Memory function performance in individuals classified as overweight, obese, and normal weight

Evidence accumulated to date about the relationship between cognitive impairments and adults who are overweight and obese suggests that excess weight has a great impact on memory function. Nevertheless, most of the literature has focused only on studying the influences on working memory and episodic memory. This study aimed to examine the potential associations of clinical and anthropometric measures [body mass index (BMI), WHR, body fat, visceral fat, muscle mass, and hypertension] with six memory domains, including contextual memory, short-term visual memory, short-term memory, non-verbal memory, short-term phonological memory, and working memory, in a sample of 124 individuals classified as overweight (n = 33), obese (n = 53), and normal weight (n = 38). The results obtained showed that, after controlling for employment situations, people classified as obese had poorer short-term phonological memory and working memory than those with normal weights. Bivariate correlations showed that measures of weight, BMI, waist–hip ratio index, body fat, and visceral fat were inversely associated with memory function. However, muscle mass was not a significant predictor of memory function. Higher systolic blood pressure was also associated with worse memory function. The study provides evidence of the importance of adiposity in health and memory function.This work was partially funded by the Spanish Government (TIN2017-89069-R and PID2020-119144RB-100)

Eating Habits in Older Adults: Compliance with the Recommended Daily Intakes and Its Relationship with Sociodemographic Characteristics, Clinical Conditions, and Lifestyles

Background: Older people have different nutritional requirements from those of the general population; in particular, they need a lower energy intake, higher protein content to preserve muscle mass, and a greater supply of vitamins and minerals to maintain good bone health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the degree of compliance with nutritional recommendations, and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, clinical conditions, and lifestyles in older people residing in the Spanish Mediterranean. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 341 people over 60 years old. Participants were selected using a snowball strategy. A validated food intake frequency questionnaire for older populations was used to determine the daily food intake. This evaluation was carried out at two time points from which the average nutrient intake was obtained. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables were obtained from an ad hoc elaborated questionnaire. Results: Compliance with dietary intakes was low, by deficiency, such as in vitamin D, where none of the participating subjects met the requirements, and iodine, where the compliance rate did not exceed 20%, or by excess, such as with monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin C. People with better blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels observed a higher degree of compliance with the recommended intakes. Living in rural areas, being divorced, or being illiterate negatively influence meeting the recommended intakes of certain nutrients. Increased physical activity was associated with an increased compliance with Kcal recommendations, cholesterol, and vitamin B2 intake. Conclusion: this study highlights the importance of accurately knowing the dietary intakes in the older population, and what factors, such as lifestyles or sociodemographic characteristics, may predispose to better or worse compliance with the recommendations

Effectiveness of a Two-Year Multicomponent Intervention for the Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Older People

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a two-year intervention based on the Mediterranean diet for the treatment of overweight and obesity in a sample of 51 older people from the Mediterranean city of Alicante (Spain). We also examined the effects of the intervention on psychological well-being. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received group nutritional education sessions, an individualized dietary–nutritional treatment based on a Mediterranean diet, and a physical activity program; the control group received Mediterranean nutritional education in a written format. The experimental group showed a greater loss in weight (p = 0.017) and percentage of fat mass (p = 0.049), and a greater reduction in body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.014) and waist circumference (p = 0.010). Both groups improved their depression scores using the PHQ-9; however, no significant improvement was seen in adherence to the Mediterranean diet (PREDIMED) and anxiety level (GAD-7). These results suggest that a two-year intervention based on the Mediterranean diet allows an older population with overweight or obesity to achieve greater weight loss and a greater decrease in BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass percentage. In relation to psychological well-being, depression levels improved at the end of said intervention.This research was funded by the Office of the Vice President of Research of the University of Alicante (GRE19-20)

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Pregnancy and Its Benefits on Maternal-Fetal Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Introduction: Pregnancy is a transcendent period for the mother and the fetus, characterized by an increase on energy requirements. Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered a healthy eating pattern that can provide the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and protect from the development of obstetric pathologies. Objective: To know the relationship between adherence to the MD and its maternal-fetal benefits. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted by identifying articles in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. The publication date of the studies was between 2010 and 2020, and the inclusion criteria established were that the articles were written in English and Spanish and were accessible in full text. Studies concerning assisted reproduction, gene modulation, conference abstracts, systematic reviews, and pilot studies were excluded. Results: Finally, a total of 14 studies were included in the review. The association between the MD and the reduction of some pathologies of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, overweight or obesity, sleep quality, complications of childbirth, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and alterations in fetal growth was demonstrated, as well as perinatal problems, including birth weight, prematurity, gastroschisis, and other childhood problems. Conclusion: The MD is an optimal diet to consume during pregnancy

The importance of nutrition in the prevention of endometriosis: systematic review

Antecedentes y objetivo: la endometriosis es un trastorno dependiente de hormonas que se caracteriza por la presencia de tejido similar al endometrial en sitios extrauterinos, lo que puede desencadenar una reacción inflamatoria crónica. Esta enfermedad afecta principalmente a mujeres en edad fértil y puede tener un impacto negativo en su bienestar físico, mental y social. Existen patrones alimentarios considerados antiinflamatorios, como el de dieta mediterránea, que podrían ayudar en la prevención y el tratamiento de la endometriosis. El objetivo de esta revisión fue conocer la relación entre el consumo de diferentes grupos de alimentos y la prevención de la endometriosis. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática siguiendo la metodología PRISMA. Se consultaron las bases de datos PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library y Web of Science. Se seleccionaron estudios publicados entre 2013 y 2023, que fueran accesibles en texto completo, escritos en inglés y español y que incluyeran una muestra de mujeres con endometriosis y/o mujeres sanas, además de evaluar la relación entre la alimentación y la endometriosis. Se excluyeron artículos no relacionados, revisiones sistemáticas o metaanálisis y estudios piloto y realizados en animales. Resultados: se incluyeron diez estudios en total. El consumo de frutas, verduras (no crucíferas), lácteos, pescados, patatas, legumbres, vitaminas (A, C, D y B12), ácidos grasos monoinsaturados y poliinsaturados y minerales (calcio, potasio y magnesio) parece reducir el riesgo de endometriosis. Conclusiones: se necesitan más estudios que investiguen la relación entre el consumo de los diferentes grupos de alimentos y el riesgo de endometriosis.Background and objective: endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in extrauterine sites, which can trigger a chronic inflammatory reaction. This disease mainly affects women of childbearing age and can have a negative impact on their physical, mental and social well-being. There are eating patterns considered as anti-inflammatory, such as the Mediterranean diet, which could help in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. The objective of this review was to know the relationship between the consumption of different food groups and the prevention of endometriosis. Materials and methods: a systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were consulted. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected, accessible in full text, written in English and Spanish and including a sample of women with endometriosis and/or healthy women, in addition to evaluating the relationship between diet and endometriosis. Unrelated articles, systematic reviews or meta-analyses, pilot studies and studies conducted in animals were excluded. Results: a total of ten studies were included. The consumption of fruits, vegetables (not cruciferous), dairy products, fish, potatoes, legumes, vitamins (A, C, D and B12), monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals (calcium, potassium and magnesium) seems to reduce the risk of endometriosis. Conclusions: further studies investigating the relationship between consumption of different food groups and risk of endometriosis are needed

Herramienta de apoyo para la adquisición de competencias profesionales en nutrición humana y dietética

Es prioritario para el desarrollo de las competencias profesionales de los futuros Dietistas-Nutricionistas, conocer y saber utilizar los principales recursos tanto de información como de aplicaciones informáticas disponibles en la actualidad en esta área de estudio. La creación de repositorios en los que el alumnado de esta titulación pueda disponer de estos recursos de una manera simplificada y unificada puede contribuir a la mejora de su proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. El objetivo de este trabajo es crear un repositorio de información y recursos educativos que ayuden a desarrollar las competencias profesionales en estudiantes del Grado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética. Ha participado en nuestro estudio una muestra disponible y significativa de estudiantes de esta titulación. Se describe el proceso de creación del repositorio, la información y recursos educativos incorporados en el mismo, el análisis del funcionamiento de la propia herramienta, así como los resultados obtenidos sobre la satisfacción de los estudiantes con esta experiencia piloto mediante un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc

Prediction of Violence, Suicide Behaviors and Suicide Ideation in a Sample of Institutionalized Offenders With Schizophrenia and Other Psychosis

This study examined the predictive validity of the Spanish version of the Suicide Risk Assessment Manual (S-RAMM) and the Historical-Clinical-Risk Management-20 (HCR-20) in a sample of violent offenders with schizophrenia and other psychosis, who had committed violent crimes and had been sentenced to compulsory psychiatric treatment by the criminal justice system. Patients were prospectively monitored within the institution for 18 months. During the follow-up period, 25% of offenders were involved in any suicidal behavior including acts of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts and 34% were physically or verbally violent. The S-RAMM and HCR-20 risk assessment tools were strongly correlated and were able to predict suicidal behavior and violence with a moderate-large effect size (AUCs = 0.81–0.85; AUCs = 0.78–0.80 respectively). Patients scoring above the mean on the S-RAMM (>20-point cut-off) had a five times increased risk of suicide related events (OR = 5.05, 95% CI = 2.6–9.7) and sevenfold risk of violence in the HCR-20 (>21-point cut-off) (OR = 7.13, 95% CI = 2.0–21.2) than those scoring below the mean. Offenders at high risk for suicide and violence had significantly more suicide attempts (p < 0.001) and more prior sentences for violent crimes (p < 0.001). These results support the use of the S-RAMM and HCR-20 for clinical practice by providing evidence of the utility of these measures for predicting risk for suicidal and violent behavior in mentally disordered offenders

Influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality—a systematic review

Currently, there is a growing interest in the study of fertility because fertility-related problems affect up to 15% of the world’s population. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality in men of reproductive age. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was carried out following the PRISMA method. Electronic searches were carried out in the international databases PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. In total, 10 articles with 2032 men were included. As inclusion criteria, articles published between 2012 and 2022 were selected, including those that included men aged between 18 and 55 years. Nutritional status was assessed through weight, height, and BMI. Dietary habits were evaluated through different indexes and food frequency questionnaires, and finally, semen quality was evaluated by measuring sperm concentration and motility (progressive and non-progressive). In six (60%) of the included articles, a positive relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and semen quality was demonstrated; in two (20%) of the articles, no association was found; and finally, in two (20%) of the included articles, the relationship between dietary patterns typical of DM and semen quality was evaluated. Dietary habits influence semen quality. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet can improve male reproductive health, as it is a diet with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first systematic review about the influence of the Mediterranean diet on semen quality, and the results are positive. These findings may allow us to provide better advice to our patients and to establish interventions with the aim of improving the results of assisted reproduction techniques

NutriTic.UA: Recurso educativo para la interacción entre el alumnado y el profesorado

La incorporación de nuevas herramientas docentes, como las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación, es uno de los objetivos prioritarios en el Sistema Educativo de Educación Superior. Estas herramientas deben mejorar el sistema de enseñanza-aprendizaje y la adquisición de las competencias profesionales, así como fomentar la comunicación entre el alumnado. En este sentido, nuestro grupo desarrolló en el proyecto de REDES en el curso anterior la weblog NutriTic.UA, un recurso educativo creado como apoyo para la formación del alumnado del Grado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido la revisión y actualización de los contenidos disponibles en la weblog NutriTic.UA y el diseño de estrategias que permitan la interacción entre el alumnado y el profesorado de las asignaturas implicadas en el proyecto. Ha participado en nuestro estudio una muestra disponible y significativa de estudiantes del Grado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética. Se describe el proceso de actualización de la weblog NutriTic.UA y el diseño de las estrategias aplicadas para fomentar la interacción entre el alumnado y el profesorado, así como los resultados obtenidos de una encuesta elaborada ad hoc sobre las opciones de mejora y las preferencias del alumnado sobre este tema de estudio

Edublog NutriTic.UA: Herramienta de recursos didácticos de apoyo a la formación y la interacción del alumnado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética

Los blogs educativos o edublogs fomentan el modelo centrado en el alumnado y se caracterizan por promover la participación, la interacción y el aprendizaje cooperativo. Los edublogs favorecen el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje a través de la lectura y publicación de materiales tanto por el alumnado como por el profesorado. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido el diseño y la implementación de estrategias educativas que permitan la interacción entre alumnado-profesorado a través del edublog NutriTic.UA, así como la evaluación de estas estrategias utilizadas en las asignaturas implicadas en el proyecto. Han participado en nuestro estudio de forma anónima y voluntaria 86 estudiantes del Grado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Alicante. Se describe el proceso de actualización del blog NutriTic.UA, el diseño de recursos educativos de apoyo a la formación y la interacción entre alumnado-profesorado, así como la valoración del alumnado con esta experiencia docente