Dietary intake and health among 9th grade Danish pupils. The European Youth Heart Study
Involverte ansatteHarlund Vibeke, Leif Ludvigsen, Niels Wedderkopp, Kirsten Shcroll Bjørnsbo,
Lars Bo Andersen, Karsten Froberg.
Submitted
BeskrivelseThe aim of the study, European Youth Heart Study (EYHS), is to determine and evaluate nutritional status and health among 205 adolescent boys and 224 adolescent girls aged 14-16 years, 9th grade Danish pupils.
Dietary intake was assessed from a 24-hour recall interview. Anthropometrical measurements, physical fitness, blood samples and a questionnaire were applied to get an idea of their health status.
Risk factors are defined as the metabolic syndrome and consist of low level of HDL-c, high level of LDL-c and S-insulin, poor physical fitness and obesity, which contribute to developing diabetes type II and/or cardiovascular disease.
Results: The results show for both sexes that fat energy percentage could be reduced and the carbohydrate energy percentage including fibres accordingly could be increased. An increased intake from fish, vegetable oils, vegetables and fruits could reduce the deficiency of certain micro nutrients (vit. D and E, iodine, selenium and iron in girls).
Concerning associations between diet and health a high energy intake seems to be associated with high fat energy percentage, an appropriate intake of micronutrients and a high level of fitness.
Girls with highest skinfold values are more mature than girls with low skinfold values. Boys are more physical fit than girls and fitness is positive associated with biological maturity among the boys whereas it is negative associated with biological maturity among the girls.
The epidemiological data show that skinfold values are positively associated with risk factors, and particular among boys watt/kg is negatively associated with risk factors.
Conclusion: The data show that adolescents should improve their dietary intake according to recommendations. Skinfolds and physical fitness is of great importance because of associations with level of S-lipids and S-insulin. Anthropometrical and epidemiological results emphasize that intervention can begin in the young years to avoid diseases from obesity and risk factors.