Blanca Roman-Viñas

Nutrition Research Foundation

The objective was to evaluate changes in fitness after an integrated neuromuscular training (INT) intervention in primary school children and to evaluate how lifestyle behaviors and parental education modulate these changes. One hundred and seventy children (7.45 ± 0.34 years; 52% girls) were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness (half-mile run test)...

Introduction: Postnatal development has the potential to contribute to lung function in adult life, although associations between health-related parameters and lung function remains unclear in childhood. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with lung function of healthy scholar-...

Purpose : Associations between health-related parameters and lung function remain unclear in childhood. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with the lung function of healthy scholar-aged children. Method : A total of 418 children aged 7 years old participated in this study. The associat...

Introduction Cardiac-enriched FHL2-interacting protein (CEFIP) is a recently identified protein, first found in the z-disc of striated muscles, and related to cardiovascular diseases. Our objectives are: 1) to quantify CEFIP in saliva in healthy 7-9 years old school-children; and 2) to assess the associations of salivary CEFIP concentration and blo...

This report aims to provide a better understanding of physical activity (PA) and related factors among Spanish children and adolescents living with disabilities. The 10 indicators used for the Global Matrix on Para Report Cards of children and adolescents living with disabilities were evaluated based on the best available data in Spain. An analysis...

Introduction: Postnatal development has the potential to contribute to lung function in adult life, although associations between health-related parameters and lung function remains unclear in childhood. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with lung function of healthy scholar-...

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is recognized as a key aspect in the prevention and treatment of psychological problems. PA recommendations to maintain and improve mental health were recently updated. Despite the fact that PA can be pivotal in interventions to prevent and treat eating disorders (ED), the role and dose of PA for this purpose a...

Background: To study the impact of crawling before walking (CBW) on network interactions among body composition, the cardiovascular system, lung function, motor competence and physical fitness, at age 7, and to assess the longitudinal association between CBW and body composition, the cardiovascular system, lung function, motor competence, physical...

The aims of this study were: to determine for the first time the prevalence of a national sample of Spanish minors meeting the 24-h movement guidelines; to determine their correlates; and to examine their associations with socioemotional behavioral problems. Cross-sectional data from the Spanish National Health Survey (2017) were analyzed for this...

Childhood obesity is linked to lower levels of motor competence (MC). MC is the contextualized manifestation of fundamental motor skills. A good MC helps young people have a greater repertoire of motor options to practice more physical activity in childhood and adulthood. The influence of dietary behaviours on MC is not well stablished.

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in finding a dietary pattern that satisfies a population’s nutritional requirements. The Mediterranean dietary pattern encloses a beneficial fatty acid profile with high monounsaturated fatty acid content, low glycemic index carbohydrates, high dietary fiber intake, and antioxidant compounds tha...

Introduction Physical fitness level in children and adolescents is determined, partly, by the specific social and cultural context of each country. There is a lack of information about physical fitness level of Catalan children and its relation with parental socioeconomic and education level and anthropometric parameters. The aim of this study is t...

More than 50 years after the Seven Countries Study, a large number of epidemiological studies have explored the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and health, through cross-sectional, some longitudinal and a few experimental studies. The overall results show strong evidence suggesting a protective effect of the MD mainly on the risk o...

Background: Accumulating sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity is recognized as a key determinant of physical, physiological, developmental, mental, cognitive, and social health among children and youth (aged 5–17 y). The Global Matrix 3.0 of Report Card grades on physical activity was developed to achieve a better understanding of the...

Background: To better understand the childhood physical inactivity crisis, Report Cards on physical activity of children and youth were prepared concurrently in 30 very high Human Development Index countries. The aim of this article was to present, describe, and compare the findings from these Report Cards. Methods: The Report Cards were develop...

Purpose The Mediterranean diet is known to be one of the healthiest diet patterns to prevent chronic diseases but there is a need to know its role in increasing the quality of life or the physical function at older ages. Recent Findings A systematic search was performed to answer the question “Does the adherence to a Mediterranean diet pattern hel...

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 240 million people globally. Few studies have examined the links between osteoarthritis and the Mediterranean diet (MD). The aim of this paper was to systematically review and analyze the epidemiological evidence in humans on the MD and its association with OA. A systematic search of EMBASE identified three studies that...

Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (DM) así como el consumo de frutos secos y su relación con el estado ponderal en escolares de 9 años. Métodos: La adherencia a la DM y el consumo de frutos secos se determinaron mediante el cuestionario KIDMED. Se registró el peso, la talla y el perímetro de cintura (técnicas de medi...

The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of how food supplements containing botanicals (or PFS) are being assessed in epidemiological research. The chapter is organized in six sections: Sect. 3.1 is the introduction, which provides a background to the topics explained in the subsequent sections, and also describes the objectives of the...

Objectives: The randomized controlled trial examined factors that might be responsible for individual differences in physical activity change among men and women who participated in a lifestyle intervention. The main purpose of the analyses regarded the role of psychological mechanisms involving motivation, planning, self-monitoring, and habit str...

Objective: Little is known about the cumulative effect of obesogenic behaviours on childhood obesity risk. We determined the cumulative effect on BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), overweight and abdominal obesity of four lifestyle behaviours that have been linked to obesity. Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, data were obtained fro...

Fundamentos: La ingesta regular de un desayuno de buena calidad se ha asociado con una elección de alimentos más saludable a lo largo del día. La dieta mediterránea ha sido considerada como un patrón alimentario saludable y se ha relacionado con una mejora en el estado de salud tanto en adultos como en niños y adolescentes. El objetivo del estudio...

Background: The intake of a healthy breakfast has been associated to a healthier food choice throughout the day. The Mediterranean diet is considered a healthy eating pattern and has been associated with an improvement in the health status of both adults and children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between adhe...

In conclusion, PA during childhood positively affects the thalamic volume, a structure involved in motor and cognitive functions as well as in verbal memory in adulthood. However, this study has some limitations that need to be highlighted. This was a study with a relatively small sample of participants and relevant clinical and metabolic data suc...

In this study, the number of years practicing organized sport <16y was positively associated with left thalamic volume and better false-positive scores on RALVLT in young adults and middle-aged healthy subjects. Importantly, thalamic volume was an independent predictor of RAVLT False positives 1+2 scores after confounding variables such as age, gen...

Objective: The Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) designed in 1994 a food guide for the Spanish population, updated in 2001. This report presents a new updated edition based on the best scientifi c evidence available. Methods: From a health in all policies approach, a group of experts in nutrition and public health associated with SENC w...

La competencia motriz (CM) es la manifestación de la habilidad motriz (HM) como respuesta contextualizada. La CM contribuye a que los jóvenes dispongan de un mayor repertorio de opciones motrices en la que se sientan competentes. En sentido opuesto, la incompetencia motriz puede llevar a una inhibición o inactividad progresiva que a la vez genera m...

Background The Canadian 24-h movement guidelines were developed with the hope of improving health and future health outcomes in children and youth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to the 3 recommendations most strongly associated with health outcomes in new 24-h movement guidelines and their relationship with adiposity (obesity...

The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance organized the concurrent preparation of Report Cards on the physical activity of children and youth in 38 countries from 6 continents (representing 60% of the world’s population). Nine common indicators were used (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Se...

Objective The traditional Mediterranean diet includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, cereals and nuts, moderate to high intake of fish and dairy products, and low consumption of meat products. Intervention effects to improve adoption of this diet may vary in terms of individuals’ motivational or volitional prerequisites...

Background: The first Active Healthy Kids Spanish Report Card aims to gather the most robust information about physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior of children and adolescents. Methods: A Research Working Group of experts on PA and sport sciences was convened. A comprehensive data search, based on a review of the literature, dissertatio...

Introduction: Evidence shows that a greater adherence to MD is associated with a decrease in BMI in both adults and children. However, reviewed studies do not relate MD with weight and height. Therefore, we aim to explore the adherence to the MD and its relation with anthropometric parameters in children in the Montseny area (rural setting near Bar...

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of combined diet (not limited to caloric restriction) and exercise interventions, and diet interventions alone to improve physical function in community-dwelling older adults. Randomized clinical trials and observational population-based studies of community-dwelling older adults w...

In recent years there has been an increased interest in finding a dietary pattern that satisfies a population’s nutritional requirements. The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) encapsulates a beneficial fatty acid profile with high monounsaturated fatty acids content, a low proportion of carbohydrate, and high intake of dietary fiber and antioxida...

Introduction: during the last decades, a quick and important modification of the dietary habits has been observed in the Mediterranean countries, especially among young people. Several authors have evaluated the pattern of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in this group of population, by using the KIDMED test. Objectives: the purpose of this s...

Objective: The adoption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern of eating is often described as a strategy to help prevent or manage hypertension. However, this dietary regimen has not been reviewed systematically for its efficacy against hypertension. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of interventions of at least 1 year...

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of combined diet (not limited to caloric restriction) and exercise interventions, and diet interventions alone to improve physical function in community-dwelling older adults. Randomized clinical trials and observational population-based studies of community-dwelling older adults w...

Objetivos: Evaluar la calidad del desayuno y la condición física en niños de 3º de primaria del área del Baix Montseny, Barcelona. Sujetos y método: Estudio transversal descriptivo llevado a cabo con una muestra de 269 escolares de 3º de primaria. Todos los participantes respondieron un cuestionario sobre hábitos alimentarios que incluía informació...

In western countries, populations are aging due to progress in the prevention of infectious diseases and living standards. Following a healthy lifestyle should reduce the burden of disease and avoid loss of function and disability at older ages. The purpose of this review was to analyze the relationship between adhering to the Mediterranean diet, b...

Introducción Los programas de prescripción de actividad física supervisada (PPAFS) aumentan el nivel de actividad física (AF) en la población general. Sin embargo, pocos estudios evalúan la adherencia a la AF después de las intervenciones. Este estudio evalúa: a) la adherencia a la AF después del PPAFS y en el 12.° mes, y b) el impacto de los PPAFS...

The Mediterranean dietary pattern, through a healthy profile of fat intake, low proportion of carbohydrate, low glycemic index, high content of dietary fiber, antioxidant compounds, and anti-inflammatory effects, reduces the risk of certain pathologies, such as cancer or Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Nutritional adequacy is the comparison between t...

Currently, a factorial approach is used to derive reference values for iron. Calculations include the use of a bioavailability factor to convert the physiological requirement, derived from obligatory losses and requirements for growth and development, into a dietary intake value. A series of systematic reviews undertaken by the EURRECA Network of E...

Objective: To provide the evidence base for targeted nutrition policies to reduce the risk of micronutrient/diet-related diseases among disadvantaged populations in Europe, by focusing on: folate, vitamin B12, Fe, Zn and iodine for intake and status; and vitamin C, vitamin D, Ca, Se and Cu for intake. Design: MEDLINE and Embase databases were se...

Objectives To validate the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in the population of Catalonia (Spain).MethodsA convenience sample wore a uniaxial accelerometer (MTI Actigraph, Computer Science and Application's Inc.) for 7 days and completed the questionnaire, translated to Catalan. The sensitivity and specificity of the...

Objectives: This study describes the prevalence of health-enhancing physical activity and leisure-time physical activity in a Spanish sample and identifies the characteristics of the physically active and inactive populations. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: A random sample of 1595 adults (18-70 years old) living in Catalonia, Spain...

This systematic review evaluated micronutrient intake inadequacy of ten micronutrients for adult ethnic minority populations residing in Europe. Pubmed was searched for studies, related references were checked and experts consulted. Ten studies were identified and six were included in the final analysis representing Albanian, Roma, Sub-Saharan Afri...

OBJECTIVES: To validate the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in the population of Catalonia (Spain). METHODS: A convenience sample wore a uniaxial accelerometer (MTI Actigraph, Computer Science and Application's Inc.) for 7 days and completed the questionnaire, translated to Catalan. The sensitivity and specificity of...

Objective: To compare micronutrient intakes and status in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with those in other European countries and with reference values. Design: Review of the micronutrient intake/status data from open access and grey literature sources from CEE. Setting: Micronutrients studied were folate, iodine, Fe, vitamin B12 and Zn (f...

Objective: To compare micronutrient intakes and status in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with those in other European countries and with reference values. Design: Review of the micronutrient intake/status data from open access and grey literature sources from CEE. Setting: Micronutrients studied were folate, iodine, Fe, vitamin B 12 and Zn (for i...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of nutrient intake inadequacy in Europe, applying the Nordic Nutritional Recommendations in the context of the EURRECA Network of Excellence. Nutrient data was obtained from the European Nutrition and Health Report II. Those nutritional surveys using a validated food frequency questionnaire or...

A systematic review was conducted to summarize the evidence currently available from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) concerning the effect of iron intake of infants, children and adolescents on measures of cognitive development and function. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Embase were searched up to and including February 2010. Studies were a...

The popularity of herbal products, especially plant food supplements (PFS) and herbal medicine is on the rise in Europe and other parts of the world, with increased use in the general population as well as among specific subgroups encompassing children, women or those suffering from diseases such as cancer. The aim of this paper is to examine the P...

The objective of this study was to review how accurately micronutrient intakes in infants, children, and adolescents were assessed with validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) to which study quality criteria had been applied. The methodology and the analysis presented were based on several research activities carried out within the European...

Although questionnaires are useful for evaluating patterns of physical activity in populations, they need to be validated. The objective of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in a Spanish population. The participants wore a uniaxial MTI Actigraph (...

The aim of the European Nutrition and Health Report (ENHR) 2009 is to provide a comprehensive view of the nutrition and health status in the European Union (EU). It is not intended to generate new data, but rather to collect available and authorised data, published or unpublished, on the nutrition and health situation in the countries of the EU

The purpose of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the value of the methods used to assess dietary patterns for measuring nutrient intake adequacy in the population. Systematic review on Pubmed database up to April 2008. The search included specific key words and MeSH terms. No language limit was set. Only stud...

Dietary patterns have been related to health outcomes and morbi-mortality. Mediterranean diet indexes are correlated with adequate nutrient intake. The objective of the present study was to analyse the adequacy of nutrient intake of a posteriori defined Mediterranean (MDP) and Western (WDP) diet patterns in the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (S...

EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned is a network of excellence funded by the European commission, and established to address the problem of differences between countries in micronutrient recommendations as well as to understand how nutritional information including requirements and adequacy of intake is processed among different populati...

The objective of the present paper is to review the methods of measuring micronutrient intake adequacy for individuals and for populations in order to ascertain best practice. A systematic review was conducted to locate studies on the methodological aspects of measuring nutrient adequacy. The results showed that for individuals, qualitative methods...

The present study evaluated how applying different dietary methods affects risk assessment of inadequate intakes at the population level. A pooled analysis was conducted using data from two Spanish regional representative surveys both applying similar methodology with a total sample of 2615 individuals aged 12-80. Diet was assessed in the entire sa...

Blanca Roman1, Laura Carta2, Miguel Ángel Martínez-González3, Lluís Serra-Majem41Mediterranean Diet Foundation, University of Barcelona Science Park, Spain; 2Department of Biosystems and Applied Sciences, Unit of Physiology and Human Nutrition, University of Cagliari, Italy; 3Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Navarra, Spai...

The promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle among the population is essential for the prevention of numerous chronic diseases. Physical activity measurement and surveillance is crucial for understanding and evaluating campaigns to promote its practice. To evaluate the 10-year trends in physical activity habits in the Catalan population. Two cro...

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the modification of knowledge, opinions and attitudes to healthy eating, weight perception and dieting practices and preventive habits over a 10-year trend in the Catalan population from 1992 to 2003. Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in Catalonia, Spain, during 1992-93 and 2002-03. In all,...

The purpose of this study was to assess the 10-year trend in lipid and antioxidant vitamin levels in the Catalan population from 1992 to 2003. Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in Catalonia, Spain, during 1992-93 and 2002-03. A subsample of the individuals participating in the surveys agreed to undergo a biochemical evaluation. Eight hun...

Fundamento: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los cambios producidos en los hábitos alimentarios y el estado nutricional de la población catalana, a lo largo de 10 años a partir de la información procedente de las dos Encuestas Nutricionales de Cataluña desarrolladas en 1992-93 y 2002-03. Método: 2641 indivíduos en 1992-93 y 2060 en 2002-03 d...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the nutricional habits and nutricional status of the Catalan population over 10 years interval of the two Catalan Nutricional Surveys conducted in 1992-93 and 2002-03. 2641 individuals in 1992-93 and 2060 individuals in 2002-03 aged 10 to 75 years participated in the surveys. Two 24 hour reca...

Introducció i objectius: La pràctica regular d'activitat física ha esdevingut un dels objectius principals dels plans de salut pública a causa de la seva relació amb la prevenció de nombroses malalties cròniques. La infància i l'adolescència són moments claus per iniciar l'hàbit de l'exercici físic. L'objectiu d'aquest treball és fer una anàlisis d...

Introducción y objetivos: La práctica regular de actividad física se ha convertido en uno de los objetivos principales de los planes de salud pública debido a su relación con la prevención de numerosas enfermedades crónicas. La infancia y la adolescencia son momentos clave para iniciar el hábito del ejercicio físico. El objetivo de este trabajo es...

Evidence-based nutrition is essential to move forward in the science of community nutrition. The present study is a review of the epidemiological evidence of dairy products and health. There is an inverse association between the intake of dairy products and hypertension, stroke and colorectal cancer. There is no evidence of an association between t...

Background and objective Although children and adolescents have special nutritional requirementsdue to their physical development, little is known about the concept of a healthy diet.This study shows the food consumption of the Spanish population aged 2-24 years in relationto socio-economic and geographic factors. Subjects and method A representat...

Although children and adolescents have special nutritional requirements due to their physical development, little is known about the concept of a healthy diet. This study shows the food consumption of the Spanish population aged 2-24 years in relation to socio-economic and geographic factors. A representative sample of the Spanish population (n = 3...