Estudio y promoción de hábitos alimentarios saludables y de actividad física entre los adolescentes españoles: programa TAS (tú y Alicia por la salud) / Study and promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity among Spanish adolescents: TAS program (you and Alicia for health)

La obesidad, el sobrepeso y, en general, los malos hábitos han aumentado en todo el mundo de manera alarmante en las últimas cuatro décadas. Y lo más preocupante es el aumento del número de niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad. La obesidad infantil es un problema de salud pública mundial, y su asociación con otras enfermedades, tanto en la niñez como en la vida adulta, así como su elevada prevalencia, hacen que sea imprescindible una intervención precisa y a temprana edad desde diferentes ámbitos. El programa TAS (Tú y Alícia por la Salud) tiene como objetivo promover una alimentación saludable y una actividad física suficiente a través de la cocina y del ocio activo. Se realizó una intervención educativa en el aula, que se midió mediante encuestas alimentarias y el cuestionario Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents PAQ-A (antes y después) a 2.516 estudiantes de 13-14 años de 79 escuelas distribuidas en las 17 comunidades autónomas de España. En general, los adolescentes no cumplen con las recomendaciones alimentarias y de actividad física de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Comunitaria (SENC) y de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), respectivamente. En la gran mayoría de los participantes, la ingesta de frutas y verduras fue menor de lo recomendado, mientras que el consumo de carne, bollería, pastelería, snacks y alimentos fritos fue excesivo. En cuanto a la actividad física, se observó una falta generalizada y una escasa dedicación a actividades no sedentarias. En conclusión, los adolescentes españoles presentan baja adherencia a las recomendaciones dadas por la SENC y por la OMS

Obesity, overweight and overall inadequate habits have alarmingly increased across the world over the past four decades. More worrisome is the increase in the number of obese children and adolescents. Obesity in childhood in a Public Health problem worldwide, and its association with other diseases, both in childhood and in adult life, as well as its high prevalence, makes it essential to develop early and precise intervention from different areas. The TAS program, (Tú y Alicia por la Salud-Alice and you for Health), aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity through cooking and active leisure. An educational intervention was carried out in the classroom, measured by food surveys and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents PAQ-A questionnaire (before and after) in 2,516 students aged 13 and 14 yrs. from 79 schools distributed in the 17 Autonomous Regions in Spain. Overall, adolescents do not comply with the dietary guidelines and recommendations for physical activity by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. In the vast majority of the participants, intake of fruit and vegetables was less than recommended, while the consumption of meat, pastries, snacks and fried foods exceeded recommendations. As for physical activity, there was a generalized lack of attention and little dedication to non-sedentary activities. In conclusion, Spanish adolescents show low adherence to recommendations given by SENC and WHO

[Study and promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity among Spanish adolescents: TAS program (you and Alicia for health)]. / Estudio y promoción de hábitos alimentarios saludables y de actividad física entre los adolescentes españoles: programa TAS (tú y Alicia por la salud).

Obesity, overweight and overall inadequate habits have alarmingly increased across the world over the past four decades. More worrisome is the increase in the number of obese children and adolescents. Obesity in childhood in a Public Health problem worldwide, and its association with other diseases, both in childhood and in adult life, as well as its high prevalence, makes it essential to develop early and precise intervention from different areas. The TAS program, (Tú y Alicia por la Salud-Alice and you for Health), aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity through cooking and active leisure. An educational intervention was carried out in the classroom, measured by food surveys and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents PAQ-A questionnaire (before and after) in 2,516 students aged 13 and 14 yrs. from 79 schools distributed in the 17 Autonomous Regions in Spain. Overall, adolescents do not comply with the dietary guidelines and recommendations for physical activity by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. In the vast majority of the participants, intake of fruit and vegetables was less than recommended, while the consumption of meat, pastries, snacks and fried foods exceeded recommendations. As for physical activity, there was a generalized lack of attention and little dedication to non-sedentary activities. In conclusion, Spanish adolescents show low adherence to recommendations given by SENC and WHO.

La obesidad, el sobrepeso y, en general, los malos hábitos han aumentado en todo el mundo de manera alarmante en las últimas cuatro décadas. Y lo más preocupante es el aumento del número de niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad. La obesidad infantil es un problema de salud pública mundial, y su asociación con otras enfermedades, tanto en la niñez como en la vida adulta, así como su elevada prevalencia, hacen que sea imprescindible una intervención precisa y a temprana edad desde diferentes ámbitos.El programa TAS (Tú y Alícia por la Salud) tiene como objetivo promover una alimentación saludable y una actividad física suficiente a través de la cocina y del ocio activo. Se realizó una intervención educativa en el aula, que se midió mediante encuestas alimentarias y el cuestionario Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents PAQ-A (antes y después) a 2.516 estudiantes de 13-14 años de 79 escuelas distribuidas en las 17 comunidades autónomas de España.En general, los adolescentes no cumplen con las recomendaciones alimentarias y de actividad física de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Comunitaria (SENC) y de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), respectivamente. En la gran mayoría de los participantes, la ingesta de frutas y verduras fue menor de lo recomendado, mientras que el consumo de carne, bollería, pastelería, snacks y alimentos fritos fue excesivo. En cuanto a la actividad física, se observó una falta generalizada y una escasa dedicación a actividades no sedentarias. En conclusión, los adolescentes españoles presentan baja adherencia a las recomendaciones dadas por la SENC y por la OMS.

Assessment of Eating Habits and Physical Activity among Spanish Adolescents. The "Cooking and Active Leisure" TAS Program.

Worldwide obesity has more than doubled in the last forty years. Even more worrying is the fact that the number of overweight and obese children and adolescents has considerably increased. Socioeconomic development, as well as educational, agricultural and marketing policies have significantly changed dietary and physical activity habits among the youngest, who are thus susceptible to develop chronic and disabling diseases such as diabetes, some cancers and cardiovascular disorders. Adolescence is a critical age, in which the adoption of healthy habits may have dramatic effects on the health state in adulthood. For this reason, prompt interventions are urgently required to prevent the onset of obesity in this time of life. In this regard, the CAL-TAS program from Alicia Foundation was born to combat obesity and promote healthy lifestyles in Spanish adolescents. A total of 2519 students, aged 13-14 years, from 79 schools distributed all over the 17 autonomous communities in Spain were asked to report through the CAL-TAS platform their food intake and physical activity over one week. The body mass index, the consumption of food and beverages, the intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, and the values obtained from the PAQ-A questionnaire, which evaluated physical activity, were analyzed. Twenty percent of the participants were overweight or obese. In general, adolescents did not or poorly respected the recommendations provided by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition. For example, in more than half of the subjects, the ingestion of fruits and beverages was less than recommended, whereas the consumption of meat, baked goods and fried foods was excessive. Moreover, adolescents with higher body mass index also presented worse eating habits and more inactivity. In conclusion, Spanish adolescents present low adherence to recommendations provided by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) and by the World Health Organization. In order to prevent obesity-related disorders, effective educational programmes have to be designed. Indeed, adolescents and their families should be aware that the early adoption of healthy dietary habits and of a correct physical activity may strongly improve their future quality of life.