Alexandra Wolf

Fruit and vegetable intake in a sample of 11-year-old children in 9 European countries: The pro children cross-sectional survey

Background/Aims: An adequate fruit and vegetable intake provides essential nutrients and nutritive compounds and is considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle. No simple instrument has been available for the assessment of fruit and vegetable intake as well as its determinants in school-aged children applicable in different European countries. Within the Pro Children Project, such an instrument has been developed. This paper describes the cross-sectional survey in 11-year-olds in 9 countries. Methods: The cross-sectional survey used nationally, and in 2 countries regionally, representative samples of schools and classes. The questionnaires, including a precoded 24-hour recall component and a food frequency part, were completed in the classroom. Data were treated using common syntax files for portion sizes and for merging of vegetable types into four subgroups. Results: The results show that the fruit and vegetable intake in amounts and choice were highly diverse in the 9 participating countries. Vegetable intake was in general lower than fruit intake, boys consumed less fruit and vegetables than girls did. The highest total intake according to the 24-hour recall was found in Austria and Portugal, the lowest in Spain and Iceland. Conclusion: The fruit and vegetable intake in 11-year-old children was in all countries far from reaching population goals and food-based dietary guidelines on national and international levels.

Personal, social and environmental predictors of daily fruit and vegetable intake in 11-year-old children in nine European countries

Objective:To investigate potential personal, social and physical environmental predictors of daily fruit intake and daily vegetable intake in 11-year-old boys and girls in nine European countries.Subjects:The total sample size was 13 305 (90.4% participation rate).Results:Overall, 43.2% of the children reported to eat fruit every day, 46.1% reported to eat vegetables every day. Daily fruit intake and daily vegetable intake was mainly associated with knowledge of the national recommendations, positive self-efficacy, positive liking and preference, parental modeling and demand and bringing fruit to school (odds ratio between 1.40 and 2.42, P<0.02). These factors were associated fairly consistently with daily fruit intake across all nine European countries, implying that a rather uniform intervention strategy to promote fruit can be used across Europe. For vegetables, the pattern was, however, less consistent. Differences between countries in cooking and preparing vegetables might be responsible for this larger diversity.Conclusions:This study showed that especially a combination of personal and social factors is related to daily fruit and vegetable intake in schoolchildren. This shows that a comprehensive multilevel intervention strategy based upon a series of individual and social correlates will be most promising in the promotion of daily fruit and vegetable intake in children.

Interleukin-6 signalling: More than Jaks and STATs

The hallmark of signalling by many cytokines is the activation of the Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. However, cytokines additionally activate other pathways. In past years we realised that these pathways significantly contribute to the physiological functions of IL-6 and pathophysiological functions in the context of many inflammatory and proliferative diseases. Whereas other articles in this issue of the European Journal of Cell Biology focus on STAT activation and its regulation we here aim to summarise our knowledge and some remaining questions on interleukin-6 (IL-6)-induced STAT-independent pathways as well as the cross-talk with the Jak/STAT pathway. In the early stages of studying cytokine signalling we were used to analysing individual signalling pathways. These days we know about the importance of both, the crosstalk between pathways initiated by combinations of cytokines as well as the crosstalk between individual pathways initiated by a single cytokine. Whereas the inter-cytokine crosstalk can be studied relatively easily, more sophisticated experimental approaches are required to elucidate the intra-cytokine crosstalk.

Personal, social and environmental factors regarding fruit and vegetable intake among schoolchildren in nine European countries.

Background/Aims: Children in Europe are consuming less fruit and vegetables than recommended. Knowledge about the potential determinants of fruit and vegetable intake is vital to understand discrepancies in intake and to guide interventions. The aim of the present study was to assess personal, social and environmental factors regarding fruit and vegetable intake among 11- to 12-year-old children in Europe. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken, with nationally or regionally representative samples of in total 13,305 children (mean age 11.4 years) from nine European countries. Pupils in the classroom completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring fruit and vegetable intake and personal, social and environmental factors during one school lesson. Age-adjusted covariance analyses were carried out by gender, for the full sample and for each country separately. Proportions responding positively to the constructs are presented. Results: Overall, European children held a positive attitude towards fruit and vegetable intake. For some constructs, large between-country differences were found. Children had a more positive attitude towards fruit than towards vegetables, and girls were on average more positive than boys. The children perceived their social environment as supportive towards fruit and vegetable intake. They reported good to very good availability of fruit and vegetables at home. However, availability at school and during leisure time activities seemed to be low, both for fruit and for vegetables. Conclusion: A large majority of the children reported positively to the personal and social factors regarding fruit and vegetable intake. As regards availability of fruit and vegetables at school and leisure time, and accessibility of fruit and vegetables at home, there is room for improvement.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Mothers of 11-Year-Old Children in Nine European Countries: The Pro Children Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: To describe and compare fruit and vegetable intakes of mothers of 11-year-old children across Europe. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 9 European countries in October/November 2003. Self-administered questionnaires assessing fruit and vegetable consumption were used for data collection. The current paper presents dietary intake data obtained by a precoded 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire. Results: The consumption levels of fruit and vegetables (without fruit juice) were in line with World Health Organization recommendations of ≧400 g/day for only 27% of all participating mothers. Based on both instruments, the Pro Children results showed comparatively high average fruit intake levels in Portugal, Denmark and Sweden (211, 203 and 194 g/day) and the lowest intake in Iceland (97 g/day). High vegetable intake levels were found in Portugal and Belgium (169 and 150 g/day), the lowest in Spain (88 g/day). A south-north gradient could not be observed in the Pro Children study. Conclusion: Fruit and vegetable intakes are low in mothers of 11-year-olds across Europe. Especially vegetable consumption can be regarded as marginal in most of the studied European countries. A high percentage of mothers indicated to eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day. The results have shown that national and international interventions are necessary to promote fruit and especially vegetable consumption in the European population of mothers.

The application of a social cognition model in explaining fruit intake in Austrian, Norwegian and Spanish schoolchildren using structural equation modelling

BackgroundThe aim of this paper was to test the goodness of fit of the Attitude – Social influence – self-Efficacy (ASE) model in explaining schoolchildrens intentions to eat fruit and their actual fruit intake in Austria, Norway and Spain; to assess how well the model could explain the observed variance in intention to eat fruit and in reported fruit intake and to investigate whether the same model would fit data from all three countries.MethodsSamples consisted of schoolchildren from three of the countries participating in the cross-sectional part of the Pro Children project. Sample size varied from 991 in Austria to 1297 in Spain. Mean age ranged from 11.3 to 11.4 years. The initial model was designed using items and constructs from the Pro Children study. Factor analysis was conducted to test the structure of the measures in the model. The Norwegian sample was used to test the latent variable structure, to make a preliminary assessment of model fit, and to modify the model to increase goodness of fit with the data. The original and modified models were then applied to the Austrian and Spanish samples. All model analyses were carried out using structural equation modelling techniques.ResultsThe ASE-model fitted the Norwegian and Spanish data well. For Austria, a slightly more complex model was needed. For this reason multi-sample analysis to test equality in factor structure and loadings across countries could not be used. The models explained between 51% and 69% of the variance in intention to eat fruit, and 27% to 38% of the variance in reported fruit intake.ConclusionStructural equation modelling showed that a rather parsimonious model was useful in explaining the variation in fruit intake of 11-year-old schoolchildren in Norway and Spain. For Austria, more modifications were needed to fit the data.

Promoting and sustaining health through increased vegetable and fruit consumption among European schoolchildren: The Pro Children Project

Aim The Pro Children consortium consists of the following partners: Knut-Inge Klepp (Coordinator), Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Norway; Carmen Perez Rodrigo, Unidad de Nutricion Comunitaria, Bilbao, Spain; Inga Thorsdottir, Unit for Nutrition Research, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; Pernille Due, Department of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Maria Daniel Vaz de Almeida, Faculdade de Ciências da Nutrição e Alimentação da Universidade do Porto, Portugal; Ibrahim Elmadfa and Alexandra Wolf, Institute of Nutrition, University of Vienna, Austria; Jóhanna Haraldsdóttir, Research Department of Human Nutrition, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Johannes Brug, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Public Health, The Netherlands; Michael Sjöström and Agneta Yngve, Unit for Preventive Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.The Pro Children study is designed to assess vegetable and fruit consumption and determinants of the consumption patterns among European school children and their parents. A second objective is to develop and test strategies for promoting increased consumption of vegetables and fruits among school children and their parents.Subjects and methodsSurveys of national, representative samples of 11-year-old school children and their parents were conducted in nine countries during October–November 2003, i.e. in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Comprehensive school-based educational programmes were developed and tested in three settings, i.e. in the Bilbao region, Spain, in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and in Buskerud county of Norway. A 24-h recall format and frequency items assessing regular intake were used to assess vegetable and fruit consumption. Determinants were assessed employing the theoretical framework of the ASE model (Attitudes, Social Influences and Self-Efficacy), including cognitive factors, normative influences, skills and environmental barriers related to vegetable and fruit consumption. The intervention programmes were tested employing a group-randomized trial design where schools were randomly allocated to an intervention arm and a delayed intervention arm. Surveys among all participating children and their parents were conducted prior to the initiation of the intervention (September 2003; month 0), immediately after the end of the intervention (at month 8) and at the end of the subsequent school year (month 20).ResultsPreliminary data from the project indicate that girls eat vegetables and fruit significantly more often than do boys across all participating countries. There are no sex differences, however, with respect to perceived availability of vegetables and fruit at home and outside the home setting. In all countries, perceived availability appears to be significantly associated with reported frequency of both vegetable and fruit consumption.ConclusionExperience so far indicates that the Pro Children Project will succeed in producing valid and reliable research instruments for assessing vegetable and fruit consumption among school children and their parents and that comparable, comprehensive intervention programmes can be implemented across geographic and cultural settings within Europe.

MAPK-induced Gab1 translocation to the plasma membrane depends on a regulated intramolecular switch

The timely orchestration of multiple signalling pathways is crucial for the integrity of an organism and therefore tightly controlled. Gab family proteins coordinate signal transduction at the plasma membrane (PM) by acting as docking platforms for signalling components involved in MAP kinase (MAPK), PI3 kinase (PI3K), phospholipase C (PLC) and Rho family GTPase signalling. The interaction with these components as well as the targeting of the docking platform to the PM underlies complex spatial and temporal regulatory mechanisms. Deregulated Gab1 activation and membrane binding have been observed in some haematopoietic malignancies and solid tumours, thereby contributing, for example, to the development of Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and certain lung cancers. Previously, we could demonstrate that the presence of PIP3 in the PM, which is increased in many cancer cells, is not sufficient for constitutive Gab1 membrane recruitment. In addition, MAPK-dependent phosphorylation of Gab1 at serine 552 (Ser552) is vital for Gab1 membrane binding. Here, we confirm our hypothesis that in the absence of MAPK activity an intrinsic part of Gab1 prevents binding to PIP3 at the PM. This epitope of Gab1, which encompasses Ser552, interacts directly with the Gab1 PH domain. Two arginines located in positions +4 and +8 of Ser552 are essential for the interaction with the PH domain, as well as for the inhibition of membrane recruitment of unphosphorylated Gab1. Ser552 phosphorylation is dispensable in respective arginine to alanine mutants of Gab1. Gab1 recruitment to the PM is highly dynamic and continuous PI3K and MAPK activities are both essential for sustained Gab1 membrane localisation. Our data document the existence of a sophisticated and robust control mechanism that prevents Gab1 translocation and signalling complex assembly after the activation of either MAPK or PI3K alone.

Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Mothers in Europe: Risks/Benefits

Publisher Summary Epidemiological and clinical studies in the nutrition field have shown the health benefits of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, especially with regards to the prevention of chronic diseases. Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in mothers is of utmost importance, not only for the health of the mothers but also for the development and health of their children. Despite the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in the health of mothers in particular, the results of European cross-sectional studies show that intake levels of fruits and vegetables in women are still below the recommended amount. As a high proportion of women of a reproductive age consume diets that are low in fruits and vegetables, adequate intake of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and β-carotene cannot be guaranteed and have an adverse effect on the health and development of their unborn children. A high percentage of mothers report that they eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day. Above all, mothers should be made aware of the great importance of their own fruit and vegetable intake and the association of their food preferences with the fruit and vegetable intake patterns of their children. Published data show that national and international interventions are necessary to promote fruit and especially vegetable consumption in the European population of mothers.Publisher Summary Epidemiological and clinical studies in the nutrition field have shown the health benefits of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, especially with regards to the prevention of chronic diseases. Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in mothers is of utmost importance, not only for the health of the mothers but also for the development and health of their children. Despite the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in the health of mothers in particular, the results of European cross-sectional studies show that intake levels of fruits and vegetables in women are still below the recommended amount. As a high proportion of women of a reproductive age consume diets that are low in fruits and vegetables, adequate intake of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and β-carotene cannot be guaranteed and have an adverse effect on the health and development of their unborn children. A high percentage of mothers report that they eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day. Above all, mothers should be made aware of the great importance of their own fruit and vegetable intake and the association of their food preferences with the fruit and vegetable intake patterns of their children. Published data show that national and international interventions are necessary to promote fruit and especially vegetable consumption in the European population of mothers.

Chapter 11 – Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Mothers in Europe: Risks/Benefits

Publisher Summary Epidemiological and clinical studies in the nutrition field have shown the health benefits of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, especially with regards to the prevention of chronic diseases. Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in mothers is of utmost importance, not only for the health of the mothers but also for the development and health of their children. Despite the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in the health of mothers in particular, the results of European cross-sectional studies show that intake levels of fruits and vegetables in women are still below the recommended amount. As a high proportion of women of a reproductive age consume diets that are low in fruits and vegetables, adequate intake of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and β-carotene cannot be guaranteed and have an adverse effect on the health and development of their unborn children. A high percentage of mothers report that they eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day. Above all, mothers should be made aware of the great importance of their own fruit and vegetable intake and the association of their food preferences with the fruit and vegetable intake patterns of their children. Published data show that national and international interventions are necessary to promote fruit and especially vegetable consumption in the European population of mothers.Publisher Summary Epidemiological and clinical studies in the nutrition field have shown the health benefits of adequate fruit and vegetable consumption, especially with regards to the prevention of chronic diseases. Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in mothers is of utmost importance, not only for the health of the mothers but also for the development and health of their children. Despite the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption in the health of mothers in particular, the results of European cross-sectional studies show that intake levels of fruits and vegetables in women are still below the recommended amount. As a high proportion of women of a reproductive age consume diets that are low in fruits and vegetables, adequate intake of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and β-carotene cannot be guaranteed and have an adverse effect on the health and development of their unborn children. A high percentage of mothers report that they eat fruit and vegetables less than once a day. Above all, mothers should be made aware of the great importance of their own fruit and vegetable intake and the association of their food preferences with the fruit and vegetable intake patterns of their children. Published data show that national and international interventions are necessary to promote fruit and especially vegetable consumption in the European population of mothers.