José Miguel Perea

Background: Physical activity plays an important role in the maintenance of health, and it is especially important during childhood. However, the lack of information about differences in physical activity practice and sports preferences of children considering gender differences can result in non-effective policies that enhance inequalities between sexes. The aim of this study is to identify the sports preferences of Spanish schoolchildren and their physical activity practice behaviors depending on their sex and their parental care, analyzing the possible differences from a gender perspective. Method: Three hundred sixty-four Spanish schoolchildren (179 girls, 185 boys) participated in this cross-sectional study. A daily physical activity questionnaire was used to evaluate physical activity level (PAL), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sports preferences and a socio-health questionnaire were used to collect data about parental care. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and applying Student’s T-test for normal variables, Mann-Whitney U-test for non-parametrical variables, and chi-square (χ2) test for categorical variables. Subsequently, odds ratios were used to analyze associations between the physical activity practice of the children and parental care. Results: PAL and time spent in MVPA was significantly lower for girls compared to boys (1.44 ± 0.07 vs. 1.46 ± 0.07, p < 0.001 and 0.74 ± 0.40 h/day vs. 0.90 ± 0.45 h/day; p < 0.001, respectively). Dancing, rhythmic gymnastics, skating, and water sports were practiced more by girls, while football, wrestling sports, handball, and racket sports were practiced more by boys (p < 0.05). Children cared for by their fathers had higher odds for physical activity practice (OR = 1.995 (1.202–3.310), p = 0.008). Conclusion: Physical activity among girls was less frequent and less intense. Girls opted for individual sports with artistic connotations, while boys often practiced more team contact sports. Furthermore, children are more physically actives when their father is in charge of them.

Excessive salt intake has negative effects on health and persists as a dietary problem in Spanish children. However, the analysis of dietary sodium sources has not been extensively studied. A group of 321 children between 7 and 11 years old from five Spanish regional communities was studied. A three-day dietary record was used to determine the contribution of food and beverages to dietary sodium intake. The food consumed was classified based on the level of processing (NOVA classification) and the nutritional profile. Boys consumed more dietary sodium and sodium from ultra-processed food (UPF) than girls (p < 0.05). The main sources of dietary sodium from discretionary food were meat and meat products (25.1%), some ready-to-eat and pre-cooked dishes (7.4%) and sugars and sweets (6.3%). More than 4/5 of the total dietary sodium consumed came from processed foods (PF) and UPF. Ready-to-eat and pre-cooked dishes (14.4%), meat and meat products (10.6%), and cereals (10.2%) were the most relevant UPF. These results demonstrate that a key point for Spanish children is a reduction in the sodium content in PF and UPF, whether these foods are for basic or discretionary consumption. Furthermore, a decrease in the frequency and the quantity of discretionary food consumption should be encouraged.

In recent decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of infertility in the population. Numerous studies confirm that the nutritional status plays a key role in fertility. analyze the nutritional factors that may influence the fertility in men and women. a review was performed on the nutritional factors that may influence male and female fertility. there are several factors associated with infertility such as advanced age, the presence of structural alterations in the reproductive system and diseases, environmental pollution and lifestyle. In relation to the diet, it is emphasized that the high intake of saturated fats, trans fatty acids, proteins of animal origin, could have a detrimental effect on fertility, whilst the intake of complex carbohydrates, fibre, monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids could have a benefit effect. Also, it is essential provide an adequate intake of folic acid, B12, vitamin A, D, C y E, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium and iodine to prevent impairments in fertility. the prevention and treatment of fertility impairment in women and men should consider the nutritional approach given its importance in the reproduction.

Factores sociodemográficos y de estilo de vida implicados en el exceso de peso

The aim was to study the intake and food sources of fibre in a representative sample of Spanish adults and to analyse its association with excess body weight and abdominal obesity. A sample of 1655 adults (18–64 years) from the ANIBES (“Anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles”) cross-sectional study was analysed. Fibre intake and dietary food sources were determined by using a three-day dietary record. Misreporters were identified using the protocol of the European Food Safety Authority. Mean (standard deviation) fibre intake was 12.59 (5.66) g/day in the whole sample and 15.88 (6.29) g/day in the plausible reporters. Mean fibre intake, both in the whole sample and the plausible reporters, was below the adequate intake established by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Institute of Medicine of the United States (IOM). Main fibre dietary food sources were grains, followed by vegetables, fruits, and pulses. In the whole sample, considering sex, and after adjusting for age and physical activity, mean (standard error) fibre intake (adjusted by energy intake) was higher in subjects who had normal weight (NW) 13.40 (0.184) g/day, without abdominal obesity 13.56 (0.192) g/day or without excess body weight and/or abdominal obesity 13.56 (0.207) g/day compared to those who were overweight (OW) 12.31 (0.195) g/day, p < 0.001 or obese (OB) 11.83 (0.266) g/day, p < 0.001, with abdominal obesity 12.09 (0.157) g/day, p < 0.001 or with excess body weight and/or abdominal obesity 12.22 (0.148) g/day, p < 0.001. There were no significant differences in relation with the fibre intake according to the body mass index (BMI), presence or absence of abdominal obesity or excess body weight and/or abdominal obesity in the plausible reporters. Fibre from afternoon snacks was higher in subjects with NW (6.92%) and without abdominal obesity (6.97%) or without excess body weight and/or abdominal obesity (7.20%), than those with OW (5.30%), p < 0.05 or OB (4.79%), p < 0.05, with abdominal obesity (5.18%), p < 0.01, or with excess body weight and/or abdominal obesity (5.21%), p < 0.01, in the whole sample. Conversely, these differences were not observed in the plausible reporters. The present study demonstrates an insufficient fibre intake both in the whole sample and in the plausible reporters and confirms its association with excess body weight and abdominal obesity only when the whole sample was considered.

Objetivos: la hipertensión arterial es un problema sanitario frecuente y con repercusiones sanitarias graves, infradiagnosticado y modulado por los hábitos alimentarios, estilo de vida e ingesta de diversos nutrientes, por lo que analizar los datos más recientes sobre la implicación de la nutrición en la prevención y control de la hipertensión es el objeto de la presente revisión.Métodos: búsqueda bibliográfica en relación con el tema.Resultados: aunque las pautas más conocidas y seguidas son la restricción en la ingesta de sodio, el control de peso y la moderación en el consumo de alcohol, la mejora de la dieta (aumento en el consumo de cereales, verduras, frutas...) y la actividad física parecen tener un gran impacto en el control de las cifras de presión arterial (PA). Asimismo, un menor consumo de grasa saturada (con aumento de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados y omega-3), el aporte adecuado de calcio, magnesio, proteínas, vitamina D y fibra, y la mejora de la capacidad antioxidante de la dieta pueden tener gran importancia en la lucha contra el problema de la hipertensión. Teniendo en cuenta que la dieta media española no alcanza los aportes aconsejados para muchos de los nutrientes mencionados como favorables en el control de la PA, una aproximación de la dieta al ideal teórico puede ser de gran ayuda en la lucha contra este problema, que tiene gran impacto sanitario.Conclusiones: mejorar la alimentación, aumentando el consumo de verduras, legumbres, cereales integrales, pescado… puede tener un mayor beneficio en el control de la presión arterial que el seguimiento de pautas restrictivas más extendidas en la práctica.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important and prevalent diseases suffered by the elderly. Evidence exists that its onset and severity might be conditioned by antioxidant status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between antioxidant status and COPD in institutionalised elderly people. In all, 183 elderly people aged >65 years (twenty-one had COPD and 160 healthy controls) were studied. The subjects’ diets were investigated via the use of precise individual weighing for 7 d. Body weight, height, and biceps and triceps skinfold thickness were measured, and body fat (kg) and BMI (kg/m²) were calculated. Serum retinol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and vitamin C levels were determined. Subjects with COPD ate less fruits than healthy controls (117 (sd 52) v. 192 (sd 161) g/d), their coverage of the recommended intake of vitamin C was smaller (150 (sd 45) v. 191 (sd 88) %; note that both exceeded 100 %) and their diets had a lower antioxidant capacity (6558 (sd 2381) v. 9328 (sd 5367) mmol trolox equivalent/d). Those with COPD had lower serum vitamin C and α-tocopherol concentrations than healthy controls (32·4 (sd 15·3) v. 41·5 (sd 14·8) µmol/l and 12·1 (sd 3·2) v. 13·9 (sd 2·8) µmol/l, respectively). In addition, subjects with α-tocopherol P<0·05), taking sex, age, use of tobacco, body fat and vitamin E intake as covariables. Subjects with COPD had diets of poorer antioxidant quality, especially with respect to vitamins C and E, compared with healthy controls.

Sedentary behavior and physical exercise seem to influence the nutritional status of the population independently. In this sense, sedentary behavior is associated inversely with healthy eating patterns and directly with BMI, body fat, risk of chronic diseases and psychological problems. By contrast, regular exercise is associated with a healthier diet and health benefits as the prevention or reduction of excess weight and disease prevention. However, it seems difficult to completely compensate, sedentary behavior and risk factors for health, with physical activity. To improve the nutritional status and health of the population would be advisable to increase non-sedentary behaviors and decrease the time spent in front of the screen. Also, it is encouraged to exercise regularly.

Background: To assess the selenium status of a group of schoolchildren from the Region of Madrid, Spain.Methods: Study subjects comprised 483 children (216 boys and 267 girls) aged between 8 and 13 years. Selenium intake was determined using a 3‐day food record. The foods consumed were transformed into energy and nutrients, and the selenium intake was compared with that recommended. Serum selenium levels were also recorded.Results: Mean (SD) selenium intake [91.0 (25.2) μg day⁻¹] was above the recommended level in 99.4% of subjects; the main dietary sources were cereals, meats, fish and milk products. The serum selenium concentration [mean (SD) 71.1 (14.4) μg L⁻¹], however, was −1 in 13.9% of subjects, and −1 in 5.6%. The serum selenium concentration correlated with the selenium intake (r = 0.169; P < 0.05). Children with a serum selenium concentration of −1 had significantly smaller selenium intakes than those with a serum concentration of ≥75 μg L⁻¹.Conclusions: Although selenium intake was generally above that recommended, the serum selenium concentration of the children could be improved. This could be achieved by increasing the relative consumption of cereals and other selenium rich foods such as fish.

The accelerated bone demineralization that occurs during the menopause is very conditioned by the intake of calcium and vitamin D, therefore, the aim of the study is examine the adequacy of the diet regarding these nutrients in a menopausal women group. A representative sample of the Spanish woman population with ages ranging from 17 to 60 years (n = 547), selected from 10 provinces was studied. The group of 108 menopausal women (45-60 years) is given priority attention. The dietary study was performed using a 3-day diet record. Weight and height were measured and then body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Calcium intake (992.1 ± 340.7 mg/day) was lower than the recommended intakes (RI) in 79.6% of the menopausal women (MW) (lower than 67% of the RI in the 30.6%). Vitamin D intake (3.08 ± 3.6 μg/day) was even more unfavorable, since the contribution was 61.1% of the RI in MW, an 85.2% of them do not meet the RI and a 75.9% do not meet the 67% of the RI. A 72.6% of the studied women (68.5% of MW) do not meet the RI for calcium neither for vitamin D, while only the 4.0% of them meet the RI for both nutrients (3.7 of MW). Using a logistic regression analysis to examine the dietary modification that may be favorable to meet the RI for calcium and vitamin D simultaneously, having into account the influence of age and BMI, it is observed that the main factor is the consumption of dairy products [OR = 0.188 (0.108-0.327; p < 0.001)] and the same influence is observed when only menopausal women are analyzed [OR= 0.252 (0.067-0.946; p < 0.05)]. It is observed a decreased of BMI when the density of diet in calcium (r = -0.10) and in the vitamin D (r = -0.099) is increased, which suggested a possible role of these nutrients in weight control. A high proportion of the studied women have intakes of calcium and vitamin D lower than the recommended intakes and given that only a 3.7% of the menopausal women have adequate intakes for both nutrients, it is necessary to adopt urgent measures aimed to protect the bone health of the Spanish female population.