Francisca Pérez-Llamas

Differences in dietary intake and activity level between normal-weight and Overweight or obese adolescents

BACKGROUND To investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in an adolescent group representative of a rural Mediterranean area and to determine possible associations with energy and nutrient intakes and levels of physical exercise. METHODS A representative sample of adolescents was drawn from the secondary school of Torre Pacheco (Murcia), a rural Mediterranean area located in the southeast of Spain. The population selected (331 adolescents aged 14-18 years), was divided into two groups: normal-weight subjects with a body mass index less than 23 kg/m2 and overweight or obese subjects with a body mass index of 23 kg/m2 or more. Weight, height, abdominal and hip perimeters, triceps skinfold, and upper arm circumference were measured. A prospective 7-consecutive-days food record and physical activity questionnaire were completed. RESULTS Overweight boys and girls had an apparently lower energy intake (P = 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively), and carbohydrate intake (P = 0.000, P = 0.032) than their normal-weight counterparts, but they tended to underreport more often. Overweight boys derived a greater percentage of their energy from fat (P = 0.049) and less from carbohydrate (P = 0.016) than their normal-weight counterparts. Among girls, the percentage of energy derived from fat increased with body mass index (r = 0.210, P = 0.008), whereas fiber intake decreased (r = -0.145; P = 0.041). Overweight and obesity were negatively related to physical activity level only among boys (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in the adolescent population studied (48.2% in boys and 30.7% in girls). The study shows an association between overweight and obesity and nutrient intake and activity level.

Dietary trans fatty acids affect docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in plasma and liver but not brain of pregnant and fetal rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the maternal-fetal transport, incorporation, and effects on liver delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase activity of dietary trans fatty acids in pregnant rats. Three groups of six rats each were fed three experimental diets containing approximately 0%, 15%, and 30% of trans fatty acids but containing the same proportion of linoleic (18:2 n-6) and α-linolenic (18:3 n-3) acids for 10 wk. On d 20 of pregnancy, the animals from each group were killed. We determined the fatty acid profiles in plasma, brain, and liver microsomes of pregnant rats, as well as in placenta and fetal liver and brain. No changes were found in the number of fetuses of the pregnant rats. Trans fatty acids were incorporated in high concentrations in placenta and in maternal and fetal tissues, except brain, strongly elevating the linoleic acid proportion and lowering that of docosahexaenoic acid. The delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase activity in the liver microsomes of the pregnant rats was inhibited by trans isomers. In conclusion, high intakes of trans fatty acids partially inhibit liver delta-6 fatty-acid desaturase in pregnant rats, which may explain, in part, the low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid in pregnant and fetal tissues. However, the fatty acid composition of both fetal and pregnant rat brain remains mostly unaffected regardless of the dietary trans fatty acid content.

Sedentary behaviours and socio-economic status in Spanish adolescents: the AVENA study

BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe the influence of socio-economic status (SES) on the prevalence sedentary behaviours among Spanish adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional data from Spanish adolescents from the Alimentación y Valoración del Estado Nutricional de los Adolescentes (AVENA) Study (2002). A national representative sample of 1776 adolescents aged 13-18.5 years provided information about time spent watching television (TV), playing with computer or videogames and studying. Parental education and occupation were assessed as SES. Participants were categorized by gender, age, parental education and occupation. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS No gender differences were found for TV viewing. For computer and videogames use (weekdays), more boys played >3 h/day (P < 0.001), whereas a higher percentage of girls reported studying >3 h/day (P < 0.001). Among boys, parental education and occupation were inversely associated with TV viewing, parental occupation directly associated with study and maternal education inversely with computer and videogames use during weekdays (all P < 0.05). For girls, parental occupation was inversely associated with TV viewing. CONCLUSION Spanish adolescents presented different sedentary patterns according to age, gender and SES. Boys reported more time engaged in electronic games, whereas girls reported more time studying. Parental occupation had more influence than parental education on the time spent in sedentary behaviours.

Seemingly paradoxical seasonal influences on vitamin D status in nursing-home elderly people from a Mediterranean area

OBJECTIVE We investigated vitamin D status in institutionalized elderly subjects by measuring serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and its association with season and other factors: age, gender, nutritional status, cognitive function, functional ability, dietary intake, vitamin D supplement consumption, and disease. METHODS The cross-sectional study included 86 subjects, 65-94 y of age (29 men and 57 women), who lived in three nursing homes in Murcia, a Spanish Mediterranean area. The Mini Nutritional Assessment, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, and BI were used to evaluate nutritional status, functional ability, and cognitive function, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were used to assess vitamin D status. The thresholds of inadequacy were considered to be <25 nmol/L (vitamin D deficiency) and <50 nmol/L (vitamin D insufficiency). RESULTS Body mass index was 28.8 +/- 5.8 kg/m(2) (mean +/- SD). Vitamin D dietary intake was very much below the recommended dietary intake. The Mini Nutritional Assessment was 23.6 +/- 4.0, cognitive function was 7.8 +/- 1.9, and functional ability 82.9 +/- 23.1. The percentages of subjects with inadequate serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 58.2% and 32.6%, taking into consideration cutoffs of 50 and 25 nmol/L, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in women (40.3%) than in men (20.7%). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations varied significantly with the season in which the samples were taken, but not with the other factors analyzed. CONCLUSION In this Mediterranean area, a substantial percentage of institutionalized subjects showed an inadequate vitamin D status, which could be remedied by the consumption of vitamin D-fortified foods and/or vitamin D supplements, especially during the summer months.

Interrelationship between serum lipid profile, serum hormones and other components of the metabolic syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the serum lipid profile and components of the metabolic syndrome, such as central obesity (anthropometric, computed tomography and fat cell data), insulin, sex-hormonebinding-globulin (SHBG) and different hormones influencing this important syndrome, e.g. sex steroids, leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The sample consisted of 85 obese patients (30 men and 55 women) who had undergone abdominal surgery. Fasting serum lipids were analysed, as well as anthropometric and computed tomography data, perivisceral and subcutaneous fat cell size and serum glucose and hormones. Abdominal fat revealed itself as an important correlator of the adverse changes in plasma lipoprotein levels, the waist-to-hip-ratio and waist-to-thigh-ratio being the best morphological correlators in men and women, respectively. Intra-abdominal fat (VA) correlated significantly and positively to perivisceral fat cell size in women, while no correlation was found between subcutaneous fat accumulation (SA) and adipocyte size in both genders. Perivisceral fat cell size showed the greatest number of correlations with the adverse plasma lipid profile compared to that in the subcutaneous depot. SHBG and sex steroids showed a negative correlation with serum lipids considered a cardiovascular risk. In contrast, TNF-α and C-peptide were inversely correlated with potential protector lipids. In conclusion, abdominal obesity, adipocyte hypertrophy from visceral fat, serum TNF-α and C-peptide seem to be the best correlators of the lipoprotein disturbance characteristic of the metabolic syndrome, whereas SHBG and sex steroids could play a protective role regarding the lipid profile associated to this syndrome.ResumenSe investiga la asociación entre el perfil lipídico del plasma y algunos componentes del síndrome metabólico, tales como la obesidad central, y los niveles de insulina, proteína transportadora de hormonas sexuales (SHBG), esteroides sexuales, leptina y factor de necrosis tumoral alfa TNFα. La muestra incluye 85 pacientes obesos (30 hombres y 55 mujeres) sometidos a cirugía abdominal. Analizados los lípidos plasmáticos en ayunas, datos antropométricosy de tomografía computerizada, tamaño del adipocito en grasa subcutánea y perivisceral y los valores plasmáticos de glucosa y hormonas, se observa correlación entre grasa abdominal y alteraciones de los valores plasmáticos de lipoproteínas, siendo los índices cintura-cadera y cintura-muslo los parámetros morfológicos que mejor correlación presenta en hombres y mujeres, respectivamente. La grasa intraabdominal (VA) se correlaciona significativa y positivamente con el tamaño del adipocito perivisceral en mujeres, mientras que no se encuentra correlación entre el tamaño adipocitario y la grasa subcutánea (SA) para ningún género. El tamaño adipocitario perivisceral presenta mayor número de correlaciones con el perfil lipídico desfavorable del plasma, comparado con el subcutáneo. Los esteroides sexuales y SHBG se correlacionan negativamente con los lípidos plasmáticos considerados de riesgo cardiovascular. Por el contrario, el péptido C y el TNFα lo hacen con lípidos potencialmente protectores. En conclusión, la obesidad abdominal y la hipertrofia de los adipocitos de la grasa visceral, junto con el péptido C y el TNFα plasmáticos se asocian positivamente con la alteración de las lipoproteínas característica del síndrome metabólico, mientras que los esteroides sexuales y SHBG parecen desempeñar un papel protector respecto del perfil lipídico.

In vitro availability of iron and zinc: Effects of the type, concentration and fractions of digestion products of the protein

An in vitro dialysis method was employed to determine the effect on the Fe and Zn absorption of the type (beef, pork and soyabean) and the amount (10 and 30 g/kg) of protein present. In addition, the effects of low- and high-molecular-weight (LMW and HMW respectively) digestion products were investigated. After in vitro digestion and dialysis a lower percentage of N, Fe and Zn was found in the LMW fractions from beef, pork and soyabean proteins when the protein level was increased from 10 to 30 g/kg; the higher level of protein being associated with a lower percentage of hydrolysed protein. The highest percentage levels of intrinsic Fe were always found in the HMW fractions, independent of the type and the level of proteins studied, while in the case of Zn, both HMW and LMW fractions gave similar values. An interaction was found between inorganic Zn and non-haem-Fe. The addition of inorganic Zn (10 micrograms/ml) caused a significant decrease in the in vitro availability of Fe from soyabean protein, while it did not affect the dialysability of intrinsic Fe from beef and pork proteins. Our results showed that the type and the level of the protein had a positive effect on the dialysability of extrinsic Fe. We postulate that the effect of a protein on the absorption of extrinsic Fe could be accounted for by free amino acids and/or small peptides released during the digestion process and also by the undigested or partially-digested HMW fractions of hydrolysed proteins which could play a fundamental role in the availability of this essential element.

Chemical and functional properties of the different by-products of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) from industrial canning processing

In this study, the basic chemical composition and functional properties of six by-product fractions collected from different steps of artichoke industrial processing were evaluated. Fractions differed in thermal treatment, the bract position in the artichoke head and the cutting size. Contents of moisture, ash, protein, fat, dietary fibre, inulin, total phenolics, total flavonoids, caffeoyl derivatives and flavones were analysed. Antioxidant activity values were also determined. All assessed artichoke by-product fractions contained high-dietary fibre (53.6-67.0%) and low fat (2.5-3.7%). Artichoke by-product fractions contained high levels of inulin, especially in the boiled inner bracts (30%). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity (153-729 μmol gallic acid equivalents, 6.9-19.2 μmol quercetin equivalents and 85-234 μmol ascorbic acid equivalents per gram of dry matter, respectively) varied widely with the bract positions in the artichoke head and the thermal treatments. The more interesting fractions for use as functional ingredients were those situated closer to the artichoke heart and thermally treated.

Nutrition and prevalence of undernutrition assessed by different diagnostic criteria in nursing homes for elderly people

BACKGROUND Undernutrition is the state produced by the intake of insufficient energy, macronutrients or micronutrients. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition using 10 different diagnostic criteria described in the literature and to assess its association with energy intake in an institutionalised elderly population. METHODS The cross-sectional study included 213 subjects, aged 65-96 years (135 women and 78 men), who lived in seven nursing homes in the province of Murcia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Dietary intake and anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed, and 10 different diagnostic criteria, taken from studies of elderly subjects similar to our population, were applied. RESULTS The mean dietary intakes appeared to cover the recommended dietary intake for a Spanish elderly population. However, only 58.2% of the studied subjects consumed 100% of the recommended dietary intake and 15.5% of the subjects had an energy intake below 80% of the recommended dietary intake. Depending on the criteria used for the diagnosis, the proportion of patients with undernutrition varied between 2% and 57%. When the relationship between undernourishment, as defined by the different methods and intake deficiency, was assessed, a statistically significant relationship was only found for five of the 10 diagnostic criteria assessed. CONCLUSIONS   Research needs to focus on the development and evaluation of specific nutritional assessment tools for application to older people aiming to improve the detection of those suffering (or who are at risk of suffering) undernutrition.

Adiposity and dietary intake in cardiovascular risk in an obese population from a Mediterranean area

The aim of the study was to determine the particular relevance of android fat distribution and dietary intake in cardiovascular risk in an obese Mediterranean population with high intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and to compare the findings with those from normal-weight subjects. For the study, 193 subjects aged 25–60 were selected: 118 obese (BMI ≥27 kg/m2), and 75 normal-weight (BMI <25 kg/m2). Cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were assessed. Nutrient intake and body fat distribution were determined. Results show that MUFA were highly consumed in the total population (21% of total energy). The obese population was normolipidemic and normoinsulinemic. However, cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) were significantly higher than in normal-weight (P<0.05). Obese subjects derived a greater percentage of their energy intake from total fat and lower from carbohydrates and saturated fats (P<0.05). BMI and waist-hip ratio positively correlated with fat percentage of total energy intake and with MUFA (g/100 g fatty acids) in men, indicating that the excess of fat intake in obesity is due to a larger consumption of olive oil. CVRF were significantly and positively associated to waist circumference and WHR, both in obese and in normal-weight subjects. In conclusion, not only obesity but also android fat in normalweight-subjects are important factors in cardiovascular disease even in the Mediterranean population, with a high intake of MUFA, where these factors seem to be more relevant to cardiovascular risk than dietary composition.ResumenSe determina la relevancia de la distribución de grasa y de la ingesta dietética en el riesgo cardiovascular en una población mediterrénea obesa con alto consumo de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados (AGM), comparando los resultados con los de individuos de peso normal. El estudio se realizó con 193 sujetos de entre 25–60 años de edad, 118 obesos (IMC ≥27 kg/m2), y 75 con normopeso (IMC < 25 kg/m2). Se analizaron factores de riesgo cardiovascular (hipertensión, dislipemias, intolerancia a glucosa y resistencia a insulina), la distribución de grasa corporal y la ingesta nutricional. La población presentó un alto consumo de AGM (21% de la energía total). La población obesa era normolipidémica y normoinsulinémica, pero los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) fueron significativamente más altos que en la de normopeso (P<0.05). Los sujetos obesos mostraron un mayor consumo relativo de grasa total y menor de carbohidratos y grasas saturadas (P<0.05). El IMC y el coeficiente cintura-cadera se correlacionaron positivamente con el porcentaje de grasa y con los AGM (g/100 g de ácidos grasos) en varones, indicando que el exceso de ingesta lipídica en la obesidad se debe a un mayor consumo de aceite de oliva. Los FRCV se asociaron significativa y positivamente al perímetro de cintura y al coeficiente cintura-cadera, en individuos obesos y en normopeso, con mayor número de correlaciones que respecto de la ingesta dietética. En conclusión, tanto la obesidad como la grasa androide en sujetos con normopeso son factores importantes en la enfermedad cardiovascular, también en la población mediterránea, en la que parecen tener mayor relevancia en el riesgo cardiovascular que la composición de la dieta.

Protective effect of white tea extract against acute oxidative injury caused by adriamycin in different tissues.

Adriamycin (ADR) is an anticancer agent that increases oxidative stress in cells. We evaluated the protective effect of the long term consumption of white tea at two different doses against this drug. For this purpose rats were given distilled water (controls), 0.15 mg (Dose 1) or 0.45 mg (Dose 2) of solid tea extract/kg body weight for 12 months. All the animals received an injection of ADR, except half of the control group, which were given an injection of saline solution. This gave four experimental groups: Control (C), C+ADR, Dose 1+ADR, and Dose 2+ADR. The antioxidant activity (in liver, heart and brain microsomes) was analysed. White tea consumption for 12 months, at a non-pharmacological dose, reversed the oxidative damage caused by ADR, on both protein and lipid levels in all three organs. The heart recovered its antioxidant activity only at the highest dose of tea.