Mediterranean Diet and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: No prior systematic review and meta-analysis has specifically verified the association of Mediterranean diet (MedDiet)-based interventions with biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents. Objective: To review and analyze the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of MedDiet-based interventions on biomarkers of cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents. Data Sources: Four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus) from database inception to April 25, 2024. Study Selection: Only RCTs investigating the effect of interventions promoting the MedDiet on cardiometabolic biomarkers (ie, systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], triglycerides [TGs], total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) among children and adolescents (aged ≤18 years) were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Data were extracted from the studies by 2 independent reviewers. Results across studies were summarized using random-effects meta-analysis. Main Outcome and Measures: The effect size of each trial was computed by unstandardized mean differences (MDs) of changes in biomarker levels (ie, SBP, DBP, TGs, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) between the intervention and the control groups. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach. Results: Nine RCTs were included (mean study duration, 17 weeks; range, 8-40 weeks). These studies involved 577 participants (mean age, 11 years [range, 3-18 years]; 344 girls [59.6%]). Compared with the control group, the MedDiet-based interventions showed a significant association with reductions in SBP (mean difference, -4.75 mm Hg; 95% CI, -8.97 to -0.52 mm Hg), TGs (mean difference, -16.42 mg/dL; 95% CI, -27.57 to -5.27 mg/dL), TC (mean difference, -9.06 mg/dL; 95% CI, -15.65 to -2.48 mg/dL), and LDL-C (mean difference, -10.48 mg/dL; 95% CI, -17.77 to -3.19 mg/dL) and increases in HDL-C (mean difference, 2.24 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.34-4.14 mg/dL). No significant associations were observed with the other biomarkers studied (ie, DBP, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that MedDiet-based interventions may be useful tools to optimize cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents.

Is Ultra-Processed Food Intake Associated with a Higher Risk of Glaucoma? A Prospective Cohort Study including 19,255 Participants from the SUN Project.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of ultra-processed food (UPF) intake with the incidence of glaucoma in a large sample of Spanish university graduates followed prospectively. METHODS: Prospective cohort study using data from the SUN Project. A final sample of 19,225 participants (60.1% women) was included in this study, with a mean age of 38.2 years (standard deviation (SD) = 12.4). Participants were followed-up for a mean time of 12.9 years (SD = 5.4). Dietary intake was measured using a 136-item semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. UPFs were defined based on the NOVA classification system. Glaucoma diagnosis was determined by asking the participants if they had ever been diagnosed with glaucoma by an ophthalmologist. This self-reported diagnosis of glaucoma has been previously validated. RESULTS: After adjusting for several covariates, participants with the highest UPF consumption were at higher risk of glaucoma (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 3.17) when compared to participants in the lowest category of UPF consumption. Regarding subgroup analyses, a significant multiplicative interaction was found for age (p = 0.004) and omega 3:6 ratio (p = 0.040). However, an association between UPF consumption and glaucoma was only found in older participants (aged ≥ 55 years), in men, in the most physically active group, in the group of non- or former smokers, in those with a lower omega 3:6 ratio, and in those with a lower energy intake. Regarding the contribution of each type of UPF group, UPF coming from sweets showed a significant risky effect (HR = 1.51; CI 95% 1.07 to 2.12). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study shows that participants with a greater UPF consumption have a higher risk of developing glaucoma when compared to participants with a lower consumption. Our findings emphasize the relevance of monitoring and limiting the consumption of UPFs as a means of preventing glaucoma incidence.

Intervention for promoting intake of fruits and vegetables in Brazilians: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. DESIGN: A randomised controlled community trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a 7-month nutritional intervention and to promote FV intake, separately and together. All participants attended physical exercise sessions. The intervention was based on the transtheoretical model and Paulo Freire's pedagogy. The interventions included group educational sessions, motivational cards and informational materials. The primary outcome was a change in FV intake (g/d), and secondary outcomes included stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance and knowledge on FV. All data were collected face-to-face; and FV intake was assessed using a validated brief questionnaire. SETTING: Health promotion services of Brazilian Primary Health Care. PARTICIPANTS: 3414 users of Brazilian Primary Health Care (1931 in the control group and 1483 in the intervention group (IG)). RESULTS: At baseline, the average daily FV intake was 370·4 g/d (95 % CI 364·2, 376·6). The increase in FV intake (23·4 g/d; 95 % CI 6·7, 40·0) and fruit intake (+17·3 g/d; 95 % CI 5·1, 29·4; P = 0·01) was greater in the IG among participants in the lowest baseline intake. Participants in the IG also showed progression in the stages of change (P < 0·001), increased self-efficacy (P < 0·001) and improved knowledge of FV crops (P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional intervention was effective in increasing FV intake and fruits intake among individuals with a lower intake at baseline and in maintaining FV intake among those who reported consuming FV as recommended (400 g/d).

Sedentary behaviors and risk of depression in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra cohort: the SUN Project / Comportamientos sedentarios y riesgo de depresión en la cohorte de Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra: el Proyecto SUN / Comportamentos sedentários e risco de depressão na coorte Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra: o Projeto SUN

The study aimed to prospectively examine the association between different sedentary behaviors and the risk of depression. We included 12,691 Spanish university graduates (mean age: 36.7 year; SD: 11.5), participants of the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra cohort (the SUN Project), initially free of depression who were followed-up for a median of 10.9 years. Based on items presented in our baseline questionnaire, time spent in four sedentary behaviors (hours/day) were evaluated: overall sitting time; TV-viewing; computer use; and driving. Participants were classified as incident cases of depression if they reported a physician diagnosis of depression in at least one of the follow-up assessments conducted after the first two years of follow-up. Cox regression models were used to assess the relationship between sedentary behaviors and depression. A total of 560 incident cases of depression were identified during follow-up. We found no significant association between overall sitting time, TV-viewing or driving and risk of depression. On the other hand, computer use was directly associated with the risk of developing depression during the follow-up (p-value for trend = 0.020), with the participants in the highest quartile of computer use (3.64 to 10 hours/week) having a higher risk of developing depression (HR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.05-1.70) than those in the lowest quartile (0 to 0.25 hours/week) after adjusting for potential confounders. Prolonged use of computer was independently associated with an increased risk of developing depression among young middle-aged adult university graduates from a Spanish cohort.

El objetivo del estudio fue examinar prospectivamente la asociación entre diferentes comportamientos sedentarios y el riesgo de depresión. Incluimos a 12.691 graduados universitarios españoles (media de edad: 36,7 años; SD: 11,5), participantes en la cohorte de Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (Proyecto SUN), que no sufrieran depresión inicialmente y a quienes se les realizó un seguimiento durante una mediana de 10.9 años. Basados en los ítems presentados en nuestro cuestionario de línea de base, se evaluó el tiempo transcurrido con cuatro comportamientos sedentarios (horas/día): tiempo sentado en general, tiempo viendo TV, usando el ordenador, y conduciendo. Los participantes se clasificaron como casos incidentes de depresión, si informaban de un diagnóstico médico de depresión, emitido por un doctor en al menos una de las evaluaciones de seguimiento llevadas a cabo tras los dos primeros años de seguimiento. Los modelos de regresión Cox se usaron para evaluar la relación entre comportamientos sedentarios y depresión. Se identificaron un total de 560 casos incidentes de depresión durante el seguimiento. No encontramos ninguna asociación significativa entre el tiempo sentado en general, tiempo viendo TV, o conduciendo y el riesgo de depresión. Por otro lado, el uso del ordenador estuvo directamente asociado con el riesgo de desarrollar depresión durante el seguimiento (valor de p para tendencia = 0,020), con los participantes en el cuartil más alto de uso del ordenador (3,64 a 10 horas/semana) teniendo un riesgo más alto de desarrollar depresión (HR = 1,33; IC95%: 1,05-1,70), respecto a quienes estaban en el cuartil más bajo (0 a 0,25 horas/semana) tras realizar un ajuste para potenciales factores de confusión. El uso prolongado del ordenador estuvo independientemente asociado con el mayor riesgo de desarrollar depresión entre adultos jóvenes de mediana edad, graduados universitarios, procedentes de una cohorte española.

O estudo buscou examinar prospectivamente a associação entre diversos comportamentos sedentários e risco de depressão. Incluímos 12.691 indivíduos espanhóis com nível universitário (média de idade: 36,7 anos; DP: 11,5), participantes da coorte Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (Projeto SUN), inicialmente sem depressão, que foram seguidos por uma mediana de 10,9 anos. Com base nos itens apresentados no questionário da linha de base, foram avaliados os tempos gastos em quatro comportamentos sedentários (horas/dia): total de tempo sentado e tempo assistindo televisão, usando computador e dirigindo. Os participantes eram classificados como casos incidentes de depressão quando relatavam um diagnóstico de depressão feito por médico em pelo menos uma das avaliações de seguimento após os primeiros dois anos de seguimento. Foram usados modelos de regressão Cox para avaliar a relação entre comportamentos sedentários e depressão. Foram identificados 560 casos incidentes de depressão durante o seguimento. Não encontramos associação entre total de tempo sentado, tempo assistindo TV ou dirigindo e risco de depressão. Por outro lado, o uso de computador mostrou associação direta com o risco de desenvolver depressão durante o seguimento (valor de p para tendência = 0,020), no qual os participantes no quartil mais alto de uso de computador (entre 3,64 e 10 horas/semana) tiveram o risco maior de desenvolver depressão (HR = 1,33; IC95%: 1,05-1,70) comparados com aqueles no quartil mais baixo (0 a 0,25 horas/semana), depois de ajustar para potenciais fatores de confusão. O uso prolongado do computador esteve associado de maneira independente com risco aumentado de desenvolver depressão em adultos de meia idade com nível universitário em uma coorte espanhola.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods among Spanish children: the SENDO project.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether higher adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) was associated with lower consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and lower free sugar intake. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline information among participants in the SENDO project, a Spanish paediatric cohort. Dietary information was collected through a semi-quantitative FFQ. Food items were classified according to the NOVA classification. Adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated through the KIDMED index. SETTING: Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred eight-six children (52 % boys) with a mean age of 5·3 years old (sd 1·0) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: 74·4 % of the children had moderate adherence to the MedDiet (mean KIDMED score: 5·9 points; sd 1·7) and overall, 32·2 % of the total energy intake came from UPF. Each two additional points in the KIDMED score was associated with 3·1 % (95 % CI 2·1, 4·0) lower energy intake from UPF. Compared to those with low adherence to the MedDiet, children with medium and high adherence reported 5·0 % (95 % CI 2·2, 7·7) and 8·5 % (95 % CI 5·2, 11·9) lower energy intake from UPF, respectively. We also found that 71·6 % of the variability in free sugar intake was explained by the variability in UPF consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the traditional MedDiet was inversely associated with energy intake from UPF. Furthermore, most of the variability in free sugar intake was explained by the variability of UPF consumption. Public health strategies are needed to strengthen the adherence to the MedDiet in pre-schoolers while regulating the production, marketing and advertising of UPF.

Dietary inflammatory index and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazilian graduates from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the independent association of the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) score with overweight and obesity in Brazilian participants of the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 3,151 graduates and postgraduates (2197 women) with a mean (SD) age of 36.3 y (±9.4 y). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were assessed via online self-reported questionnaire. Additionally, a validated food frequency questionnaire with 144 food items was used to generate energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) scores, which evaluated the inflammatory potential of the diet. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 28.2% and 11%, respectively. Participants in the highest E-DII quartile (most proinflammatory diet) were more likely to be smokers/former smokers; sedentary; and consumers of red and ultra-processed meats, fats and oils (excluding olive oil), bottled fruit juices and soft drinks, sugars, sweets, and higher overall caloric intake, compared with the first quartile of E-DII. Both men and women in the fourth E-DII quartile had the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.59 and PR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.20-3.22, respectively, in men; PR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.65 and PR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.31-2.90, respectively, in women). CONCLUSION: The most proinflammatory dietary pattern was associated with a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and other unhealthy lifestyles including being sedentary, smoking, and consuming a obesogenic diet.

Patrón de dieta pro-vegetariana y mortalidad general / Pro-vegetarian dietary pattern and all-cause mortality

Vegetarian diets have been associated with a reduced mortality. Since a pure vegetarian diet might not be easily embraced by many individuals, consuming preferentially plant-based foods would be a more easily understood message. A pro-vegetarian food pattern (FP) emphasizing preference for plant-based foods might reduce all-cause mortality. In the PREDIMED cohort we followed 7,216 participants (57% women, mean age 67 years old) at high cardiovascular risk for a median of 4.8 years. Diet was assessed yearly through a validated 137-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, cereals, legumes, olive oil and potatoes consumption were positively considered while animal fats, eggs, fish, dairy products and meat or meat products consumption were negatively considered. Energy-adjusted quintiles were used to assign points to build the Pro-vegetarian FP (range: 12 to 60 points). There were 323 deaths during follow-up (76 from cardiovascular disease, 130 from cancer, 117 for non-cancer, non-cardiovascular causes) and were confirmed by reviewing medical records and verification in the National Death Index. We observed that among omnivorous subjects at high cardiovascular risk, better conformity with a FP that emphasized plant-derived foods was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality.

Las dietas vegetarianas se han asociado con una menor mortalidad. Dado que una dieta vegetariana pura no puede ser llevada a cabo fácilmente por la mayoría de personas, consumir alimentos preferentemente de origen vegetal sería un mensaje más moderado y asequible. Un patrón de dieta pro-vegetariana, con preferencia por los alimentos vegetales podría reducir la mortalidad total. En la cohorte PREDIMED seguimos a 7.216 participantes (57 % mujeres, edad media de 67 años) con alto riesgo cardiovascular durante una media de 4,8 años. Se valoró la dieta con un cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos validado de 137 ítems que fue administrado al inicio del estudio y repetido anualmente. El consumo de frutas, verduras, frutos secos, cereales, legumbres, aceite de oliva y patatas se valoró positivamente y el consumo de grasas animales, huevos, pescado, lácteos y productos cárnicos se valoró negativamente. Se calcularon quintiles ajustados por energía (rango de 12 a 60 puntos). Hubo 323 muertes durante el seguimiento (76 por causas cardiovasculares y 130 por cáncer) confirmadas mediante la revisión de historias clínicas y por comprobación en el Índice Nacional de Defunciones. Se observó que entre individuos omnívoros con alto riesgo cardiovascular, el seguimiento de una dieta pro-vegetariana se asoció con un menor riesgo de mortalidad por cualquier causa.

Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts reduces waist circumference and shifts lipoprotein subfractions to a less atherogenic pattern in subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE: The PREDIMED trial showed that Mediterranean diets supplemented with either extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced incident cardiovascular events compared to a control diet. Consumption of both supplemental foods has been associated with reduced LDL-cholesterol, but it is unknown whether they can shift lipoprotein subfractions to a less atherogenic pattern. We investigated changes in adiposity and lipoprotein subfractions after consumption of the PREDIMED diets. METHODS: In a PREDIMED sub-cohort (n = 169), lipoprotein subclasses (particle concentrations and size) were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at baseline and after intervention for 1 year. RESULTS: Participants allocated to the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts showed significant reductions from baseline of waist circumference (mean [95% CI]; -5 cm [-7; -3]) and concentrations of medium-small (-27 nmol/l [-46; -8]) and very small LDL (-111 nmol/l [-180; -42]); decreased LDL particle number (a nuclear magnetic resonance-specific measurement) (-98 nmol/l [-184; -11]); and an increase of large LDL concentrations (54 nmol/l [18; 90]), with a net increase (0.2 nmol/l [0.1; 0.4]) of LDL size. The Mediterranean diets with olive oil and nuts increased large HDL concentrations (0.6 µM [0.0; 1.1] and 1.0 µM [0.4; 1.5], respectively). Compared to the other two intervention groups, participants in the nut-enriched diet showed significantly reduced waist circumference (p ≤ 0.006, both) and increased LDL size (p < 0.05, both). CONCLUSION: Lipoprotein subfractions are shifted to a less atherogenic pattern by consumption of Mediterranean diets enriched with nuts. The results contribute mechanistic evidence for the reduction of cardiovascular events observed in the PREDIMED trial.

[Genotype-by-nutrition interaction: interpretation of epidemiological studies]. / Interacción entre genotipo y nutrición: interpretación de estudios epidemiológicos.

EpidemiologicaL methods are increasingly used to assess the role of genetic factors and their interaction with environmental factors, in the occurrence of diseases in populations. Nutrition is one of the most relevant components of the interaction between the human being and the environment. Therefore, the interaction between susceptibility genotypes and nutritional risk factors has a great importance in the study of several chronic diseases. The aim of this article is to review different epidemiologic study designs and basic methods of analysis commonly used in the evaluation of the interaction between nutritional and genetic factors. These study designs and analytical methods are equally valid for the assessment of genotype-environment or genotype-genotype interaction.

Interacción entre genotipo y nutrición: interpretación de estudios epidemiológicos / Genotype-by-nutrition interaction: interpretation of epidemiológical studies

Epidemiológica! methods are increasingly used to assess the role of genetic factors and their interaction with environmental factors, in the occurrence of diseases in populations. Nutrition is one of the most relevant components of the interaction between the human being and the environment. Therefore, the interaction between susceptibility genotypes and nutritional risk factors has a great importance in the study of several chronic diseases. The aim of this article is to review different epidemiologic study designs and basic methods of analysis commonly used in the evaluation of the interaction between nutritional and genetic factors. These study designs and analytical methods are equally valid for the assessment of genotype-environment or genotype-genotype interaction.