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In a comment on several articles on the vegan dietary pattern, Antoniazzi & Acosta-Navarro (2017) mentioned the paradox of the presence of dietary cholesterol as a nutritional component in the analysis of the vegan dietary pattern [1]. [...]

Background The hydration status of elite female soccer players is a concern, especially during high-volume training periods or tournaments. Furthermore, scientific literature on this topic is scarce to non-existent. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the hydration status in elite youth female soccer players during an official tournament. The secondary aim was to identify a possible relationship between pre-training hydration status and fluid intake. Methods Eighteen players were followed during eight consecutive days. Urine specific gravity was used to assess hydration status. Body weight was monitored before and after every training and match, whilst individual fluid intake was only registered during training. The players were informed about their hydration status on day 5. Results On days 1 to 4, the percentage of players who were at least minimally hypohydrated ranged between 44% and 78%. On day 5 (rest day), all the players were at least minimally hypohydrated. After the information session on day 5, the relative number of euhydrated players increased to 89% on both day 6 (training day) and day 7 (match day). On the final day (rest day), all players were either minimally hypohydrated or hypohydrated. Furthermore, a moderate and significant negative correlation (r=-0.44; N.=54; P=0.01) was found between fluid intake during and USG value before the training sessions. Conclusions The data illustrates that the hydration status of this population of elite youth female soccer players may be suboptimal and is of substantial concern on rest days during this tournament under temperate conditions. Receiving personal advice about rehydration seems to have a positive effect.

Fast recovery after strenuous exercise is important in sports and is often studied via cryotherapy applications. Cryotherapy has a significant vasoconstrictive effect, which seems to be the leading factor in its effectiveness. The resulting enhanced recovery can be measured by using both objective and subjective parameters. Two commonly measured subjective characteristics of recovery are delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Two important objective recovery characteristics are countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and peak power output (PPO). Here, we provide a detailed protocol to induce muscular exhaustion of the frontal thighs with a self-paced, 3 x 30 countermovement jump protocol (30-s rest between each set). This randomized controlled trial protocol explains how to perform local cryotherapy cuff application (+ 8 degrees C for 20 min) and thermoneutral cuff application (+ 32 degrees C for 20 min) on both thighs as two possible post-exercise recovery modalities. Finally, we provide a non-invasive protocol to measure the effects of these two recovery modalities on subjective (i.e., DOMS of both frontal thighs and RPE) and objective recovery (i.e., CMJ and PPO) characteristics 24, 48, and 72 h post-application. The advantage of this method is that it provides a tool for researchers or coaches to induce muscular exhaustion, without using any expensive devices; to implement local cooling strategies; and to measure both subjective and objective recovery, without using invasive methods. Limitations of this protocol are that the 30 s rest period between sets is very short, and the cardiovascular demand is very high. Future studies may find the assessment of maximum voluntary contractions to be a more sensitive assessment of muscular exhaustion compared to CMJs.

The limited evidence on nutritional profiles of elderly vegetarians is reviewed, and specific recommendations are made for the diets of elderly vegetarians and for further research. On the whole, results in elderly vegetarians are consistent with those in younger vegetarians, showing many favorable nutritional characteristics but also potential weaknesses in certain vegetarian diets, particularly in relation to vitamin B 12 , calcium, protein, and zinc. The limited amount of research on elderly vegetarians is striking, given the aging of populations and the increased interest in vegetarian and plant-based diets. Further research on elderly vegetarians should include careful examination of zinc and omega-3 fatty acids and should very carefully adjust for any age differences between diet groups.

BACKGROUND: Somatotyping is advantageous in sports for the optimal development of performance level and injury prevention. The aim of this study was to describe the anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of the German national rugby union 7s team. Seventeen male rugby players, classified as forwards (N.=9; 24.2±2.1 years) and backs (N.=8; 24.3±5.05 years) were assessed. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements included: body height, weight, height to weight ratio (H/W), five skinfolds, biepicondylar humerus and femur breadth, upper arm- and calf girth, estimated lower body fat percentage and determination of the individual and mean somatotype. The physical performance tests included: sit-and-reach, handgrip strength, one minute of sit-ups, one minute of pushups, vertical jump performance, peak power performance, bent arm hanging, 40-m sprint, and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test. RESULTS: The forward players were significantly taller (P=0.003), heavier (P=0.001) with a smaller H/W (P=0.009) compared to the backs. Humerus and femur bone breadths (P

Active transport might be well suited to counteract the decrease in physical activity and the increase in weight gain in students and working young adults (18–25 years). To promote active transport in this neglected age group, knowledge of factors influencing all transport modes is needed. Focus groups were used to explore factors influencing transport choice of studying and working young adults, for short distance travel to various destinations. Nineteen students (mean age of 21±1.1 years) and 17 working young adults (mean age of 23±1.5 years) were recruited. Three focus groups were conducted with students and three with working young adults. Content analysis was performed using NVivo 9 software (QSR International). Grounded theory was used to derive categories and subcategories. Young adults talked about several factors that influence transport choice, which could be categorized in three themes: Personal factors, social factors and physical environmental factors. Some factors were reported as very important for choosing between transport modes, such as autonomy, travel time, financial cost and vehicle ownership; some as less important, such as the built environment and perceived safety and some as not important at all, such as ecology and health. Most factors were discussed by both students and working young adults, but some differences were found between the two groups, mainly based on income and living situation. When promoting active transport in young adults, health benefits or ecological benefits should not be emphasized. Focus should be put on cycling instead of walking, on flexibility, speed, good social support and low costs. Also, more bicycle storage and workplace facilities should be provided. It should be avoided that young adults own a private car and the public transport system should be optimized to fit their needs.

Knowledge on the physical environmental factors that invite older adults to walk for transportation is limited. The current study aimed to investigate the relationships between environmental factors and invitingness to walk for transportation and the potential moderating effects of gender, functional limitations and current walking for transportation behavior. Sixty older participants evaluated 40 panoramic photographs on their invitingness in two ways: a forced choice (first impressions) and a rating task (more deliberate evaluation). Presence of vegetation, benches, and surveillance significantly positively related to both invitingness-measures. Upkeep and presence of historic elements significantly positively related to the assigned invitingness-ratings. For the forced choice task, significant positive relationships emerged for land use and separation between sidewalk and cycling path, but only in functionally limited participants. Environments offering comfort, safety from crime, and pleasantness may attract older adults to walk for transportation. Experimental and on-site studies are needed to elaborate on current findings.

2nd Highest Scoring Abstract: Post Doctoral/Early Career Background E-bikes, bikes with a battery-driven motor providing supporting power only when the cyclist exerts power onto the pedals, are very popular in several countries around the world. E-bikes are particularly popular among older adults (≥ 65 years) with e-bike trips constituting 25% of all Flemish (Belgian) older adults’ bike trips. Despite their popularity, few studies have examined e-bikes’ contribution to active ageing. We aimed to (1) compare older e-bikers’ and conventional bikers’ socio-demographics and health characteristics, (2) examine e-bikers’ purchase motives, purposes of e-bike use and substitution effects of e-bikes and (3) compare e-bikers’ and conventional bikers’ cycling levels. Methods Participants were recruited through a variety of channels and completed an online or interview-administered survey. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression and hurdle models. Results The questionnaire was completed by 1,146 Flemish older adults (84.2% online and 15.8% interview) and 31.2% were e-bikers. Women (OR= 1.75, 95% CI= 1.30–2.37) and those with a higher BMI (OR= 1.05, 95% CI= 1.02–1.09) had higher odds of being an e-biker. Main motives to purchase an e-bike concerned overcoming typical cycling barriers (i.e., health problems, long distances and hills). E-bikes were used for transportation as well as recreational purposes and substituted active and passive trips. Compared to conventional bikers, e-bikers had 2.58 times (95% CI= 1.94–3.47) higher odds of having biked for transport in the past week. This relationship was stronger among participants with a higher BMI. Among those who had biked for transport in the past week, e-bikers had biked 35% (95% CI= 1.17–1.56) more minutes. E-bikers had 2.83 times (95% CI= 2.15–3.74) higher odds of having biked for recreation in the past week. Among those who had biked for recreation in the past week, e-bikers had biked 30% (95% CI=1.07–1.58) more minutes. However, this relationship was only significant among women and among those being slightly limited to bike, not among men and those not limited by their health to bike. Conclusions Our findings suggest that e-bikes contribute to active ageing, especially among those known to be at risk for physical inactivity. Future research should examine e-bikes’ effects on total physical activity and health outcomes using objective measures in longitudinal and experimental designs. Furthermore, research about the crash risks related to e-bike use among older adults is warranted.

This study aimed to estimate nitrogen balance and protein requirements in adolescent sprint athletes as a function of growth rate and physical development. Sixty adolescent sprint athletes were followed up biannually over a 2-yr period. Individual growth curves and age at peak height velocity were determined. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was estimated based on anthropometric measurements and fat mass was estimated by underwater densitometry. Seven-day diet and physical activity diaries were completed to estimate energy balance and protein intake. Nitrogen analysis of 24-hr urine samples collected on 1 weekday and 1 weekend day allowed calculation of nitrogen balance. Body height, weight, and SMM increased throughout the study period in both genders. Mean protein intakes were between 1.4 and 1.6 g kg−1 day−1 in both genders. A protein intake of 1.46 g kg−1 day−1 in girls and 1.35 g kg−1 day−1 in boys was needed to yield a positive nitrogen balance. This did not differ between participants during and after their growth spurt. None of the growth parameters was significantly related to nitrogen balance. It can be concluded that a mean protein intake around 1.5 g kg−1 day−1 was sufficient to stay in a positive nitrogen balance, even during periods of peak growth. Therefore, protein intake should not be enhanced in peak periods of linear or muscular growth.

In various chronic pain populations, decreased cognitive performance is known to be related to pain severity. Yet, this relationship has not been investigated in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study investigated the relationship between cognitive performance and (1) pain severity, (2) level of fatigue, and (3) self-reported symptoms and health status in women with CFS. Examining the latter relationships is important for clinical practice, since people with CFS are often suspected to exaggerate their symptoms. A sample of 29 female CFS patients and 17 healthy controls aged 18 to 45 years filled out three questionnaires (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and CFS Symptom List) and performed three performance-based cognitive tests (psychomotor vigilance task, Stroop task, and operation span task), respectively. In both groups, pain severity was not associated with cognitive performance. In CFS patients, the level of fatigue measured with the CFS Symptom List, but not with the CIS, was significantly correlated with sustained attention. Self-reported mental health was negatively correlated with all investigated cognitive domains in the CFS group. These results provide evidence for the clinical importance of objectively measured cognitive problems in female CFS patients. Furthermore, a state-like measure (CFS Symptom List) appears to be superior over a trait-like measure (CIS) in representing cognitive fatigue in people with CFS. Finally, the lack of a significant relationship between cognitive performance and self-reported pain severity suggests that pain in CFS might be unique.

Health-related advantages of physical activity are well documented. The aim was to detect socioeconomic, health, and dietary determinants of physical activity.A cross-sectional design was used. Mailed questionnaires were sent to 5,000 Belgian military men. Dietary patterns were determined using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). For physical activity, the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used.Participation rate was 37% (n = 1,852). Mean total metabolic equivalent task (MET-total) varied between 6,224 MET-minutes/week for the age category 20 to 29 years to 4,578 MET-minutes/week for the age category 50 to 59 years. About 58% of the participants had a body mass index (BMI) above 25.0 kg/m(2). Logistic regression indicated a strong relation between MDS and MET-vigorous. A BMI increase of 1 kg/m(2) was associated with an odds ratio of 0.95 (95% confidence interval: 0.93-0.98), meaning that each increase of 1 kg/m(2) decreased MET-vigorous with 5%. Each additional life year decreased MET-vigorous with 3%.The high level of physical activity and the physical activity promoting and facilitating occupational environment seem to be insufficient to prevent adiposity. Vigorous physical activity was most discriminative and negatively related with increasing BMI, age, and smoking and positively related with MDS.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the associations of socio-ecological factors with independent mobility for transportation cycling among 10-to-12-year-old boys and girls. Additionally, we examined whether associations differed across family socio-economic status (SES) and urbanization level. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Parents (n=1286) were recruited via 45 primary schools across Flanders, Belgium. They completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic and psychosocial factors, neighborhood environmental perceptions, as well as some characteristics of their child. Independent mobility was assessed as the distance children were allowed to cycle for transport without adult supervision. Multilevel gamma regression analyses stratified by gender were performed to examine the associations between the independent variables and children's independent mobility and the moderating effects of family SES and urbanization level. RESULTS: Independent mobility was higher among boys compared to girls. Perception of children's cycling and traffic skills and children's grade were positively associated with independent mobility among boys and girls. Perceptions of neighborhood traffic safety were positively associated with independent mobility among girls, but not among boys. Perceptions of cycling skills were positively associated with independent mobility among boys living in high urbanized areas, but not in low urbanized areas. Parental cycling for transport was negatively associated with independent mobility among girls with a low family SES, but not among girls with a high family SES. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interventions targeting increases in children's cycling and traffic skills may be effective to increase independent mobility. Few differences in associations were found according to children's gender, family SES or urbanization level.Copyright © 2016 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Language: en

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine potential differences in walking, cycling, public transport and passive transport (car/moped/motorcycle) to work and to other destinations between college and non-college educated working young adults. Secondly, we aimed to investigate which psychosocial and environmental factors are associated with the four transport modes and whether these associations differ between college and non-college educated working young adults. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 224 working young adults completed an online questionnaire assessing socio-demographic variables (8 items), psychosocial variables (6 items), environmental variables (10 items) and transport mode (4 types) and duration to work/other destinations. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were performed in R. RESULTS: A trend (p

The present study examined physiological responses, hitting accuracy and step count during a tennis drill on both clay and hard courts. Twenty elite tennis players performed two identical ball machine led drills. Maximum and mean heart rate, energy expenditure, playing intensity (MET values) and step count were measured using the Polar RCX-5 device and the SenseWear Pro3 Armband. Hitting accuracy was calculated as the percentage of balls that were hit within marked zones. There was no significant difference and a trivial effect size between clay and hard court for maximal and mean heart rate, MET values and hitting accuracy. There was a small effect size and a trend towards a significantly higher energy expenditure on clay court. Step count showed a large effect size and was significantly lower on clay court. The correlations between step count, hitting accuracy and the physiological responses indicated little difference between clay and hard court. There was a significant moderate positive correlation between step count and hitting accuracy on hard court only. Despite a significant difference in step count, this study did not find a significant difference in physiological responses and hitting accuracy between clay and hard court during a ball machine led drill.

Background Encouraging sustainable travel behavior in emerging adults is important because this transport choice might persist into adulthood. However, research on transport habits in emerging adulthood is scarce. This study aimed to examine potential differences in walking, cycling, car use and public transport use between three groups of emerging adults (secondary school students (17–18 yrs), studying young adults (18–25 yrs) and working young adults (18–25 yrs)), and to investigate differences in choice of transport modes within each of the three groups according to gender, SES and living environment. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to collect self-reported data via an online survey that assessed socio-demographic variables, commuting (to work or school) and transport to other destinations. 1307 emerging adults completed the questionnaire. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used. The four dependent variables were minutes per week walking, cycling, car use and public transport use. Results Compared to the other two groups, secondary school students were most likely to cycle, studying young adults were most likely to walk and use public transport and working young adults were most likely to use a car. In each of the three groups, men were more likely to cycle than women and women were more likely to commute by car to work/school than men. Female secondary school students were also more likely to use a car to other destinations. In each of the three groups, urban emerging adults were more likely to walk and less likely to use a car than those living in rural areas. Urban studying young adults were more likely to cycle to other destinations and urban working young adults were more likely to cycle to work than their rural counterparts. Urban secondary school students were less likely to use public transport to school, although urban studying young adults and working young adults were more likely to use public transport than their rural counterparts. In each of the three groups, high SES emerging adults were more likely to travel by car to other destinations than those with low SES. Conclusions Future active transport interventions should focus on female emerging adults and on maintaining the habit of cycling after reaching the age at which it is possible to obtain a driver’s license. More research on the travel behavior of working young adults is needed as this often neglected target group was least likely to use active and public transport and most likely to travel by car among the three comparison groups. Encouraging the combined use of active and public transport might help to decrease car use when travelling longer distances.

This chapter explores the interactions between research on dietary quality models and research on plant-based and vegetarian diets and seeks to answer the questions: What are the defining and typical differences between plant-based, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets? Can dietary quality models developed for measuring the quality of omnivorous diets be usefully applied to plant-based and vegetarian diets? Do existing dietary quality models illuminate observed differences in health between plant-based, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets? Are extensions needed to existing dietary quality models to more completely encompass plant-based and vegetarian diets? We conclude that dietary quality models developed using omnivorous populations can be usefully applied to vegetarian diets. In the light of dietary quality models, we review observed death rates in populations with restricted intake of animal products. Finally, we suggest some adjustments to improve the evaluation of the quality of vegetarian diets, including an estimate of absorbed vitamin B12.

High levels of meat consumption in Belgium may be contributing to increased risk of non-communicable diseases in this population. The objective of this study is to investigate the attitudes and beliefs about vegetarianism and meat consumption among the Belgian population, ultimately to better understand the motivations underlying these dietary behaviours. This cross-sectional study was initiated in March 2011. A total of 2436 individuals from a representative consumer panel from the Flemish and Brussels communities participated. The study sample was evenly distributed by education level and sex (1238 men and 1198 women). An online questionnaire with multiple-choice questions about vegetarianism and meat consumption was completed by all participants. Although representative of the prevalence of vegetarians in the population, the number of vegetarians in the study was low (n = 38); the number of semi-vegetarians (n = 288) and omnivores was high (n = 2031). Vegetarians were more likely than semi-vegetarians to agree that meat production is bad for the environment and that meat consumption is unhealthy. Important reasons for not being vegetarian included lack of interest and awareness, taste, and limited cooking skills. Encouragingly, health and discovering new tastes were seen as the most important motives for considering eating a more vegetarian-based diet. The results of this study highlight the motivations that can be used for encouraging the general public to reduce their meat consumption in favour of a plant-rich diet, and will help to inform more targeted health campaigns for reducing meat consumption in Belgium.

This study assessed sociodemographics, general health, personal and environmental factors associated with fruit and vegetable (FV) and total fat intake in Belgian university students.In total, 185 students completed a self-reported online questionnaire assessing daily FV and fat intake, as well as sociodemographic, personal and environmental variables related to FV and fat intake. Mean FV and fat consumption were compared with Belgian recommendations. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with FV and fat intake.Respectively, 90.3 and 50.8% of students failed to meet the recommendations for FV and fat consumption. Agreeing more with the fact that one should eat FV on most days of the week (individual subjective norm), finding it less difficult to eat FV at home or at university (perceived behavioural control) and experiencing more modelling were associated with higher FV consumption. Increasing age, higher educational level of the father and higher individual subjective norm about eating low-fat foods were associated with lower fat intake.Future interventions aiming to improve dietary intake among university students should focus on younger students with lower socioeconomic status and should enhance students' subjective norm and behavioural control concerning healthy eating.

Micronutrient dilution following sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption can lead to a qualitative impoverishment of a dietary pattern. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the relation between SSB consumption and micronutrients. A total 562 adults were tested in 2002 and 2012 for the same anthropometric, lifestyle and nutritional intake activity parameters. Calcium, iron and magnesium intake decreased with increasing baseline SSB intake, and with increasing SSB consumption during the 10 years. A 100 ml increase in SSB consumption was associated with a 22 mg lower intake of calcium, 0.4 mg of iron and 9 mg of magnesium. There was no relation between vitamins and SSB consumption. In conclusion, there was limited evidence in our study, which suggests SSB have minimal dilutional effect on dietary micronutrient consumption. A major limitation of the present study is that of the original 1569 participants in 2002, 36% returned for participation in 2012. ispartof: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition vol:72 issue:1 pages:170-173 ispartof: location:England status: published

Erich Hohenauer,1-3 Peter Clarys,3 Jean-Pierre Baeyens,2-4 Ron Clijsen,1-31Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart, Switzerland; 2University College Physiotherapy, Thim van der Laan, Landquart, Switzerland; 3Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; 4Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, BelgiumAbstract: The purpose of this controlled trial was to investigate the effects of a single local cryotherapy session on the recovery characteristics over a period of 72 hours. Twentytwo young and healthy female (n=17; mean age: 21.9±1.1 years) and male (n=5;mean age:25.4±2.8 years) adults participated in this study. Following an exhaustive jump protocol (3×30 countermovement jumps), half of the participants received either a single local cryotherapy application (+8°C) or a single local thermoneutral application (+32°C) of 20-minute duration using two thigh cuffs. Subjective measures of recovery (delayed-onset muscle soreness and ratings of perceived exertion) and objective measures of recovery (vertical jump performanceand peak power output) were assessed immediately following the postexercise applications (0 hours) and at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after the jump protocol. Local cryotherapy failed to significantly affect any subjective recovery variable during the 72-hour recovery period (P>0.05). After 72 hours, the ratings of perceived exertion were significantly lower in the thermoneutral group compared to that in the cryotherapy group (P=0.002). No significant differences were observed between the cryotherapy and the thermoneutral groups with respect to any of the objective recovery variables. In this experimental study, a 20-minute cryotherapy cuff application failed to demonstrate a positive effect on any objective measures of recovery. The effects of local thermoneutral application on subjective recovery characteristics were superior when compared to the effects of local cryotherapy application at 72 hours postapplication.Keywords: cryotherapy, cold cuff, muscle damage, recovery

Background/aims: Regional differences in percutaneous penetration and skin properties are well documented. However, only a few studies have investigated the relationship between substance penetration and specific skin characteristics in function of the body region. It was our aim to evaluate the physiological effect of topically applied substances in function of skin parameters determined at different body regions. Methods: The characterization of the blanching response to a topically applied corticosteroid and the characterization of the erythema response to topically applied nicotinates were used as two indicators for the percutaneous penetration at selected body regions. Stratum corneum hydration, skin temperature, TEWL, the amount of skin surface lipids and perfusion of the superficial microcirculation were determined at the same body regions. Results: Significant differences in pharmacodynamic response to the corticosteroids and the nicotinates were found in function of the body region. A strong correlation was detected between the parameters characterizing the pharmacodynamic response and the particular skin properties. Conclusion: The regional differences in pharmacological response to topically applied halcinonide and nicotinates may point to a body region dependent bioavailability of the vasoactive substances in the upper skin layers. The significant relationship between the parameters characterizing the physiological skin reaction and the determined skin parameters may be an indication of their involvement in the percutaneous penetration process. These regional differences in pharmacological response seem to be independent of the physicochemical properties of the topically applied substances.

To date, the major dilemma concerning frailty is the lack of a standardized language regarding its operationalization. Considering the demographic challenge that the world is facing, standardization of frailty identification is indeed the first step in tackling the burdensome consequences of frailty. To demonstrate this diversity in frailty assessment, the available frailty instruments have been linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): a standardized and hierarchically coded language developed by World Health Organization regarding health conditions and their positive (functioning) and negative (disability) consequences. A systematic review on frailty instruments was carried out in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and PsycINFO. The items of the identified frailty instruments were then linked to the ICF codes. 79 original or adapted frailty instruments were identified and categorized into single (n = 25) and multidomain (n = 54) groups. Only 5 frailty instruments (indexes) were linked to all 5 ICF components. Whereas the ICF components Body Functions and Activities and Participation were frequently linked to the frailty instruments, Body Structures, Environmental and Personal factors were sparingly represented mainly in the multidomain frailty instruments. This review highlights the heterogeneity in frailty operationalization. Environmental and personal factors should be given more thought in future frailty assessments. Being unambiguous, structured, and neutral, the ICF language allows comparing observations made with different frailty instruments. In conclusion, this systematic overview and ICF translation can be a cornerstone for future standardization of frailty assessment.

Ziel: Ermittlung der anthropometrischen Daten sowie der Handgreifkraft der schweizerischen Junioren- und Elite-Judonationalmannschaft. Die generierten Werte wurden anschliesend mit der existenten Datenlage aus der Literatur verglichen. Methodik: In die Analyse konnten insgesamt 24 Mitglieder, 5 Frauen (19,95 ± 2,02 Jahre) und 19 Manner (23,01 ± 4,91 Jahre), eingeschlossen werden. Mittels der durchgefuhrten anthropometrischen Messungen wurden je Athlet der Korperfettanteil (Tanita-Waage Athlete und Berechnung mit der Durnin und Womersley Methode), die Korpergrose, das Korpergewicht, 6 Hautfalten (HFD), 2 Knochenbreiten, 2 Umfange, der BMI und der Somatotyp dimensioniert. Zusatzlich wurde die Handgreifkraft bestimmt. Die anthropometrischen Messungen wurden gemas ISAK-Richtlinien durchgefuhrt. Die Literaturrecherche erfolgte mittels PubMed in der elektronischen Datenbank MedLine. Ergebnisse: Der Mittelwert der Somatotypen mannlicher Judoka ergab 2,2 ± 0,8 fur die Endomorphie, 6,0 ± 0,9 fur die Mesomorphie und 2,0 ± 0,7 fur die Ektomorphie. Der mittlere Somatotyp war ausgeglichen mesomorph. Der Mittelwert der Handgreifkraft der mannlichen Judoka lag bei 47,4 ± 6,7 kg. Der Mittelwert der Somatotypen weiblicher Judoka war 3,7 ± 1,2 fur die Endomorphie, 4,9 ± 0,7 fur die Mesomorphie und 1,5 ± 0,3 fur die Ektomorphie. Der mittlere Somatotyp war endomorphisch mesomorph. Der Mittelwert der Handgreifkraft weiblicher Judoka belief sich auf 27,0 ± 3,1 kg. Anthropometrische Unterschiede konnten sowohl zwischen den schweizerischen Junioren und Elite-Judoka als auch zwischen den schweizerischen Kaderathleten und den Athleten der Referenzstudien erkannt werden. Konklusion: Die Ergebnisse der erhobenen anthropometrischen Daten und ermittelten Werte der Handgreifkraft stellen Daten bereit, welche zur Optimierung sportspezifischer Teilbereiche der schweizerischen Judoka unterstutzend herangezogen werden konnen. Judoka, welche Abweichungen vom Idealprofil aufweisen, konnen mittels ausgleichender Faktoren (Technik, Taktik, mentale Starke) dennoch erfolgreich sein.

Il sebo e abbondante sul cuoio capelluto, sul viso (fronte, naso, guancia e mento), sul collo, sulle spalle e sulle parti superiori del dorso e del tronco. Le altre sedi cutanee presentano uno scarso contenuto di sebo. La secrezione sebacea e massima sulla fronte (soprattutto sulla porzione mediana) e sul cuoio capelluto. I valori medi del livello casuale (LC) (casual level) della fronte negli individui normoseborroici sono compresi tra i 100 e i 200 μg/cm2, negli iposeborroici si trovano entro i 50 μg/cm2 e negli iperseborroici al di sopra dei 500 μg/cm2. Dopo la sgrassatura della superficie cutanea, la ricostituzione del LC di sebo comincia dapprima rapidamente e in maniera lineare e, poi, continua sempre piu lentamente, per raggiungere, generalmente, un valore plateau dopo 4-5 ore. La cinetica di ritorno del grasso segue una curva esponenziale. La velocita di escrezione (sebum excretion rate, SER) rappresenta l’unita di flusso di ritorno del grasso e varia da 0,5 a 2,5 μg/cm2 al minuto a livello delle tempie e tra 0,1 e 0,8 μg/cm2 al minuto a livello del cuoio capelluto. La funzione sebacea e estremamente variabile da un individuo all’altro e in uno stesso individuo ed e sottoposta anche a importanti costrizioni fisiologiche individuali (regolazione endocrina, ampie variazioni con l’eta e in funzione del sesso e del gruppo etnico, ritmo circadiano importante e temperatura esterna). La metrologia dell’escrezione sebacea puo realizzarsi con diverse tecniche. Si distinguono l’estrazione con un solvente organico dei lipidi assorbiti su un film plastico poroso, la raccolta su film assorbenti (Sebutape®, Sebufix®) e la misurazione fotometrica su film polimerici translucidi assorbenti (Sebumeter®). L’utilizzo di film polimerici e semplice e permette, grazie all’analisi dell’immagine quantitativa, di ottenere rapidamente dei risultati affidabili. Tuttavia, le misurazioni sperimentali devono essere realizzate sotto condizioni precise e standardizzate ed e necessario un grandissimo rigore quando si usano queste tecniche.

The aim of this study was to examine the physical characteristics and somatotype of junior and senior athletes in relation to sprint start and acceleration performance. Nineteen female junior, 23 male junior, 9 female senior, and 16 male senior sprint athletes performed three maximal 20-m sprints. The starting blocks were instrumented to measure forward propulsion forces. Running velocity was measured by a laser positioned behind the athlete at 1 m height. Anthropometric measures were used to calculate somatotype and skeletal muscle mass. Body composition was estimated by underwater weighing densitometry. Junior and senior athletes were of similar height in both sexes. Male seniors were heavier, had larger limb circumferences, and a higher skeletal muscle mass than male juniors. Only the limb circumferences of the female seniors were larger than those of the female juniors. Female juniors were balanced ectomorphs, while female seniors were situated centrally on the somatochart (2.7–2.2–3.9 vs. 2....

Introduction En reeducation musculo-squelettique, le traitement au laser a faible intensite est frequemment utilise comme additif pour gerer la douleur des patients atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques. Bien que le traitement au laser a faible intensite soit utilise dans une grande variete d’environnements cliniques, les resultats de son efficacite dans le traitement de la douleur chez les patients atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques sont controverses. Cette meta-analyse s’attache a etudier l’efficacite du traitement au laser a faible intensite sur la douleur chez les patients adultes atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques. Methode Une recherche systematique de documentation a ete effectuee dans les bases de donnees Medline et PEDro. Deux evaluateurs independants ont selectionne les titres et les resumes des etudes retenues pour determiner leur adequation. Une evaluation de l’eligibilite des etudes a ete faite a l’aide de l’echelle de notation PEDro. Les etudes obtenant un score ≥ 4 ont ete conservees. Un modele a effets aleatoires a ete utilise pour effectuer la meta-analyse. Des meta-analyses de sous-groupes ont ete realisees pour evaluer l’adequation du traitement au laser a faible intensite aux recommandations de bonne pratique de la World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT), l’influence sur le site anatomique traite et la conception de l’etude sur l’ampleur de l’effet moyen pondere. Une meta-regression a ete utilisee pour evaluer l’influence possible de la qualite de l’etude sur l’ampleur de l’effet de l’etude elle-meme. Resultats Dix-huit etudes permettant 21 comparaisons directes (1462 participants) ont ete incluses. La difference moyenne brute rassemblee (D) entre la douleur avec traitement au laser a faible intensite et le groupe controle est de −0,85 [IC 95 % : −1,22 a −0,48]. L’heterogeneite entre etudes est elevee (I2 = 85,6 %) et significative (Cochran's Q = 139,2 ; df = 20 ; p Conclusions Selon les resultats de cette etude, le traitement au laser a faible intensite semble une modalite de traitement efficace pour alleger la douleur chez les patients adultes atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques. Les therapeutes qui utilisent le traitement au laser a faible intensite pour produire un allegement cliniquement significatif de la douleur dans le traitement des patients atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques devraient suivre le dosage recommande par la WALT. Signification La meta-analyse soutient le traitement au laser a faible intensite dans le traitement de la douleur chez les patients adultes atteints de troubles musculo-squelettiques [1] .

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of demographic, socioeconomic and nutritional determinants on daily versus non-daily sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption.Cross-sectional design in 1852 military men. Using mailed questionnaires, sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption was recorded. Principal component analysis was used for dietary pattern analysis.Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages were consumed daily by 36.3% and 33.2% of the participants, respectively. Age, body mass index (BMI), non-smoking and income were negatively related to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. High BMI and trying to lose weight were related to artificially sweetened beverages consumption. Three major patterns were obtained from principal component analysis: first, the 'meat pattern', was loaded for red meats and processed meats; second, the 'healthy pattern', was loaded for tomatoes, fruit, whole grain, vegetables, fruit, fish, tea and nuts; finally, the 'sweet pattern' was loaded for sweets, desserts, snacks, high-energy drinks, high-fat dairy products and refined grains. The sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was strongly related with both the meat and sweet dietary patterns and inversely related to the healthy dietary pattern. The artificially sweetened beverage consumption was strongly related with the sweet and healthy dietary pattern.Daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was inversely associated with a healthy dietary pattern. Daily consumption of artificially sweetened beverages was clearly associated with weight-loss intention.

The purpose of this study was to describe the morphological characteristics in German amateur soccer players based upon their ranking in the championship table and the position of the players. Seventy-two male Fifth Division soccer players from four clubs volunteered for this study. The examination of the teams was conducted within 10 days of the preparation period for the second half of the season when teams A through D were ranked 6 th , 5 th , 2 nd and 11 th in the Division. Anthropometric measurements included body weight and height, skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, calf), biepicondylar humerus and femur breadths, upper arm (flexed and tensed), thigh and calf girths. Somatotypes were calculated using the Heath-Carter equations.No differences were found between the means of the different anthropometric variables of the four teams (p

Background/aims: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is used for the estimation of the amount of body fat. We evaluated the influence of the stratum corneum hydration at the contact areas used for BIA on the body fat estimation. Methods: Stratum corneum hydration was measured at the sole of the right foot and the palm of the right hand before and after contact with the Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF 410 s and the Omron Body Fat Analyzer s ,( n 5128 females and 126 males), respectively. Changes in stratum corneum hydration during the contact time were calculated (DHYD). As a gold standard for body fat estimation, the underwater weighing method (UWW) was used and the deviation of this standard was calculated for the Tanita (DT) and the Omron (DO) measurement. Results: During contact with the Tanita, stratum corneum hydration increased significantly at the foot. Neither stratum corneum hydration measured at the respective contact sites before BIA nor DHYD at the respective skin sites was related to DT or with DO. Conclusion: The BIA measuring procedure using the Tanita instrument leads to an occlusive effect at the contact site. BIA for the determination of body composition is not influenced by stratum corneum hydration.

For optimal athletic performance, recovery and body composition, athletes need to synchronize diet and physical activi ties. Especially in judo athletes, where competition is organiz ed in weight categories, the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure is of uttermost importance [1]. Data concerning energy intake during training and competition preparation – often a weight reduction periodare available [2,3,4]. However, the literature lacks data on the energy balance during the training period of judo athletes. When not in weight reduction period, special attention needs to be given to energy intake, providing sufficient energy for basal metabolism, physical activities, and recovery without caloric overshoot [5]. A highly positive energy balance during training periods may result in excessive weight gain with negative consequences for the following weight reduction period. In order to properly harmonize an athlete’s dietary intake and training program, assessing the energy balance and physical activity status of the athlete is required [6,7,8]. Energy expenditure during training in judo athletes is not well described. The training program of a judo athlete is diverse, and consists of judo specific training (technique and randori) and non-specific training (resistance training, endurance training), [9,10]. Randori, which is a type of fight training, can be categorized as a high intensity activity with an intermittent pattern of activity and relative rest more or less comparable with a competition fight [10]. The diversity of the training program, the unstructured activities during the randori training, and the contact with the opponent, make it very difficult to estimate energy expenditure with most of the available methods. Monitoring should be done in the athlete’s normal environment enabling maintenance of habitual activity participation and dietary intake. Therefore, the methods used to determine activity pattern and dietary intake should preferably be as accurate as possible and at the same time easy in use with a minimal burden on the athlete. An activity diary (AD) is considered to be one of the most accurate subjective techniques, despite the high participant burden [8]. Though self-report methods can be a principal source of information, other approaches or the use of combined measu res may be needed to characterize better an athlete‘s activity level. Reporting the results with different instruments provides a more complete description of activity levels and permits triangulation of outcomes [11]. The SenseWear Armband (SWA) combines five different sensors into one device attached as an armband around the upper arm. The SWA has shown to give reliable estimates of TEE in healthy free living adults [12,13,14]. Johannsen et al. [14] found a significant agreement between the SWA and doubly labeled water estimates of TEE. Fruin and Rankin [15] found the SWA to provide valid and reliable estimates of energy expenditure at rest and on an ergometer as compared to indirect calorimetry.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The measuring probe of the electrical hydration instruments is equipped with a spring system to ensure a constant pressure of probe application on the skin surface. However, it is possible to trigger the measurement at, respectively, a low and a high force of probe application. It is the purpose of this paper to compare the in vitro and in vivo hydration values of the capacitance and conductance method at, respectively, low and high values of application pressure on the considered surface. METHODS: In vitro capacitance and conductance hydration measurements were carried out at a low and a high pressure on a calibration filter pad impregnated with different alcohols and in vivo on different skin sites covering a wide range of hydration values. RESULTS: The in vitro results were pressure dependent and higher hydration values were noticed when the probes were applied with a high pressure compared with a low pressure. In vivo, the pressure effect was a function of the skin type and it was more pronounced for dry skin (40%), lower for normal skin (20%) and the lowest for hydrated skin (5-8%). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the influence of probe pressure application on the skin surface when carrying out capacitance and conductance hydration measurements.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Belgian army men. Biomedical data and cardiovascular risk factors were obtained by a mailed questionnaire and by data collected from a medical software program (Total Health). The number of responders to the mailing was 1852; 974 of the 1852 responders and 420 of the 3148 nonresponders were registered in Total Health. The prevalence of obesity was 5.6%, 15.0%, and 19.5%, respectively, for officers, noncommissioned officers, and soldiers. There was a strong socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of smoking: 12.7% of the officers were smokers, compared with 19.7% of the noncommissioned officers and 29.5% of the soldiers (p.001). Only 8.5% of the officers had a 10-year risk of more than 5% of developing fatal cardiovascular disease, compared with 18% of the lower socioeconomic positions. In conclusion, high-risk groups in Belgian army men are younger than 40 years of age, and smokers. Active prevention should focus on this group with special attention to the specificity of each rank category.

The present study compares the nutritional status of vegetarian (V) with non-vegetarian (NV) subjects. A three-day food record and a health questionnaire were completed by 106 V and 106 NV matched for following characteristics: sex, age, BMI, physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Total energy intake was not significantly different (men: V: 2,346 ± 685 kcal/d, NV: 2,628 ± 632 kcal/d, p = 0.078, women: V: 1,991 ± 539 kcal/d, NV: 1,973 ± 592 kcal/d, p = 0.849). Macronutrients intake differed significantly between the V and NV subjects for protein (men: V:12.7 ± 2.3 E%, NV:15.3 ± 4.5 E%, p = 0.003, women: V: 13.2 ± 2.3 E%, NV:16.0 ± 4.0 E%, p < 0.001), fat (men: V: 29.3 ± 8.4 E%, NV: 33.8 ± 5.3 E%, p = 0.010, women: V: 29.7 ± 6.9 E%, NV: 34.7 ± 9.0 E%, p < 0.001), and carbohydrate (men: V: 55.3 ± 10.1 E%, NV: 47.4 ± 6.9 E%, p < 0.001, women: V: 55.1 ± 7.6 E%, NV: 47.2 ± 8.2 E%, p < 0.001). The intake of most minerals was significantly different between the V and the NV subjects. V had a lower sodium intake, higher calcium, zinc, and iron intake compared to the NV subjects. Our results clearly indicate that a vegetarian diet can be adequate to sustain the nutritional demands to at least the same degree as that of omnivores. The intakes of the V subjects were closer to the recommendations for a healthy diet when compared to a group of well matched NV subjects.

Background Given that functional capacity (including leg strength, balance and reaction speeds) decreases with age, older adults may have different needs when cycling for transport compared to younger age groups. However, only a few studies have examined the environmental factors related to older adults’ cycling for transport. Studies on the relationships between environmental factors and physical activity often suffer from following limitations; absence of an accurate neighborhood definition, lack of environmental heterogeneity, environmental co-variation, recall bias and lack of experimental designs. The use of manipulated photographs may overcome these limitations. The current study aimed to examine the effects of manipulating micro-scale environmental factors in a photographed street on the street's appeal for older adults’ transportation cycling. Methods Data were collected among 1248 Flemish older adults through an online or interview version of the questionnaire. This questionnaire included a choice-based conjoint exercise with manipulated photographs of a street. These manipulated photographs originated from one panoramic photograph of an existing street that was manipulated on seven environmental attributes. A sentence below each photograph indicated how long it would take the participant to reach his/her destination when choosing to cycle along this street (varying from 10 to 15 minutes). Participants chose which of two presented streets they would prefer to cycle for transport. Results Type of cycle path (reflecting separation from motorized traffic and pedestrians) had the greatest effect on a street's appeal for transportation cycling (importance= 41.2%, 95% CI= 40.4–42.0). Participants had a clear preference for a cycle path that was separated from motorized traffic and pedestrians. The second most important factor was motorized traffic volume (importance= 16.4%, 95% CI= 15.8–17.0) with participants preferring streets with little traffic. This was followed by cycle path evenness (importance= 10.7%, 95% CI= 10.5–11.0) and distance (importance= 10.1%, 95% CI= 9.7–10.4). The remaining factors (speed limit, overall maintenance of the street, vegetation and the presence of a speed bump) appeared to be less important for older adults’ transportation cycling. Conclusions To promote transportation cycling among older adults through environmental modifications, the provision of cycle paths separated from motorized traffic and pedestrians should be prioritized.

The aim of our research was to describe cultural, socioeconomic and nutritional determinants associated with functional food consumption.Cross-sectional design in 5000 military men. Using mailed questionnaires, the functional food consumption frequency was recorded.Margarines fortified with phytosterols or phytostanols were used on a daily basis by 26.3% of the responders. Only 4.7% took a daily portion of probiotics, whereas 14.0% consumed one or more portions of nuts a week. One man out of three consumed one cup of tea daily, whereas 10.2% consumed one glass of red wine daily. Three or more portions of fruit a day were consumed by 19.1%, and two or more portions of vegetables a day by 26.6%. Only 12.3% consumed a portion of fatty fish weekly. After adjustment for age, body mass index, physical activity, use of vitamin supplements, smoking, marital status, cultural background, educational and income level, the daily consumption of fortified margarines increased with age. The consumption of fermented dairy products increased with physical activity and with the use of vitamin supplements. The consumption of fortified margarines, nuts, tea and fatty fish was strongly influenced by cultural background, with higher consumptions for Flemish-speaking men compared with French-speaking persons. Daily consumption of red wine was higher in French-speaking men and in higher educated men. Finally, functional food consumption was associated with a healthy dietary pattern.Age, physical activity, level of education, use of vitamin supplements and cultural background are predictors of functional food consumption patterns.

Information on the prediction of adult relative fat mass (percent body fat,%BF) using measures from pre-pubertal ages and early childhood is scarce. In the present longitudinal study, we assess the development of different anthropometric indicators of percent body fat during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood in 37½-year-old females stratified for low and high percent body fat. Consequently, we study the predictability of percent body fat based on simple anthropometric measurements during childhood and adolescence. Anthropometric data from the Belgian longitudinal experimental growth study “LEGS” were used. Beginning in 1969, five yearly cohorts of about 100 individuals each (mean age 6 years) were recruited in public kindergartens. Of the original 515 participants (260 males, 255 females) that were measured annually from age 6 to 18 years, 59 males and 60 females agreed to participate in a follow-up study in 2004. During the follow-up measurements, the participants were invited for a body-com...

Promoting children's cycling for transport is a useful strategy to increase their physical activity levels. No studies have examined to which extent children's psychosocial characteristics play a role in their transportation cycling. Furthermore, insights into the association between children's independent mobility (IM) and transportation cycling is lacking in Europe. This study examined (1) the association of children's psychosocial characteristics with transportation cycling and its moderating effect of child's gender, parents' educational attainment and IM, and (2) the association between children's IM and transportation cycling. Children (n = 1232, aged 10–12 yrs) completed an online questionnaire at school assessing their psychosocial characteristics related with transportation cycling. Parents reported child's usual transportation cycling and the distance their child is allowed to cycle unsupervised (IM). Hurdle models were used to estimate associations between independent variables and odds of being a cyclist and with minutes of transportation cycling among those cycling. Data were collected during November–December 2014 across Flanders, Belgium. Children's perceived parental modeling, parental norm, peers' co-participation, self-efficacy and IM were positively related to the odds of being a cyclist, perceived benefits were negatively associated. Parental modeling, siblings' modeling, self-efficacy and parental norm were more strongly related to the odds of being a cyclist among children with a low IM. Friends' modeling was significantly related with odds of being a cyclist among boys. IM and parental norm (only among boys) were positively related to the time spent cycling. Targeting children, their friends and parents seems therefore most appropriate when aiming to increase children's transportation cycling.

Objective to describe the demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional behaviors associated with of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Design: cross-sectional. Setting: in January 2014, 26,566 military personnel, representing 84.6% of the 31,412 men and women in active service were invited to participate in an online survey. Included questions were about consumption of fruits and vegetables, meat, SSB, number of breakfasts a week, and military rank. Subjects: 7,252 military subjects. Results: mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 45.4 (7.9) years for 6,529 males and 41.9 (8.9) years for 723 females. Mean (standard deviation) body mass index was 26.6 (3.6) kg/m2 for males and 24.5 (3.9) kg/m2 for females. The probability of consuming daily SSB decreased with age, and with increasing body mass index, being female, and being a noncommissioned officer or officer. Consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased for daily SSB consumption, but meat consumption increased. The odds r...

Purpose This study aimed to provide an overview of available literature on interventions aiming to improve dietary intake among university students. Materials and methods A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus were searched for relevant articles. Risk of bias was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research. Results Twenty studies were identified, consisting of 12 randomised controlled trials, 1 quasi-experiment and 7 pre-experiments. Six studies were conducted outside the US. Risk of bias assessment revealed an average quality score of 5.8/10. Of the 13 interventions which were effective in improving students’ dietary intake, 8 used an intrapersonal approach, with 6 of them using the web or some kind of media to facilitate the intervention. The 5 remaining studies used an environmental (point-of-purchase) approach. Only 1 intervention, using 10 web-based lessons, based on non-diet principles and focused on eating competence and size acceptance to promote healthy eating, was found to be effective in the long term. Conclusions Nutrition education, enhancing self-regulation components towards dietary intake (often facilitated by the worldwide web or other media devices), and point-of-purchase messaging strategies may improve university or college students’ dietary intake. Future high quality randomised controlled trials should evaluate sustainability of intervention effects, as well as further investigate the effectiveness of realistic and low-cost environmental (preferably combined with intrapersonal) interventions which can easily and instantly reach a great part of the university population.

The daily intake of food flavonoids was determined using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a four day non consecutive food diary (4DFR) in a group of 45 female Flemish dietitians. The subjects were asked to report their food intake three times: day 1 using the FFQ (FFQ1); between day 2 and 13 using a four day non consecutive food diary (4DFR); and again the FFQ on day 14 (FFQ2). The total flavonoid intake in mg/day as estimated with the different methods were respectively (mean and SD) for FFQ1 166.0 +/- 146.6 mg/day; for 4DFR 203.0 +/- 243.2 mg/day; and for FFQ2 158.3 +/- 151.8 mg/day. There was a significant different estimate for the amount of flavan-3-ols, flavanones and flavones when comparing the two FFQs with the 4DFR. The two research methods classified 88% of the 45 dietitians in the same or in an adjacent quartile for total flavonoid intake. The findings of this study indicate that the developed FFQ seems to be a simple and reliable method to assign subjects in quartiles of flavonoid intake.

PurposeIt is the aim of the present paper to describe the nutritional intake, the physical performance capacity and certain anthropometric variables of a group of schoolchildren (n=297) aged seven to 12 years. The findings on this population may be used to give advice in specific marketing situations.Design/methodology/approachThe subjects were asked to complete a three‐day food diary. During a school visit body weight, stature and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Physical fitness was assessed using items of the Eurofit test battery. Data analysis was carried out as a function of sex and age groups.FindingsThe study finds that 77 per cent of all subjects had a caloric intake below the recommended daily allowance (RDA), while 23 per cent had an intake above the RDA. Macronutrient analysis showed for all groups a low carbohydrate intake, a high fat intake, whilst protein intake was just near the upper limit of the RDA. Flexibility, explosive leg strength, abdominal dynamic muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance were significantly lower when comparing these data with data of the 1990s. Significant correlations were found between the BMI values and the sum of skinfolds.Research limitations/implicationsThe relations between behavioural characteristics of this age group and adaptations of dysfunctional behaviour, as well as consequences for later life, need to be further established.Practical implicationsCombining the promotion of healthy nutritional and physical activity habits is an appropriate and ethical way to improve the health and fitness status of young consumers. Products may only be linked with health if there is sufficient evidence that the normal use will lead to the pretended health advantages. The interaction with behavioural changes may result in a marketing advantage if the health implications are properly stated.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrated that, at a very young age, nutritional and physical activity habits in the self‐selected population were rather poor.