Socio-economic status (SES) has been positively associated with physical activity (PA) levels in adolescents. In order to tackle these social inequalities, information is needed about the underlying mechanisms of this association. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of psychosocial correlates of PA on the relationship between SES and PA in European adolescents.

Cross-sectional study testing the mediating role of psychosocial correlates in the SES–PA association using the product-of-coefficients test of MacKinnon.

Ten European cities in nine different countries, the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study.

Adolescents (n 2780) aged 12·5–17·49 years self-reported on PA (moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA and total PA), SES indicators (education of the mother and Family Affluence Scale) and psychosocial correlates of PA (stage of change, attitudes, awareness, modelling, social support, self-efficacy, benefits, barriers and environmental correlates).

SES (Family Affluence Scale) was significantly associated with moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA. According to single-mediator models, this association was significantly mediated by stage of change (t = 3·6, P ≤ 0·001), awareness (t = 2·7, 0·001 < P ≤ 0·01), modelling (t = 4·8, P ≤ 0·001), self-efficacy (t = 2·5, 0·01<P ≤ 0·05), barriers (t = 2·7, 0·001 < P ≤ 0·01) and environmental (t = 3·0, 0·001 < P ≤ 0·01) correlates of PA. The multiple-mediators model showed that the mediating role of the combination of these psychosocial correlates was also significant (t = 6·2, P ≤ 0·001).

Adolescents with low family wealth scored lower on stage of change, awareness, modelling, self-efficacy and environmental correlates of PA, and higher on PA barriers, which in turn resulted in lower levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA. Future interventions should target these individual and environmental constructs in order to tackle and intervene on social inequalities in PA among adolescents.

To investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and self-perceived body shape silhouette and BMI in a sample of Mexican women.

A cross-sectional analysis of dietary habits from baseline data of a large cohort study (EsMaestra) conducted in 2006–2008.

The state of Veracruz, Mexico.

Mexican teachers (n 20 330) provided information on body shape silhouette at baseline, changes in body shape silhouette and BMI, as well as information on sociodemographic variables and lifestyle.

The median BMI was 26·8 kg/m2; 43 % of women were overweight and 24 % were obese. The carbohydrates, sweet drinks and refined foods pattern was associated with a greater risk of having a large silhouette and a large BMI (BMI ≥ 30·0 kg/m2v. BMI < 25·0 kg/m2; ORT1−3 = 1·86, 95 % CI 1·56, 2·22 and 1·47, 95 % CI 1·28, 1·69, respectively) with a significant trend when comparing the first and third tertiles of intake. The fruit and vegetable pattern was associated with a lower risk of having a large silhouette and a large BMI (ORT1−3 = 0·68, 95 % CI 0·57, 0·82 and ORT1−3 = 0·77, 95 % CI 0·67, 0·88, respectively) with a significant decreasing trend. Similar results were observed when change in silhouette (from 18 years of age to current silhouette) was considered.

High intakes of carbohydrates, sweet drinks and refined foods are related to larger silhouettes. Public health intervention improving access to healthy dietary guidelines, healthy food choice in the work place, promotion of physical activity and regulation of beverages with a high sugar content and of refined foods should be considered.

To report on the trends and determinants of undernutrition among children <5 years old in Kenya.

Data from four nationwide Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys, conducted in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008–2009, were analysed. The Demographic and Health Survey utilizes a multistage stratified sampling technique.

Nationwide covering rural and urban areas in Kenya.

The analysis included 4757, 4433, 4892 and 4958 Kenyan children aged <5 years in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2009–2009, respectively.

The prevalence of stunting decreased by 4·6 percentage points from 39·9 % in 1993 to 35·3 % in 2008–2009, while underweight decreased by 2·7 percentage points from 18·7 % in 1993 to 16·0 % in 2008–2009. The effects of household wealth, maternal education and current maternal nutritional status on child nutrition outcomes have changed dynamically in more recent years in Kenya. Inadequate hygiene facilities increased the likelihood of chronic undernutrition in at least three of the surveys. Small size of the child at birth, childhood diarrhoea and male gender increased the likelihood of undernutrition in at least three of the surveys. Childhood undernutrition occurred concurrently with maternal overnutrition in some households.

The analysis reveals a slow decline of undernutrition among young children in Kenya over the last three decades. However, stunting and underweight still remain of public health significance. There is evidence of an emerging trend of a malnutrition double burden demonstrated by stunted and underweight children whose mothers are overweight.

To document socio-economic differences in exposure to food advertising, including advertisements for foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) as defined by the UK Food Standards Agency's Nutrient Profiling Model.

A cross-sectional survey. Information (including product advertised and viewing figures) on all advertisements broadcast in one UK region over one week (6–12 July 2009) was obtained. Food advertisements were identified and linked to nutritional information on the content of advertised foods.

UK Tyne-Tees television region.

Data were sourced from a UK-wide television viewing panel.

Eleven per cent of advertising seen was for food and 63 % of food advertising seen was for HFSS foods. The proportion of all advertising seen that was for food was smaller among viewers in the least v. most affluent social grade (OR = 0·98, 99 % CI 0·95, 1·00). There was no difference in the proportion of food advertising seen that was for HFSS food between viewers in the most and least affluent social grades. Total exposure to both all food advertising and HFSS food advertising was 2·1 times greater among the least v. the most affluent viewers.

While the least affluent viewers saw relatively fewer food advertisements, their absolute exposure to all food and HFSS food advertisements was higher than that of the most affluent viewers. Current UK restrictions prohibit advertisements for HFSS foods during programmes with a high proportion of child viewers. Extending these to all programming may reduce socio-economic inequalities in exposure to these advertisements and in diet and obesity.

To assess prevailing food patterns among Balearic Islands’ adolescents, and socio-economic and lifestyle determinants.

Cross-sectional nutritional survey carried out (2007–2008) in the Balearic Islands, a Mediterranean region. Dietary assessment was based on a 145-item semi-quantitative FFQ and two non-consecutive 24 h recalls. Anthropometric measurements and questions related to socio-economic, lifestyle, physical activity and body image were assessed.

Data obtained from a representative sample of all inhabitants living in the Balearic Islands aged 12–17 years.

A random sample (n 1231) of the adolescent population (12–17 years old) was interviewed.

Factor analysis identified two major dietary food patterns: ‘Western’ and ‘Mediterranean’. The ‘Western’ dietary pattern was higher among boys than girls, associated with spending ≥4 h/d on media screen time, but less prevalent among those adolescents who desired a thinner body and those girls who desired to remain the same weight. The ‘Mediterranean’ dietary pattern was mainly followed by girls, and also boys who spent < 2 h/d on media screen time and girls with high parental socio-economic status.

The present study shows the existence of two major dietary patterns among Balearic Islands’ adolescents: ‘Western’ and ‘Mediterranean’, but girls are more ‘Mediterranean’ than boys. This evidence supports that the food pattern of Balearic Islands’ adolescents is in a transitional state characterised by the loss of the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern towards a Western dietary pattern. Low parental socio-economic status, much leisure-time on sedentary behaviours such as media screen time and body image are factors associated with the ‘Western’ dietary pattern.

To study the clinico-immunological, nutritional and growth characteristics of HIV-infected children and the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on these parameters.

Retrospective study.

Out-patient department of a paediatric ART centre, Delhi, India.

HIV-positive children registered at the paediatric ART centre of the hospital were enrolled (n 130). Anthropometric measurements were used to classify children into the type of malnutrition according to definitions of the WHO and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical and immunological status of the children was recorded as per WHO guidelines. First-line ART was started based on guidelines of the National AIDS Control Organization. Nutritional status and clinico-immunological characteristics were followed up annually in children receiving ART.

Of children ≤5 years of age (n 54), stunting was noted in 42·5 % contrary to wasting seen in only 12·9 %. In children >5 years of age (n 76), short stature (40·7 %) and underweight (39·4 %) were seen in almost equal proportions. Asymptomatic presentation was noted in 60·0 %. Following ART, a reduction in wasting was noted in 75·0 % of children ≤5 years of age, whereas only 44·4 % of underweight children >5 years of age showed an improvement after therapy. Stunting and short stature continued to persist in all in children (≤5 years and >5 years, respectively). Clinico-immunologically, 67·5 % improved in clinical status and 62·5 % showed immunological improvement.

ART improves the acute parameters of nutritional status like wasting. It also improves the clinical outcome and restores the immune system. At present first-line ART is effective in HIV-positive children.

The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of Internet information on the Mediterranean diet and to determine the relationship between the quality of information and the website source.

Website sources were categorized as institutional, pharmaceutical, non-pharmaceutical commercial, charitable, support and alternative medicine. Content quality was evaluated using the DISCERN rating instrument, the Health On the Net Foundation's (HON) code principles, and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. Readability was graded by the Flesch Reading Ease score and Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score.

The phrase ‘Mediterranean diet’ was entered as a search term into the six most commonly used English-language search engines.

The first thirty websites forthcoming by each engine were examined.

Of the 180 websites identified, thirty-two met our inclusion criteria. Distribution of the website sources was: institutional, n 8 (25 %); non-pharmaceutical commercial, n 12 (38 %); and support, n 12 (38 %). As evaluated by the DISCERN, thirty-one of the thirty-two websites were rated as fair to very poor. Non-pharmaceutical commercial sites scored significantly lower than institutional and support sites (P = 0·002). The mean Flesch Reading Ease score and mean Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level were 55·9 (fairly difficult) and 7·2, respectively. The Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level score determines the difficulty of material by measuring the length of words and sentences and converting the results into a grade level ranging from 0 to 12 (US grade level).

Due to the poor quality of website information on the Mediterranean diet, patients or consumers who are interested in the Mediterranean diet should get advice from physicians or dietitians.

Nutritionally promoted foods are now available at fast-food establishments. Little is known about their popularity, who is purchasing them, or their impact on dietary intake. Our study aimed to determine: how often nutritionally promoted fast foods were purchased; the demographic characteristics of people purchasing these foods; and if purchasing these foods resulted in reduced energy, and increased vegetable, content of lunches compared with those who purchased traditional fast foods.

A survey collecting lunchtime fast-food purchases and demographic details was administered over two months. Nutritionally promoted products included the McDonalds’ ‘Heart Foundation Tick Approved’ range and Subway's ‘Six grams of fat or less’ range. Energy and vegetable contents were estimated using information from fast-food companies’ websites. Differences in demographics, energy and vegetable contents between individuals purchasing nutritionally promoted and traditional lunches were assessed using χ2 and t tests.

Queensland, Australia.

Lunchtime diners aged over 16 years at Subway and McDonalds.

Surveys were collected from 927 respondents (58 % male, median age 25 (range 16–84) years; 73 % response rate). Only 3 % (n 24/910) of respondents who ordered a main option had purchased a nutritionally promoted item. Purchasers of nutritionally promoted foods were ∼13 years older, predominantly female (79 %), and more often reported involvement in a health-related profession (29 % v. 11 %) than purchasers of traditional foods (P < 0·05). Purchasers of nutritionally promoted foods ordered 1·5 fewer megajoules and 0·6 more vegetable servings than purchasers of traditional foods (P < 0·05).

Nutritionally promoted fast foods may reduce lunchtime energy content, however these foods were infrequently chosen.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Maternal nutritional status may be a modifiable risk factor for antenatal depression. We evaluated the association between patterns in mid-pregnancy nutritional biomarkers and MDD.

Prospective cohort study.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Women who enrolled at ≤20 weeks’ gestation and had a diagnosis of MDD made with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition) at 20-, 30- and 36-week study visits. A total of 135 women contributed 345 person-visits. Non-fasting blood drawn at enrolment was assayed for red cell essential fatty acids, plasma folate, homocysteine and ascorbic acid; serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, retinol, vitamin E, carotenoids, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptors. Nutritional biomarkers were entered into principal components analysis.

Three factors emerged: Factor 1, Essential Fatty Acids; Factor 2, Micronutrients; and Factor 3, Carotenoids. MDD was prevalent in 21·5 % of women. In longitudinal multivariable logistic models, there was no association between the Essential Fatty Acids or Micronutrients pattern and MDD either before or after adjustment for employment, education or pre-pregnancy BMI. In unadjusted analysis, women with factor scores for Carotenoids in the middle and upper tertiles were 60 % less likely than women in the bottom tertile to have MDD during pregnancy, but after adjustment for confounders the associations were no longer statistically significant.

While meaningful patterns were derived using nutritional biomarkers, significant associations with MDD were not observed in multivariable adjusted analyses. Larger, more diverse samples are needed to understand nutrition–depression relationships during pregnancy.

Consuming a variety of fruit and vegetables provides many different micronutrients and bioactive compounds. Whether this contributes to the beneficial association between fruit and vegetables and incident CHD and stroke is unknown.

Prospective population-based cohort study.

The Netherlands.

Men and women (n 20 069) aged 20–65 years. Participants completed a validated 178-item FFQ, including nine fruit and thirteen vegetable items. Variety in fruit and vegetables was defined as the sum of different items consumed at least once per 2 weeks over the previous year. Hazard ratios (HR) for variety in relation to incident CHD and stroke were calculated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models additionally adjusted for quantity of fruit and vegetables.

Variety and quantity in fruit and vegetables were highly correlated (r = 0·81). Variety was not associated with total energy intake (r = −0·01) and positively associated with nutrient intakes, particularly vitamin C (r = 0·70). During 10 years of follow-up, 245 cases of CHD and 233 cases of stroke occurred. Variety in vegetables (HR per 2 items = 1·05; 95 % CI 0·94, 1·17) and in fruit (HR per 2 items = 1·00; 95 % CI 0·87, 1·15) were not related to incident CHD. Variety in vegetables (HR per 2 items = 0·93; 95 % CI 0·83, 1·04) and in fruit (HR per 2 items = 1·03; 95 % CI 0·89, 1·18) were also not related to incident stroke.

More variety in fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with higher intakes of fruit and vegetables and micronutrients. Independently of quantity, variety in fruit and vegetables was related neither to incident CHD nor to incident stroke.

The WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is an effective strategy to increase breast-feeding exclusivity and duration but many countries have been slow to implement it. The present paper describes the development of a computer-based instrument that measures policies and practices outlined in the BFHI.

The tool uses clinical staff/managers’ and pregnant women/mothers’ opinions as well as maternity unit observations to assess compliance with the BFHI's Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps) and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (Code) by measuring the extent of implementation of two to fourteen indicators for each step and the Code. Composite scores are used to summarize results.

Examples of results from a 2007 assessment performed in nine hospitals in the province of Québec are presented to illustrate the type of information returned to individual hospitals and health authorities.

Participants included nine to fifteen staff/managers per hospital randomly selected among those present during the interviewer-observer's 12 h hospital visit and nine to forty-five breast-feeding mothers per hospital telephoned at home after being randomly selected from birth certificates.

The Ten Steps Global Compliance Score for the nine hospitals varied between 2·87 and 6·51 (range 0–10, mean 5·06) whereas the Code Global Compliance Score varied between 0·58 and 1 (range 0–1, mean 0·83). Instrument development, examples of assessment results and potential applications are discussed.

A methodology to measure BFHI compliance may help support the implementation of this effective intervention and contribute to improved maternal and child health.

To identify and compare suggested food portion sizes in UK schemes.

The study collated and compared suggested portion sizes from selected UK schemes intended both for general advice and weight-loss advice.

Portion size schemes were included if they were relevant to the UK, provided actual portion size information, were intended for adults and were obtainable from the public domain in November 2010. Included schemes were from the food industry, non-governmental organisations and health-care professionals. Suggested portion sizes of foods occurring in at least one scheme for general advice and at least one scheme for weight loss were included. Own brand on-pack portion size labelling from a large UK-wide supermarket was added to represent portion size advice from UK food retailers.

Not applicable.

The suggested portion sizes in the weight-loss advice schemes were often concordant, as were the general advice schemes, except one general advice scheme from a non-governmental organisation which was more closely aligned with the portion sizes for weight loss. Overall there were substantial discrepancies between suggested portion sizes for muesli and crunchy breakfast cereals, rice, pasta and potatoes, meat, fish and pulses, whereas portion sizes for cooked vegetables, dried fruit, some breakfast cereals and cheese were broadly consistent.

There is a lack of consistency in the portion sizes communicated to the public. An independent and authoritative scheme of suggested portion sizes for all foods, with distinct recommendations for general advice and for weight-loss advice, could be of benefit.

To understand factors affecting the compliance of malnourished, HIV-positive adults with a nutritional protocol using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF; Plumpy'nut®).

Qualitative study using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations.

Ministry of Health HIV/programme supported by Médecins Sans Frontièrs (MSF) in Nyanza Province, Kenya.

Adult patients (n 46) currently or previously affected by HIV-associated wasting and receiving anti-retroviral therapy, their caregivers (n 2) and MoH/MSF medical employees (n 8).

Thirty-four out of forty-six patients were receiving RUTF (8360 kJ/d) at the time of the study and nineteen of them were wasted (BMI < 17 kg/m2). Six of the thirteen wasted out-patients came to the clinic without a caregiver and were unable to carry their monthly provision (12 kg) of RUTF home because of physical frailty. Despite the patients’ enthusiasm about their weight gain and rapid resumption of labour activities, the taste of the product, diet monotony and clinical conditions associated with HIV made it impossible for half of them to consume the daily prescription. Sharing the RUTF with other household members and mixing with other foods were common. Staff training did not include therapeutic dietetic counselling.

The level of reported compliance with the prescribed dose of RUTF was low. An improved approach to treating malnourished HIV-positive adults in limited resource contexts is needed and must consider strategies to support patients without a caregiver, development of therapeutic foods more suited to adult taste, specific dietetic training for health staff and the provision of liquid therapeutic foods for severely ill patients.

To assess the effectiveness of a brief face-to-face health promotion intervention which included a ‘pledge’ using brief negotiation techniques, compared with standard advice-giving techniques, delivered in a community setting.

A parallel group pre–post design using randomised matched groups. Lifestyle helpers delivered the intervention (one consultation per participant). Diet, physical activity and anthropometric measurements were collected at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Qualitative data were also collected.

Middlesbrough (UK).

Adults living in low socio-economic areas.

Recruitment and engagement of lifestyle helpers was difficult, and initial expectations that local health authority staff working in the community and community champions would act as lifestyle helpers were not realised. As a consequence, recruitment of participants was lower than anticipated. One hundred and twenty-eight adults were recruited and the retention rate was 48 % at 12 months. Barriers to participation included poor health and competing commitments. No significant differences in change in diet or physical activity behaviours, or BMI, between the intervention and control groups were observed. The control group had a significantly greater decrease in waist circumference at 12 months compared with the intervention group.

This exploratory trial provides important insights in terms of recruiting lifestyle helpers for community-based health promotion interventions, specifically (i) the priorities and limitations in terms of time (regardless of their general enthusiasm) for staff employed by the local health authority, and (ii) the willingness of potential community champions to serve their local community in areas where community identity and ‘spirit’ are seen as lacking.

We examined the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with dietary intakes of Mg in Tehran adults.

In a cross-sectional study, dietary intakes were assessed using a valid and reliable FFQ. MetS was defined according to the modified guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Waist circumference (WC) was coded according to the newly introduced cut-off points for Iranian adults (≥95 cm for both genders).

Participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2006–2008).

Adults (n 2504; 1120 men and 1384 women) aged 18–74 years.

The mean age of participants was 40·8 (sd 14·6) years and 38·2 (sd 13·5) years for men and women, respectively. The reported mean intake of Mg was 349 (sd 109) mg/d. After adjustment for confounding factors, dietary Mg intake was inversely associated with fasting blood glucose (β = −0·08, P = 0·006), TAG (β = −0·058, P = 0·009) and WC (β = −0·013, P = 0·006); however, there were no associations between dietary Mg and diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure or HDL cholesterol. An association was observed between MetS Z-score and Mg intake (crude β = −0·017, P = 0·001), independent of age, gender, smoking, physical activity and BMI; this association was attenuated following further adjustment for dietary factors and menopausal status (β = −0·034, P = 0·061).

Our findings suggest a significant inverse association between dietary Mg, MetS and its components.

To examine associations between maternal employment and time spent engaging in nutrition-related behaviours among mothers and children using a nationally representative sample of households in West and East Germany.

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using time-use data for a sample of mother–child dyads. Associations between maternal employment and time spent in nutrition-related activities such as eating at home, eating away from home and food preparation were estimated using a double-hurdle model.

German Time Budget Survey 2001/02.

The overall sample included 1071 households with a child between 10 and 17 years of age. The time-use data were collected for a 3 d period of observation (two weekdays and one weekend day).

Maternal employment was associated with the time children spent on nutrition-related behaviours. In households with employed mothers, children spent more time eating alone at home and less time eating meals with their mothers. Moreover, employed mothers spent less time on meal preparation compared with non-employed mothers. There were regional differences in time spent on nutrition-related behaviours, such that East German children were more likely to eat at home alone than West German children.

Maternal employment was associated with less time spent eating with children and preparing food, which may be related to the increasing childhood obesity rates in Germany. Future national surveys that collect both time-use data and health outcomes could yield further insight into mechanisms by which maternal time use might be associated with health outcomes among children.

To examine gender-specific relationships between alcohol drinking patterns (average drinking frequency, typical drinking quantity and frequency of binge drinking) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in the Korean population.

Cross-sectional study using complex sampling design analyses.

The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV, which was conducted in 2008.

Current drinkers (n 3793, 1963 men and 1830 women).

After adjusting for confounders (age, educational level, income, physical activity, smoking, energy intake and drinking frequency in the analysis for drinking quantity), the associations of drinking quantity and frequency of binge drinking with the prevalence of MetS were gender-specific. Seven or more drinks for men and ≥3 drinks for women per typical occasion and binge drinking ≥1 time/week for both sexes resulted in significantly higher odds for the prevalence of MetS compared with men and women who had 1 or 2 drinks and no instances of binge drinking. The association of drinking quantity and the criteria of MetS was stronger for men with high blood pressure and abdominal obesity, whereas it was stronger for women with high glucose. Binge drinking frequency was dose-dependently associated with high TAG, high glucose, high blood pressure and abdominal obesity in men, and with high glucose and high blood pressure in women. Interestingly, average drinking frequency was not associated with the prevalence of MetS in either sex.

Higher drinking quantity and frequent binge drinking are indicators of a higher prevalence of MetS, and the association strength is thought to be gender-specific.