Background: 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 EU

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Projected prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes in Europe.

Physical activity is important for the prevention of chronic disease morbidity and mortality, and the lack of adequate levels of physical activity represents a growing public health burden around the world. The purpose of this report is to introduce the concept of the "Physical Activity Transition" and to explore the potential effects that declining physical activity levels may play on health and life expectancy as countries undergo economic and demographic changes. Physical activity is related to mortality rates in humans, and the available evidence suggests that the adoption of a lifestyle characterized by lower levels of physical activity will attenuate the expected gains in life expectancy associated with the epidemiological transition. Advances in the measurement of physical activity at work, in the home, for transport, and in leisure time in a wide variety of populations will be integral to advancing the current understanding of how macro-level factors shape physical activity patterns and patterns of morbidity and mortality.

The physical activity transition.

Background: Recent European Union regulation requires setting of maximum amount of micronutrients in dietary supplements or foods taking into account the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) established by scientific risk assessment and population reference intakes. Objective: To collect and evaluate recently available data on intakes of selected vitamins and minerals from conventional foods, food supplements and fortified foods in adults and children. Intake of calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, folic acid, niacin and total vitamin A/retinol, B6, D and E was derived from nationally representative surveys in Denmark, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. Intake of high consumers, defined as the 95th percentile of each nutrient, was compared to the UL. Results: For most nutrients, adults and children generally consume considerably less than the UL with exceptions being retinol, zinc, iodine, copper and magnesium. The major contributor to intakes for all nutrients and in all countries is from foods in the base diet. The patterns of food supplements and voluntary fortification vary widely among countries with food supplements being responsible for the largest differences in total intakes. In the present study, for those countries with data on fortified foods, fortified foods do not significantly contribute to higher intakes for any nutrient. Total nutrient intake expressed as percentage of the UL is generally higher in children than in adults. Conclusion: The risk of excessive intakes is relatively low for the majority of nutrients with a few exceptions. Children are the most vulnerable group as they are more likely to exhibit high intakes relative to the UL. There is a need to develop improved methods for estimating intakes of micronutrients from fortified foods and food supplements in future dietary surveys. Keywords: micronutrients; EU legislation; upper safe levels; adults; children (Published: 5 October 2009) Citation: Food & Nutrition Research Supplement 1, 2009. DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v53i0.20

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Intake of selected nutrients from foods, from fortification and from supplements in various European countries

Exploring motivation for physical activity across the adult lifespan

Validity of FitBit, Jawbone UP, Nike+ and other wearable devices for level and stair walking.

AimThe 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.ObjectiveTo evaluate the 10-year trends in physical activity habits in the Catalan population.DesignTwo cross-sectional nutritional surveys were carried out within a 10-year interval in the population of Catalonia. Data on physical activity include leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical activity and walking activity and regular stair climbing.SubjectIn all, 2344 individuals participated in the ENCAT 1992–93 study and 2055 individuals in the ENCAT 2002–03 survey, aged 10 to 75 years.ResultsInactivity related to occupation increased (from 53% in 1992–93 to 56% in 2002–03 of the Catalan population having sedentary work-related activities). In both genders, the percentage of people who walked to work at least 30 min decreased (from 19% to 16% in men and from 25% to 19% in women). There was a decrease in the percentage of people who were completely sedentary during leisure time (from 59% to 56%), and an increase in the percentage of people who did at least 2 days of vigorous activity (from 39% to 46% in men and from 26% to 32% in women).ConclusionsThe physical activity related to work and transportation has decreased during the period observed. Although a slight improvement has been noted, the percentage of people who are sedentary during leisure time is still high among both men and women.

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Carles Vallbona

Papers

Trends in physical activity status in Catalonia, Spain (1992–2003)

Health-enhancing physical activity and associated factors in a Spanish population

Actividad física. Evaluación de los objetivos del Plan de Salud de Cataluña para el año 2000