Elise Fabios

This study aims to examine the association between different versions of a provegetarian food pattern and micronutrient adequacy in a population of children from the SENDO Project. Children aged 4–5 years old were recruited and baseline information on diet, lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics was collected through self-administered online questionnaires completed by their parents. Scores were calculated for overall, healthful, and unhealthful provegetarian food patterns (FP) using an a priori approach. Participants were categorized into tertiles according to their scores. Micronutrient adequacy was assessed using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-off point. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between tertiles of each provegetarian FP and the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake (failing to meet ≥ 3 requirements). Despite lower intakes of certain micronutrients, children with higher scores in the healthful provegetarian FP did not exhibit a higher prevalence of inadequacy. Children in the highest tertile of this index had 0.47-fold lower odds (95%CI 0.23–0.95) of having ≥ 3 inadequate micronutrient intakes than their peers in the lowest tertile, after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, children in the highest tertile of the unhealthful provegetarian FP had 20.06-fold higher odds (95%CI 9.19–43.79) of having ≥ 3 inadequate micronutrient intakes compared to children in the lowest tertile. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthful provegetarian food pattern is associated with improved nutritional adequacy in preschoolers, while following an unhealthful pattern is detrimental to micronutrient adequacy. These results suggest that moderate reductions in animal food consumption within a healthy diet may not compromise micronutrient adequacy in young children. Further research is needed to explore the impact of diets reduced in animal food intake on the health of children. What is Known:• There's a notable trend towards plant-based diets due to health and sustainability concerns.• Research links plant-based diets in adults with lower risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. What is New:• A new study examines how different versions of a provegetarian food pattern affect micronutrient adequacy in children, using a moderate and stepwise approach.• Following a healthful provegetarian food pattern enhances nutritional adequacy in preschoolers, whereas an unhealthful pattern negatively impacts micronutrient adequacy.

Objective:Assess whether the MedDiet is associated with lower micronutrients inadequacy in a sample of Spanish preschoolers.Design:We conducted a cross-sectional study with 4–5-year-old children participating in the SENDO project. Information was gathered through an online questionnaire completed by parents. Dietary information was collected with a previously validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The estimated average requirements or adequate intake levels as proposed by the Institute of Medicine were used as cut-off point to define inadequate intake.Statistical analyses:Crude and multivariable adjusted estimates were calculated with generalized estimated equations to account for intra-cluster correlation between siblings.Participants:We used baseline information of 1153 participants enrolled in the SENDO project between January 2015 and June 2022.Main outcomes measures:Odds Ratio and 95% Confidence Interval of presenting an inadequate intake of ≥3 micronutrients associated to the MedDiet.Results:The adjusted proportion of children with inadequate intake of ≥3 micronutrients were 27.2%, 13.5% and 8.1% in the categories of low, medium and high adherence to the MedDiet respectively. After adjusting for all potential confounders, children who had a low adherence to the MedDiet showed a significant lower odds of inadequate intake of ≥3 micronutrients compared to those with a high adherence (OR 9.85; 95% CI 3.33-29.09).Conclusion:Lower adherence to the MedDiet is associated with higher odds of nutritional inadequacy.

Suboptimal micronutrient intake in children remains a public health concern around the world. This study examined the relationship between a previously defined dietary carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the risk of micronutrient intake inadequacy in a pediatric cohort of Spanish preschoolers. Children aged 4–5 years old were recruited at their medical center or at school, and information on sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle variables were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. Dietary information was obtained from a validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We calculated the CQI and categorized participants into quartiles according to their scores. We assessed the intakes of 20 micronutrients and evaluated the probability of intake inadequacy by using the estimated average requirement cut-off point. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for potential confounders and account for the intra-cluster correlations between siblings. The adjusted proportions of children with an inadequate intake of ≥three micronutrients were 23%, 12%, 11%, and 9% in the first, second, third, and fourth quartiles of the CQI, respectively. Children in the highest quartile of the CQI had 0.22-fold lower odds (95% CI 0.10–0.48) of having ≥three inadequate micronutrient intakes than their peers in the lowest quartile. These findings reinforce the relevance of carbohydrate quality in children’s diets.

Suboptimal micronutrient intake in children remains a public health concern around the world. This study examined the relationship between a previously defined dietary carbohydrate quality index (CQI) and the risk of micronutrient intake inadequacy in a pediatric cohort of Spanish preschoolers. Children aged 4-5 years old were recruited at their medical center or at school, and information on sociodemographic, dietary, and life-style variables were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire. Dietary information was obtained from a validated 147-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. We calculated the CQI and categorized participants in quartiles according to their score. We assessed the intakes of 20 micronutrients and evaluated the probability of intake inadequacy using the Estimated Average Requirement cut-off point. Generalized estimating equations were used to adjust for potential confounders and account for the intra-cluster correlations between siblings. The adjusted proportions of children with inadequate intake of ≥3 micronutrients were 23%, 12%, 11% and 9% in the first, second, third and fourth quartiles of the CQI, respectively. Children in the highest quartile of CQI had 0.22-fold lower odds (95%CI 0.10-0.48) of having ≥3 inadequate micronutrient intakes than their peers in the lowest quartile. These findings reinforce the relevance of carbohydrate quality in children’s diets.