S. A. Anderssen

Bio: S. A. Anderssen is an academic researcher from National Food Administration. The author has contributed to research in topics: Reference Daily Intake & Social support. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 835 citations.

Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2004 – integrating nutrition and physical activity

Abstract: The 4th edition of the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, NNR 2004, gives the proportions between energy yielding nutrients, recommended daily intakes (RI) of certain vitamins and minerals, and reference values for energy intakes in different age and sex groups. Recommendations are also given for dietary fibre, salt and alcohol. Recommendations on daily physical activity are now included and interaction with physical activity has been taken into account for the individual nutrient recommendations wherever appropriate. For adults 30minutes of daily physical activity of at least moderate intensity is recommended. More physical activity (about60 minutes daily) with a moderate and/or vigorous intensity may be needed for prevention of weight gain. For children a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity every day is recommended. As in the 3rd edition, the recommendation is to limit of the intake of saturated plus trans fatty acids to about 10% of the total energy intake (E%) and of the total fat intake to 30 E%. The intake of carbohydrate and dietary fibres should increase, while the intake of refined sugars should not exceed 10 E%. The RI for vitamin A (women) has been lowered, while it has been increased for vitamin D (children and adults up to 60 y), vitamin C (adults) and folate (women of reproductive age; pregnant and lactating women).NNR is to be used for planning and evaluation of diets, and as a basis for food and nutrition policy, teaching and dietary information. Keywords: nutrition recommendations; physical activity; vitamins; minerals; Nordic countries

Nordic Monitoring of diet, physical activity and overweight : Validation of indicators

Abstract: In 2007, a Nordic working group was established with the aim to describe a future Nordic monitoring system on diet, physical activity and overweight The monitoring system should be simple and at r

Exploring mediators of accelerometer assessed physical activity in young adolescents in the - a group randomized controlled trial

Abstract: Background: There is a shortage of information about the factors that mediate physical activity intervention effects which involve youth. The purpose of this study was to examine whether personal, social and physical-environmental factors mediated the intervention effect on physical activity and whether gender and weight status moderated mediated effects in the Health In Adolescents Study - a school-based intervention to promote healthy weight development among young adolescents. Methods: Participating schools were randomized to Control (n=25) and Intervention (n=12). The intervention components to enhance physical activity targeted change through theoretically informed mediators embedded in a social-ecological framework. Accelerometer assessed physical activity (mean count per minute) and self-efficacy, enjoyment, perceived social support from parents, teachers and friends and perceived environmental opportunities were measured by questionnaires at baseline and post-intervention after 20 months among 700 11-13 year-old adolescents (Intervention=485; Control=215). The product-of-coefficient test was used to examine mediation. Results: No mediating effect of any of the hypothesized mediators was identified and gender and weight status did not moderate any mediated effects with the exception of weight status that moderated the mediated effect of enjoyment. Few intervention effects were seen on the mediators, except for a positive change in social support from teachers among girls and the normal weight, and a negative effect on enjoyment and self-efficacy among the overweight. However, change in enjoyment, self-efficacy, perceived social support from friends and environmental opportunities were associated with change in mean count per minute with some variation across the investigated subgroups, and thus show evidence of being potential mediators of physical activity change in adolescents. Conclusions: While no mediation effects were observed, change in both personal and social-environmental factors predicted change in physical activity behavior. Hence, a social- ecological approach targeting a wide range of determinants to promote change in physical activity holds promise. Overweight and normal weight adolescents may not respond in the same way to school-based physical activity interventions. Therefore, strategies to better reach the overweight seem needed. Future studies should continue to identify mediating and moderation mechanisms in physical activity change in adolescents.

Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND)-Iron Review.

Abstract: The Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND) project is designed to provide evidence-based advice to anyone with an interest in the role of nutrition in health. Specifically, the BOND program provides state-of-the-art information and service with regard to selection, use, and interpretation of biomarkers of nutrient exposure, status, function, and effect. To accomplish this objective, expert panels are recruited to evaluate the literature and to draft comprehensive reports on the current state of the art with regard to specific nutrient biology and available biomarkers for assessing nutrients in body tissues at the individual and population level. Phase I of the BOND project includes the evaluation of biomarkers for 6 nutrients: iodine, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin B-12. This review represents the second in the series of reviews and covers all relevant aspects of folate biology and biomarkers. The article is organized to provide the reader with a full appreciation of folate's history as a public health issue, its biology, and an overview of available biomarkers (serum folate, RBC folate, and plasma homocysteine concentrations) and their interpretation across a range of clinical and population-based uses. The article also includes a list of priority research needs for advancing the area of folate biomarkers related to nutritional health status and development.

Comparison of self-reported versus accelerometer-measured physical activity.

Abstract: IntroductionThe International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is one of the most widely used questionnaires to assess physical activity (PA). Validation studies for the IPAQ have been executed, but still there is a need for studies comparing absolute values between IPAQ and accelerome

Vitamin D: An overview of vitamin D status and intake in Europe

Abstract: In recent years, there have been reports suggesting a high prevalence of low vitamin D intakes and vitamin D deficiency or inadequate vitamin D status in Europe. Coupled with growing concern about the health risks associated with low vitamin D status, this has resulted in increased interest in the topic of vitamin D from healthcare professionals, the media and the public. Adequate vitamin D status has a key role in skeletal health. Prevention of the well-described vitamin D deficiency disorders of rickets and osteomalacia are clearly important, but there may also be an implication of low vitamin D status in bone loss, muscle weakness and falls and fragility fractures in older people, and these are highly significant public health issues in terms of morbidity, quality of life and costs to health services in Europe. Although there is no agreement on optimal plasma levels of vitamin D, it is apparent that blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are often below recommended ranges for the general population and are particularly low in some subgroups of the population, such as those in institutions or who are housebound and non-Western immigrants. Reported estimates of vitamin D status within different European countries show large variation. However, comparison of studies across Europe is limited by their use of different methodologies. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency [often defined as plasma 25(OH)D <25 nmol/l] may be more common in populations with a higher proportion of at-risk groups, and/or that have low consumption of foods rich in vitamin D (naturally rich or fortified) and low use of vitamin D supplements. The definition of an adequate or optimal vitamin D status is key in determining recommendations for a vitamin D intake that will enable satisfactory status to be maintained all year round, including the winter months. In most European countries, there seems to be a shortfall in achieving current vitamin D recommendations. An exception is Finland, where dietary survey data indicate that recent national policies that include fortification and supplementation, coupled with a high habitual intake of oil-rich fish, have resulted in an increase in vitamin D intakes, but this may not be a suitable strategy for all European populations. The ongoing standardisation of measurements in vitamin D research will facilitate a stronger evidence base on which policies can be determined. These policies may include promotion of dietary recommendations, food fortification, vitamin D supplementation and judicious sun exposure, but should take into account national, cultural and dietary habits. For European nations with supplementation policies, it is important that relevant parties ensure satisfactory uptake of these particularly in the most vulnerable groups of the population.