Patricia Henríquez-Sánchez

Dietary assessment methods for micronutrient intake: a systematic review on vitamins

The EURRECA Network of Excellence is working towards the development of aligned micronutrient recommendations across Europe. The purpose of the present study was to define how to identify dietary intake validation studies in adults pertaining to vitamins. After establishing a search strategy, we conducted a MEDLINE and EMBASE literature review. A scoring system was developed to rate the quality of each validation study according to sample size, statistical methods, data collection procedure, seasonality and vitamin supplement use. This produced a quality index with possible scores obtained ranging from 0.5 to 7. Five thousand four-hundred and seventy-six papers were identified. The numbers meeting the inclusion criteria were: for vitamin A, 76; vitamin C, 108; vitamin D, 21; vitamin E, 75; folic acid, 47; vitamin B12, 19; vitamin B6, 21; thiamine, 49; riboflavin, 49; and niacin, 32. The most frequently used method to ascertain dietary intake was the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), whereas dietary records (DR) and 24-h recalls were the most used reference methods. The correlation coefficients (CC) between vitamin intakes estimated by FFQ and the reference method were weighted according to the studys quality index and ranged from 0.41 to 0.53 when the reference method was the DR and from 0.43 to 0.67 when the reference was 24-h recalls. A minority of studies (n 33) used biomarkers for validation and in these the CC ranged from 0.26 to 0.38. The FFQ is an acceptable method of assessing vitamin intake. The present review provides new insights regarding the characteristics that assessment methods for dietary intake should fulfil.

Dietary assessment methods for intakes of iron, calcium, selenium, zinc and iodine.

The EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence is working towards developing aligned micronutrient recommendations across Europe. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a review of methods used in validation studies carried out in adults assessing dietary intake of EURRECA priority minerals. A search strategy and inclusion criteria were defined and a scoring system was developed to rate the quality of each validation study that produced a quality index with possible scores obtained ranging from 0.5 to 7. A MEDLINE and EMBASE literature review was conducted. Articles/validation studies meeting the inclusion criteria included: 79/88 for Fe; 95/104 for Ca; 13/15 for Se; 29/30 for Zn; 7/9 for iodine. The most frequently used method to ascertain dietary intake was the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), whereas dietary records (DR) and 24 h recalls were the most used reference methods. The correlation coefficients (CC) between study mineral intakes estimated by FFQ and the reference method were weighted according to the studys quality index and obtained acceptable to good ratings, ranging from 0.36 to 0.60 when the reference method was DR and from 0.41 to 0.58 when the reference was 24 h recalls. A minority of studies (n 9) used biomarkers for validation and among these, five included iodine obtaining a CC of 0.47. The FFQ was seen as a valid method for assessing mineral intake, particularly for Ca and, to a lower extent, for iodine and Zn. Se and Fe showed only acceptable correlations. The present review provides new insights regarding the characteristics that assessment methods for dietary mineral intakes should fulfil.

Dietary assessment methods for micronutrient intake in infants, children and adolescents: a systematic review

A systematic literature search identified studies validating the methodology used for measuring the usual dietary intake in infants, children and adolescents. The quality of each validation study selected was assessed using a European micronutrient Recommendations Aligned-developed scoring system. The validation studies were categorised according to whether the study used a reference method that reflected short-term intake ( < 7 d), long-term intake ( > or = 7 d) or used biomarkers. A correlation coefficient for each nutrient was calculated from the mean of the correlation coefficients from each study weighted by the quality of the study. Thirty-two articles were included in the present review: validation studies from infants (1-23 months); child preschool (2-5 years); children (6-12 years); adolescents (13-18 years). Validation of FFQ studies in infants and preschool children using a reference method that reflected short-term intake showed good correlations for niacin, thiamin, vitamins B6, D, C, E, riboflavin, Ca, K, Mg, Fe and Zn (with correlations ranging from 0.55 for vitamin E to 0.69 for niacin).Regarding the reference method reflecting short-term intake in children and adolescents, good correlations were seen only for vitamin C (r 0.61) and Ca (r 0.51). Using serum levels of micronutrient demonstrated that the 3 d weighed dietary records was superior to the FFQ as a tool to validate micronutrient intakes. Including supplement users generally improved the correlations between micronutrient intakes estimated by any of the dietary intake methods and respective biochemical indices.

Maternal Obesity in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Outcomes

Objectives To assess the role of the health consequences of maternal overweight and obesity at the start of pregnancy on gestational pathologies, delivery and newborn characteristics. Methods A cohort of pregnant women (n = 6.558) having delivered at the Maternal & Child University Hospital of Gran Canaria (HUMIGC) in 2008 has been studied. Outcomes were compared using multivariate analyses controlling for confounding variables. Results Compared to normoweight, overweight and obese women have greater risks of gestational diabetes mellitus (RR = 2.13 (95% CI: 1.52–2.98) and (RR = 2.85 (95% CI: 2.01–4.04), gestational hypertension (RR = 2.01 (95% CI: 1.27–3.19) and (RR = 4.79 (95% CI: 3.13–7.32) and preeclampsia (RR = 3.16 (95% CI: 1.12–8.91) and (RR = 8.80 (95% CI: 3.46–22.40). Obese women have also more frequently oligodramnios (RR = 2.02 (95% CI: 1.25–3.27), polyhydramnios. (RR = 1.76 (95% CI: 1.03–2.99), tearing (RR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.05–1.46) and a lower risk of induced deliveries (RR = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72–0.95). Both groups have more frequently caesarean section (RR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.14–1.63) and (RR = 1.84 (95% CI: 1.53–2.22) and manual placenta extraction (RR = 1.65 (95% CI: 1.28–2.11) and (RR = 1.77 (95% CI: 1.35–2.33). Newborns from overweight and obese women have higher weight (p<0.001) and a greater risk of being macrosomic (RR = 2.00 (95% CI: 1.56–2.56) and (RR = 2.74 (95% CI: 2.12–3.54). Finally, neonates from obese mother have a higher risk of being admitted to special care units (RR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.01–1.77). Apgar 1 min was significantly higher in newborns from normoweight mothers: 8.65 (95% CI: 8.62–8.69) than from overweight: 8.56 (95% CI: 8.50–8.61) or obese mothers: 8.48 (95% CI: 8.41–8.54). Conclusion Obesity and overweight status at the beginning of pregnancy increase the adverse outcomes of the pregnancy. It is important to promote the normalization of bodyweight in those women who intend to get pregnant and to provide appropriate advice to the obese women of the risks of obesity at the start of the pregnancy.

Dietary assessment methods for micronutrient intake in pregnant women: a systematic review

The EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence needs clear guidelines for assessing the validity of reported micronutrient intakes among vulnerable population groups. A systematic literature search identified studies validating the methodology used for measuring usual dietary intake during pregnancy. The quality of each validation study selected was assessed using a EURRECA-developed scoring system. The validation studies were categorised according to whether the study used a reference method that reflected short-term intake ( < 7 d) long-term intake ( > or = 7 d) or used biomarkers (BM). A correlation coefficient for each micronutrient was calculated from the mean of the correlation coefficients from each study weighted by the quality of the study. Seventeen papers were selected, which included the validation of fifteen FFQ, two dietary records (DR), one diet history and a Fe intake checklist. Estimates of twenty-six micronutrients by six FFQ were validated against 24-h recalls indicating good correlation for six micronutrients. Estimates of twenty-four micronutrients by two FFQ were validated against estimated DR and all had good or acceptable correlations. Estimates of fourteen micronutrients by three FFQ were validated against weighed DR indicating good correlations for five. Six FFQ were validated against BM, presenting good correlations only for folic acid. FFQ appear to be most reliable for measuring short-term intakes of vitamins E and B6 and long-term intakes of thiamin. Apart from folic acid, BM do not add any more certainty in terms of intake method reliability. When frequency methods are used, the inclusion of dietary supplements improves their reliability for most micronutrients.

Geographical and climatic factors and depression risk in the SUN project

BACKGROUND Depression incidence has been related with seasonal periodicity and climate. The aim of the study was to estimate the possible association between depression and specific meteorological factors, namely temperature, light and rain. METHODS In total, 13,938 participants from the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) cohort study were included in the analysis. Subjects were classified according to daily mean temperature, number of daylight hours and amount of rain, by year, at their geographical area of residence, data supplied by the Spanish Agency of Meteorology. Participants were considered as incident cases of depression whenever they reported a physician diagnosis of depression or the use of antidepressant medication in any of the follow-up questionnaires. Cox regression models were fit to assess the relationship between climatic and geographical factors and the incidence of depression. RESULTS Male subjects living in the south and centre areas of Spain showed a higher risk to develop depression compared with those living in the north area (hazard ratio = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.16-2.23 and hazard ratio = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06-1.87, respectively). Moreover, among males, a direct association between the number of daily light hours and mean temperature and the risk of depression was also found. For men, living in rainy areas was associated with a lower risk of developing depression. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that climate-depression relationship is more complex than previously thought, and strongly different between men and women.

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

Mediterranean Diet and Quality of Life

From a public health perspective, the aging process affecting developed countries has made determinants increasing individuals’ quality of life and population health status a priority in research. Health status measurement is related to welfare self-perception in the frame of a social and cultural context. Traditionally used as an outcome for several interventions aimed at diseased populations, it recently has been commonly applied to healthy populations to ascertain its influencing factors. The Mediterranean diet is regarded as a healthy food pattern and a cultural model promoting a higher level of health. Its preventive effect on chronic disease incidence is broadly accepted. There is, however, a lack of evidence concerning the relationship between this food pattern and self-reported health. Herein this association is discussed.

Correction: Maternal Obesity in Early Pregnancy and Risk of Adverse Outcomes

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080410.].