Open Access
Patterns of active commuting to school in Spanish preschool children and its associations with socio-economic factors: the PREFIT project
(MDPI, 2021) Herrador-Colmenero, Manuel; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Muntaner Mas, Adrià; Moliner-Urdiales, Diego; Lozano Berges, Gabriel; Benito, Pedro J.; Rodríguez Pérez, M. A.; Delgado Alfonso, Álvaro; Sanchís Moysi, Joaquín; Martínez Vizcaíno, Vicente; Chillón, Palma; PREFIT Project Group; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The aims of this study were to describe patterns of active commuting to school (ACS) of preschool children, and to analyse the relationship between ACS and family socio-economic factors. A total of 2636 families of preschoolers (3-to-5 years old) were asked to complete a questionnaire at home about the mode of commuting to school of their children and marital status, educational level, and profession of both father and mother. Chi-square analyses were applied to compare ACS between school grades and gender of the children. To analyse the association of ACS with socio-economic factors, logistic regression analyses were performed. Almost 50% of participants reported ACS of their offspring, with a higher rate in 3rd preprimary grade (5 years old) than in 1st and 2nd preprimary grades (3-and 4-years old. All, p <0.05). Those preschool children who had parents with lower educational level and no managerial work had higher odds to ACS than those who had parents with higher educational level and managerial work (all, p ≤ 0.001). Around half of the Spanish preschool children included in this study commuted actively to school and families with lower educational levels or worse employment situation were related to active commuting to school.
Open Access
Gene-exercise interaction on brain health in children with overweight/obesity: the ActiveBrains randomized controlled trial
(American Physiological Society, 2023) Plaza Florido, Abel; Esteban Cornejo, Irene; Mora González, José; Torres-López, Lucía V.; Osuna Prieto, Francisco J.; Gil Cosano, José J.; Radom-Aizik, Shlomit; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Altmäe, Signe; Ortega, Francisco B.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
We investigated the interaction between a genetic score and an exercise intervention on brain health in children with overweight/obesity. One hundred one children with overweight/obesity (10.0 ± 1.5 yr, 59% girls) were randomized into a 20-wk combined exercise intervention or a control group. Several cognitive and academic outcomes were measured with validated tests. Hippocampal volume was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. Six brain health-related polymorphisms [rs6265 (BDNF), rs2253206 (CREB1), rs2289656 (NTRK2), rs4680 (COMT), rs429358, and rs7412 (APOE)] were genotyped. Cognitive flexibility and academic skills improved significantly more in the exercise than in the control group only in the children with a “favorable” genetic profile [mean z-score, 0.41–0.67 (95% CI 0.11 to 1.18)], yet not in those with “less favorable” genetic profile. An individual response analysis showed that children responded to exercise in cognitive flexibility only in the “genetically favorable” group [i.e., 62% of them had a meaningful (≥0.2 Cohen d) increase in the exercise group compared with only 25% in the control group]. This finding was consistent in per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). The results were not significant or not consistent for the rest of outcomes studied. Our findings suggest that having a more favorable genetic profile makes children with overweight/obesity more responsive to exercise, particularly for cognitive flexibility.
Open Access
Association of meal timing with body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults
(Springer, 2023) Dote-Montero, Manuel; Acosta, Francisco M.; Sánchez Delgado, Guillermo; Merchán Ramírez, Elisa; Amaro Gahete, Francisco J.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Purpose: To investigate the association of meal timing with body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study participated 118 young adults (82 women; 22±2 years old; BMI: 25.1±4.6 kg/m2). Meal timing was determined via three non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Sleep outcomes were objectively assessed using accelerometry. The eating window (time between frst and last caloric intake), caloric midpoint (local time at which≥50% of daily calories are consumed), eating jetlag (variability of the eating midpoint between non-working and working days), time from the midsleep point to frst food intake, and time from last food intake to midsleep point were calculated. Body composition was determined by DXA. Blood pressure and fasting cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and insulin resistance) were measured. Results: Meal timing was not associated with body composition (p>0.05). The eating window was negatively related to HOMA-IR and cardiometabolic risk score in men (R2=0.348, β=−0.605; R2=0.234, β=−0.508; all p≤0.003). The time from midsleep point to frst food intake was positively related to HOMA-IR and cardiometabolic risk score in men (R2=0.212, β=0.485; R2=0.228, β=0.502; all p=0.003). These associations remained after adjusting for confounders and multiplicity (all p≤0.011). Conclusions: Meal timing seems unrelated to body composition in young adults. However, a longer daily eating window and a shorter time from midsleep point to frst food intake (i.e., earlier frst food intake in a 24 h cycle) are associated with better cardiometabolic health in young men. Clinical trial registration: NCT02365129 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02365129?term=ACTIBATE&draw= 2&rank=1).
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 Isabel; 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, Jonatan R.; 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
Energy expenditure and macronutrient oxidation in response to an individualized nonshivering cooling protocol
(Wiley, 2020) Sánchez Delgado, Guillermo; Alcántara Alcántara, Juan Manuel; Acosta, Francisco M.; Martínez Téllez, Borja; Amaro Gahete, Francisco J.; Merchán Ramírez, Elisa; Löf, Marie; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ravussin, Eric; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Objective This study aimed to describe the energy expenditure (EE) and macronutrient oxidation response to an individualized nonshivering cold exposure in young healthy adults. Methods Two different groups of 44 (study 1: 22.1 [SD 2.1] years old, 25.6 [SD 5.2] kg/m(2), 34% men) and 13 young healthy adults (study 2: 25.6 [SD 3.0] years old, 23.6 [SD 2.4] kg/m(2), 54% men) participated in this study. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and macronutrient oxidation rates were measured by indirect calorimetry under fasting conditions in a warm environment (for 30 minutes) and in mild cold conditions (for 65 minutes, with the individual wearing a water-perfused cooling vest set at an individualized temperature adjusted to the individual's shivering threshold). Results In study 1, EE increased in the initial stage of cold exposure and remained stable for the whole cold exposure (P < 0.001). Mean cold-induced thermogenesis (9.56 +/- 7.9 kcal/h) was 13.9% +/- 11.6% of the RMR (range: -14.8% to 39.9% of the RMR). Carbohydrate oxidation decreased during the first 30 minutes of the cold exposure and later recovered up to the baseline values (P < 0.01) in parallel to opposite changes in fat oxidation (P < 0.01). Results were replicated in study 2. Conclusions A 1-hour mild cold exposure individually adjusted to elicit maximum nonshivering thermogenesis induces a very modest increase in EE and a shift of macronutrient oxidation that may underlie a shift in thermogenic tissue activity.
Open Access
Interplay of the mediterranean diet and genetic hypertension risk on blood pressure in european adolescents: findings from the HELENA study
(Springer, 2024) Pérez-Gimeno, Gloria; Seral-Cortes, Miguel; Sabroso-Lasa, Sergio; Esteban, Luis Mariano; Widhalm, Kurt; Gottrand, Frédéric; Stehle, Peter; Meirhaeghe, Aline; Muntaner, Manon; Kafatos, Antonios; Gutiérrez, Ángel; Manios, Yannis; Anastasiou, Costas A.; González Gross, Marcela; Breidenassel, Christina; Censi, Laura; Henauw, Stefaan de; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Bueno-Lozano, Gloria; Rupérez, Azahara I.; Moreno, Luis A.; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Early-life onset of high blood pressure is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. In adolescents, limited evidence exists regarding the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) and normal blood pressure (BP) levels, as well as its potential to modulate genetic predisposition to HTN. This study investigated the interaction between a MedDiet score and a recently developed HTN-genetic risk score (HTN-GRS) on blood pressure levels in a European adolescent cohort. The MedDiet score was derived from two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls and ranged from 0 (indicating low adherence) to 9 (indicating high adherence). Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for covariates, were employed to examine the relationship between the MedDiet score and BP z-scores and to assess the interaction effects between the MedDiet score and HTN-GRS on BP z-scores. MedDiet score showed a negative association with z-systolic BP (SBP) (ß = -0.40, p < 0.001) and z-diastolic BP (DBP) (ß = -0.29, p = 0.001). Additionally, a significant interaction effect was identified between the MedDiet score and HTN-GRS on z-SBP (ß = 0.02, p < 0.001) and z-DBP (ß = 0.02, p < 0.001). The modulatory effect of the MedDiet was more pronounced in females than in males, and HTN-GRS exhibited a stronger influence on DBP than on SBP. Conclusion: The study suggests that higher adherence to the MedDiet is associated with reduced BP levels in adolescents and provides evidence of a genetic-diet interaction influencing BP in adolescents. (Table presented.)
Open Access
The effect of an online exercise programme on bone health in paediatric cancer survivors (iBoneFIT): study protocol of a multi-centre randomized controlled trial
(BioMed Central, 2020) Gil Cosano, José J.; Ubago Guisado, Esther; Sánchez, María José; Ortega Acosta, María J.; Mateos, María E.; Benito Bernal, Ana I.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Llorente-Cantarero, Francisco J.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Martínez Vizcaíno, Vicente; Vlachopoulos, Dimitris; Arroyo Morales, Manuel; Muñoz Torres, Manuel; Pascual Gázquez, Juan F.; Vicho González, Maria C.; Gracia-Marco, Luis; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Ciencias de la Salud
Background: New approaches on paediatric cancer treatment aim to maintain long-term health. As a result of radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery, paediatric cancer survivors tend to suffer from any chronic health condition. Endocrine dysfunction represents one of the most common issues and affects bone health. Exercise is key for bone mass accrual during growth, specifically plyometric jump training. The iBoneFIT study will investigate the effect of a 9-month online exercise programme on bone health in paediatric cancer survivors. This study will also examine the effect of the intervention on body composition, physical fitness, physical activity, calcium intake, vitamin D, blood samples quality of life and mental health. Methods: A minimum of 116 participants aged 6 to 18 years will be randomized into an intervention (n = 58) or control group (n = 58). The intervention group will receive an online exercise programme and diet counselling on calcium and vitamin D. In addition, five behaviour change techniques and a gamification design will be implemented in order to increase the interest of this non-game programme. The control group will only receive diet counselling. Participants will be assessed on 3 occasions: 1) at baseline; 2) after the 9 months of the intervention; 3) 4 months following the intervention. The primary outcome will be determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the hip structural analysis, trabecular bone score and 3D-DXA softwares. Secondary outcomes will include anthropometry, body composition, physical fitness, physical activity, calcium and vitamin D intake, blood samples, quality of life and mental health. Discussion: Whether a simple, feasible and short in duration exercise programme can improve bone health has not been examined in paediatric cancer survivors. This article describes the design, rationale and methods of a study intended to test the effect of a rigorous online exercise programme on bone health in paediatric cancer survivors. If successful, the iBoneFIT study will contribute to decrease chronic health conditions in this population and will have a positive impact in the society.
Open Access
Nutritional status and physical performance using handgrip and SPPB tests in hospitalized older adults
(Elsevier, 2021) Amasene, María; Besga, Ariadna; Medrano Echeverría, María; Urquiza, Miriam; Rodríguez Larrad, Ana; Tobalina, Ignacio; Barroso, Julia; Irazusta, Jon; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Background & aims: Malnutrition and poor physical performance are highly prevalent within hospitalized older adults, and both have in common the loss of muscle mass. Likewise, there is growing interest in identifying markers of physical performance, other than just measuring muscle mass, that might be useful for managing malnutrition. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physical condition of hospitalized older adults in comparison to previously published reference percentile values of same age adults and (ii) to examine the association between the nutritional status and physical performance of older inpatients. Methods: A total of 604 inpatients (age 84.3 ± 6.8 years, 50.3% women) participated in this cross-sectional study. Patients were assessed for nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)) and physical performance (handgrip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)). Results: During hospitalization, 65.7% of the inpatients were at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. More than a half of the older inpatients were unfit (≤P25) for handgrip strength (52.0%) and SPPB total score (86.3%) as well as for two of its subtests, gait speed (86.7%) and 5 times sit-to-stand (91.1%) tests. Patients' nutritional status was significantly associated with better physical performance within all tests (all p < 0.001), as their nutritional status improved so did their physical performance (all p for trend <0.001). Hence, being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished significantly increased the likelihood for being classified as unfit according to handgrip strength (OR: 1.466, 95% CI: 1.045–2.056), SPPB total score (OR: 2.553, 95% CI: 1.592–4.094) and 4-m walking test (OR: 4.049, 95% CI: 2.469–6.640) (all p < 0.05), and as frail (OR: 4.675, 95% CI: 2.812–7.772) according to the SPPB frailty threshold (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study reinforces the use of handgrip strength and SPPB, as well as its subtests (gait speed and 5 times sit-to-stand tests), in hospitalized older adults as alternative measures of muscle mass for malnutrition management. Hence, it seems that risk of malnutrition or malnutrition assessed by MNA-SF might help to predict poor physical performance in older inpatients.
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
Understanding the association of intrapancreatic fat deposition with adiposity and components of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
(Elsevier, 2025-05-06) Izquierdo Rodríguez, Claudia; Cadenas-Sánchez, Cristina; Santos Martín, José Luis; Ruiz, Jonatan R.; Medrano Echeverría, María; Martínez Vizcaíno, Vicente; Goran, Michael I.; Labayen Goñi, Idoia; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Background: Intrapancreatic fat deposition is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in adults, but the association is less clear in children. Our goal in this work was therefore to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the associations between intrapancreatic fat deposition with adiposity and components of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus from database inception to January 11, 2025 (registration number: CRD42022374159). Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled correlations estimates of the association of intrapancreatic fat deposition with various adiposity related outcomes (i.e., overall/central adiposity and specific fat depots; primary outcome) and cardiometabolic risk factors (i.e., glycaemic traits, insulin resistance/sensitivity, insulin secretion surrogates, plasma lipids, and blood pressure; secondary outcomes). Risk of bias and the quality of evidence were evaluated. Findings: We identified a total of 252 studies, of which 15 unique studies (N = 1261 participants, mean age ranged 10.6–17.7 years, 44.4% females) were eligible for meta-analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging-measured intrapancreatic fat deposition showed a small to medium positive significant association with adiposity (n = 53 studies, r = 0.24 [95% CI:0.19; 0.29], I2 = 61.5%), impaired glycaemic traits and insulin sensitivity (n = 11 studies, r = 0.15 [95% CI:0.03; 0.26], I2 = 58.9%), and HDL levels (n = 7 studies, pooled r = 0.11 [95% CI: 0.01; 0.20], I2 = 0%), and increased blood pressure (n = 6 studies, pooled r = 0.15 [95% CI: 0.05; 0.25], I2 = 0%). Interpretation: Intrapancreatic fat deposition may increase the risk of cardiometabolic disturbances in children. Therefore, it requires more attention in clinical research as an early indicator of ectopic fat deposition, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Longitudinal studies are necessary to understand the temporal dynamics of these associations and to determine the long-term impact of intrapancreatic fat deposition on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.