Public Health and Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Inge Huybrechts

Abstract

The Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study aimed to investigate different lifestyle factors and health outcomes among European adolescents. Their dietary intake was assessed via different complementary methods. The aim of this presentation is to summarize the main dietary intake patterns derived from the HELENA study, as well as the most important determinants and health consequences of the adolescents’ dietary patterns. Adolescents’ breakfast consumption was associated with lower body fat content and healthier cardiovascular profile, though only half of the adolescents could be categorised as breakfast consumers. Their food intake results in comparison with the guidelines urge the need to improve their dietary habits. More in particular the consumption of fruits and vegetables should be promoted, while the consumption of meat, fats and sweets should decrease. Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) are the most important energy contributor from all liquids consumed by European adolescents and was related with increased insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).rnAdolescents with better diet quality were less at risk for IR when having higher physical activity (PA) as well. The energy % from dietary fat intake was strongly linearly associated with total, truncal and abdominal adiposity independently of the PA level in adolescents. Adolescent’s total diet quality was positively correlated with both paternal & maternal educational level (more pronounced in northern Europe) and with parental occupational level. Public health initiatives should educate children & adolescents regarding balanced food choices and PA in order to prevent diseases in later life.rn