Are Physical Activity and Sedentary Screen Time Levels Associated With Food Consumption in European Adolescents? The HELENA Study

Objective: One of the current main public health problems is the prevalence of obesity in children. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as poor dietary habits, high sedentary screen time (SST), and low levels of physical activity (PA) have a strong tendency to track from childhood into adulthood. The aim of this manuscript is to assess the association between meeting or not meeting the PA and SST recommendations and the consumption of different food groups. Method: Data were obtained from a sample of European adolescents from the multicenter cross-sectional HELENA study. In all, 1448 adolescents from 8 cities were included. PA was objectively measured by accelerometry and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary records. Adolescents were grouped according to PA and SST recommendations. Results: In both sexes, intake of savory snacks was higher in those groups who did not meet any of the recommendations (p < 0.05). For males, those who met both recommendations were more likely to drink/eat milk, yogurt, and water (p < 0.05). Those not meeting recommendations were more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages (p < 0.05). For females, those not meeting recommendations were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to have a higher intake of fats and oils (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Those adolescents meeting PA and SST recommendations had a higher intake of healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables and dairy products. However, the negative relationship unhealthier food and SST is stronger in males independently of PA. More studies assessing the combined effect of both PA and SST regarding dietary habits in children and adolescents are needed

A systematic review of the effects of increasing arachidonic acid intake on PUFA status, metabolism and health-related outcomes in humans

We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) of increased intake of arachidonic acid (ARA) on fatty acid status and health outcomes in humans. We identified twenty-two articles from fourteen RCT. Most studies were conducted in adults. These used between 80 and 2000 mg ARA per d and were of 1–12 weeks duration. Supplementation with ARA doses as low as 80 mg/d increased the content of ARA in different blood fractions. Overall there seem to be few marked benefits for adults of increasing ARA intake from the typical usual intake of 100–200 mg/d to as much as 1000 mg/d; the few studies using higher doses (1500 or 2000 mg/d) also report little benefit. However, there may be an impact of ARA on cognitive and muscle function which could be particularly relevant in the ageing population. The studies reviewed here suggest no adverse effects in adults of increased ARA intake up to at least 1000–1500 mg/d on blood lipids, platelet aggregation and blood clotting, immune function, inflammation or urinary excretion of ARA metabolites. However, in many areas there are insufficient studies to make firm conclusions, and higher intakes of ARA are deserving of further study. Based on the RCT reviewed, there are not enough data to make any recommendations for specific health effects of ARA intake

Are Physical Activity and Sedentary Screen Time Levels Associated With Food Consumption in European Adolescents? The HELENA Study

Objective: One of the current main public health problems is the prevalence of obesity in children. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as poor dietary habits, high sedentary screen time (SST), and low levels of physical activity (PA) have a strong tendency to track from childhood into adulthood. The aim of this manuscript is to assess the association between meeting or not meeting the PA and SST recommendations and the consumption of different food groups. Method: Data were obtained from a sample of European adolescents from the multicenter cross-sectional HELENA study. In all, 1448 adolescents from 8 cities were included. PA was objectively measured by accelerometry and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary records. Adolescents were grouped according to PA and SST recommendations. Results: In both sexes, intake of savory snacks was higher in those groups who did not meet any of the recommendations (p < 0.05). For males, those who met both recommendations were more likely to drink/eat milk, yogurt, and water (p < 0.05). Those not meeting recommendations were more likely to drink sugar-sweetened beverages (p < 0.05). For females, those not meeting recommendations were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to have a higher intake of fats and oils (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Those adolescents meeting PA and SST recommendations had a higher intake of healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables and dairy products. However, the negative relationship unhealthier food and SST is stronger in males independently of PA. More studies assessing the combined effect of both PA and SST regarding dietary habits in children and adolescents are needed

Prospective associations between social vulnerabilities and children’s weight status. Results from the IDEFICS study on behalf of the IDEFICS consortium.

Background/objectives: In high-income countries, childhood obesity follows a clear socioeconomic gradient with greater prevalence in children with lower socioeconomic status (SES). The extent to which the trend of other social vulnerabilities over time and the accumulation of these vulnerabilities can affect children's weight is still unknown. Subjects/methods: In the IDEFICS study, 8624 children aged 2.0-9.9 years from eight European countries were examined at baseline and after 2 years. Sociodemographic variables, maternal body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle were reported by parents. Children were measured and classified as thin, normal weight, and overweight/obese using the extended IOTF criteria. Four vulnerable groups were defined: children whose parents were migrants, children whose parents lack a social network, children from non-traditional families (children not living with both biological parents), and children with unemployed parents. Logistic mixed-effects models were used to study the association between vulnerabilities and children's weight at baseline and follow-up, temporal trends in vulnerabilities and children's weight and accumulation of vulnerabilities and children's weight. Models were adjusted for lifestyle, maternal BMI, parental education, and income. Results: Children whose parents lost their social support at follow-up were more likely to be thin than non-vulnerable children (OR = 1.69, 99% CI = 1.03-2.78). Children whose parents had a migrant background (OR = 1.30, 99% CI 1.04-1.62), children from non-traditional families at both time points (OR = 1.40, 99% CI 1.03-1.90) and whose parents were unemployed at baseline and follow-up (OR = 2.03, 99% CI 1.03-3.99) were more likely to be overweight/obese compared to non-vulnerable children. Cross-sectionally, we did not find an association between parental lack of network, non-traditional family structure, or employment and children's weight status. Conclusions: Policy actions are required to tackle inadequate weight loss and gain among vulnerable children (especially those exposed over the long term) since they are at a higher risk of thinness and overweight