Impact of physical activity, anthropometric, body composition, and dietary factors on bone stiffness in German university students.

BACKGROUND: Bone density in the young-adult life is associated with risk for osteoporosis in later life. Next to genetic factors, lifestyle seems to play an important role for bone health. Aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between various lifestyle factors and bone parameters in university students. METHODS: In 233 women and 52 men (age: 22.7±3.1 vs. 24.0±3.2 years; BMI: 22.2±2.9 vs. 24.2±3.1 kg∙m-2) the following parameters were assessed: calcaneal Stiffness Index ([SI]; quantitative ultrasound), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), actual and past physical activity level ([PAL]; standardized questionnaire), and food/nutrient intake (3-day dietary record). Sex differences (Mann-Whitney-U-tests), relationships between SI and lifestyle factors (Spearman's rank correlation), and the influence of the factors on the variance of SI (multiple linear regression) were tested (α=0.05). RESULTS: 6.9% of the women and 5.8% of the men were classified as osteopenic (-2.5< T score <-1). Significant correlations between SI and BMI, absolute fat mass and fat-free mass, actual PAL, and physical activity during adolescence were found in women (r=0.18-0.24, all P<0.05), but not in men. Food/nutrient parameters did not significantly correlate with bone outcomes (P>0.05). In multiple regression analysis physical activity during adolescence, actual PAL, and BMI explained 8% of the variance of SI (P<0.0001): SI=32.2+3.5∙physical activity during adolescence [1: very low, 2: low, 3: medium, 4: high, 5: very high] +28.5∙PAL+0.8∙BMI [kg∙m-2]. CONCLUSIONS: Parameters of physical activity seem to be more important for bone health than nutrition factors. Therefore, high levels of physical activity during childhood, adolescence, and early-adult life are highly recommended to improve bone parameters.

Association between Body Composition, Physical Activity, Food Intake and Bone Status in German Children and Adolescents.

Achieving a high bone mass during childhood and adolescence is important for the prevention of osteoporosis in later life. Herein, the purpose was to assess the relationship of various lifestyle factors and bone outcomes in school children. In 248 girls (13.4 ± 1.9 years, BMI: 20.2 ± 4.8 kg m-2) and 231 boys (13.6 ± 1.7 years, BMI: 19.3 ± 3.3 kg m-2), bone mass (stiffness index, SI; calcaneal quantitative ultrasonometry), body composition (bioelectrical impedance analysis), food intake (food frequency questionnaire), and physical activity level (PAL; standardized questionnaire) were assessed. The individual food intake of eight food groups was related to the German recommendations (Bone Healthy Eating Index, BoneHEI; 0-100 points). Relationships between SI and lifestyle factors (Spearman´s rank correlation) and the influence of the factors on the variance of SI (multiple linear regression) were tested (α = 0.05). SI correlated with age, BMI, absolute fat-free mass, relative fat mass, PAL, and puberty category score in both girls and boys (r = 0.18-0.56, p < 0.01), but not with BoneHEI (p > 0.05). Age, absolute fat-free mass, sex, and PAL explained 35% of the variance of SI (p < 0.0001): SI = -0.60 + 2.97∙age (years) + 0.65∙fat-free mass (kg) + 6.21∙sex (0 = male, 1 = female) + 17.55∙PAL. Besides age and sex, PAL and fat-free mass are important factors relating to bone health. School children should perform regular physical activity to improve their bone status.

Validation of a picture book to be used in a pan-European dietary survey.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a picture book for estimation of food portion sizes using two approaches: (i) 'perception' of food portions by comparison with a series of food photos; and (ii) 'conceptualization and memory', using the same photos to estimate the amount of served food one hour after self-served food portions. DESIGN: Each partner developed a country-specific picture book based on the so-called EPIC-Soft picture book. Representative and common photo series were chosen achieving approximately 25 % of the original picture book (n 23). Three portions from each photo series were randomly selected. SETTING: The study was performed within the Pilot study in the view of a Pan-European dietary survey - Adolescents, adults and elderly (PILOT-PANEU) project. SUBJECTS: A sample of adolescents and adults was recruited in five countries: Bulgaria (n 103), Finland (n 34), Germany (n 69), Hungary (n 62) and Portugal (n 77). RESULTS: Among the portions of the corresponding photo series and depending on the type of food, from 18 % (cheese) to 96 % (ratatouille) of participants chose the correct portions. In the perception study, agreement between the portions shown and reported was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0·805) and the mean difference was very low. In the memory study, agreement between the served and reported portions was lower than in the perception study (ICC=0·536). Agreement also seemed to decrease as the appearance of food on the plate differed from food in the picture. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the picture series selected can be applied in future intake surveys to quantify foods similar to those depicted in the pictures.

KiESEL - the children's nutrition survey module in KiGGS Wave 2.

Representative food consumption data for children are collected in KiESEL, the German nutrition survey for children aged 6 months up to five years conducted by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). The data gained will update the consumption data for German children and will fill a data gap that existed for the age group of 5-year-old children. It will provide an actual and comprehensive data basis that will be used for exposure assessment, as part of risk assessment of Germany's youngest consumers. In the years 2014 to 2017, around 1,000 children will participate in the context of the KiESEL module of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). During home visits, survey staff conducts a questionnaire-based interview, measures the children's height and weight and explains the weighing records for the family and the child care workers. The data will be used for risk assessments of the BfR and provided to national and international partners such as the World Health Organization. This article describes the background and objectives of the study as well as its methodology and survey instruments.