Javier Aranceta Bartrina

Obesidad infantil y juvenil en España. Resultados del Estudio enKid (1998-2000)

Fundamento y objetivo: La obesidad es una enfermedad cronica, compleja y multifactorial, que suele iniciarse en la infancia y la adolescencia, y en la actualidad es un importante y creciente problema de salud publica en dicho sector de la poblacion. La inexistencia de cifras de prevalencia de obesidad a escala nacional motivo que el Estudio enKid, disenado para evaluar los habitos alimentarios y el estado nutricional de la poblacion infantil y juvenil espanola (1998-2000), incluyera su valoracion. Sujetos y metodo: Estudio epidemiologico transversal sobre una muestra representativa de la poblacion espanola de 2 a 24 anos (n = 3.534). Se determinaron el peso y talla mediante procedimientos estandarizados con instrumentos homologados. La obesidad y el sobrepeso se definieron como valores del indice de masa corporal iguales o superiores a los valores de los percentiles 97 y 85, respectivamente, de las tablas de referencia espanolas de Hernandez et al de 1988. Resultados: La prevalencia de obesidad en Espana es del 13,9%, y la de sobrepeso y obesidad, del 26,3% (solo sobrepeso, 12,4%). La obesidad es mayor en varones (15,6%) que en mujeres (12%), y tambien el sobrepeso. Por edades, los jovenes de 6 a 13 anos presentan valores mas elevados de obesidad. Por zonas geograficas, Canarias y Andalucia tienen las cifras mas elevadas, y el nordeste peninsular las mas bajas. La obesidad es mayor en niveles socioeconomicos y de estudios mas bajos, y entre aquellas personas que no desayunan o desayunan mal. Conclusiones: Espana tiene, en relacion con otros paises, una prevalencia intermedia de obesidad. Las tendencias indican un incremento de la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil y juvenil en las ultimas decadas, mas marcado en varones y en edades prepuberales.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Obesity is a chronic disease with a complex multifactorial nature which typically begins during childhood and adolescence. It represents one of todays most critical and escalating public health concerns for this segment of the population. The lack of obesity prevalence data at national level prompted the enKid Study (1998-2000), which was designed to evaluate the food habits and nutritional status of Spanish children and youth. SUBJECTS AND METHOD Cross-sectional epidemiological study of a representative sample of the Spanish population aged 2 to 24 years (n=3534). Height and weight measurements were carried out using standard procedures and equipment. Obesity and overweight were defined according to BMI values for the 97th and 85th percentiles, respectively using Spanish reference data provided by Hernandez et al (1998). RESULTS The prevalence of obesity in Spain is 13.9%, while the combination of overweight and obesity yields a prevalence of 26.3% (with a prevalence of overweight alone of 12.4%). Obesity is more common in males (15.6%) than in females (12%), which was also true for overweight. With regard to age, a higher prevalence is found among those aged 6 to 13 years. As for the geographic area, Canary Islands and Andalusia show the highest prevalence and the northeast region the lowest. Obesity is also more prevalent among those people with the lowest socio-economic and educational levels, and in those who omitted or consumed a poor breakfast. CONCLUSIONS Compared to other countries, Spain shows an intermediate level of obesity in children and youth. Over the past decades, there has been an increasing trend towards overweight and obesity, which are more prevalent in males and during prepuberal ages.

Hábitos alimentarios y consumo de alimentos en la población infantil y juvenil española (1998-2000): variables socioeconómicas y geográficas

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although children and adolescents have special nutritional requirements due to their physical development, little is known about the concept of a healthy diet. This study shows the food consumption of the Spanish population aged 2-24 years in relation to socio-economic and geographic factors. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A representative sample of the Spanish population (n = 3.534 individuals, 1.905 female and 1.629 male) was studied. Both a 24-hours recall and a general questionnaire with socio-economic, demographic and life style items were administered. RESULTS: Most individuals consumed meals at home. The consumption of vegetables (90.4 g), cereals (181.1 g) and potatoes (69.7 g) was low, the consumption of red meat (71.6 g) and sausages (46.8 g) was high, and fish consumption was low (47.7 g). Girls had insufficient intakes of milk (280.9 g). We noticed geographical differences in food consumption which may be reflected in various health outcomes in adulthood. The familiar socioeconomic status and the educational level of the mother showed some influence on the intakes of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, yoghurt and cheese. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional education programs are needed to settle the observed nutritional inadequacies in the food habits of Spanish children and adolescents so that the future health of the population improves. It is also needed to reduce the inequalities linked to geographic and socio-economic factors.Fundamento y objetivo: La poblacion infantil y juvenil tiene unas necesidades nutricionales especificas por su potencial de desarrollo y un escaso conocimiento del concepto de dieta saludable. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar el consumo de alimentos de la poblacion espanola de 2 a 24 anos en relacion con variables socioeconomicas y geograficas. Sujetos y metodo: Se estudia una muestra representativa de la poblacion espanola de 2 a 24 anos (n = 3.534 individuos; 1.905 mujeres y 1.629 varones). Se utilizan un recordatorio de 24 h y un cuestionario general sobre caracteristicas socioeconomicas, demograficas y estilos de vida. Resultados: La mayoria de esta poblacion realiza las comidas principales en casa. El consumo medio diario de verduras (90,4 g), cereales (181,1 g) y patatas (69,7 g) es bajo, el consumo de carne roja (71,6 g) y embutidos (46,8 g) es alto y el de pescado es bajo (47,7 g). Las chicas tienen ingestas medias insuficientes de leche (280,9 g). Existen diferencias en el consumo de alimentos en las regiones espanolas, lo cual puede implicar diferencias en la salud de la poblacion adulta. El nivel socioeconomico familiar y de instruccion de la madre influye en el consumo de pescado, carne roja, frutas y verduras, yogur y quesos. Conclusiones: Es necesario iniciar programas de educacion nutricional que corrijan las deficiencias evidenciadas en los habitos alimentarios de la poblacion infantil y juvenil para invertir en la salud futura de la poblacion y reducir las desigualdades ligadas al territorio y al nivel socioeconomico

Papel de la gastronomía y de las nuevas tecnologías en la configuración de una alimentación saludable

The gastronomy and the Omic sciences are having a great influence on the present and the future of the habitual food intake of the population. A very large percentage of the population makes at least one meal outside the home and this food impact is maintained over an extended period of time. Food production, food industry and food distribution (including hotels and restaurants, HORECA channel) have a great importance in the supply of food and beverages, its composition and suitability in quantity, quality and price. Based on this availability of food, the consumer will make-up the shopping basket and will choose foods in many cases considering price, comfort, sensory perception and even for its potential impact on health. Omic sciences can be of great importance in the near future by specifying the configuration of the precision feed and stimulating the investigation of new foods and components that help contribute to better health, better functionality and longer life expectancy without disability. This whole panorama needs a legislative framework that ensures the precautionary principle and an optimal food safety. In this complicated way the collaboration between science, industry, consumer organizations and the administration must facilitate the objective of making food a tool for promoting health and well-being.

Desigualdad, salud y nutrición en España: una visión regional del índice de masa corporal

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES a number of environmental determinants influence children growth and development and influence the potential expression or its evolution over time. In this paper we analyse the influence of selected sociodemographic factors on overweight, body weight and height in the Spanish adult population. METHODS the analysis was conducted in a subsample (25 to 64 years of age) of the ENPE study, a cross-sectional observational study on a random population sample. Information was collected on age, gender, educational level, occupation and place of residence. Social class was coded according to occupation. Individual body weight and height were measured. RESULTS the prevalence of obesity is higher in men, increases with age and there is an inverse relationship with the level of education and social class. Higher prevalence rates were observed in Asturias, Galicia and in Andalusia. Short stature is more frequent in people with incomplete primary education and low social class, in contrast to high stature, which is also more frequent in the North-East and central regions. Low body weight is less frequent in people with very poor education and low social class. CONCLUSIONS based on the unequal distribution of overweight and obesity, preventive strategies in Community Nutrition should consider improving the level of nutrition education and literacy of the population, with special emphasis on the most disadvantaged people.

Decalogue for Sustainable Food and Nutrition in the Community: Gran Canaria Declaration 2016

The “Decalogue for sustainable food and nutrition in the community: Gran Canaria Declaration 2016” aims to improve food sustainability across the globe. Public Health, Nutrition, Consumer, Social, Marine and Environmental Sciences and Tourism are important topics that have been highlighted in this Decalogue, whose full implementation promote the development of sustainable consumption and production patterns. Keeping in mind that the Mediterranean Diet represents one of the most outstanding and emblematic examples of healthy and sustainable food and nutrition, being recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, the Mediterranean diet is a cultural heritage that looks to the future. This document also takes into consideration scientific evidences that justify the development and implementation of these 10 keys for a healthier life and world. Investing in the future we want is everyone’s responsibility, and a commitment of the present and future generations. Received date: September 5, 2016 Accepted date: November 28, 2017 Published date: November 30, 2017 Citation: Serra-Majem, L., et al. Decalogue for Sustainable Food and Nutrition in the Community: Gran Canaria Declaration 2016. (2017) J Environ Health Sci 3(2): 15. DOI: 10.15436/2378-6841.17.1701