The influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on academic performance is mediated by sleep quality in adolescents.

AIM: This study examined the association of adherence to the Mediterranean diet with academic performance and tested whether this association was mediated by sleep in Spanish adolescents. METHODS: We recruited 269 adolescents (52% boys) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years from the Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud study of 38 secondary schools and sport clubs in Castellon, Spain, between February and May 2015. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the KIDMED questionnaire, sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index test and sleep duration was objectively computed using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Academic performance was assessed through final school grades and a validated test. RESULTS: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with higher scores in language, core subjects, grade point average and verbal ability (p < 0.05). Sleep quality acted as a significant mediator of the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and final grades in maths, language, core subjects and the grade point average. CONCLUSION: Our data show that the influence of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on academic performance was mediated by sleep quality in adolescents. Education and public health professionals should work together to achieve both improved health status and academic performance in adolescents.

Dietary Patterns in European and Brazilian Adolescents: Comparisons and Associations with Socioeconomic Factors.

Associations between dietary patterns (DP) and socioeconomic factors have been little explored in adolescents. The aim of this study was to identify DP in European and Brazilian adolescents and to investigate their associations with a range of socioeconomic indicators. Adolescents from the HELENA-study and the Household Budget Survey were analyzed. Factor analysis was used to obtain DP. Linear regression was used to examine the association between DP and SES. In Europeans, the Western DP was associated with low education of the mother, high socioeconomic status (boys), older age (boys), and living in cities of the Northern Europe; in Brazilians, the Western DP was associated with high secondary education of the mother, high socioeconomic status and living in Southern areas of the country. The Traditional European DP, in both genders, was associated with high secondary education of the mother and inversely associated with a high socioeconomic status; the Traditional Brazilian DP, was associated with university level education of the mother and older age (boys). The association between DP and socioeconomic factors is relevant for the understanding of food-related practices and highlight the importance of performing a complete assessment of the socioeconomic influence in adolescent's DP from developed and developing countries.

Clustering of multiple energy balance related behaviors is associated with body fat composition indicators in adolescents: Results from the HELENA and ELANA studies.

The objective of this study was to identify clustering patterns of four energy balance-related behaviors (EBRB): television (TV) watching, moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V), and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), among European and Brazilian adolescents. EBRB associations with different body fat composition indicators were then evaluated. Participants included adolescents from eight European countries in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescents) study (n = 2,057, 53.8% female; age: 12.5-17.5 years) and from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil in the ELANA study (the Adolescent Nutritional Assessment Longitudinal Study) (n = 968, 53.2% female; age: 13.5-19 years). EBRB data allowed for sex- and study-specific clusters. Associations were estimated by ANOVA and odds ratios. Five clustering patterns were identified. Four similar clusters were identified for each sex and study. Among boys, different cluster identified was characterized by high F&V consumption in the HELENA study and high TV watching and high MVPA time in the ELANA study. Among girls, the different clusters identified was characterized by high F&V consumption in both studies and, additionally, high SSB consumption in the ELANA study. Regression analysis showed that clusters characterized by high SSB consumption in European boys; high TV watching, and high TV watching plus high MVPA in Brazilian boys; and high MVPA, and high SSB and F&V consumption in Brazilian girls, were positively associated with different body fat composition indicators. Common clusters were observed in adolescents from Europe and Brazil, however, no cluster was identified as being completely healthy or unhealthy. Each cluster seems to impact on body composition indicators, depending on the group. Public health actions should aim to promote adequate practices of EBRB.

Frequency and quality of mid-afternoon snack among Spanish children.

INTRODUCTION: There are increasing concerns about the types of foods and beverages consumed by children during mid-afternoon snack in Spain. AIM: To describe the frequency and quality of the mid-afternoon snack in a representative sample of Spanish children. METHODS: A total of 1,233 younger (three to six years) and 1,618 older (seven to twelve years) children participated in the study. The report of food and beverages consumed per week during the mid-afternoon snack meal (merienda)was obtained by an online platform. RESULTS: An 84.4% of younger and 78.3% of older children were mid-afternoon snack consumers. Regular consumers were more likely to be from the South and the Centre regions. Sandwich was the most consumed food item among younger (49.5%) and older (59.7%) consumers; 46.5% of mid-afternoon snacks contained two food items among younger children, and 50.1% of mid-afternoon snacks contained one food item among older children. "Fruit", "milk and biscuits", and "fruit, biscuits and juices" were the most consumed combinations when considering one, two and three or more food items during one-time mid-afternoon occasion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of mid-afternoon snack occasions and the number and quality of food items consumed during one-time mid-afternoon snack occasion decrease with age. Spanish children should increase the frequency of mid-afternoon snack consumption and include healthy options in their menus. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to address the health impact of snacking and how to use this meal occasion to balance children's diets.

Frequency and quality of mid-afternoon snack among Spanish children / Frecuencia y calidad de la merienda en niños españoles

Introduction: There are increasing concerns about the types of foods and beverages consumed by children during mid-afternoon snack in Spain. Aim: To describe the frequency and quality of the mid-afternoon snack in a representative sample of Spanish children. Methods: A total of 1,233 younger (three to six years) and 1,618 older (seven to twelve years) children participated in the study. The report of food and beverages consumed per week during the mid-afternoon snack meal (merienda) was obtained by an online platform. Results: An 84.4% of younger and 78.3% of older children were mid-afternoon snack consumers. Regular consumers were more likely to be from the South and the Centre regions. Sandwich was the most consumed food item among younger (49.5%) and older (59.7%) consumers; 46.5% of mid-afternoon snacks contained two food items among younger children, and 50.1% of mid-afternoon snacks contained one food item among older children. «Fruit», «milk and biscuits», and «fruit, biscuits and juices» were the most consumed combinations when considering one, two and three or more food items during one-time mid-afternoon occasion, respectively. Conclusions: The frequency of mid-afternoon snack occasions and the number and quality of food items consumed during one-time mid-afternoon snack occasion decrease with age. Spanish children should increase the frequency of mid-afternoon snack consumption and include healthy options in their menus. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to address the health impact of snacking and how to use this meal occasion to balance children’s diets (AU)

Introducción: hay cada vez más preocupación acerca del tipo de alimentos y bebidas consumidos durante la merienda por los niños españoles. Objetivo: describir la frecuencia y la calidad de la merienda en una muestra representativa de niños españoles. Métodos: un total de 1.233 niños jóvenes (de tres a seis años) y 1.618 mayores (de siete a doce años) participaron en el estudio. Los alimentos y bebidas consumidos por semana durante la merienda se obtuvieron mediante una plataforma en línea. Resultados: el 84,4% de los niños pequeños y el 78,3% de los niños mayores eran consumidores de merienda. Los consumidores regulares eran, con mayor probabilidad, del sur y de las regiones del centro. El bocadillo fue el alimento más consumido entre los consumidores pequeños (49,5%) y mayores (59,7%). El 46,5% de las meriendas entre los pequeños contenían dos alimentos y el 50,1% de las meriendas entre los mayores contenían únicamente un alimento. «Frutas», «leche y galletas» y «frutas, galletas y zumos» fueron las combinaciones más consumidas al considerar uno, dos y tres o más alimentos durante una sola ocasión de merienda, respectivamente. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de las ocasiones de merienda, así como el número y la calidad de los alimentos consumidos disminuyen con la edad. Los niños españoles deberían aumentar la frecuencia de consumo de la merienda e incluir opciones saludables en sus menús. Se necesitan estudios longitudinales y de intervención para abordar el impacto en la salud de la merienda y cómo usar esta ocasión de comida para equilibrar las dietas de los niños (AU)

Changes in body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators in healthy Spanish adolescents after lamb- (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken-basic diets.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of lamb consumption (Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Ternasco de Aragón) on health indicators including body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators of healthy young Spanish students living in the area of Aragón, Spain. METHODOLOGY: A randomized-controlled and cross-over trial (two periods of 8 weeks duration) assessing changes on body composition (body mass index and skinfold thicknesses) and cardiovascular risk indicators of 50 participants randomly assigned to follow a normocaloric diet with lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken. Body composition and serum cardiovascular risk profiles were measured both at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Healthy men (n = 22) and women (n = 28), aged 19.43 ± 0.85 years were studied. Suprailiac skinfold thickness and waist circumference significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. No significant changes were observed in the rest of the variables in either group. Tryacilglicerol and insulin serum concentrations significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that regular consumption of lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) can be integrated into a healthy, varied and well-balanced diet, as body composition and cardiovascular risk profile changes are similar or even healthier to those observed following chickenconsumption.

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del consumo de cordero (Indicación Geográfica Protegida (IGP), Ternasco de Aragón) en los indicadores de salud, incluyendo la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes españoles jóvenes y sanos que viven en la zona de Aragón. Metodología: Se han evaluado los cambios producidos en la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en dos períodos aleatorios, cruzados y controlados. 50 jóvenes fueron asignados aleatoriamente para seguir una dieta normocalórica con carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) o el pollo. La composición corporal se evaluó a través de medidas antropométricas y el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular en suero se midió al inicio y después de consumir la carne de cordero o de pollo. Resultados: Se ha estudiado una muestra compuesta por hombres sanos (n = 22) y mujeres sanas (n = 28), con edades comprendidas entre 19,43 ± 0,85 años. El pliegue cutáneo suprailíaco y la circunferencia de la cintura disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. No se observaron cambios significativos en el resto de variables en los dos grupos. Las concentraciones de triglicéridos y las concentraciones séricas de insulina disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que el consumo regular de carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) se puede integrar en una dieta sana, variada y equilibrada, ya que los cambios observados en la composición corporal y en el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular son similares o incluso más favorables en el grupo que consumió cordero que en el grupo que consumió pollo.

Changes in body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators in healthy Spanish adolescents after lamb- (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken-based diets / Cambios en la composición corporal y en los indicadores de riesgo cardiovascular en adolescentes españoles sanos después de la ingesta de una dieta a base de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) o pollo

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del consumo de cordero (Indicación Geográfica Protegida (IGP), Ternasco de Aragón) en los indicadores de salud, incluyendo la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes españoles jóvenes y sanos que viven en la zona de Aragón. Metodología: Se han evaluado los cambios producidos en la composición corporal y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en dos períodos aleatorios, cruzados y controlados. 50 jóvenes fueron asignados aleatoriamente para seguir una dieta normocalórica con carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) o el pollo. La composición corporal se evaluó a través de medidas antropométricas y el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular en suero se midió al inicio y después de consumir la carne de cordero o de pollo. Resultados: Se ha estudiado una muestra compuesta por hombres sanos (n = 22) y mujeres sanas (n = 28), con edades comprendidas entre 19,43 ± 0,85 años. El pliegue cutáneo suprailíaco y la circunferencia de la cintura disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. No se observaron cambios significativos en el resto de variables en los dos grupos. Las concentraciones de triglicéridos y las concentraciones séricas de insulina disminuyeron de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en el grupo de consumo de cordero y no en el de pollo. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que el consumo regular de carne de cordero (Ternasco de Aragón) se puede integrar en una dieta sana, variada y equilibrada, ya que los cambios observados en la composición corporal y en el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular son similares o incluso más favorables en el grupo que consumió cordero que en el grupo que consumió pollo (AU)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of lamb consumption (Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Ternasco de Aragón) on health indicators including body composition and cardiovascular risk indicators of healthy young Spanish students living in the area of Aragón, Spain. METHODOLOGY:A randomized-controlled and cross-over trial (two periods of 8 weeks duration) assessing changes on body composition (body mass index and skinfold thicknesses) and cardiovascular risk indicators of 50 participants randomly assigned to follow a normocaloric diet with lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) or chicken. Body composition and serum cardiovascular risk profiles were measured both at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: Healthy men (n = 22) and women (n = 28), aged 19.43 ± 0.85 years were studied. Suprailiac skinfold thickness and waist circumference significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. No significant changes were observed in the rest of the variables in either group. Tryacilglicerol and insulin serum concentrations significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the lamb-consumption group compared to the chicken based diet group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that regular consumption of lamb (Ternasco de Aragón) can be integrated into a healthy, varied and well-balanced diet, as body composition and cardiovascular risk profile changes are similar or even healthier to those observed following chicken consumption (AU)

La carne en la alimentación española: importancia de la carne de cordero / The meat in the Spanish diet: importance of the lamb

El cordero es un producto de larga tradición en la gastronomía española, que se ha desplazado de los consumos habituales debido a las nuevas tendencias alimentarias y al desconocimientos de los consumidores. Actualmente, la preocupación se centra en la relación entre el consumo de carnes "rojas" y diversos problemas de salud, como la obesidad o las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Nuevas investigaciones arrojan luz sobre dicha influencia observando que las modificaciones en términos de salud no parten del tipo de carne consumido, sino del tipo de grasa. La carne de cordero es fuente natural de micronutrientes esenciales, los cuales son necesarios para el correcto funcionamiento del cuerpo. De manera que es un alimento, que siguiendo las recomendaciones nutricionales, y teniendo en cuenta los perfiles nutricionales derivados de los nuevos métodos de producción ganadera, se puede incluiren una dieta variada, equilibrada y suficiente (AU)

Lamb is a product of long tradition in the Spanish gastronomy, which has moved from the habitual consumptions due to the new food trends and consumer unknows. Nowadays, the concern focuses on the relation between the consumption of "red" meats and diverse health problems, as obesity or cardiovascular diseases. Recent research´s show this influence observing that the modifications in terms of health don´t start from the type of meat consumed, but they start of the type of fat. Lamb is a natural source of essential micronutrients, which are necessary for the correct performance of our body. So, it is a food likely to be included in a varied, balanced and sufficient diet, according to nutritional recommendations and taking into account the nutritional profiles derived from the new methods of production (AU)