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Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in old age affects the musculoskeletal system causing loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function. Stress-inducible proteins named sestrins are potential novel biomarkers of muscle function due to their ability to suppress oxidative stress and prevent muscle degeneration. Our aim was to determine the association between different force-velocity (F-V) profiles with body composition, physical performance, and glucose control in older adults with T2DM. We also intended to determine the potential utility of sestrin 1 (Sesn1) and 2 (Sesn2) as biomarkers of physical functionality. Fifty-nine participants (69-79 years) were classified in 3 groups according to their F-V profile based on the leg press exercise: nondeficit (N

Eating out of home (EOH) is a common practice worldwide but research gaps have been identified. The aims of this review were (a) to find a common definition for EOH, (b) to determine the nutritional contribution of EOH, and (c) to analyze the relationship of EOH with health parameters in adults. Fifty-seven articles were finally selected. The definition of EOH was not harmonized between researchers and the comparison between studies was quite difficult. Restaurant and fast food were the terms most used, followed by chain restaurant, à la carte, sit-down restaurant, eating at table, full service, ready to eat, takeaway, buffet and buffet by weight, bar, cafes, and cafeterias, either alone or attached to at least one of the above. The profile of the main EOH participant was a highly educated, high-income, and unmarried young man. EOH was related to a body mass index (BMI) or being overweight in a different way depending on age, sex, or EOH frequency. A high rate of EOH led to poorer diet quality, characterized by higher intakes of energy, total and saturated fats, sugar, and sodium, as well as lower intakes of fiber, dairy, fruit, vegetables, and micronutrients. Regarding beverages, a higher intake of soft drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, beer, and other alcohol was observed when EOH. There is a need for a methodological consensus for analyzing the impact of EOH on dietary intake and health to avoid bias. Additionally, measures and policies should be utilized to help consumers to make healthier choices when EOH is compatible with business regarding those running EOH establishments.

Background: Regucalcin, or senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30), is a Ca2+-binding protein with multiple functions reported in the literature. Physical exercise has been shown to improve aging markers; nevertheless, SMP30 in humans has not been extensively researched. Older adults experience a decline in functional capacity and body composition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a multicomponent training (MCT) program on SMP30 and its regulation of walking ability and body composition in functionally limited, frail, and pre-frail older adults. Methods: A total of 34 older adults (aged 80.3 ± 6.1 years) were divided into an intervention group (IG = 20) and control group (CG = 14). The IG performed a supervised MCT (strength, endurance, balance, coordination, and flexibility) program for 6 months, 3 days per week, whereas the CG continued their normal lives without any specific physical training. SMP30 was analyzed in plasma after 3 and 6 months of MCT, while some physical fitness variables (Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 6-min walk test (6MWT)) and body composition (fat mass and lean mass) were measured at baseline, as well as after 3 months and 6 months of MCT. Results: No significant changes were observed in SPM30 between the IG (877.5 a.u. to 940.5 a.u., respectively) and CG (790.4 a.u. to 763.8 a.u., respectively). Moreover, no SMP30 differences were found between groups after 3 and 6 months of MCT. The IG improved significantly in the 6MWT after 3 months (472.2 ± 84.2 m) compared to baseline (411.2 ± 75.2 m). The IG also significantly enhanced their TUG performance after 3 months (7.6 ± 1.6 s) and 6 months (7.3 ± 1.8 s) of training compared to baseline (9.3 ± 3.2 s) (all, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in body composition between the IG and CG through the 6 months of MCT. Conclusions: The present study suggests that MCT did not change SMP30 levels from 3 to 6 months, where there were changes in neither walking ability nor body composition; however, MCT was effective in improving 6MWT and TUG performance from baseline to 3 months.

The purpose of this study was to show how continuous exercise affects the basal values of biochemical and hematological parameters in elite athletes. A total of 14,010 samples (male = 8452 and female = 5558 (March 2011–March 2020)) from 3588 elite athletes (male = 2258 and female = 1330, mean age 24.9 ± 6.9 vs. 24.1 ± 5.5 years, respectively) from 32 sport modalities, were studied over 9 years to check the variation of basal biochemical and hematological parameter values. There were differences seen in the basal values of creatine kinase (CK), urea, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium, total bilirubin, and eosinophil percentage compared to reference population data. However, other analytes showed narrow ranges of variation like glucose, total protein, albumin, sodium, hemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), and platelet count. Exercise produces changes in biochemical and hematological basal values of athletes compared to the general population, with the greatest variation in CK, but AST, ALT, LDH, potassium, and total bilirubin (TBil) show high values in serum, only with a wider distribution of values. The data here reflects the effect of exercise on biochemical and hematological parameter baseline ranges in elite athletes. As clinical laboratories use reference intervals to validate clinical reports, these “pseudo” reference intervals should be used when validating laboratory reports.

© 2014 American Society for Nutrition. Adolescence is a critical period, because major physical and psychologic changes occur during a very short period of time. Changes in dietary habits may induce different types of nutritional disorders and are likely to track into adulthood. The aim of this review is to describe the key findings related to nutritional status in European adolescents participating in the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. We performed a cross-sectional study in 3528 (1845 females) adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 y. Birth weight was negatively associated with abdominal fat mass in adolescents and serum leptin concentrations (in female adolescents), providing additional evidence for a programming effect of birth weight on energy homeostasis control. Breakfast consumption was associated with lower body fat content and healthier cardiovascular profile. Adolescents eat half of the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables and less than two-thirds of the recommended amount of milk and milk products but consume more meat and meat products, fats, and sweets than recommended. For beverage consumption, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweetened milk, low-fat milk, and fruit juice provided the highest amount of energy. Although the intakes of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and salt were high, the intake of polyunsaturated FAs was low. Adolescents spent, on average, 9 h/d of their waking time (66-71% and 70-73% of the registered time in boys and girls, respectively) in sedentary activities. Factors associated with adolescents' sedentary behavior included the following: 1) age; 2) media availability in the bedroom; 3) sleeping time; 4) breakfast consumption; and 5) season. Sedentary time was also associated with cardiovascular risk factors and bone mineral content. In European adolescents, deficient concentrations were identified for plasma folate (15%), vitamin D (15%), pyridoxal 59-phosphate (5%), β-carotene (25%), and vitamin E (5%). Scientists and public health authorities should raise awareness of the importance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle as a foundation of the health of the European population, now and in the future.

Summary Objective This study aimed to examine the association of television (TV) time, the frequency of meals while watching TV and the presence of TV set in the bedroom with total and abdominal obesity and to assess whether physical activity (PA) attenuates the obesity risk of TV viewing. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from 2200 adolescents (46% boys) from 10 European cities, The Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study, between 2006 and 2007. TV viewing, PA (by accelerometry) and body composition were measured. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Even adjusting by vigorous PA, TV in the bedroom (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.74) and >4 h d−1TV during week days (OR: 1.30, 95% CI, 1.02–1.67) (in boys) and eating every day with TV (OR: 1.18, 95% CI, 1.07–1.30) and >2 h d−1TV during weekend days (OR: 1.68, 95% CI, 1.25–2.26) (in girls) were significantly associated with total obesity. Likewise, in both sexes, having a TV set at bedroom was significantly associated with abdominal obesity. Conclusions Adolescents spending excessive TV time are prone to obesity independently of their PA levels. Families should put TV sets out of adolescents’ bedroom and keep TV sets off during meal times.

Background: Physical activity is necessary for bone mass development in adolescence. There are few studies quantifying the associations between physical activity and bone mass in adolescents. Purpose: To assess the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) and bone mass in adolescents. Methods: Bone mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and physical activity by accelerometers in 380 healthy Spanish adolescents (189 boys, aged 12.5–17.5 years) from the

The authors' aim in this cross-sectional study was to characterize levels of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in adolescents from 9 European countries. The study comprised 2,200 European adolescents (1,184 girls) participating in the HELENA cross-sectional study (2006-2008). Physical activity was measured by accelerometry and was expressed as average intensity (counts/minute) and amount of time (minutes/day) spent engaging in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). Time spent in sedentary behaviors was also objectively measured. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by means of the 20-m shuttle run test. Level of maternal education was reported by the adolescents. A higher proportion of boys (56.8% of boys vs. 27.5% of girls) met the physical activity recommendations of at least 60 minutes/day of MVPA. Adolescents spent most of the registered time in sedentary behaviors (9 hours/day, or 71% of the registered time). Both average intensity and MVPA were higher in adolescents with high cardiorespiratory fitness, and sedentary time was lower in the high-fitness group. There were no physical activity or sedentary time differences between maternal education categories. These data provide an objective measure of physical activity and amount of time spent in sedentary behaviors in a relatively large number of European adolescents.

Aim: To describe the effects of chronological age and biological age (pubertal development) on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in Spanish adolescents. Methods: A representative Spanish sample of 526 adolescents (254 males and 272 females), were studied. Total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 and B, and lipoprotein(a) were measured, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) was calculated. Additional measurements included BMI and waist circumference. Adolescents were classified according to chronological age, and pubertal development (also age of menarche in females). Results: In males, serum TC levels were lower at late puberty in comparison with early puberty, and serum LDLc levels were lower at late puberty in comparison with mid and early puberty. Serum HDLc levels were lower at mid puberty in comparison with early and late puberty. Serum TC and LDLc levels were not different when analyzed according to chronological age. In females, HDLc levels were lower at late puberty in comparison with early and mid puberty, but no differences were found when HDLc and the other studied lipid and lipoprotein variables were analyzed according to chronological age, or age of menarche. All the observed differences persisted after adjusting for BMI and waist circumference. In female adolescents, both BMI and waist circumference were higher at late puberty in comparison with early and mid puberty, while in males, BMI and waist circumference were different when analyzed according to chronological age. Conclusion: The results suggest that the assessment of pubertal development may provide additional valuable information when interpreting lipid profile and body fat in adolescents. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.

Ruiz, J.R;Ortega, F. B.;Moreno, L. A.;Wärnberg, Julia; González-Gross, M.;Marcos, Ascensión; et al., Objectives: To provide current reference values for serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in Spanish adolescents according to age and sex. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in five representative Spanish cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander and Zaragoza) including a representative sample of 581 adolescents (299 male and 282 female), aged 13 to 18.5 years. Age- and sex-specific means, standard deviations and percentiles were determined for: Total (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDLc) and low density lipoprotein (LDLc) cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-1 and B-100, and lipoprotein(a). Results: The 90th percentile for TC was 4.95 mmol/L for males and 5.19 mmol/L for females. HDLc levels were significantly higher in females of all age groups. LDLc levels ranged from 2.32 to 2.54 mmol/ L in males and from 2.38 to 2.62 mmol/L in females, peaking at 13 years of age in both sexes. Triglyceride levels tended to increase gradually and to peak at 17 years of age for both sexes. Apolipoprotein A-1 and B-100 levels paralleled those of HDLc and LDLc values, respectively. The geometric mean for lipoprotein(a) levels ranged from 0.44 to 0.57 μmol/L in males and from 0.50 to 0.67 μmol/L in females. Conclusions: The present study provides reference data on the distribution of lipid and lipoprotein levels of Spanish adolescents. © Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel 2006.

Introduccion y objetivos En diversos estudios se ha mostrado la relacion entre el nivel de forma fisica durante la infancia-adolescencia y el riesgo cardiovascular en la edad adulta. Dado que no se dispone de datos relativos al nivel de condicion fisica de los adolescentes espanoles, los objetivos de este estudio son: a) determinar el nivel de condicion fisica de los adolescentes espanoles y establecer valores de referencia que puedan ser utilizados en el medio sanitario y educativo como indicadores de salud cardiovascular, y b) conocer la proporcion de adolescentes espanoles que no alcanza valores de capacidad aerobica indicativos de salud cardiovascular futura. Sujetos y metodo Se ha utilizado la bateria EUROFIT modificada para evaluar la condicion fisica de una muestra representativa de adolescentes espanoles (n = 2.859; 1.357 varones y 1.502 mujeres) procedente del estudio AVENA (Alimentacion y Valoracion del Estado Nutricional de los Adolescentes). Resultados Se han obtenido los valores normativos de condicion fisica de la poblacion adolescente espanola. El rango del percentil 5 respecto a la capacidad aerobica maxima (test de Course Navette) es de 2,0-3,3 y 1,4-1,9 paliers para varones y mujeres, respectivamente. Casi 1 de cada 5 adolescentes presenta riesgo cardiovascular futuro sobre la base de su capacidad aerobica. Este subgrupo de adoles- centes mostro tambien una peor forma fisica que el resto de adolescentes en todas las pruebas fisicas realizadas. Conclusiones Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio permiten evaluar e interpretar correctamente el nivel de forma fisica de cualquier adolescente. Los resultados obtenidos indican la necesidad de mejorar el nivel de condicion fisica de los adolescentes espanoles.

The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of different fitness test to detect the risk of sarcopenic obesity (SO) in octogenarian people.306 subjects (76 men, 230 women) with a mean age of 82.5 ± 2.3 years from the Multi-center EXERNET Project sample fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Body composition was assessed in all subjects by bioelectrical impedance. Four groups were created based on the percentage of fat mass and muscle mass: 1) normal, 2) high fat mass, 3) low muscle mass and 4) SO. Physical fitness was assessed using 8 different tests modified from the batteries “Senior Fitness Test” and Eurofit (EXERNET battery). The risk of suffering SO depending on the fitness level was studied by logistic regression.Among the studied physical fitness tests, those that better predicted the risk of SO were leg strength, arm strength, agility, walking speed and balance in men; 95% CI [(0.606-0.957) (0.496-0.882), (0.020-2.014), (0.17-1.39), (0.913-1.002), all p0.05, except balance test (p = 0.07)] and balance test and agility in women; (95% CI [(0.928-1.002) (0.983-1.408), (both p = 0.07)].Adequate levels of physical fitness are associated with a lower risk of SO. Some easy fitness tests seem to be useful for the detection of SO in those cases where the body-composition required methods for diagnosis are not available.Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la utilidad de diferentes test de condición física para detectar el riesgo de sufrir obesidad sarcopénica (OS) en octogenarios. Métodos: 306 sujetos (76 hombres, 230 mujeres) con una media de edad de 82,5±2,3 años, del total de la muestra del Proyecto Multi-céntrico EXERNET cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La composición corporal se evaluó en todos los sujetos mediante impedancia bioeléctrica. Se crearon 4 grupos basados en el porcentaje de masa grasa y masa muscular: 1) normal, 2) elevada masa grasa, 3) baja masa muscular y 4) OS. La condición física fue evaluada utilizando 8 test diferentes adaptados de las baterías “Senior Fitness Test” y “Eurofit” (batería EXERNET). La probabilidad de padecer OS en función del nivel de condición física se estudió mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Entre las pruebas de condición física estudiadas, los test que mejor predecían el riesgo de sufrir OS fueron la falta de fuerza de piernas, fuerza de brazos, agilidad, velocidad y equilibrio en hombres; 95% CI [(0,606-0,957); (0,496-0,882); (1,116-3,636); (1,060-1,825); (0,913-1,002); todos p.

Erratum to: Foods contributing to vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 intakes and biomarkers status in European adolescents: The HELENA study : The HELENA study (Eur J Nutr, 10.1007/s00394-016-1221-1)

OBJECTIVE:To examine the associations between active commuting to school and cognitive performance in adolescents. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study. SETTING Five cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander, and Zaragoza) in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1700 adolescents (892 girls) aged 13 to 18.5 years. Main Exposures Mode and duration of transportation to school and participation in extracurricular physical activity were self-reported. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive performance (verbal, numeric, and reasoning abilities and an overall score) was measured by the Spanish version of the SRA Test of Educational Ability. RESULTS: Active commuting to school was associated with better cognitive performance (all P < .05) in girls but not in boys, independent of potential confounders including participation in extracurricular physical activity. In addition, adolescent girls who spent more than 15 minutes actively commuting to school had better scores in 3 of the 4 cognitive performance variables (all P < .05) than those who spent less time actively commuting to school (¿15 minutes) as well as better scores in all of the cognitive performance variables (all P < .001) than girls inactively commuting. CONCLUSION: Active commuting to school and its duration may positively influence cognitive performance in adolescent girls.

While it has been indicated that exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) can cause a local in vivo response, limited evidence exists on its possible systemic effects from population-based levels of exposure. We investigated into a possible systemic response in the immune parameters and lymphocyte subsets, i.e. B cell (CD19+), T cell (CD4+CD45RO+, CD4+CD45RA+, CD3+CD45RO+, CD3+CD45RA+) and natural killer (CD3+CD16CD56+) lymphocyte subsets relative to exposure to SHS. Blood was drawn from healthy, verified non-smoker, adolescent subjects (n = 68, mean age 14.2) and analysed for cotinine, antioxidants and lymphocyte immunophenotyping. SHS exposure was assessed using serum cotinine. Biomarker quantified exposure to SHS was correlated with a linear dose-response reduction in the percentages of memory CD4+CD45RO+ (p = 0.005) and CD3+CD45RO+ T-cell subsets (p = 0.005 and p = 0.003, respectively) and a linear increase in the percentage of naïve CD4+CD45RA+ and CD3+CD45RA+ T-cell subsets (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively). Additionally, higher exposure to SHS was associated with a higher CD4+CD45RA+ count (532 vs. 409 cells/ml, p = 0.017). Moreover, after controlling for age, gender, body mass index and plasma antioxidants, SHS exposure was found to be associated with the percentage of circulating naïve and memory CD4+ and CD3+ T-cell subpopulations, as revealed through a linear regression analysis. These findings indicate a systemic immunological response in healthy adolescents exposed to population-based levels of SHS exposure and imply an additional biological pathway for the interaction between exposure to SHS and its adverse effects on human health.

Background There is increasing evidence indicating that genes involved in certain metabolic processes of cardiovascular diseases may be of particular influence in people with low body weight at birth. We examined whether the apolipoprotein (APO) E, APOC3 and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-2 (PPARγ2) polymorphisms influence the association between low birth weight and blood lipid levels in healthy adolescents aged 13–18.5 years. Methods A cross-sectional study of 502 Spanish adolescents born at term was conducted. Total (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein (apo) A and B, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] were measured. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), TC-HDLc, TC/HDLc and apoB/apoA were calculated. Results Low birth weight was associated with higher levels of TC, LDLc, apoB, Lp(a), TC-HDLc, TC/HDLc and apoB/apoA in males with the APOE ε3ε4 genotype, whereas in females, it was associated with lower HDLc and higher TG levels. In males with the APOC3 S1/S2 genotype, low birth weight was associated with lower apoA and higher Lp(a), yet this association was not observed in females. There were no associations between low birth weight and blood lipids in any of the PPARγ2 genotypes. Conclusion The results indicate that low birth weight has a deleterious influence on lipid profile particularly in adolescents with the APOE ε3/ε4 genotype. These findings suggest that intrauterine environment interact with the genetic background affecting the lipid profile in later life., The AVENA study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Health Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS PI021830), the Spanish Ministry of Health, FEDER-FSE funds FIS n° 00/0015, CSD grants 05/UPB32/0, 109/UPB31/03 and 13/UPB20/04, the Spanish Ministry of Education (AP-2004-2745; EX-2007-1124), scholarships from Panrico S.A., Madaus S.A. and Procter and Gamble S.A.

Introduction: Increasing evidence demonstrates that risk factors for chronic diseases are established during childhood and adolescence. Consensus about the need to increase prevention efforts makes the adoption of a healthy lifestyle seem desirable from early childhood onwards. After reviewing educational tools for children and adolescents aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, it was recognized that there was a need to develop a simple educational tool specifically designed for these age groups. Methods: Development of the healthy lifestyle pyramid for children and adolescents. Results: We propose a three-dimensional, truncated and staggered pyramid with 4 faces and a base, which introduces a completely new concept that goes beyond other published pyramids. Each of the faces is oriented towards achieving a different goal. Two faces (faces 1 and 2) are formulated around achieving a goal on a daily basis (daily food intake, face 1, and daily activities, face 2). Face 3 is an adaptation of the traditional food guide pyramid, adapted to children’s energy, nutritional and hydration needs. Face 4 deals with both daily and life-long habits. On the base of the pyramid, there is advice about adequate nutrition alternating with advice about physical activity and sports. Conclusion: The Healthy Lifestyle Pyramid© is specifically developed for children and adolescents according to current scientific knowledge and evidence-based data and includes easy-to-follow advice and full colour pictures. Following these guidelines should improve health and reduce risk factors, promoting enjoyable and appropriate development towards adulthood.

Objective: To assess the association between birth weight and body composition and fat distribution in adolescents, and to test the possible sex-specific effect in these relationships. Methods and Procedures: A total of 1,223 adolescents 13-18.5 years old (553 male adolescents and 670 female adolescents) born at >35 weeks, were selected from a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted in five Spanish cities in 2000-2002. BMI was calculated from weight and height. Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness (ST) were measured on the left side, and fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated according to the equations of Slaughter et al. Subscapular skinfold adjusted by tricipital (ST) and waist circumference were used as markers of central adiposity. Results: Birth weight Z-score was positively associated with FFM in female adolescents (P < 0.001), but not in male adolescents, after controlling for age, pubertal stage, gestational age, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and current height (P < 0.001 for interaction between adjusted birth weight Z-score and sex). Adjusted birth weight Z-score was inversely associated with central adiposity in male and female adolescents as measured by ST (P = 0.026). Discussion: These results provide further evidence that gender has an important influence on the programming effect of birth weight on later FFM in adolescents because the effect was only observed in female adolescents. Our results suggest that small size for gestational age at birth could program more central subcutaneous fat deposition in adolescents of both sexes, but further research is needed on this issue. © 2008 The Obesity Society.

National and international recommendations for the intake of B vitamins in adolescents consist of estimates and extrapolations from adult values. Due to increasing growth and therefore relatively high energy and nutrient requirements adolescents are a vulnerable group from the nutritional point of view. In addition, a deficient intake of several B vitamins is strongly connected with the development of cancer, neural tube defects and cardiovascular diseases.The aim of this work is to assess dietary intake and status of B vitamins and homocysteine of European adolescents on the basis of published data.The database Medline (www.ncvi.nlm.nih.gov) was searched for terms like "Vitamin B", "homocysteine", "Europe", etc. Studies published between June 1980 and December 2004 were analysed for this review. Results of the intake of B vitamins were compared with the EAR or AI, respectively, as recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Due to lacking reference values for adolescents results of blood status as well as homocysteine were compared to different thresholds for adults.Considering the limitations of the comparability between the reviewed studies e.g. by different methodologies, sample size, age groups, the average intake of B vitamins surpassed the EAR and AI. Boys were better supplied with B vitamins than girls. The intake decreased with increasing age in both genders. A possible deficiency of folate was noticed and girls in particular seemed to be more at risk. Clear regional tendencies for the vitamin intake could not be observed. Results of vitamin B6, B12, folate in blood, and homocysteine were levelled in-between the thresholds. Though the great standard deviation of folate increased the probability of a deficient supply in parts of the population.European girls seem to be at risk of folate deficiency. Supplements and fortified food were not taken into consideration by most of the published studies which additionally distorts the real intake. Standardized methods of dietary surveys and reference values for B vitamins as well as homocysteine still must be established. Hence, further investigations are of great relevance. folate increased the probability of a deficient supply in parts of the population.European girls seem to be at risk of folate deficiency. Supplements and fortified food were not taken into consideration by most of the published studies which additionally distorts the real intake. Standardized methods of dietary surveys and reference values for B vitamins as well as homocysteine still must be established. Hence, further investigations are of great relevance.

Physical exercise in recreational mountain sports is frequently performed without acclimatization to hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia may modify the hormonal and metabolic adaptive response to exercise depending on the type of exercise and on the physical fitness of the subject. This study aims at investigating the growth hormone (GH) response to submaximal exercise after acute exposure to moderate high altitude.Ten trained (T) and 10 untrained (UT) male volunteers (mean age 23.8+/-3.2 y) underwent, in random order, 2 submaximal exercise (ergocycle) tests of the same absolute intensity. One test was performed at their habitual living altitude (690 m above sea level); the other, after acute exposure to 2325 m above sea level. Plasma levels of GH, Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and lactate were measured before and immediately after the exercise tests.Plasma GH levels increased after exercise (p0.05) in both experimental conditions, and for both T and UT subjects. Hypoxia decreased the GH-IGF-1 response to exercise in the UT group. By contrast, the GH-IGF-1 response to exercise was not modified in the T group. The increase in plasma lactate levels induced by exercise was much higher in the UT than in the T group, and it was not affected by hypoxia.Acute exposure to hypoxia blunts the GH response to submaximal physical exercise in untrained individuals.

Con el incremento de la esperanza de vida, el deseo de mantener una buena salud, funcionalidad y una máxima calidad de vida en edades avanzadas constituye una prioridad en las personas mayores. Aunque la genética es un determinante de esta expectativa de vida, existen otros factores extrínsecos directamente implicados en la calidad de vida del anciano, entre los que cabe destacar la alimentación. La dieta y el estado nutricional tienen gran influencia, particularmente en la prevención o tratamiento de diversas enfermedades que afectan a este grupo, uno de los más heterogéneos y vulnerables de la población de los países desarrollados con un mayor riesgo de sufrir desequilibrios, carencias y problemas nutricionales. Esto es debido, por un lado, a que las necesidades de algunos nutrientes pueden ser mayores que en etapas anteriores y, por otro, a su menor capacidad para regular todos los procesos relacionados con la ingesta de alimentos como consecuencia del progresivo deterioro de casi todas las funciones biológicas. Los numerosos cambios físicos, psíquicos y sociales que acompañan al envejecimiento y la mayor prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas, también contribuyen a esta situación. Diversos estudios han puesto de manifiesto el riesgo de ingestas inadecuadas y de malnutrición proteico-energética, aumentando la vulnerabilidad a otras enfermedades. En este trabajo se hace una revisión de los principales condicionantes del estado nutricional en el anciano, de la importancia de la capacidad funcional física, psíquica y social y de la actividad física y de su repercusión en el estado nutricional. Se describen las ingestas de referencia y las recomendaciones dietéticas más actuales, tratando de establecer las condiciones dietéticas y de estilo de vida que pueden contribuir a preservar las funciones corporales y minimizar las enfermedades crónicas en las personas de edad. With the increase of life expectancy, the desire to maintain good health, functionality and maximum quality of life at advanced ages, for which nutrition plays a critical role, is a priority for the elderly. Though genetic factors are a determinant of life expectancy, there are several extrinsic factors which have a great influence on the quality of life of the elderly. Diet and nutritional status have a great influence, especially in the prevention and treatment of several diseases, which affect this heterogeneous and vulnerable age group. The nutritional status and needs of elderly people are associated with age-related biological, psychological and often socio-economic changes. All of these changes can increase the risk of developing a number of age-related diseases. In developed countries the elderly are the most affected by malnutrition, either because of a deficiency (energy and several nutrients) or an excess, leading to obesity and related diseases. This review highlights the most important factors affecting nutritional status in elderly people and focus on the need to maintain adequate physical activity level and an optimal physic, psychic and social functional capacity. It discusses dietary reference intakes and guidelines to improve and/or maintain adequate nutritional status in older people in order to reduce susceptibility to some illness and disease.

Adolescence is a decisive period in human life due to the multiple physiological and psychological changes that take place. These changes will condition both nutritional requirements and eating/physical activity behavior. It has been demonstrated that these "adolescence" factors are of significant influence in health status during adult life. Due to its importance and adequate development the project has been granted by the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria of the Institute of Health Carlos III.To develop a methodology to evaluate the health and nutritional status of a representative population of Spanish adolescents. Specific attention is paid to three specific health problems: obesity, anorexia nervosa/bulimia, dislipidemia.The following magnitudes will be studied: 1) dietary intake, food habits and nutrition knowledge; 2) daily physical activity and personal approach; 3) physical condition; 4) anthropometry and body composition; 5) hematobiochemical study: plasma lipid phenotypic and metabolic profile, blood cell counts; 6) genotipic profile of cardiovascular risk lipid factors; 7) immune function profile related to nutritional status; 8) psychological profile.This project includes the co-ordinate activity of five Spanish centers of five different cities (Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Santander, Zaragoza). Each center is specialized in a specific area and will be responsible for the corresponding part of the study. From the data obtained, we will elaborate a specific intervention program in order to improve nutrition and neutralize the risk for nutritional related problems in adolescence. By this, we will contribute to improve the health status of the Spanish population in the new millennium.

In spite of all the advances in sport nutrition and the importance of an adequate food intake in order to improve sport performance, both recreational and professional athletes forget frequently to include planning an optimum diet and fluid intake in their global strategy for performance. Physiological and metabolic adaptations produced as a consequence of physical exercise lead to the necessity of increasing caloric (in accordance to energy output) and protein (based on the trophic needs of the organism) intake. Likewise, paying major attention to vitamin and mineral intake, specifically B vitamins and zinc and chromium, is required, in order to optimize carbohydrate metabolism, the ultimate limiting factor for sport performance. During the training phase, 60% of calories should come from carbohydrates, protein intake should be 1.2-2 g/kg/day and athletes should follow the recommendations of the food guide pyramid. During the pre-, per- and post-competition phase the healthy aspect of the diet passes to a second level, in order to obtain good sport performance and to guarantee a fast and effective recovery. Again, carbohydrates with a high or medium glycaemic index and water are the nutrients which have to be calculated more thoroughly. In conclusion, athletes have to follow a diet that is adequate to their higher energy output and to their higher metabolic turnover. The food guide pyramid is a graphic expression which facilitates the comprehension and following of a healthy diet. In the present article, the authors introduce the pyramid adapted to the characteristics of sports nutrition, with easy-to-follow practical recommendations regarding the kind and amounts of foodstuffs that should be consumed in order to cover nutrient needs of people who exercise regularly.