Search

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the effect of zinc supplementation in growth and nutritional status of a homogeneous group of newborns with intra uterine growth retardation and asymmetric growth. The effect of changes of zinc status on growth and leptin serum concentrations was also analysed. POPULATION AND METHODS: A double blind, randomised clinical trial was designed in order to detect differences in growth between zinc and placebo groups during the first 6 months of life. 31 infants were included either to the zinc group (n = 14) (38.8+/-1.4 weeks GA, 2,171+/-253 g body weight) or the placebo group (n = 17) (38.9+/-1.1 weeks GA, 2,249+/-220 g body weight). The zinc group received a supplement of 3 mg elemental zinc per day (as zinc sulphate). RESULTS: There were not significant differences between groups for anthropometric measurements through the study period. We found a significant effect of the study group, in hair zinc concentrations, but not in serum zinc concentrations; post-hoc comparisons for hair zinc revealed that there were significant differences between groups at 1, 2, and 6 months of age. Changes in serum and hair zinc concentrations from baseline to 6 months, showed significant correlations with changes in weight/age and length/age z-scores, in the supplement group. Changes in leptin serum concentrations during follow-up, showed significant correlations with changes in sum of 4 skinfolds and weight/age z-score, in the placebo group. Changes in hair zinc concentration through the study period showed significant correlations with changes in leptin serum concentrations from baseline to 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In a homogeneous group of intra uterine growth retardation infants with asymmetric growth, 3 mg/day zinc supplementation do not show significant improvements in weight and length growth. Changes in zinc status were related with changes in weight and length during the first 6 months of life. Changes in leptin serum concentrations were related with changes in the anthropometric indices of body fat accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate body composition differences between children that were born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) compared with their counterparts born adequate for gestational age (AGA). Methods: Body composition was assessed in 124 healthy Caucasian children (50% girls) aged 6-10, classified according to their birth weight for gestational age as AGA, SGA and LGA. Fat mass (FM), percentage of FM, lean mass (LM), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the whole body and at different body regions. Results: LM (adjusted for age and sex) and total BMC (adjusted for age, sex and weight) were both significantly higher in LGA children and lower in SGA when compared with those born AGA. After adjustments for height, LM and BMC differences between groups were not significant. In SGA children, truncal (P < 0.05) and abdominal fatness (P < 0.01) were higher when compared with both AGA and LGA children, after adjustments for age, sex and height. There were no differences in the percentage of total and central FM between children born LGA and AGA. Conclusions: During childhood, children born SGA had higher central adiposity regardless of their body size. Children born LGA seem to have a higher body size but with harmonic body composition and adequate body fat distribution. Small size for gestational age at birth could programme excess abdominal fat deposition in children, which is a major factor for the clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors defining the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric obesity has increased dramatically all over the world and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent complications associated with excess adiposity. NAFLD causes serum transaminase elevation and liver disease, which could end up in fibrosis, cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD seems to be associated with the metabolic complications of obesity, mainly insulin resistance. The aim of the present article is to review the role of serum liver enzyme assessment as a suitable non invasive predictor of NAFLD in children. Although serum liver enzyme elevation does not accurately measure liver damage, it may be a valuable and non invasive test to screen NAFLD in children and adolescents and a marker to control NAFLD evolution. To detect NAFLD in obese children and adolescents, transaminases serum concentrations should be routinely determined in these patients. In this sense, it seems necessary to obtain transaminase reference standards for children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The influence of socioeconomic status on health-related fitness is not clear. AIM: To examine the influence of socioeconomic status on health-related fitness in adolescents. METHODS: A total of 3,259 adolescents (15.0 +/- 1.3 y) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study (HELENA-CSS) participated in the study. Socioeconomic status was assessed by the family affluence scale (FAS). Speed-agility, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness were assessed. Covariates included total body fat, physical activity and pubertal status. RESULTS: Adolescents with high FAS had significantly higher fitness levels than their peers of lower FAS categories except for speed-agility and handgrip in boys. Overall, the associations observed presented a medium to large effect size. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that socioeconomic status is positively associated with physical fitness in European adolescents independently of total body fat and habitual physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Introduction: sedentary behavior is an important target for health promotion. In this systematic review, we aimed to provide evidence to support decisions about measurement approach choices for subjectively assessing sedentary behavior in pediatric population, adopting objective methods as the reference. Methods: in this systematic review with meta-analysis, published studies were retrieved from electronic databases: Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, SPORTDiscus, BioMed Central and SCOPUS. We considered studies evaluating sedentary behavior agreement through questionnaire and/or diary in comparison with an objective measure. A total of six inclusion criteria were used. We synthesized the data using correlation coefficients (r) as an indicator of agreement estimates. The review protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42014015138). Results: a total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria with ages ranging from 3 to 17.5 years and provided 17 agreement analyses. Thirteen of these agreement analyses (76.5%) reported correlation coefficients. We found two major groups of sedentary activities: screen time (47.1%) and sedentary behaviors (52.9%). The pooled agreement between questionnaires and accelerometers for assessing self-reported screen time was negative (r = -0.15; CI 95%: -0.17 to -0.13). Conversely, when the sedentary behavior was assessed by questionnaires and accelerometers, the pooled agreement was positive for parent-reporting (r = 0.09; CI 95%: 0.04 to 0.13) and self-reporting (r = 0.43; CI 95%: 0.40 to 0.47) in children and adolescents, respectively. Conclusion: questionnaires have positive agreement with accelerometers for assessing sedentary behavior, whereas the agreement is negative for assessing screen time. Self-reported questionnaires are recommended methods to measure sedentary behavior in adolescents.

Introduction: There are increasing concerns about the types of foods and beverages consumed by children during mid-afternoon snack in Spain., Aim: To describe the frequency and quality of the mid-afternoon snack in a representative sample of Spanish children., Methods: A total of 1,233 younger (three to six years) and 1,618 older (seven to twelve years) children participated in the study. The report of food and beverages consumed per week during the mid-afternoon snack meal (merienda)was obtained by an online platform., Results: An 84.4% of younger and 78.3% of older children were mid-afternoon snack consumers. Regular consumers were more likely to be from the South and the Centre regions. Sandwich was the most consumed food item among younger (49.5%) and older (59.7%) consumers; 46.5% of mid-afternoon snacks contained two food items among younger children, and 50.1% of mid-afternoon snacks contained one food item among older children. "Fruit", "milk and biscuits", and "fruit, biscuits and juices" were the most consumed combinations when considering one, two and three or more food items during one-time mid-afternoon occasion, respectively., Conclusions: The frequency of mid-afternoon snack occasions and the number and quality of food items consumed during one-time mid-afternoon snack occasion decrease with age. Spanish children should increase the frequency of mid-afternoon snack consumption and include healthy options in their menus. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to address the health impact of snacking and how to use this meal occasion to balance children's diets.

Objective: To assess whether adolescents with high body mass index (BMI), or fat mass index (FMI), in combination with insulin resistance (assessed with the Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] index), had also lower blood vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12 concentrations., Methods and Materials: Six hundred and fifteen adolescents from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study, with data on B-vitamins (both intakes and status), and BMI, FMI, HOMA, were selected. Intakes were assessed by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls. B-vitamins biomarkers were measured by chromatography and immunoassay. Analysis of covariance was applied to elucidate the differences in B-vitamins between combinations of groups defined according to the median of the z-scores of markers of body composition and insulin sensitivity., Results: When considering energy intakes and education of the mother in the model, in females, vitamin B6 intakes were higher in the high BMI/high HOMA group than in the high BMI-low HOMA group. Similarly, vitamin B6 intakes were higher in the high FMI/high HOMA group than in the low FMI/low HOMA group. Plasma vitamin B12 was significantly lower in males in the high FMI/high HOMA group than in the low FMI/low HOMA group, keeping also significant their trends throughout the groups, a fact that can be observed also for females (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Adolescents with combined higher adiposity and higher HOMA insulin sensitivity showed lower vitamin B12 plasma concentrations. These differences do not seem to be explained by dietary vitamin B12 intake.

Objective: To compare infant growth and adiposity pattern up to 2 years of age in Spanish infants, depending on maternal origin and anthropometric standards., Methods: Longitudinal study of a representative cohort of infants born at term in Aragon (Spain) (n = 1.430). Mean z-scores of weight, length, body mass index, triceps and subscapular skinfolds were calculated until 24 months of age using World Health Organization (WHO), Euro-Growth and Spanish growth standards and categorized by maternal origin (Spanish vs. immigrant)., Results: Infants of immigrant mothers had higher weight, length, body mass index, triceps and subscapular skinfolds than Spanish maternal origin infants during the first months of life. Mean z-scores significantly varied depending on growth standards used. At 18 months of age, all anthropometric differences between both groups disappeared, but only when using WHO growth standards. Mean triceps and subscapular skinfold z-scores substantially and progressively increased from 3 months to 24 months of age in both groups compared to WHO standards. At 24 months, the prevalence of infants at risk of overweight and overweight were similar in both groups (Spanish: 15.1% and 3.8%; immigrant: 14.7% and 4.9%, respectively)., Conclusions: Infant growth, adiposity patterns and prevalence of overweight depend on maternal origin, showing initial differences which progressively disappeared at 24 months of life when WHO growth standards were used. Differences in infant mean anthropometric measurements depend on anthropometric standard used.

Introduction: The high prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is considered as a major global health concern and involves the onset of other comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic infl ammation and hyperinsulinemia, which are also considered as cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Several studies have observed that consumption of dairy products has a protective role on the development of cardiovascular diseases; however, the scientific evidence on this topic is very limited among children and adolescents. Objectives: To investigate the association between dairy products consumption and cardiovascular risk factors in young populations. Material and methods: The most up-to-date literature was reviewed, including some data from the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. A sample of adolescents (12.5-17.5 years) from 8 European cities was considered for the analysis. Results: US data showed a decrease in both number of servings and portion sizes of milk consumption. Within the HELENA study, dairy products emerged as the food group that better distinguished those adolescents at lower cardiovascular diseases risk. Among the HELENA adolescents, higher consumption of milk, yogurt and milk- and yogurt-based beverages was associated with lower body fat, lower risk for cardiovascular diseases, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusions: More studies are needed to provide more evidence and to better understand the intrinsic mechanisms of the association between dairy products consumption, especially yogurt consumption, and obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases risk factors.

Background: The different body components may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of fat mass and fat free mass indices with markers of insulin resistance, independently of each other and giving, at the same time, gender-specific information in a wide cohort of European adolescents., Methods: A cross-sectional study in a school setting was conducted in 925 (430 males) adolescents (14.9 ± 1.2 years). Weight, height, anthropometric, bioimpedance and blood parameters were measured. Indices for fat mass and fat free mass, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were performed adjusting for several confounders including fat free mass and fat mass when possible., Results: Indices of fat mass were positively associated with HOMA (all p < 0.01) after adjusting for all the confounders including fat free mass indices, in both sexes. Fat free mass indices were associated with HOMA, in both males and females, after adjusting for center, pubertal status, socioeconomic status and cardiorespiratory fitness, but the associations disappear when including fat mass indices in the adjustment´s model., Conclusion: Fat mass indices derived from different methods are positively associated with insulin resistance independently of several confounders including fat free mass indices. In addition, the relationship of fat free mass with insulin resistance is influenced by the amount of fat mass in European adolescents. Nevertheless, future studies should focus not only on the role of fat mass, but also on other body components such as fat free mass because its role could vary depending of the level and distribution of fat mass.

Introduction: the main objectives of weight-loss interventions are to decrease fat mass while maintaining fatfree mass., Objective: our aim was to address effectiveness body composition changes in overweight adolescents assessed by different body composition methods following an obesity intervention programme., Material and Methods: the life-style intervention was multi-disciplinary, with 13 months follow-up. Participants were 13-to-16 year-old overweight, or obese, Spanish adolescents. The adolescents (n = 156; 54.8% females) had body composition measured with anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and air-displacement plethysmography. All measurements were made at baseline, and after 2- and 13-months. Repeated measures analysis of covariance to compare mean anthropometric changes over time and the Bonferroni correction were applied. Imputation of anthropometric measures was performed., Results: a high significant decrease in fat mass index was achieved in males after 2-and 13-months of intervention as measured by anthropometry (1.16 and 1.56 kg / m2, respectively), X-ray absorptiometry (1.51 and 1.91 kg / m2) and plethysmography (2.13 and 2.44 kg/m2). Moreover, a short and long-term maintenance of fat-and fat-free mass index was observed by X-ray absorptiometry in females (0.94 and 0.68 kg/m2)., Conclusion: our multidisciplinary approach to lifestyle intervention has a favourable impact on body fat mass and fat-free mass index as well as waist-to-height ratio, over 13 months intervention in overweight and obese adolescents., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: accurate estimates of the intake of specific nutrients such as calcium (Ca) are crucial to correctly rank or classify subjects in the distribution of intakes. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for measuring Ca intake in two different groups of healthy adolescents, a normoactive control group and a physically active group of swimmers with 2 non-consecutive 24h recalls (2 x 24HR) collected as the reference method., Methods: Pearson correlations, agreement between the 24HR and the FFQ at an individual level and questionnaire's ability to assign individuals to the same quartile of intake as the 24HR were calculated., Results: mean daily Ca intakes were 564.6 mg (SD 232.0) and 895.9 mg (SD 343.1) for the 2 x 24HR and FFQ respectively in controls (P < 0.001); and 731.9 mg (SD 299.8) and 979.8 mg (SD 408.5) for the 2 x 24HR and FFQ respectively in swimmers (P < 0.001). Pearson correlations were 0.52 for controls and 0.47 for swimmers after correcting for intra-variability. Cross-classification analysis indicated that 73.7% of controls and 63.1% of swimmers were classified correctly or in the adjacent category. Also, the 89% of the control group and 79% of swimmers were classified correctly with the FFQ according to the dietary reference intake (DRI) of 1300 mg/d., Conclusions: for both groups, the FFQ tended to overestimate Ca intake, however it demonstrated fairly good ability to classify subjects into extremes of Ca intake and identified adolescents having Ca intakes lower than the dietary reference intake., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: Adequate concentrations of leptin, cortisol, and insulin are important for a suitable metabolism and development during adolescence. These hormones jointly with glucose play a major role in fat metabolism and development of childhood obesity. Our main objective was to quantify biomarkers as leptin, cortisol, insulin and glucose status in European adolescents to contribute to establish reference ranges., Methods: A representative sample of 927 adolescents (45% males, 14.9±1.2 years for the overall population) from ten European cities of the HELENA study was used to obtain fasting blood samples for these biomarkers. The percentile distributions were computed by sex and age and percentiles were associated with BMI classification., Results: Serum leptin concentration in adolescents varied significantly according to BMI, sex and age (all p < 0.001). Cortisol presented a tendency to increase with age, both for females and males, while insulin and glucose were stable with age. Leptin and insulin were highest in obese adolescents (p < 0.001), whilst cortisol and glucose did not vary with BMI. Percentiles 5, 25, 50, 75 and 95, for hormones values were, respectively: 1.27, 4.06, 11.54, 26.70 and 65.33 ng/ml for leptin; 5.00, 8.11, 11.14, 15.00 and 24.51 μg/dl for cortisol and 3.65, 6.15, 8.52, 11.90 and 20.53 μlU/ml for insulin., Conclusions: In adolescents, leptin, cortisol, insulin and glucose concentrations are differently affected by age, sex and BMI. Establishment of reference ranges (percentiles) of these biomarkers would be of great interest when pediatricians have to assess the trend of an adolescent to develop obesity years after., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Dietary questionnaires usually only assess the intake of drinks that provide calories, but do not accurately evaluate total fluid or water intake. The evaluation of the fluid consumption pattern of a population has been the main objective of only a very few studies., Objective: To evaluate the total fluid intake from different types of beverages in Spanish adults., Methods: A total of 1,262 adults aged 18-70 years were randomly recruited from all Spanish regions. The information about the quantity and quality of daily fluid intake from different types of beverages was collected using a 24h fluid-specific diary over 7 consecutive days., Results: 50.4% of the study population had a fluid intake < 80% of the EFSA recommendations for total water intake. The odds of meeting the recommendations of total fluid intake were higher in women [OR: 2.48; 95%CI: 1.81-3.40], and in those with higher leisure-time physical activity (3-4 times/week [OR: 1.57; 95%CI: 1.01- 2.46]; 5 times/week or more [OR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.37-2.83]). Women consumed significantly more hot and sweet light beverages. However, men consumed significantly more sweet regular and alcoholic drinks. A significant higher percentage of young and normal/underweight subjects exceed the WHO recommendations for free sugars (> 10% total energy intake) from beverages alone., Conclusion: Half of the adults studied do not meet the EFSA fluid intake recommendations. Water is the main fluid consumed. Differences in the pattern of fluid consumption were observed between ages and genders. A quarter of the population studied consumes from beverages alone already more sugar than recommended from the total diet., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Some studies demonstrated that dehydration process is prevalent among young populations and subsequently, a cause of concern. However, the evaluation of the fluid consumption pattern of children and adolescent populations has not been widely assessed., Objective: To evaluate the total fluid intake from different types of beverages in Spanish children and adolescents., Methods: A total of 238 children and adolescents aged 3-17 years were randomly recruited from all Spanish regions. The information about the quantity and quality of daily fluid intake from different types of beverages was collected using a 24 h fluid-specific diary over 7 consecutive days., Results: Fluid intake was < 80% of the EFSA recommendations in 87% of the study population. In our sample, water was the main contributor to fluid intake, followed by milk and derivates and sweet regular beverages. No differences in consumption patterns were found according to gender. Consumption of hot beverages as well as sweet regular and sweet light beverages increased with age, while milk and milk derivates consumption decreased., Conclusion: The large majority of our young population did not meet the EFSA recommendations for total water intake. Therefore, an increase in plain water consumption in children and adolescents should be promoted in order to fulfill the fluid needs without increasing calorie intake., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of obesity, overweight, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure in a sample of adolescents from a low-income city in Brazil and to estimate the relationship with the socioeconomic status of the family, the education level of the family provider and the type of school., Methods: This cross-sectional study randomly sampled 1,014 adolescents (54.8% girls), between 14-19 years of age, attending high school from Imperatriz (MA). The outcomes of this study were: obesity and overweight, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure (systolic and/ or diastolic). The independent variables were: socioeconomic status (SES) of the family, education level of the family provider (ELFP) and type of school. The confounding variables were: gender, age and physical activity level. Prevalence was estimated, and the association between the endpoints and the independent variables was analyzed using a prevalence ratio (PR), with a 95% confidence interval, estimated by Poisson regression., Results: The overall prevalence of obesity was 3.8%, overweight, 13.1%, abdominal obesity, 22.7% and high blood pressure, 21.3%. The adjusted analysis indicated that girls with high SES showed an increased likelihood to be overweight (PR=1.71 [95% IC: 1.13-2.87]), while private school boys had an increased likelihood of obesity (PR=1.79 [95% CI: 1.04-3.08]) and abdominal obesity (PR =1.64 [95% CI: 1.06-2.54])., Conclusion: The prevalence of CVDR is high in adolescents from this low-income region. Boys from private schools are more likely to have obesity and abdominal obesity, and girls with high SES are more likely to be overweight., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the main cause of morbi-mortality in western countries. Serum cholesterol levels have been related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Egg intake has been indirectly related to the risk of developing CVD because of its high cholesterol content., Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the association between egg intake and CVD risk factors in adolescents, assessing the possible influence of physical activity., Methods: We studied 380 adolescents enrolled in the HELENA (HEalthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) study. Food intake was estimated by 2 nonconsecutive 24 h recalls. We measured adiposity indicators, lipid profile, blood glucose and insulin levels, insulin resistance, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness. A CVD risk score was computed as a measure of the overall CVD risk profile. Physical activity was objectively measured by accelerometry. Sexual development was examined. Socioeconomic and smoking statuses were obtained by questionnaire. The association between egg intake and CVD risk factors was examined using a multilevel analysis adjusted for potential confounders., Results: Egg intake was not associated with lipid profile, adiposity, insulin resistance, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness or the integrated CVD risk score. This lack of association was not influenced by physical activity., Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that egg intake is not associated with a less favorable lipid or CVD risk profile in adolescents. This lack of association is not influenced by the level of physical activity., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 10-week of endurance training or resistance training on regional and abdominal fat, and in the lipid profile, examining the associations among the changes in body composition, weight, waist circumference and lipid profile. Body composition, waist circumference and lipid profile were analyzed in 26 volunteers healthy young men (age 22.5 ± 1.9 yr), randomly assigned to: endurance group (EG), resistance group (RG) or control group (CG). The EG significantly decreased after training the body weight, body mass index, total body fat and percentage of fat, fat and percentage of fat at the trunk and at the abdominal region and High-Density Lipoprotein. The RG significantly increased total lean mass and decreased total cholesterol, High-Density and Low- Density Lipoprotein. Close relationship were found among changes in weight, total lean mass, regional fat mass, waist circumference and changes in lipid profile (all p < 0.05). We concluded that 10-week of endurance training decreased abdominal and body fat in young men, while 10-week of resistance training increased total lean mass. These types of training had also effects on lipid profile that seem to be to some extent associated to changes in body composition; however it requires additional investigation., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Nutrition, physical activity and behavior-modifying techniques are widely applied components of interventions treating obesity. Our aim was to review available information on the short and long term effects of intervention treatment on body fat composition of overweight and obese children and adolescents and, to obtain a further understanding on how different body composition techniques detect longitudinal changes. In total, thirteen papers were included; seven included a multidisciplinary intervention component, five applied a combined dietary and physical activity intervention and one a physical activity intervention. Body composition techniques used included anthropometric indices, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Percentage of fat mass change was calculated in when possible. Findings suggested, no changes were observed in fat free mass after 16 weeks of nutritional intervention and the lowest decrease on fat mass percentage was obtained. However, the highest fat mass percentage with parallel increase in fat free mass, both assess by DXA was observed in a multi-component intervention applied for 20 weeks. In conclusion, more studies are needed to determine the best field body composition method to monitor changes during overweight treatment in children and adolescents., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess five years trends in total and abdominal fat in Spanish adolescents., Design: Two cross-sectional studies: adolescents from the city of Zaragoza (Spain) assessed during 2001-2002 and 2006-2007., Subjects: 399 adolescents in 2001-02 and 392 adolescents in 2006-07., Main Outcome Measurements: Socio-economic status was assessed using the education level of both parents. A complete anthropometric assessment was performed in both surveys using the same methodology: weight, height, skinfold thickness (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, thigh and calf) and circumferences (waist and hip). The body mass index (BMI) and the sum of 6 skinfold thicknesses were calculated. Body fat percentage (BF%) was also calculated by the formulas described by Slaughter et al., Results: After adjusting for age and pubertal status, only females showed a significantly decrease in weight, BMI and waist circumference, and a significant increase in the sum of 6 skinfolds (all P < 0.05 and Cohen's d ≥ 0.25) in 2006-2007, when compared to values obtained in 2001-2002. Males did not show any significant change between the two surveys. Concerning centile values, a slight general reduction was observed in weight, BMI and waist circumference for both males and females. On the contrary, the sum of 6 skinfolds and the BF% were higher in 2006-2007 than in 2001-2002., Conclusion: According to these results, there might be a levelling-off in the trends of BMI, BF% and waist circumference in male adolescents from Zaragoza. In females, despite a trend towards higher body fat mass, there was a trend towards lower BMI and waist circumference values.