Evaluation of school menus: Comparing public, private and charter schools

Objetivo Evaluar los menús ofertados en los colegios públicos, privados y concertados de la ciudad de Sevilla (España) para los diferentes grupos de edad escolar. Métodos Se consideró un total de 86 colegios, incluyendo centros públicos, privados y concertados, representando a todos los distritos de la ciudad. Cuatro colegios disponían de cocina propia, mientras el resto tenían contratado un catering. Los menús iban dirigidos a escolares de entre 3 a 16 años. Se evaluó el grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones respecto a la frecuencia mensual de los distintos grupos de alimentos, repetición de recetas, variabilidad de técnicas culinarias y equilibrio nutricional. Para el tratamiento estadístico se utilizó el programa Statistica 7. Resultados En la mayoría de comedores escolares la oferta de frutas, verduras y legumbres era deficitaria a diferencia de los postres lácteos, carnes y patatas. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre los tres tipos de colegio respecto a la frecuencia mensual de alimentos, siendo los públicos los que más se ajustaban a las recomendaciones. La mayoría de los comedores evaluados no aportaban menús suficientemente detallados así como se observó falta de variedad de técnicas culinarias. La energía no se ajustaba a las necesidades de todos los grupos de edad y la distribución de macronutrientes sólo era adecuada en el 50% de los menús. Conclusión Aunque se ha observado una evolución favorable de los menús respecto a estudios anteriores hay que seguir trabajando en aumentar la oferta de frutas y verduras, disminuir el aporte de lípidos y proteínas, así como adaptar la energía de los menús a los diferentes grupos de edad.Objective To evaluate menus offered in public, private and charter schools in the city of Seville (Spain) for different groups of school children. Methods A total of 86 schools were evaluated, including public, private and charter schools, which represented every district of the city. Four schools possessed their own kitchen, while the others had hired a catering service. The menus were aimed at school children aged between 3 and 16 years. The adequacy of menus regarding the monthly frequency of the different food groups, recipe repetition, variability of cooking techniques and nutritional balance were evaluated according to the recommendations. Statistica 7 software was used for statistical analysis. Results In most school cafeterias fruits, vegetables and legumes supply was defincient compared to dairy desserts, meats and potatoes. Significant differences regarding the monthly food frequency were observed between the three types of school, being the public schools the ones the most followed the recommendations. Most school cafeterias evaluated did not provide sufficiently detailed menus and a lack of variety of culinary techniques was observed.The calories offered did not meet the needs of all age groups and macronutrient distribution was only adequate in 50% of the evaluated menus. Conclusion Although there has been a favourable evolution of menus from previous studies, further work is needed to increase the offer of fruits and vegetables, to reduce the intake from lipids and protein, as well as to adapt the calories of the menus to the different age groups

Menus offered in early childhood education centers of Seville: adaptation to the nutritional criteria and dietary recommendations

Introducción: en la actualidad existe un déficit en la evaluación de comedores dirigidos a niños menores de 3 años, a pesar de que se han realizado numerosas intervenciones en los comedores escolares con el fin de conseguir una alimentación segura y adecuada. Objetivo: realizar una evaluación nutricional de los menús ofertados en los centros de educación infantil de Sevilla. Material and methods: se evaluó la frecuencia, variedad, rotación de alimentos, métodos culinarios e información de los menús de seis centros infantiles de Sevilla. Se valoró el aporte energético y nutricional mediante el programa Dietowin® y el método de pesada. Resultados: las frutas y verduras fueron deficitarias en la mayoría de los menús, y excesivas la carne, patatas, pasta y arroz. Se observó una escasa variedad de recetas por grupo de alimentos y no se daba una información completa del menú. Sin embargo, la variedad de procesos culinarios y la rotación de alimentos fueron adecuadas. Aunque la energía y el aporte de carbohidratos (~55%) se ajustaban a las necesidades, se observó un aporte excesivo de proteínas (~19%) y deficiente de lípidos (< 30%), sobre todo de grasas insaturadas. Respecto a los micronutrientes, solo vitamina C, E y calcio estaban por debajo de lo recomendado. Conclusiones: los centros de educación infantil están haciendo un gran esfuerzo por cumplir las recomendaciones nutricionales, pero todavía deben disminuir el aporte proteico y aumentar las grasas insaturadas de la dieta. Además, deben fomentar la oferta de frutas y verduras, ampliar la variedad de recetas, dar mayor información y disminuir el aporte de alimentos cárnicos.Introduction: Today there is a lack in the evaluation of canteens aimed at children under 3 years although there have been numerous interventions in school canteens in order to achieve a safe and adequate food. Objective: To perform a nutritional assessment of menus offered in early childhood education centres of Seville. Material and methods: The frequency, variety, rotation of food, cooking methods and information of 6-childhood centre’s menus from Seville were evaluated. Energy and nutrient intakes were assessed by Dietowin® program and weighing method. Results: Fruits and vegetables were defi cient in most menus, and meat, potatoes, pasta and rice were excessive. A poor variety of recipes by food group was observed and the menu gave no comprehensive information. However, the variety of culinary processes and food rotation were adequate. Although energy and carbohydrate intake (~55%) complied with the requirements, an excessive protein intake (~19%) and low lipid intake (< 30%), especially unsaturated fats, was observed. Regarding micronutrients, only calcium, vitamin C and E were below recommended. Conclusions: The early childhood centres are making a great effort to meet the nutritional recommendations, but they still should reduce the protein intake and increase unsaturated fats in the diet. They should also encourage the offer of fruit and vegetables, expand the variety of recipes, provide more information and decrease meat food intake

Influence of Irrigation Modalities (Irrigation Management and Dryland), Fruit Ripening, and Cultivation Modality (Organic and Conventional) on Quality and Chemosensory Profile of Hojiblanca and Picual Extra Virgin Olive Oils

A study with controlled field and authentic samples of olives, obtained in similar conditions of soil, climate, region, harvest, and with the same cultivation techniques and considering simultaneously different agronomic factors (olive variety, fruit ripening degree, irrigation, and organic or conventional production system) is performed to evaluate their influence on quality and added value of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Agronomical and physicochemical parameters, polyphenols, tocopherols, and fatty acid composition and volatile and sensory profiles are determined in Hojiblanca and Picual VOOs obtained from different fruit ripening degrees and different cultivation modalities (conventional with and without irrigation, and organic with irrigation). Among volatile compounds, 1-hydroxy-2-propanone, (E)-linalool oxide, and 2-acetylfuran are described for the first time in EVOO. The variable that most influences the chemosensory composition of EVOOs is the variety, followed by the stage of ripeness, and, within each variety, the cultivation modality. Organic irrigation differ from conventional modalities, showing significant differences in acidity, stability, tocopherol and polyphenol contents, fatty acid composition, and sensory attributes. Practical Applications: Results are of great importance, due to their applicability to the EVOO sector, allowing one to know the qualitative, chemical and organoleptic differences between organic and conventional EVOO, and factors that improve the quality and performance of EVOO.Junta de Andalucía P18-TP-285

ATR-FTIR as a potential tool for controlling high quality vinegar categories

Characterization of wine vinegars qualified with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is crucial to certify their quality and authenticity. Spectroscopic techniques as Fourier transform mid infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) has been applied to investigate its potential as a rapid, cost-effective and non-destructive tool for characterizing different categories of high-quality vinegars. Spectra from 67 wine vinegars belonging to the PDOs “Vinagre de Jerez” and “Vinagre Condado de Huelva”, including their different established categories, were analyzed in the 4000–600 cm−1 infrared region. Changes associated to categories were observed in the region 1800–900 cm−1. These changes were assigned to certain compounds that increase during aging (e.g. acetic acids, alcohols, esters) or are characteristic of Pedro Ximenez category (e.g. sugars, furfural). Principal component analysis carried out on the most relevant spectral features, revealed that aging of vinegars clearly affect the ATR-FTIR spectra obtained in each PDO.Junta de Andalucía P12-AGR-160

Sensorimotor tongue evaluation and rehabilitation in patients with sleep-disordered breathing: a novel approach

We acknowledge the work of Professor O’Connor-Reina who designed and produced the Airway Gym® app for his patients and whose work was central to this research.Study objectives: To evaluate tone, apraxia and stereognosis dysfunctions in patients with SDB compared with healthy controls, and to monitor the effectiveness of Airway Gym® as an easy-to- use myofunctional therapy (MT) modality in terms of the tongue's motor and sensory responses, comparing results before and after therapy. Methods: This was a prospective, non-randomised pilot study of 25 patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), 25 patients with primary snoring (PS) and 20 healthy controls. Qualitative and quantitative instruments—Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI), lingual apraxia and stereognosis tests were used to assess tongue sensorimotor function. Results: 22 patients with PS, 21 with OSAHS and all 20 controls ended the therapy. In OSAHS, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score decreased from 16 ± 7.3 to 12 ± 4.5 after therapy (p = 0.53). In PS and OSAHS groups, the IOPI scores increased significantly. These measures did not change significantly in the controls. Lingual apraxia testing showed that controls performed all the manoeuvres, whereas PS 5.6 ± 1.4 and OSAHS 4.5 ± 1.9 (p = 0.14). In the stereognosis test, the mean number of figures recognised was 2.6 ± 2.2 in OSAHS, 3.3±1.2 in PS and 5.7±0.9 in control group (p < 0.05). Patients with OSAHS recognised circles and ovals less often. Conclusion: Using the Airway Gym®app produced improvements in sensorimotor tongue function in patients with SDB, due to continuous stimulation of the brain based on proprioceptive training required to localise responses when doing the exercises

COVID‑19 vaccine literacy in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases

Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA.COVID-19 related infodemic is a threat to the successful COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. This might be especially apparent for patients with autoimmune diseases since there is no data available about the balance between benefits and risks of the newly developed COVID-19 vaccines in this population. We aim (i) to evaluate vaccine literacy skills in a population of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, (ii) to examine the potential associations between vaccine literacy skills and sociodemographic characteristics and (iii) to analyze the relationships between attitudes, perceptions and beliefs about current vaccinations and vaccine literacy skills and sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (92% females; 49.5% of patients in the 31–50 years age category). The vaccine literacy levels were determined using the Health Literacy about Vaccination in adulthood in Italian (HLVa-IT). Sociodemographic characteristics including gender, age, country and area of residence, civil status, socioeconomic status, educational attainment and occupational status were evaluated. The mean vaccine literacy functional and interactive-critical scores were 2.59 ± 0.74 and 3.07 ± 0.60, respectively. The vaccine literacy interactive-critical score was higher in females than in males (p = 0.048). Interactive-critical scores were associated with the area of residence, civil status and socioeconomic status, with the highest score in urban area of ≥ 100.000 inhabitants (p = 0.045), in widow patients (p = 0.023) and in patients with high socioeconomic status (p = 0.018). Significant differences were observed between the different education levels, for both the functional and the interactive-critical scores (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), the highest score was observed in patients who completed a university degree. The level of vaccine literacy for functional and interactive-critical scales were medium. Area of residence, civil status and socioeconomic status represented determinants of vaccine literacy interactive-critical scale. Educational attainment also contributes to vaccine literacy functional scale. Insight into these factors is required to ensure an optimal vaccine literacy level in patients with autoimmune diseases.Universidad de Granada/CBU

Influence of the Washing Process and the Time of Fruit Harvesting throughout the Day on Quality and Chemosensory Profile of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for organic extra virgin olive oils (OEVOOs) as quality products with greater added value. The aim of the present work was to determine whether the washing process and time of harvesting (morning or afternoon) plays an important role in the quality of Picual OEVOOs by studying quality parameters (degree of acidity, peroxide value, K232, K270, oxidative stability), and volatile and sensory profiles. Olive fruits were harvested at three maturity stages and within each phase at two times of the day (morning and afternoon). Then, samples were divided into two blocks (washed and unwashed). Volatile profile was obtained by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Regarding the physicochemical quality parameters, sensory and volatile profiles, there were no differences between the oils produced under the two treatments applied (washed/non-washed). However, the time of harvesting (morning or afternoon) did influence the volatile and sensory profile, with higher values in the oils obtained from fruits harvested in the morning, being statistically significant for the families of aldehydes, hydrocarbures and lactones. Besides, the olives harvested during the mornings gave rise to oils with higher values in the green and apple fruit attributes.Junta de Andalucía US-138083

Comparison of the novel thin film-solid phase microextraction and sorptive extraction methods for Picual and Hojiblanca olive oil volatile fraction analysis in headspace

For first time, the new device named thin film solid phase microextraction (TF-SPME) has been used to determine the volatile profile of the Picual and Hojiblanca varieties of extra virgin olive oils. To this end, different traditional sampling methods such as headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyethyleneglycol-modified silicone (EG/Silicone) Twisters® have been compared with the TF-SPME devices coated with different extraction polymeric phases. PARADISe software was used as a non-targeting method to process all data. The best results were obtained by HSSE-PDMS and 2TF-SPME. Moreover, the 2TF-SPME extraction method achieved the most adequate results of linearity for most compounds, according to F-values, while the intermediate precision results were similar for both 2TF-SPME and HSSE-PDMS sampling methods. Different sensitivity was observed between both sampling methods depending on the volatile compound, without being clearly influenced by the polarity of them. Although both sampling methods enabled the main active aroma of olive oil to be determined and for them to be differentiated according to olive variety, the 2TF-SPME method appears to be the most suitable for this goal.CONICYT 1171227Junta de Andalucía P18-TP-285

Analysis of grip specificity on force production in grapplers and its effect on bilateral deficit grip specificity and bilateral deficit in force production among grapplers

The use of strength training is important for athletes in combat sports such as judo and jiu-jitsu. Specificity is key when prescribing strength training programs for athletes, considering maximal strength, muscular power and strength-endurance. Grappling combat sports require grip control, which is necessary to execute throwing techniques and groundwork. The aim of this study was to verify the bilateral strength deficit in general and in grappling combat sport-specific action in the control group and grapplers. A sample of 73 subjects, divided into 2 groups, was used: the Student Group (15 females and 16 males) and the Grappler Group (29 males and 13 females). The male and female participants attended four laboratory sessions over a 48-hour interval, the first two to familiarize themselves with the Electromechanical Functional Dynamometer (EMFD), and the last two to collect maximal isometric strength data, using a standard grip and a judo/jiujitsu specific grip. Significant differences in mean and peak forces (p &lt; 0.001) were found, with high performance combat sport athletes having greater maximal isometric strength compared to students both bilaterally and unilaterally (p &lt; 0.001). All comparisons also indicated higher values for males compared to females (p &lt; 0.001). The results suggest that specific training in combat sports as well as sex differences play a significant role in maximal isometric strength performance. The type of grip used affects the application of force in the upper limb isometric strength tests, finding a main effect of grip type (p &lt; 0.001), with the standard grip obtaining higher levels. However, the dominance between hands remains constant. More research is needed on specific judogi/jiu-jitsu-gi grips and their impact on maximal isometric strength with the EMFD