Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases and their prevalence is spreading in high-income countries. However, in France, after an increase among children until 2000, a stabilization of overweight was observed in two national studies conducted by The French Public Health Agency in 2000 and 2007. The study was renewed in 2016 as part of the Children Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) of the WHO regional office for Europe. This work describes the evolution of the prevalence of overweight among children during the period and the relation between overweight and associated factors in 2016.

The three studies, conducted according to a similar protocol, concerned pupils aged 7 to 9, in primary schools randomly selected throughout the metropolitan area. Weight and height of the children were measured by the nursing staff of the ministry of Education. A self-questionnaire completed by the parents collected sociodemographic characteristics. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was calculated according to the thresholds of the International Obesity Task Force. Analysis was performed using weighting to take into account the complex sampling scheme, and using calibration to provide nationally representative results. Weighting was calculated separately between Education priority area and non-priority area, which depends on the socioeconomic level of the neighborhood.

While the stabilization of overweight (including obesity) observed since 2000 was confirmed among girls (21.0% in 2007 versus 18.7% in 2016), a significant decrease was observed among boys (from 18.0% in 2007 to 14.4% in 2016, p = 0.046). In 2016, the gap between girls and boys was significant (p < 0.01) for the first time compared to previous results obtained in 2000 and 2007. The prevalence of obesity was also significantly higher in 2016 among girls than boys (5.5% versus 3.2%, p = 0.01). This excess risk of overweight or obesity in 2016 persisted between genders even after adjusting for covariates. Among children from Education priority area, 21.0% were overweight or obese versus 15.7% in children living in non-priority area (p = 0.001).

These results confirm the stabilization of overweight among girls and show, for the first time, a decrease in boys. They also highlight gender and social inequalities in children in France. These trends will need to be confirmed by other studies, and analyzed in more detail to understand the reasons for these differentiated evolutions between genders.

Breakfast (BF) is widely recognized as an important component of a healthy lifestyle and represents an important source of key nutrients in the diet for both adults and children. Furthermore, BF consumption seems to be associated with a better intake of vitamins and minerals in both, children and adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between frequency and characteristics of BF consumption and its relation with micronutrients intake.

An exhaustive search was carried out in three datasets in March 2019. The search strategy used to identify the articles was as follow: breakfast, food beverages appetite regulation, child nutritional physiological phenomena, diet, digestion, eating, feeding behavior, gastrointestinal absorption, hunger, nutritional requirements, nutritional status, nutritive value, breakfast skipping, meal skipping, fasting, food preferences, diet therapy, child, preschool, adolescent, breakfast skipping and meal skipping. Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction and assessed their quality and risk of bias following the PRISMA methodology and using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed comparing results based on type of BF: skip BF, Ready To Eat Cereal (RTEC) BF and other types of BF. DerSimonian and Laird estimators using random effects models were applied for continuous data. Effect sizes were calculated for each outcome.

Out of 3105 articles, we selected 30 full-text articles for inclusion and 7 were considered for meta-analysis.. Children who usually skip BF had significantly lower daily intake of vitamin A (SMD, -10.407; 95%CI: -14.147, -6.667) and vitamin C (SMD, -4.127; 95%CI: -5.091, -3.162) than BF consumers. The intake of vitamin B1 (SMD, -16.378; 95%CI: -29.110, -3.647) and vitamin B2 [SMD, -14.757; 95%CI: -20.247, -9.268] was lower in skippers than RTEC BF consumers.

Regarding to minerals, children who usually consume BF had significantly higher daily consumption of Calcium (SMD, -7.034; 95%CI: -9.029, -5.040), Iron (SMD, -6.552; 95%CI: -9.242, -3.861) and Sodium (SMD, -3.395; 95%CI: -5.554, -1.236) than BF skippers. The intake of Magnesium (SMD, -10.903; 95%CI: -18.078, -3.729) and Potassium (SMD, -6.972; 95%CI: -10.689, -3.254) was higher in RTEC BF consumers than BF skippers.

Evidence suggested that BF consumption and RTEC breakfast consumption seems to be associated with better micronutrient intake

Meat is a nutrient-dense food that plays a central role in the diets of many children globally, contributing significantly to intakes of energy, protein and a number of essential micronutrients. However, nutritive quality is variable across meat types and cuts, and dietary guidelines across Europe typically encourage the consumption of lean meats whilst limiting the consumption of processed meats. The current work aimed to estimate intakes of unprocessed beef and lamb and their contribution to nutrient intakes in Irish children and teenagers.

Analyses were based on data from the Irish National Children's Food Survey (NCFS) (2003–2004; 5–12 years; n 594) and National Teens’ Food Survey (NTFS) (2005–2006; 13–17 years; n 441) (www.iuna.net). Both surveys used a 7-day weighed (NCFS) or semi-weighed (NTFS) food record to collect dietary intake data from nationally representative samples of Irish children. Dietary intake data were converted to nutrient data using WISP©, based on UK and Irish food composition tables. Unprocessed beef and lamb was defined as beef or lamb that had not undergone any preserving process other than chilling, freezing or salting, and included beef or lamb dishes that were wrapped in a controlled atmosphere. Meat intakes from composite dishes (e.g. beef lasagne) were estimated following disaggregation of the non-meat components. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS© v23.0.

Unprocessed beef was consumed by 79% of children and 83% of teenagers, while unprocessed lamb was consumed by 19% of children and 20% of teenagers. Mean daily intakes of unprocessed beef were 21 g and 34 g in children and teenagers (consumers only), while mean daily intakes of unprocessed lamb were 14 g and 23 g. Unprocessed beef and lamb contributed 5–6% to mean daily energy intakes and contributed the following proportions to daily nutrient intakes in children and teenagers, respectively: protein (11%, 15%), total fat (7%, 9%), saturated fat (7%, 10%), monounsaturated fat (9%, 11%), iron (7%, 10%), zinc (18%, 23%), vitamin A (7%, 7%), vitamin D (12%, 16%), total niacin (9%, 13%), vitamin B6 (6%, 9%), vitamin B12 (15%, 22%), sodium (6%, 7%).

Unprocessed beef and lamb are valuable sources of nutrients for Irish children and teenagers. Relative to their energy contribution, they contribute higher proportions of a number of important nutrients, such as protein, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and total niacin, while contributing relatively small proportions of total fat, saturated fat and sodium. This research was funded by Meat Technology Ireland.

Meat consumption may be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, but the evidence remains inconclusive. We prospectively examined the association between meat (total meat, red and processed meat, red meat, processed meat and poultry) intake and risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke, including ischemic and haemorrhagic subtypes, in a large British cohort.

Data were from UK Biobank participants who were free of IHD, stroke and cancer at recruitment (2006–2010), with available information on meat intake in the baseline touchscreen survey, and linked hospital admissions and death data for IHD, stroke, and stroke subtypes over follow-up (n = 441,700). We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to assess associations between meat consumption and risk of IHD, total stroke and ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke subtypes.

Over a mean of 8.1 years of follow-up, 13,590 incident cases of IHD, 5,441 cases of total stroke, 2,258, cases of ischaemic stroke, and 949 cases of haemorrhagic stroke occurred. The risk of IHD was positively associated with intakes of total meat (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.18, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.09, 1.27 per 100 g/day higher intake), red and processed meat (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.08, 1.24 per 70 g/day higher intake), red meat (HR = 1.15, 95%, CI 1.07–1.24 per 50 g/day higher intake), processed meat (HR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.05, 1.16 per 20 g/day higher intake), and poultry (HR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.13 per 30 g/day higher intake). The risk of total stroke was positively associated with intakes of total meat (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.02–1.29 per 100 g/day higher intake) and red and processed meat (HR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.27 per 70 g/day higher intake). Meat intake was not associated with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke.

This large prospective study found that any meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of IHD and that red and processed meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of total stroke. Our findings for IHD and total stroke in relation to red and processed meat are in line with previous studies but our positive findings for poultry and IHD and null findings for red meat and ischaemic stroke are not, thus warranting further study.

Animal studies suggest that maternal diet during pregnancy influences susceptibility to obesity in the next generation. One-carbon nutrients involved in epigenetic processes represent a possible underlying mechanism. Unfortunately, there is limited research in humans to support animal findings, and the few studies available have been limited to birth defects and weight outcomes in early infancy. The aim of this project was to examine the associations between maternal diet (diet quality indicators and one-carbon nutrients) during the period surrounding pregnancy and long-term weight outcomes in the offspring.

We examined 2,729 mother-child pairs from the Nurses’ Health Study II and the offspring cohort Growing Up Today Study 2 (GUTS 2). Children, 12–14 years at baseline were 21–23 years at the last follow-up. Overweight was defined for youth less than 18 years of age using sex- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs recommended by the International Obesity Task Force and for those 18 years or older as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Dietary information was collected by a validated 131-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and questions on supplement use. Maternal dietary patterns were calculated from FFQs using three diet quality scores – the alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI), Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH). Log-binomial models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals.

In models adjusted for sex, gestational age at delivery and maternal total energy intake, greater maternal adherence to aMED and DASH, but not aHEI, was associated with lower overweight risk in the offspring (RRQ5 vs Q1 = 0.82 [0.70–0.97] for aMED and 0.86 [0.72–1.04] for DASH) (P for trend < 0.05 for both). After additional adjustment for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and socio-demographic characteristic, none of the diet quality scores was significantly associated with child's birth weight or overweight risk during follow-up. Analysis with one-carbon nutrients are ongoing; we hypothesize that children born to mothers with greater intake of one-carbon nutrients have a lower risk of developing overweight compared to children of mothers with lower intake of these nutrients.

Maternal diet quality indices during pregnancy were not associated with child's birth weight or the risk of developing overweight at ages 12 to 23 years. Further research on maternal dietary intake during pregnancy is warranted because pregnancy offers a window of opportunity to promote behavioral change that may program the health of the next generation.

Life expectancy has considerably improved over the past century. Despite the population living longer, this greater number of life years has been associated with increases in chronic morbidity and mortality, including age-related debilitating conditions, such as frailty and malnutrition with profound implications both socially and economically on society. Given the increasing rates of population ageing, it is critical to ensure that functional ability, wellbeing and quality of life (QoL) are maintained and the factors involved in these processes are understood. This project aimed to compare the prevalence of frailty and malnutrition in community-dwelling older adults living in the UK and Spain; and identify potential determinants of malnutrition, frailty and QoL.

A cross sectional study among 64 male and female community-dwelling older adults 65–92 years from the UK (n = 33) and Spain (n = 31) was conducted. Nutritional status, frailty and QoL were assessed by previously validated self-reported questionnaires: the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), the FiND (Frail Non-Disabled questionnaire) and the SHARE (Study of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe) version of the CASP-12. Multiple and/or logistic regression models were applied to assess factors that predict malnutrition, QoL and risk of frailty.

In total, mean age of participants was 77 ± 8 years and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.06 ± 4.78 kg/m2. Mean MNA-SF score was 12.70 ± 1.92, and mean QoL was 40.36 ± 5.35. The overall prevalence of malnutrition and frailty was 18.8% and 23.4% respectively. Participants in the UK were more likely to be malnourished than those in Spain (24.2% vs 12.9%), although not significantly (p = 0.245), and the prevalence of frailty was higher in the UK (36.4% vs 9.7%) (p = 0.012). BMI, being frail and income were significant predictors of malnutrition (p < 0.05). Higher QoL was a significant protective factor for frailty risk (Odds Ratio 0.728; 95%CI 0.59–0.90; p = 0.004). Age, income and being frail were significant predictors of QoL (p < 0.05).

To our knowledge this is the first cross-cultural study that explored associations between malnutrition, frailty and QoL, using validated questionnaires in both languages. Despite the small sample size, it was revealed that malnutrition and frailty are conditions that can be identified in community dwelling older adults. Although participants self-reported a good QoL, frailty was found to be a strong predictor of QoL. Implementing culturally suited strategies to detect malnutrition and frailty status and prevent further decline would be useful to improve the QoL of older adults in these countries.

Food insecurity (FI) has been associated with the generation of chronic disease and as a barrier in the treatment of cancer. We established at an ecological level the relationship between FI and the incidence rate of colorectal cancer x 100.000 inhabitants (CRACI).

An ecological study was carried out with information that measured the level of human, social and economic development in the territory of the 33 geodemographic units that make up Colombia. Using multiple linear regression with the CRACI as the dependent variable, the FI as the main explanatory and other variables of the context, we established the relationship between FI and the CRACI and predictive equations of the CRACI by sex. The goodness of fit in the models was the coefficient of determination (R2) and the Bland and Almant method.

The FI is related in an inverse manner, and the human development Index (HDI) is directly related to the CRACI. Two equations predict the CRACI with high precision; In men, [CRACI = -6.38 + -0.25 * FI + 35.5 * HDI].

In Women, [CRACI = 6.47 + -0.23 * FI + 19.1 * HDI].

The coefficient of determination R2 (%) in men is 88 and in women 72. The average difference between CRACI observed versus the estimated, was -0.00 in men (95% CI: -3.13 to 3.13), and in women of -0.00 (95% CI: -4.08 to 4.08).

We establish that in Colombia, FI is significantly and inversely associated with the CRACI and that it is possible to predict the CRACI at an ecological level with a high degree of precision using two variables that are calculated on a regular basis by Colombian state agencies—FI and the HDI.

FI has previously been identified as a risk factor in the development and treatment of patients with cancer since the associated economic incapacity reduces adherence to treatment and promotes a limited biological response, explained by a limited and poor-quality diet that exposes these patients to greater levels of infection and relapse.

A possible explanation for this is that as greater social and economic development is achieved in the territory, decreasing FI, the diet transitions toward greater consumption of proteins of animal origin, which in turn favours the development of mediators of chronic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, and cancer. This change is part of the phenomena called nutritional transition and food transition.

The equations presented here constitute a cost-effective method for estimating CRACI in Colombia.

Vegetarian (VG) and vegan (VN) diets have become more and more popular in the last decades. Many VG and VN parents raise their children without meat or foods of animal origin. Until now, only few studies – that are highly heterogeneous, quite old and of small sample sizes – have been conducted with VG and VN children worldwide.

The Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) collected data of 139 VN, 127 VG, and 164 omnivourous (OM) children (1–3 y) in Germany. Dietary intake (including supplements and fortified foods) was assessed by a 3-day-weighted dietary record; lifestyle and anthropometric data by an online questionnaire. Average dietary intakes and anthropometrics were compared between groups using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Intake of total energy, energy density, retinol eq, phosphorous, and zinc did not significantly differ between the study groups after adjustment. OM children had the highest adjusted intakes of protein, fat, added sugars, vitamin B2, and calcium (the latter only after excluding outliers) (p < 0.0001). In contrast, the highest adjusted intakes of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin E, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and iron were found in VN children (p < 0.0001). Vitamin B12 supplements were used by 97.1% of VN, 35.4% of VG, and 7.9% of OM children. However, 58 VG (45.7%), 27 OM (16.5%), and 14 VN (10.1%) did not meet the German DRI for vitamin B12. Although there were no differences in the Standard-Deviation-Scores for weight-for-height, height-for-age, or weight-for-age on average (WHO Growth Standards 2011), 3.6% and 2.4% of VN and VG children, respectively, were classificated as stunted or severely stunted.

Our results indicate that a VG and VN diet in early childhood provides comparable amounts of energy, a macronutrient pattern in accordance with recommendations, and can ensure normal growth as there were no significant differences in proxy-reported anthropometrics compared to OM children of the same age. However, the observed small percentage of VG and VN children in our sample classified as stunted should emphasize to parents and pediatricians the importance of an adequate energy and nutrient intake for children on VG and VN diets. Qualified nutrition counselling for VG and VN children might be useful to ensure a healthy development.

Little is known about the factors which influence seafood consumption in Irish adults at present. This systematic review will serve the purpose of reviewing published literature examining influences on seafood consumption to provide a basis for a larger project being carried out in UCD - the Seafood Consumption and Risk Exposure Study (SCaRES) - examination of seafood consumption in the Irish population. This project aims to generate food consumption data, on seafood, consumers to improve the characterisation of the risk from exposure to biotoxins and other contaminants from consuming shellfish. This approach will represent a significant step forward in terms of public health policy contribution by being able to characterise the likelihood of illness in a population or population sub-group on an annual basis.

Data sources PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 2008 and January 2018 investigating the characteristics of seafood consumers. Search terms include the following: factors OR influences OR determinants OR indicators AND fish OR seafood OR shellfish OR marine products AND diet OR dietary intake OR intake OR consumption. Articles, in English which investigated factors influencing seafood/fish consumption in adults (18 + ) were included.

A total of 3964 unique articles were found, after duplicates (n = 1537) were removed. Following this, a further 3531 articles were excluded based on title and abstract. The remaining articles (n = 433) were screened based on inclusion criteria. After the initial systematic search, 149 papers met the inclusion criteria. Preliminary analysis to date demonstrated the following; seafood consumers are more likely to have higher educational attainment (n = 43 article), they are more likely to be of older age (n = 29 articles), 21 articles reported that they are less likely to be smokers, whilst n = 17, found that they are more likely to be physically active, with n = 20 reporting they are more likely to have a healthier overall diet and n = 14 reporting that they are more likely to have a higher household income. Results were mixed with respect to BMI.

The included studies have found that seafood consumers are more likely to have higher educational attainment, be of older age, have lower tobacco use, be physically active, have a higher fruit and vegetable intake and have a higher household income. Full analysis is ongoing.

The study population (n = 21,212) was divided into 4 groups: 19,812 meat eaters, 646 fish-eaters, 500 vegetarians and 254 vegans. Daily food intakes, adjusted for sex, age and total energy intake, were collected using repeated 24-h dietary records. Vegetarian diets were described according to indicators of UPFs and UnPFs, and the Healthy and Unhealthy plant-based Diet Indices (hPDI/uPDI). In a sub-sample without meat eaters (n = 1,400), multivariable linear regression models were performed to assess the association between UPF consumptions and diet characteristics.

UPFs accounted for 33.0%, 32.5%, 37.0% and 39.5% respectively for meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. On the contrary, UnPFs accounted for 29%, 29%, 27% and 31%. The means of uPDI and hPDI indices were respectively equal to 54.0, 53.2, 56.9 and 59.9, and 53.5, 60.6, 61.4 and 67.9 for meat-eaters, fish-eaters, vegetarians and vegans. Concerning diet characteristics, a shorter duration of being vegetarian, or a younger age at commencing of the diet was significantly associated with increased consumptions of UPFs (respectively p = 0.0010 and p < 0.0001).

We showed that vegetarians can be distinguished according to the share of both UPFs and UnPFs in their diet, but also concerning the diet quality according to hPDI and uPDI. Thus, the share of UPFs in the diet and associated characteristics such duration and commencing age of the diet, should be considered in future studies about the link between vegetarianisms and health.

The study included a cohort of 381 children (40.7 % boys) aged 7 years, from the Growth and Feeding during Infancy and Early Childhood in Aragon (CALINA) longitudinal study, living in Zaragoza. Data on dietary habits and screen time (watching TV/DVD/videos and playing PC/video games) were parental-reported. ST was categorized based on the recommendations (≤ 2hour/day and > 2hour/day). The DQI was computed from a validated semi quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Generalized linear mixed models, adjusted for maternal education and body mass index, were analysed.

In boys, exceeding the total ST's recommendations (> 2 h/day) was positively associated with high consumption of soft drinks (β = 0.13; CI: 0.02;0.26) while in girls, exceeding the recommendations was positively associated with light drinks (soft drinks with artificial sweeteners) consumption (β = 0.06; CI: 0.02;0.13). Only individual PC/videogames time was associated with beverage consumption. In both gender, excessive PC/video games time (> 2h/day) was associated with high soft drinks consumption (β = 0.51; CI: 0.25; 0.77, β = 1.07; CI: 0.79; 1.35, respectively). Only in girls, there was a positive association between PC/ video games time and light drinks (soft drinks with artificial sweeteners) consumption (β = 0.21; CI: 0.02; 0.41). Regarding the DQI, only boys showed a negative associations between total ST and the DQI (β = -5.91; CI -2.56; -2.56), this means, that those boys that exceeded the total ST's recommendations (> 2 h/day) had a poor total quality diet.

In children, ST was associated with beverages (soft drinks and light drinks) consumption and a poor total diet quality. Soft drinks with artificial sweeteners (light drinks) were chosen mostly by girl´s, whereas, boys preferred regular sugar sweetened soft drinks consumption.