Association between Functional Fitness and Health-Related Quality of Life in the Balearic Islands’ Old Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Instituto de Salud Carlos III through CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038, which is cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund. Other funding received: IdISBa grants (FOLIUM, PRIMUS, SYNERGIA, and LIBERI). The funding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.Research assessing the relationship between functional fitness (FF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is still scarce. The objective of this research is to assess the association between FF and HRQoL in older adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) from Balearic Islands (Spain). The design is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study involving 209 participants (42.2% women). The sociodemographic data and medical history of the participants were collected. Physical activity was evaluated using the Spanish version of the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire. Anthropometrics and blood pressure were measured. Glucose, total cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride plasma levels were measured. A battery of functional fitness tests was applied. HRQoL was measured with the Spanish version of the SF-36 questionnaire. Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern was assessed. In older subjects with MetS, a higher FF score and, within it, endurance, lower body strength, one-leg balance, and agility are positively associated with lower physical function (p < 0.001; d = 0.56), better general health (p = 0.019; d = 0.35), and better summary physical component of HRQoL (p < 0.001; d = 0.57). The FF score and HRQoL physical component are both positively associated with high levels of physical activity (ORadj = 10.3, IC 4.19–28.2, p < 0.001; ORadj = 3.25, IC 1.44–7.72, p < 0.005). Older adults with MetS should consider practicing physical activity above the general recommendations to improve their functional fitness and health status and quality of life.European Commission CB12/03/30038IdISBa grant (FOLIUM) IdISBa grant (PRIMUS) IdISBa grant (SYNERGIA) IdISBa grant (LIBERI

Comparative Analysis of Body Composition Profiles among Latin American Elite Football Players Competing in Europe

It has yet to be determined whether or not differences in body composition are present between international and non-international players playing in the same elite professional club competition. Similarly, it is not yet clear whether or not differences in body composition exist according to ethnic origin where relative homogeneity is to be expected among soccer players. There is no single anthropometric profile that guarantees sporting success, as success differs according to characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the description, comparison, and correlation of the body composition profile of Latin American professional football players playing in European leagues. The sample was composed of 238 Latin American male football players from European professional football leagues of Spain, Italy and England during the competition period. Differences were found in all measures. The present study shows that Latin American professional football players playing in Europe have significant differences in various body composition variables such as weight, height, WC, skinfold and fat values. This means that training, revalidation after injury and the classifications of sporting performance carried out in European football clubs should take into account the anthropometric difference between Latin American and European players.High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK "Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude" 19/UPB/2

Body Composition and Nutritional Status of the Spanish National Breaking Team Aspiring to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Breaking is a sports dance modality that will debut for the first time at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This dance form combines street dance steps with acrobatics and athletic elements. It complies with gender equality, maintains aesthetic appeal, and is practised indoors. The objective of this study is to assess the characteristics of body composition and nutritional status of the athletes that make up the Breaking national team. This national team was recruited, and they underwent an analysis of body composition using bioimpedance measurement and a nutritional interview status with the completion of a survey on the frequency of the consumption of sports supplements and ergogenic aids. In addition, they completed a consumption questionnaire for a series of food groups with specified protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content. After that, parameters were analyzed in relation to their nutritional status during a complete medical examination at the Endocrinology and Nutrition Service of the Sports Medicine Center of CSD. A descriptive analysis of the results obtained was carried out to find the mean values of the variables analyzed. The analytical parameters described an adequate nutritional status, except for the mean capillary determination of 25-OH-vitamin D3, which was 24.2 ng/dL (SD: 10.3). Bone mineral density values were higher than those of the general population. This is the first time that a study of these characteristics has been carried out on Breakers, so it is highly relevant to increase knowledge in this area in order to conduct nutritional interventions aimed at improving the sports performance of these athlete

The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review

This study was funded by the High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK “Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude (RADA)” Ref. 19/UPB/23. This research was supported by an FPU grant from the Spanish University Ministry to Alejandro Lopez-Moro (FPU20/00210). The authors thank FSI (Football Science Institute) for their support.Background: Melatonin is a hormone that has shown anti-inflammatory actions, reduced oxidative stress, and has effects on physical performance, so the aim of this study was to review the effects of melatonin supplementation on the performance of professional soccer players. Methods: Critical and systematic review. Data were obtained by performing searches in the following bibliographic databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The terms used were “Soccer Athlete”, “Melatonin”, and “Soccer Performance”, using “Humans” as a filter. The search update was in May 2023. Results: Having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were selected out of 59 retrieved references. The dose of melatonin administered in the studies ranged between 5 and 8 mg. The outcomes showed a decrease in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammatory markers in the melatonin-treated group. Conclusions: Exogenously administered melatonin seems to attenuate some of the effects derived from physical exercise, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage, in professional football players, and since it has no potential adverse effects, it could be interesting to apply it in this population. However, the direct effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance have not been demonstrated, so more research is needed on the intervention period and effective dose and with larger participant populations.High Council for Sports (CSD)Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport Ref. 19/UPB/23Spanish University Ministry FPU20/00210FSI (Football Science Institute

Comparación de la calidad de la dieta entre niños pequeños y adolescentes en la cuenca mediterránea y la influencia de los hábitos de vida

Introduction: the dietary intake patterns of children should be monitored because of their influence on health in adulthood. It is now widely accepted that childhood nutrition is linked to specific diseases such as obesity and to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Therefore, knowledge of dietary intake during childhood may be useful to identify possible risk factors for disease in adulthood. The main focus of research into children’s diets has been the contribution of macronutrients and micronutrients. Objective: several indices have been developed for assessing the diet quality of previously defined population groups. The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritional status of Andalusian children and adolescents and examine the relationship between their diet quality and socio-demographic or lifestyle factors. Results and conclusions: the food intake of the younger children in this study was closer to RDIs compared with the adolescents, who generally reported a lower energy supply in their diet than the recommended. The mean (SD) diet quality score was 12.1 (1.9) for the younger children (6-9 years) and 9.4 (3.2) for the older group (10-17 years), a statistically significant difference. A good correlation was found between energy intake (MJ/kg body weight) and estimated energy (MET MJ/kg body weight).Introducción: los patrones de ingesta alimentaria de los niños deben ser controlados debido a su influencia en la salud en la edad adulta. Actualmente se acepta ampliamente que la nutrición infantil está vinculada a enfermedades específicas como obesidad y a factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en adultos. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento de la ingesta dietética durante la infancia puede ser útil para identificar posibles factores de riesgo de enfermedad en la edad adulta. Objetivo: el objetivo principal de la investigación sobre las dietas de niños ha sido la contribución de los macronutrientes y los micronutrientes. Se han desarrollado varios índices para evaluar la calidad de la dieta de grupos de población previamente definidos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el estado nutricional de niños y adolescentes andaluces y examinar la relación entre la calidad de su dieta y factores sociodemográficos o de estilo de vida. Resultados y conclusiones: la ingesta de alimentos de los niños más pequeños en este estudio fue más cercana a la RDI en comparación con los adolescentes, quienes en general informaron menor aporte energético en su dieta de lo que se recomienda. El puntaje promedio de calidad de la dieta (DE) fue de 12,1 (1,9) para los niños más pequeños (6-9 años) y de 9,4 (3,2) para el grupo de más edad (10-17 años), una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Se encontró una buena correlación entre la ingesta de energía (MJ/kg de peso corporal) y la energía estimada (MET MJ/kg de peso corporal).This work was supported by grants from the Andalusian Regional Government (AGR255). This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FEDER-ISCIII PI14/01040)

Hábitos dietéticos de los escolares e incidencia de caries dental

Introduction: healthy dietary habits are considered to improve oral health and tooth quality. Caries treatment comprises tooth restoration with dental composites and sealants, almost all (> 90%) of which contain bisphenol A (BPA). Study hypotheses were: a) breakfast and oral hygiene habits are important factors in dental caries development; and b) dental caries treatment with epoxy-resins entails a risk of oral exposure to monomers migrating from the polymeric material. We evaluated caries in the teeth of a Spanish school population and determined the percentage treated with dental composites. Objective: to relate consumption of breakfast components and oral hygiene habits to dental caries and determine the presence of sealants/composites as potential sources of BPA exposure. Methods: subjects: 582 schoolchildren from Granada city (Southern Spain) aged 7 yrs; mean (SD) of 7.55 (0.64) yrs. Results: caries was detected in 21.7% of their teeth. Mean breakfast quality index (BQI) score, based on nutritional questionnaires, was 5.18 (1.29). Breakfast with foods rich in simple sugars representing > 5% of total daily energy was consumed by 24% of the population and was significantly associated with caries frequency in binary logistic regression analysis. Biscuit consumption was reported by 35.8% and significantly associated with caries frequency. Breakfast intake of bakery products/ cereals and of dairy products showed a significant inverse association with caries frequency. No significant relationship was observed between caries and BQI score or oral hygiene factors. Conclusion: further research is required to elucidate the role of diet in caries and the associated risk of exposure to estrogenic xenobiotics such as BPA.Introducción: los hábitos alimentarios saludables influyen sobre la salud oral. El tratamiento de la caries comprende la restauración dental con selladores y composites dentales, la mayoría con bisfenol A (BPA). Hipótesis: a) el desayuno y hábitos de higiene oral son factores importantes en el desarrollo de caries; b) el tratamiento de la caries con epoxirresinas conlleva riesgo de exposición oral a monómeros plásticos. Objetivo: relacionar la ingesta del desayuno y los hábitos de higiene oral con la caries dental y determinar la presencia de selladores/composites como fuentes potenciales de exposición al BPA. Métodos: se analizaron 582 niños/as en edad escolar de Granada (sur de España) de 7 años de edad (7,55 [0,64] años). Se empleó un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos, 3 recordatorios de 24 h y variables de estilo de vida, incluyendo la higiene bucodental. La calidad del desayuno fue estimada con el Breakfast Quality Index (BQI). Resultados: se detectó un 21,7% de caries. El valor medio del BQI fue 5,18 (1,29). El 24% de la población realizó un desayuno con alimentos ricos en azúcares simples (> 5% de la energía total), asociado significativamente con la frecuencia de caries en el análisis de regresión logística. El 35,8% de los participantes tomaron galletas; asociado significativamente con la frecuencia de caries. La ingesta de productos de panadería, cereales y lácteos mostró una asociación inversamente significativa con la frecuencia de caries. Conclusión: se necesitan más investigaciones para aclarar el papel de la dieta en la caries y el riesgo de exposición a xenobióticos estrogénicos, como el BPA.This is a joint project between research group AGR255 and Granada City Council (health area) contract C-3507-00, Granada City Council- Universidad Empresa. This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS, - PI14/01040)

Diet quality variety in Spanish and Mexican adults

Este estudio fue financiado por la Junta de Andalucía, España (Nutrición, Dieta y Evaluación de Riesgos AGR255), por el Grupo de Investigación E098-01 (Alimentación, Nutrición y Salud), por fondos FEDER-ISCIII PI14/01040 y por la Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades-Junta de Andalucía (P18-RT-4247).Introducción: La pérdida de patrones de alimentación tradicionales a favor de otros más occidentales redunda en un descenso de calidad de la dieta alrededor del mundo. Muchos aspectos determinan la calidad dietética, aunque en general pueden resumirse en una dieta moderada, variada, equilibrada y adecuada para cada individuo. Estos aspectos son evaluados por el Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Objetivo: Comparar la calidad de la dieta de población mexicana y española mediante un índice de calidad internacional de la dieta, determinando que factores son en mayor medida responsables de la pérdida de calidad. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal sobre una muestra representativa de sujetos adultos residentes en Querétaro (México) y de sujetos de la misma franja de edad procedentes de la Región de Murcia, en la cuenca mediterránea española. Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, antropométricos, de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos y de ingesta con 3 recuerdos de 24 horas y se valoró el DQI-I en la población. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias para el gasto energético y el DQI-I en todos sus aspectos con valores de calidad superiores para la población mexicana. La variedad fue la dimensión más castigada para todos los sujetos, presentando los mexicanos mejores cifras de consumo de vegetales pero peores para las fuentes proteicas. Conclusiones: La muestra mexicana mejoró las cifras de calidad de la española, tal vez por una mayor influencia de conocimientos en nutrición. El 86% de la población podría mejorar sus puntajes de calidad en el DQI-I ajustando sus frecuencias de consumo de alimentos.Introduction: The loss of traditional eating patterns in favour of more Western ones results in a decline in dietary quality around the world. Many aspects determine dietary quality, but in general they can be summarised as a moderate, varied, balanced diet suitable for each individual. These aspects are assessed by the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Objective: To compare the quality of the diet of the Mexican and Spanish populations using an international diet quality index, determining which factors are most responsible for the loss of quality. Material and methods: Cross-sectional observational study on a representative sample of adult subjects living in Querétaro (Mexico) and subjects of the same age group from the Region of Murcia, in the Spanish Mediterranean basin. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, food frequency consumption and intake data were collected with 3 24-hour recall and the DQI-I was assessed in the population. Results: Differences were found for energy expenditure and DQI-I in all aspects with higher quality values for the Mexican population. Variety was the most punished dimension for all subjects, with Mexicans presenting better figures for vegetable intake but worse for protein sources. Conclusions: The Mexican sample improved the quality figures of the Spanish sample, perhaps due to a greater influence of nutritional knowledge. Eighty-six percent of the population could improve their DQI-I quality scores by adjusting their food consumption frequencies.Junta de Andalucía, España (Nutrición, Dieta y Evaluación de Riesgos AGR255)E098-01 FEDER-ISCIII PI14/01040Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades-Junta de Andalucía (P18-RT-4247

Sugar consumption in schoolchildren from southern Spain and influence on the prevalence of obesity

Aim The main cause of childhood overweight/obesity is an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The objective was to determine whether the intake by Spanish schoolchildren of sugars from habitually consumed foods and drinks can be related to overweight/ obesity. Methods Subjects The study included 657 schoolchildren between 7–10 years from educational centers in Southern Spain. These children live under the influence of the Mediterranean diet. Design Participants completed an encoded questionnaire with three sections: a) data on sex, age, educational center, school year, and life/family habits, among others; b) semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire related to the previous 12 months; and c) information on anthropometrics and physical activities. Results Obesity was observed in 10.9% of the children. The daily activity questionnaire showed a mean energy expenditure of 8.73 (1.33) MJ/day. The study considered foods that supply carbohydrates in any form (total carbohydrates, starch, total sugars, added sugars, and free sugars). The likelihood of overweight/obesity was significantly greater with a higher intake/ day of total sugars, starch, added sugars, and free sugars. The likelihood of normal weight was significantly greater with lower energy expenditure in sedentary activities (OR = 3.03), higher energy expenditure in sports activities (OR = 1.72), and higher total activity/day measured as METs (OR = 8.31). Conclusions In this population, overweight/obesity was influenced by the physical activity of the children and by their intake of energy, total sugars, starch, added sugars, and free sugars. Further studies are warranted to verify this observation and explore the implications for public health policiesAndalusian Regional Government (Nutrition, Diet and Risks Assessment) AGR255European Union (EU)Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) - FEDER-ISCIII PI14/0104

Influence of Alpine Skiing on Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Self-Concept in Physically Active Adults over 55 Years of Age

Background: Older adults have the highest rates of a sedentary lifestyle. Alpine skiing could be considered a suitable activity to encourage continued sports practice and improve the health of this population in winter. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the practice of alpine skiing and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical self-concept (PSC), and sport motivation. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive, involving 280 Spanish adults aged over 55 years and physically active (75.35% skiers). To assess physical activity, PSC, HRQoL, and sport motivation, we used the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity Questionnaire (RAPA-Q), the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP 30), the Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36), and the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) questionnaires, respectively. Results: In the skier’s group, higher values were found for PSC (p < 0.001; d = 0.64), the physical component of HRQoL (p < 0.001, d = 0.48), physical function (p < 0.001, d = 61), and intrinsic motivation (p < 0.001; d = 0.85). The practice of alpine skiing was associated with higher levels of the physical health component (ORadj = 2.13, 95% CI 1.18–3.95, p = 0.013), PSC (ORadj = 2.92, 95% CI 1.58–5.52, p < 0.001), and intrinsic motivation (ORadj = 2.24, 95% CI 1.22–4.23, p = 0.010). Conclusions: The practice of alpine skiing is positively associated with higher values of HRQoL, PSC, and intrinsic motivation, and based on the above, it seems that alpine skiing can contribute to healthy ageing and improve the quality of life of older adults.FEDER-ISCIII by the Counselling of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities-Junta de Andalucia PI14/01040 P18-RT-4247High Council for Sports (CSD) Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport (RED GENDASH, "Gender and Data Science in Sports and Health" 02/UPR/21 06/UPB/2