents’ diet quality and physical activity were compiled. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between parents’ lifestyles and those of children and adolescents. Results: High diet quality of parents was associated with higher adherence to the MedDiet of children and adolescents, as well as high consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, and legumes. The high physical activity level of parents was associated with the low consumption of fast foods, sweets, and candies in children and adolescents. Children with high levels of physical activity were those whose parents showed better diet quality and physical activity levels. Conclusions: Parents’ high diet quality and physical activity were associated with healthy lifestyles, higher adherence to the MedDiet, and physical activity of their offspring, mainly in adolescents.
Open Access
Combined body mass index and waist-to-height ratio and its association with lifestyle and health factors among Spanish children: 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
Background and Aims: The World Health Organization recommended simultaneous measurement of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and suggested joint use to predict disease risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) categories among Spanish children and adolescents, as well as their associations with several lifestyle factors. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 8–16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3772) were included in the PASOS nationwide representative study. Children/adolescents and their mothers/female caregivers answered a questionnaire on lifestyle and health factors. Child/adolescent anthropometrics were measured. Four combined BMI-WHtR disease risk categories were built. Results: A third of participants showed combined BMI-WHtR categories with high disease risk (12.3% ‘increased risk’, 9.7% ‘high risk’, 14.3% ‘very high risk’). Participants in the ‘very high risk’ group were less likely to be females (odds ratio 0.63; 95% CI: 0.52–0.76) and adolescents (0.60; 95% CI: 0.49–0.72), to practice ≥60 min/day of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (0.73; 95% CI: 0.57–0.93), and to watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekdays (0.61; 95% CI: 0.49–0.76). Mothers of participants in the ‘very high risk’ group were less likely to have a high educational level, be in the overweight or normal range, have never smoked or were former smokers, and watch <120 min/day of total screen time on weekends. Participants in the ‘increased’ and ‘high risk’ categories had mothers with normal weight and ≥60 min/day of MVPA. Participants in the ’high risk’ group did not achieve ≥60 min/day of MVPA and showed lower adherence to the mediterranean diet. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthy lifestyle in children and adolescents, but also in their mothers/female caregivers during offspring’s childhood and adolescence, is associated with low BMI-WHtR disease risk.