Aránzazu Aparicio Vizuete

Ingesta de calcio y vitamina D en una muestra representativa de mujeres españolas: problemática específica en menopausia

BACKGROUND The accelerated bone demineralization that occurs during the menopause is very conditioned by the intake of calcium and vitamin D, therefore, the aim of the study is examine the adequacy of the diet regarding these nutrients in a menopausal women group. METHODS A representative sample of the Spanish woman population with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years (n = 547), selected from 10 provinces was studied. The group of 108 menopausal women (45-60 years) is given priority attention. The dietary study was performed using a 3-day diet record. Weight and height were measured and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS Calcium intake (992.1 ± 340.7 mg/day) was lower than the recommended intakes (RI) in 79.6% of the menopausal women (MW) (lower than 67% of the RI in the 30.6%). Vitamin D intake (3.08 ± 3.6 μg/day) was even more unfavorable, since the contribution was 61.1% of the RI in MW, an 85.2% of them do not meet the RI and a 75.9% do not meet the 67% of the RI. A 72.6% of the studied women (68.5% of MW) do not meet the RI for calcium neither for vitamin D, while only the 4.0% of them meet the RI for both nutrients (3.7 of MW). Using a logistic regression analysis to examine the dietary modification that may be favorable to meet the RI for calcium and vitamin D simultaneously, having into account the influence of age and BMI, it is observed that the main factor is the consumption of dairy products [OR = 0.188 (0.108-0.327; p < 0.001)] and the same influence is observed when only menopausal women are analyzed [OR= 0.252 (0.067-0.946; p < 0.05)]. It is observed a decreased of BMI when the density of diet in calcium (r = -0.10) and in the vitamin D (r = -0.099) is increased, which suggested a possible role of these nutrients in weight control. CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of the studied women have intakes of calcium and vitamin D lower than the recommended intakes and given that only a 3.7% of the menopausal women have adequate intakes for both nutrients, it is necessary to adopt urgent measures aimed to protect the bone health of the Spanish female population.

The Effects of Physical Activity on Dietary Habits in Young Adults from Madrid

BACKGROUND The main objective of the study was to analyze the relation between the physical activity levels and diet quality of a group of young adults from Madrid. METHODS The nutritional and activity records of a group of 222 young adults (113 females and 109 males), with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years, were evaluated using dietary and activity questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. From the data collected, the food, energy, macro and micronutrients intake, activity coefficient, body mass index, and body fat percentage were calculated. RESULTS The study revealed that 67.1 % of the individuals evaluated (82.3 % of the females and 51.3 % of the males) were classified as sedentary. The sedentary individuals had a higher percentage of body fat compared to active individuals. Generally, active individuals consumed more cereals and less fat. The nutritional intake of the participants did not follow the recommended daily intake, however the nutritional intake of the active individuals was closer to the recommended, with higher micronutrient intakes. CONCLUSION These results suggest that active individuals follow healthier diets and keep a more adequate body weight, which provides protection against several chronic diseases.

El huevo como fuente de antioxidantes y componentes protectores frente a procesos crónicos

El huevo es un alimento muy valioso desde el punto de vista nutricional, ya que contiene casi todos los nutrientes esenciales para el hombre. Ademas, puede considerarse como un alimento funcional debido a los numerosos compuestos bioactivos con los que cuenta, con importantes efectos beneficiosos para la salud. Aunque algunos de ellos son bastante conocidos y existen diversas investigaciones al respecto, como el papel de la luteina y el de la zeaxantina en la salud ocular, otros, como los peptidos bioactivos o los fosfolipidos, lo son menos, y no por ello son menos importantes, ya que los estudios llevados a cabo hasta el momento senalan que podrian tener un papel muy importante en la prevencion y el desarrollo de algunas enfermedades cronicas, como la hipertension, la obesidad o el sindrome metabolico, entre otras. La inclusion del huevo en la dieta es necesaria no solo desde el punto de vista nutricional, sino tambien sanitario.Egg is a very nutritious food since it contains almost all the essential nutrients for humans. In addition, it can be considered as a functional food due to the numerous bioactive compounds it contains, with important beneficial effects on health. Although some of them are well known and there are many researches about them, such as the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in ocular health, others such as egg-derived bioactive peptides or phospholipids are less known, and for this reason they are not less important, since the studies carried out until now point out that those could have a very important role in the prevention and development of some chronic diseases such as hypertension, obesity or metabolic syndrome, among others. The inclusion of the egg in the diet is necessary not only from the nutritional point of view but also sanitary.

Papel del huevo en la dieta de deportistas y personas físicamente activas

The practice of sport and medium-high intensity exercise increases the needs of energy and nutrients. Proper nutrition is very important for reaching the maximum performance, reducing the risk of injury, and ensuring the best recovery. It must also ensure the achievement of optimum nutritional status and prevent health problems at the present and in the future time. Eggs are a very nutritious food that can help athletes to achieve a correct diet. It contains proteins of high quality and bioavailability, a profile of fatty acids very favorable from the cardiovascular point of view, and vitamins and minerals involved in energy and protein metabolism, in defense against oxidative stress and inflammation, in cell growth and tissue repair. However, it is also a food subject to numerous myths that should be corrected, especially in relation to its cholesterol content. The egg, consumed in moderate amounts and properly handled, is a safe and adequate food for more active athletes and groups.

Calcium and vitamin D intakes in a representative sample of spanish women: particular problem in menopause

BACKGROUND The accelerated bone demineralization that occurs during the menopause is very conditioned by the intake of calcium and vitamin D, therefore, the aim of the study is examine the adequacy of the diet regarding these nutrients in a menopausal women group. METHODS A representative sample of the Spanish woman population with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years (n = 547), selected from 10 provinces was studied. The group of 108 menopausal women (45-60 years) is given priority attention. The dietary study was performed using a 3-day diet record. Weight and height were measured and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated. RESULTS Calcium intake (992.1 ± 340.7 mg/day) was lower than the recommended intakes (RI) in 79.6% of the menopausal women (MW) (lower than 67% of the RI in the 30.6%). Vitamin D intake (3.08 ± 3.6 μg/day) was even more unfavorable, since the contribution was 61.1% of the RI in MW, an 85.2% of them do not meet the RI and a 75.9% do not meet the 67% of the RI. A 72.6% of the studied women (68.5% of MW) do not meet the RI for calcium neither for vitamin D, while only the 4.0% of them meet the RI for both nutrients (3.7 of MW). Using a logistic regression analysis to examine the dietary modification that may be favorable to meet the RI for calcium and vitamin D simultaneously, having into account the influence of age and BMI, it is observed that the main factor is the consumption of dairy products [OR = 0.188 (0.108-0.327; p < 0.001)] and the same influence is observed when only menopausal women are analyzed [OR= 0.252 (0.067-0.946; p < 0.05)]. It is observed a decreased of BMI when the density of diet in calcium (r = -0.10) and in the vitamin D (r = -0.099) is increased, which suggested a possible role of these nutrients in weight control. CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of the studied women have intakes of calcium and vitamin D lower than the recommended intakes and given that only a 3.7% of the menopausal women have adequate intakes for both nutrients, it is necessary to adopt urgent measures aimed to protect the bone health of the Spanish female population.