Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is associated with lower micronutrient inadequacy in children: the SENDO project.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is associated with lower micronutrients inadequacy in a sample of Spanish preschoolers. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 4-5-year-old children participating in the SENDO project. Information was gathered through an online questionnaire completed by parents. Dietary information was collected with a previously validated semi-quantitative FFQ. The estimated average requirements or adequate intake levels as proposed by the Institute of Medicine were used as cut-off point to define inadequate intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Crude and multivariable adjusted estimates were calculated with generalised estimated equations to account for intra-cluster correlation between siblings. PARTICIPANTS: We used baseline information of 1153 participants enrolled in the SENDO project between January 2015 and June 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: OR and 95 % CI of presenting an inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients associated with the MedDiet. RESULTS: The adjusted proportion of children with inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients was 27·2 %, 13·5 % and 8·1 % in the categories of low, medium and high adherence to the MedDiet, respectively. After adjusting for all potential confounders, children who had a low adherence to the MedDiet showed a significant lower odds of inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients compared to those with a high adherence (OR 9·85; 95 % CI 3·33, 29·09). CONCLUSION: Lower adherence to the MedDiet is associated with higher odds of nutritional inadequacy.

Association between the Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI) and Nutritional Adequacy in a Pediatric Cohort: The SENDO Project.

Suboptimal micronutrient intake in children remains a public health concern around the world. This study examined the relationship between a previously defined dietary carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the risk of micronutrient intake inadequacy in a pediatric cohort of Spanish preschoolers. Children aged 4-5 years old were recruited at their medical center or at school, and information on sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle variables were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. Dietary information was obtained from a validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We calculated the CQI and categorized participants into quartiles according to their scores. We assessed the intakes of 20 micronutrients and evaluated the probability of intake inadequacy by using the estimated average requirement cut-off point. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for potential confounders and account for the intra-cluster correlations between siblings. The adjusted proportions of children with an inadequate intake of ≥three micronutrients were 23%, 12%, 11%, and 9% in the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles of the CQI, respectively. Children in the highest quartile of the CQI had 0.22-fold lower odds (95% CI 0.10-0.48) of having ≥three inadequate micronutrient intakes than their peers in the lowest quartile. These findings reinforce the relevance of carbohydrate quality in children's diets.

High consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with increased risk of micronutrient inadequacy in children: The SENDO project.

Due to its rising prevalence, which parallels that of ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption, inadequate micronutrient intake in childhood is a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the association between UPF consumption and inadequate intake of 20 micronutrients in a sample of children from the Mediterranean area. Cross-sectional information from participants in the "Seguimiento del Niño para un Desarrollo Óptimo" (SENDO) project 2015-2021 was used. Dietary information was gathered with a previously validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the NOVA system was used to classify food items. Children were classified by tertiles of energy intake from UPF. Twenty micronutrients were evaluated, and inadequate intake was defined using the estimated average requirement as a cutoff. Crude and multivariable adjusted OR (95% CI) for the inadequacy of ≥ 3 micronutrients associated with UPF consumption were calculated fitting hierarchical models to take into account intra-cluster correlation between siblings. Analyses were adjusted for individual and family confounders. This study included 806 participants (51% boys) with a mean age of 5 years old (SD: 0.90) and an average energy intake from UPF of 37.64% (SD: 9.59). An inverse association between UPF consumption and the intake of 15 out of the 20 micronutrients evaluated was found (p < 0.01). After the adjustment for individual and family confounders, compared with children in the first tertile of UPF consumption, those in the third tertile showed higher odds of inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients (OR 2.57; 95%CI [1.51-4.40]).    Conclusion: High UPF consumption is associated with increased odds of inadequate intake of micronutrients in childhood. What is Known: • Micronutrient deficiency is among the 20 most important risk factors for disease and affect around two billion people worldwide. • UPF are rich in total fat, carbohydrates and added sugar, but poor in vitamins and minerals. What is New: • Compared with children in the 1st tertile of UPF consumption, those in the 3rd tertile had 2.57 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.51-4.40) of inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients after adjusting for potential confounders. • The adjusted proportions of children with inadequate intake of ≥ 3 micronutrients were 23%, 27% and 35% in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tertiles of UPF consumption respectively.

Individual and family predictors of ultra-processed food consumption in Spanish children. The SENDO project.

BRACKGROUND: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption is increasing exponentially, becoming a matter of concern for Public Health, given its adverse health effects. OBJECTIVE: To identify individual and family factors predicting UPF consumption in childhood. DESIGN: The SENDO project is an ongoing prospective dynamic cohort of Spanish children. In this study, we used baseline information of participants recruited between January 2015 and June 2021. Dietary information was collected with a validated semi-quantitative FFQ, and food items were classified using the NOVA classification. Individual and family factors associated with UPF consumption (p< 0.20) in univariate analyses were introduced in a model of generalized estimating equations (GEE) which accounted for intra-cluster correlations between siblings. SETTING: The SENDO proyect (Spain), 2015-2021. PARTICIPANTS: Spanish children are recruited at the age of 4-5 years and followed yearly through online questionnaires completed by parents. RESULTS: In this sample of 806 participants (49% girls; mean age 5 years [SD: 0.90]), the mean UPF consumption was 37.64 % of total energy intake (sd: 9.59). Large family size and longer exposure to screens predicted higher consumption of UPF. On the other hand, better knowledge of children's dietary recommendations, healthy dietary attitudes towards child's eating habits and longer breastfeeding were associated with lower consumption of UPF. All these factors accounted for approximately 16% of the variability on the consumption of UPF in childhood. CONCLUSION: Since most of the factors identified in this study are modifiable, they should be considered in public health strategies aimed at promoting heathy dietary habits in early life.

Parental perception of child's weight, their attitudes towards child's dietary habits and the risk of obesity.

BACKGROUND: The association between parental perception of child's weight and their attitudes towards his/her dietary habits has not been reported yet. This study aimed to assess the association between parental underestimation of child's weight and parental attitudes towards child's dietary habits. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of SENDO cohort participants recruited between January 2015 and June 2020. All information was collected through online questionnaires completed by parents. We calculated crude and multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for unhealthy attitudes towards child's dietary habits associated with parental underestimation of child's weight. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of children in the SENDO project had parents who underestimated their weight. Parents who underestimated their child's weight status were more likely to have unhealthy attitudes toward his/her dietary habits [OR 3.35; 95% CI (1.71-6.53)]. CONCLUSIONS: Parental underestimation of child's weight was associated with unhealthy attitudes towards child's dietary habits. Pediatricians and public health practitioners should pay attention to the parental perception of child's weight to identify parents who underestimate it as an at-risk group in which to inquire about lifestyle and dietary habits.

Lactancia materna y caries dental infantil: ¿tienen alguna relación? / Breastfeeding and early childhood caries: are they associated?

Introducción: existe controversia sobre si la lactancia materna (LM) prolongada puede ser un factor de riesgo de caries. La LM se recomienda hasta al menos los dos años y tiene demostrados beneficios sobre la salud, incluida la bucodental. Repasamos la evidencia científica y presentamos los resultados de nuestra cohorte. Métodos: cohorte prospectiva, abierta y multipropósito de niños de 4-5 años, cuyos padres responden a cuestionarios autorreferidos acerca de hábitos nutricionales y estilo de vida. Análisis retrospectivo de prevalencia de caries según duración de LM. Ajustamos por edad, sexo, raza, conocimientos nutricionales y actitudes dietéticas de los padres, adhesión a la dieta mediterránea, ingesta energética total y de azúcar. Resultados: se alcanzó un tamaño muestral de 370 participantes, 50 de los cuales había tenido, al menos una caries. La LM hasta los 12 meses se asociaba con un menor riesgo de caries, pero la LM de más de 12 meses se asociaba con un riesgo mayor (odds ratio [OR]: 2,75; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95]: 1,397 a 5,44; p = 0,003). La ingesta energética total o la de azúcar no resultaron ser confusores importantes para la asociación estudiada. La adhesión a dieta mediterránea puede tener un efecto protector, hace falta más investigación al respecto. Conclusiones: existe una asociación directa estadísticamente significativa entre la LM de más de 12 meses y el riesgo de caries. Sin embargo, la LM hasta los 12 meses es un factor protector. Los resultados obtenidos son consistentes con la literatura médica existente (AU)

Introduction and objectives: there is debate whether prolonged breastfeeding is a risk factor for caries. Breastfeeding, recommended for at least two years, has been associated with several benefits, including in oral health. We reviewed the literature on the subject, and present the results observed in the cohort under study.Methods: study conducted in a prospective, open-enrolment and multipurpose cohort of children aged 4-5 years, whose parents completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding diet and lifestyle habits. We performed a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of caries based on the duration of breastfeeding. We adjusted the analysis by age, sex, race, parental knowledge and attitudes, total energy and sugar intake and adherence to the Mediterranean diet.Results: the sample included 370 children, of who 50 had developed caries. Breastfeeding up to 12 months was associated with a lower risk of caries, but breastfeeding longer than 12 months was associated with an increased risk (OR 2.75; 95 IC: 1.397 - 5.44; p = 0.003). The total energy and sugar intakes were not significant confounders in the association under study. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect, but more research is needed to confirm it.Conclusions: we found a significant direct association between breastfeeding for more than 12 months and the prevalence of caries. However, breastfeeding for less than 12 months had a protective effect. Our findings were consistent with the previous litera ture. (AU)

Caesarean delivery is associated with an absolute increase in the prevalence of overweight in the offspring: The SENDO project.

AIM: The association between caesarean delivery and the risk of overweight/obesity in the offspring has been previously reported using conventional measures of association (relative risks or odds ratios). We aimed at refining the existing evidence by calculating the marginal effect of the exposure and estimating the unmeasured residual confounding. METHODS: In the 'SEguimiento del Niño para un Desarrollo Óptimo' Project, a dynamic multipurpose paediatric cohort study, we collected information from parents through self-administered online questionnaires. We estimated the offspring's risk of overweight/obesity at age 4-6 years, associated with the type of delivery through marginal effect of the exposure. Unmeasured residual confounding was assessed using the E-value. RESULTS: Among 407 participants (mean-age: 5.0 years (standard deviation: 0.9)), 86 (21.1%) were born by caesarean delivery. Children born by caesarean delivery had higher odds of overweight/obesity than those born vaginally. Subgroup analyses showed similar results. The multivariable adjusted marginal effect showed that caesarean delivery was associated with an 8.0% (95% confidence interval: 0.2-15.7) absolute increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity. The estimated residual confounding showed an E-value of 4.03, higher than the OR obtained for all the confounding factors we accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Caesarean delivery was associated with an 8% absolute increase in the risk of overweight/obesity that is very unlikely explained by residual confounding.

¿Por qué la representatividad de la muestra no siempre es importante? / Why is the representativeness of the sample not always important?

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Asociación del consumo de lácteos con las infecciones respiratorias: ¿mito o realidad? / Association of dairy consumption with respiratory infections. Myth or reality?

Introducción: la leche y los derivados lácteos son alimentos importantes para el desarrollo. Sin embargo, la creencia de que se asocian con infecciones respiratorias está provocando que se limite su consumo o se sustituya por bebidas vegetales. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar si el consumo de lácteos se asocia con determinadas infecciones respiratorias en la infancia. Material y métodos: estudio transversal con 169 voluntarios de entre 4 y 7 años. Información recogida mediante cuestionarios en papel. Información dietética recogida mediante cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos semicualitativo de 151 ítems. Se valoró la asociación del consumo de leches, quesos y yogures con determinadas enfermedades respiratorias (otitis media aguda, sinusitis, mastoiditis, neumonía), comparando dos categorías de consumo definidas a partir de la mediana de cada alimento, mediante regresión logística multivariable. Resultados: no se encontraron asociaciones entre el consumo de lácteos y las enfermedades respiratorias analizadas (odds ratio: 0,85; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,44 a 1,64]). Al analizar cada lácteo por separado, se encontró una asociación inversa entre el consumo de quesos y las enfermedades respiratorias en conjunto (odds ratio: 0,50; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,26 a 0,98), pero no para cada una de las infecciones por separado (otitis media aguda ni neumonía). No se encontró asociación significativa con los desenlaces para ningún otro derivado lácteo (leche o yogures). Conclusiones: los resultados no apoyan una asociación directa entre el consumo de leche y derivados con infecciones respiratorias en la infancia. Con los datos actuales no está justificado restringir el consumo de leche o derivados en niños en edad escolar

Introduction: milk and dairy products are important nutrients in child development. However, the belief that they are associated with respiratory infections is leading to restrictions in their consumption or their replacement by plant-based milks. The objective of our study was to analyse the potential association between dairy consumption and certain respiratory infections in children. Materials and methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in 169 children aged 4 to 7 years that participated on a voluntary basis. The data were collected through paper-based questionnaires. We collected data on dietary habits through a 151-item semiqualitative food frequency questionnaire. We assessed the association of the consumption of milk, cheese and yoghurt with specific respiratory diseases (acute otitis media, sinusitis, mastoiditis, pneumonia), comparing two groups of participants defined by their consumption relative to the median for each food, and using multivariate logistic regression. Results: we found no association between the consumption of dairy products and the respiratory diseases under study (odds ratio: 0.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 1.64]). In the separate analysis of each dairy category, we found an inverse correlation between consumption of cheese and overall respiratory disease (odds ratio: 0.50; 95% confidence interval: 0.26 to 0.98), but no association with a specific infection (acute otitis media or pneumonia). We found no significant differences in outcomes for any other dairy category (milk or yoghurt). Conclusions: our results did not find a direct association between dairy consumption and respiratory infections in children. The current data do not support restricting consumption of milk or dairy products in school-aged children