This paper presents an analysis of the opinions of different groups from: scientists, international regulatory bodies, non-governmental organizations and industry; with an interest in the problem of identifying chemical substances with endocrine disrupting activity. There is also discussion of the consequences that exposure to endocrine disruptors may have for human health, considering concrete issues related to: the estimation of risk; the tests that must be used to detect endocrine disruption; the difficulties to establish an association between dose, time of exposure, individual susceptibility, and effect; and the attempts to create a census of endocrine disruptors. Finally, it is proposed that not all hormonal mimics should be included under the single generic denomination of endocrine disruptors. ; This work was supported by a 96/99 Research Project from the Health Department of the Andalusian Regional Government.
Aim The main cause of childhood overweight/obesity is an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The objective was to determine whether the intake by Spanish schoolchildren of sugars from habitually consumed foods and drinks can be related to overweight/ obesity. Methods Subjects The study included 657 schoolchildren between 7–10 years from educational centers in Southern Spain. These children live under the influence of the Mediterranean diet. Design Participants completed an encoded questionnaire with three sections: a) data on sex, age, educational center, school year, and life/family habits, among others; b) semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire related to the previous 12 months; and c) information on anthropometrics and physical activities. Results Obesity was observed in 10.9% of the children. The daily activity questionnaire showed a mean energy expenditure of 8.73 (1.33) MJ/day. The study considered foods that supply carbohydrates in any form (total carbohydrates, starch, total sugars, added sugars, and free sugars). The likelihood of overweight/obesity was significantly greater with a higher intake/ day of total sugars, starch, added sugars, and free sugars. The likelihood of normal weight was significantly greater with lower energy expenditure in sedentary activities (OR = 3.03), higher energy expenditure in sports activities (OR = 1.72), and higher total activity/day measured as METs (OR = 8.31). Conclusions In this population, overweight/obesity was influenced by the physical activity of the children and by their intake of energy, total sugars, starch, added sugars, and free sugars. Further studies are warranted to verify this observation and explore the implications for public health policies ; Andalusian Regional Government (Nutrition, Diet and Risks Assessment) AGR255 ; European Union (EU) ; Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) - FEDER-ISCIII PI14/01040
Introduction: the dietary intake patterns of children should be monitored because of their influence on health in adulthood. It is now widely accepted that childhood nutrition is linked to specific diseases such as obesity and to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Therefore, knowledge of dietary intake during childhood may be useful to identify possible risk factors for disease in adulthood. The main focus of research into children's diets has been the contribution of macronutrients and micronutrients. Objective: several indices have been developed for assessing the diet quality of previously defined population groups. The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritional status of Andalusian children and adolescents and examine the relationship between their diet quality and socio-demographic or lifestyle factors. Results and conclusions: the food intake of the younger children in this study was closer to RDIs compared with the adolescents, who generally reported a lower energy supply in their diet than the recommended. The mean (SD) diet quality score was 12.1 (1.9) for the younger children (6-9 years) and 9.4 (3.2) for the older group (10-17 years), a statistically significant difference. A good correlation was found between energy intake (MJ/kg body weight) and estimated energy (MET MJ/kg body weight). ; Introducción: los patrones de ingesta alimentaria de los niños deben ser controlados debido a su influencia en la salud en la edad adulta. Actualmente se acepta ampliamente que la nutrición infantil está vinculada a enfermedades específicas como obesidad y a factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular en adultos. Por lo tanto, el conocimiento de la ingesta dietética durante la infancia puede ser útil para identificar posibles factores de riesgo de enfermedad en la edad adulta. Objetivo: el objetivo principal de la investigación sobre las dietas de niños ha sido la contribución de los macronutrientes y los micronutrientes. Se han desarrollado varios índices para evaluar la calidad de la dieta de grupos de población previamente definidos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el estado nutricional de niños y adolescentes andaluces y examinar la relación entre la calidad de su dieta y factores sociodemográficos o de estilo de vida. Resultados y conclusiones: la ingesta de alimentos de los niños más pequeños en este estudio fue más cercana a la RDI en comparación con los adolescentes, quienes en general informaron menor aporte energético en su dieta de lo que se recomienda. El puntaje promedio de calidad de la dieta (DE) fue de 12,1 (1,9) para los niños más pequeños (6-9 años) y de 9,4 (3,2) para el grupo de más edad (10-17 años), una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Se encontró una buena correlación entre la ingesta de energía (MJ/kg de peso corporal) y la energía estimada (MET MJ/kg de peso corporal). ; This work was supported by grants from the Andalusian Regional Government (AGR255). This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FEDER-ISCIII PI14/01040).
Background and Aims: Numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, etc. The study aim was to validate a novel instrument to measure MD adherence based on the consumption of food servings and food groups, and apply it in a female population from southern Spain and determining influential factors. ; Methods and Results: The study included 1,155 women aged 12-83 yrs, classified as adolescents, adults, and over-60-yr-olds. All completed a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The Mediterranean Dietary Serving Score (MDSS) is based on the latest update of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, using the recommended consumption frequency of foods and food groups; the MDSS ranges from 0 to 24. The discriminative power or correct subject classification capacity of the MDSS was analyzed with the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, using the MDS as reference method. Predictive factors for higher MDSS adherence were determined with a logistic regression model, adjusting for age. According to ROC curve analysis, MDSS evidenced a significant discriminative capacity between adherents and non-adherents to the MD pattern (optimal cutoff point=13.50; sensitivity=74%; specificity=48%). The mean MDSS was 12.45 (2.69) and was significantly higher with older age (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed highest MD adherence by over 60-year-olds with low BMI and no habit of eating between meals. ; Conclusions: The MDSS is an updated, easy, valid, and accurate instrument to assess MD adherence based on the consumption of foods and food groups per meal, day, and week. It may be useful in future nutritional education programs to prevent the early onset of chronic non-transmittable diseases in younger populations. ; This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (FPU Program, AP2008-03703, PhD fellowship for Celia Monteagudo), the European Union Commission (QLK4-1999-01 422 and FOOD-CT-2004-506319), the Health Department of Granada City Council-University of Granada (Contract nº 2260), Andalusian Regional Government (Research Group AGR-255), Spain, the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Programme for Promotion of Biomedical Research and Health Sciences, Projects 11/01791, Red Predimed-RETIC RD06/0045/1004, and CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038), and a Grant of support to research groups no. 35/2011 (Balearic Islands Gov. and EU FEDER funds).
This work was reported in part at the meeting Estrogens in the Environment IV: Linking Fundamental Knowledge, Risk Assessment, and Public Policy held in Washington, DC, 19-21 July 1997. ; The chemical structure of hydroxylated diphenylalkanes or bisphenols consists of two phenolic rings joined together through a bridging carbon. This class of endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogens is widely used in industry, particularly in plastics. Bisphenol F, bisphenol A, fluorine-containing bisphenol A (bisphenol AF), and other diphenylalkanes were found to be estrogenic in a bioassay with MCF7 human breast cancer cells in culture (E-SCREEN assay). Bisphenols promoted cell proliferation and increased the synthesis and secretion of cell type-specific proteins. When ranked by proliferative potency, the longer the alkyl substituent at the bridging carbon, the lower the concentration needed for maximal cell yield; the most active compound contained two propyl chains at the bridging carbon. Bisphenols with two hydroxyl groups in the para position and an angular configuration are suitable for appropriate hydrogen bonding to the acceptor site of the estrogen receptor. Our data suggest that estrogenicity is influenced not only by the length of the substituents at the bridging carbon but also by their nature. Because diphenylalkane derivatives are widespread and their production and use are increasing, potential exposure of humans to estrogenic bisphenols is becoming a significant issue. The hazardous effects of inadvertent exposure to bisphenol-releasing chemicals in professional workers and the general populations therefore deserve investigation. ; This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS, 95/1959) and the Andalusian Regional Government Department of Health (Consejerla de Salud, 96/159).
'Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives' ; Most of the composites and sealants used in dentistry are based on bisphenol A diglycidylether methacrylate (Bis-GMA). Reports revealed that in situ polymerization is not complete and that free monomers can be detected by different analytic methods. Concerns about the estrogenicity of bisphenol A (BPA) and other aromatic components leached from commercial products have been expressed. We studied biphenolic components eluted from seven composites and one sealant before and after in vitro polymerization using HPLC and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and we investigated how pH modifications affect the leaching of these components. We found BPA (maximal amount 1.8 microg/mg dental material), its dimethacrylate derivative (Bis-DMA, 1.15 microg/mg), bisphenol A diglycidylether (6. 1 microg/mg), Bis-GMA (2.0 microg/mg), and ethoxylate and propoxylate of bisphenol A in media in which samples of different commercial products were maintained under controlled pH and temperature conditions. Our results confirm the leaching of estrogenic monomers into the environment by Bis-GMA-based composites and sealants in concentrations at which biologic effects have been demonstrated in in vivo experimental models. The main issue with implications for patient care and dentist responsibility is to further determine the clinical relevance of this estrogenic exposure. ; This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS, 95/1959) and Education (CICYT, AMB97-1194-CE) and the Andalusian Regional Government, Department of Health (Consejeria de Salud, JA, 231/97).
