Assessing the dietary intake of calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper in institutionalised children and adolescents from Guatemala. Contribution of nutritional supplements

In childhood and adolescence an adequate mineral intake is essential for normal growth and immune function, and to prevent chronic diseases in adulthood. The aim of this study was to analyse the dietary intake of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu in children and adolescents from an orphanage-school in Guatemala and to assess the mineral contribution of nutritional supplements used by this population. Mineral content was analysed in nutritional supplements, bioaccesible fractions obtained after an in vitro gastrointestinal method, and diets sampled by a 7-day duplicate diet study. The average mineral content in the duplicate diets, including supplements, was (mg/d): Ca 452, Mg 230, Fe 25, Zn 8 and Cu 0.22. Especially Ca and Cu values were below recommended daily intakes. The content of these minerals in the nutritional supplements (mg/serving) was 49–112 for Ca, 1.2–3.8 for Fe, 24–47 for Mg, 0.7–4.16 for Zn and 0.08-0.23 for Cu. A great proportion of dietary minerals was provided by supplements, the contribution of which was: Ca 53.1%, Mg 58.4%, Fe 27.6%. Zn 82.2% and Cu 98.5%. Mineral bioaccessibility in supplements was particularly low for Ca and, to a lesser extent, for Fe and Zn. In spite of the high supplement consumption (up to 4 servings/d) important mineral deficiencies were detected in the diet of institutionalised children. Findings suggest that formulation and nutritional values of supplements used in Latin America should be carefully reviewed, in order to be a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of hidden hunger.The present study was supported by a CICODE-University of Granada (Spain) international cooperation project of and by the Research Groups AGR141 and AGR177, financed by Junta de Andalucía.Peer Reviewe

¿Influye la promoción de la salud escolar en los hábitos de los alumnos? = Influence of school health promotion on the life habits of schoolchildren

IntroducciónEn las últimas décadas, han cobrado importancia las teorías globales que tratan de prevenir la obesidad mediante ambientes favorecedores de opciones saludables. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia de los entornos promotores de la salud de las escuelas de Logroño (La Rioja, España) sobre los hábitos de sus escolares.MétodosLa promoción de la salud de las 31 escuelas de la ciudad fue valorada mediante un cuestionario que completaron los directivos de cada centro. Por otro lado, se valoraron variables individuales de una muestra representativa de 329 escolares de sexto curso de Educación Primaria (11-12 años) de las citadas escuelas: medidas antropométricas, adhesión a la dieta mediterránea y hábitos sedentarios y de práctica física.ResultadosLa mayoría de los centros desarrollaba programas de nutrición y/o actividad física (el 77,4 y el 61,3%, respectivamente), aunque, en general, su profesorado no recibía formación al respecto. Las directrices para favorecer hábitos saludables no solían recogerse en el Proyecto Educativo de Centro y la actividad física, cuyo nivel fue mayor en los chicos (p<0,001), era promovida principalmente tras el horario escolar. A pesar de ello, la formación del profesorado, la concreción de directrices y el acceso a las pistas polideportivas influyeron positivamente sobre los hábitos de práctica física y alimentación de los escolares (p<0,05).ConclusionesAunque más investigación es necesaria, nuestro estudio demostró que aspectos como la formación y la coordinación de los maestros o la presencia de pistas deportivas podrían conllevar beneficios sobre los hábitos de los alumnos en una etapa fundamental para la consolidación de los mismos---Abstract Introduction In recent decades, attention has been directed at global theories that attempt to prevent childhood obesity by exposing them to healthy environments. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of health-promoting environments in primary schools in Logroño (La Rioja, Spain) on the habits of school children. Methods The directors of the 31 primary schools in the city completed a questionnaire which examined the health promotion activities of their schools. In addition, anthropometric measurements, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and sedentary and physical activity habits were recorded from a representative sample of 329 schoolchildren in the sixth year of primary education (11-12 year-olds). Results The majority of schools had developed nutritional and/or physical activity programs (77.4% and 61.3%, respectively); however, teachers had generally not received specific training in that area. Guidelines regarding healthy habits were not formally included in the School Educational Project. Physical activity, which was greater amongst boys (P<.001), was mostly promoted after school hours. The major influences on school children's physical activity and dietary habits of the children were training of teachers, existence of guidelines, and access to sports grounds (P<.05). Conclusions Although further research is required, this study shows that certain modifiable aspects in the organizational or school environment can influence the habits of school children at a fundamental stage of their development. © 2014 Asociación Española de Pediatría