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Biomedical subjects

L Serra Majem

Publications and source records attributed to L Serra Majem.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Estimation of vitamin supplements and minerals consumption dispensed through pharmacy offices in the province of Las Palmas].

BACKGROUND: Vitamin supplements and minerals consumption (SPM) is increasing in occidental societies due to the growing concern about health by the population. OBJECTIVES: To have a initial approaching to the to SPM consumption in the Province of Las Palmas through 2000 and 2001. To identify SPM proportions that are dispensed as pharmaceutical specialities and those who are sold as parapharmacy products. Finally, to describe the evolution of this consumption throughout a year. METHOD: The information was obtained through the list of the whole pharmaceutical specialities and parapharmacy products through 2000 and 2001 who have at least a vitamin in its composition and/or a mineral. RESULTS: Usually, 297 pharmaceutical specialities and 216 parapharmacy products are currently being sold. Pharmaceutical specialities comprised 65.6% of the whole products sold and within them, vitamins were the most dispensed (41.5%). Regarding parapharmacy products, vitamins and minerals compounds were the products more sold (34.6%). Comparing to 2000, during 2001 there was a statistically significant increase in the consumption of parapharmacy products, remaining without changes the use of pharmaceutical specialities. CONCLUSION: On the basis of sold XX SPM consumption seems to be due mainly by pharmaceutical specialities rather than parapharmacy products. Nevertheless through 2001 there was an increase only in the parapharmacy products.

Dietary Supplements↗
PubMed2004

[Food habits of students using school dining rooms in Spain. "Tell Me How You Eat" Study].

OBJECTIVE: To describe food habits of school-aged population having school meals and to evaluate perceived quality of the service. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community School lunchrooms in different Spanish regions. PARTICIPANTS: Random population sample of children and young people (3-16 year) having school meals in Spain. MEASUREMENTS: The study protocol included socio-economical data, food consumption and dietary habits at the school and out of the school. Information was collected by means of two questionnaires: one completed by children at school and a second one completed by the family at home. RESULTS: Valid response was collected from 322 children and 212 families, a response rate of 96.1% children and 63.3% of the families. 88% of the children reported daily consumption of breakfast, 45% used to have a midmorning snack, which consisted of a sandwich (29%); sweet bakery products (27%) or biscuits (15%). 45% of the 12-16-year-old old group reported eating only half of the portion served at lunch in the school, mainly due to disgusting taste or preparation (50%). In the school menus vegetables and fish were offered less frequently than other food groups. 81% of the children referred having an after-school snack in the afternoon, consisting of a sandwich (65%); bakery products (20%); bread and chocolate (20%); yoghurt or fruit (20%). CONCLUSIONS: School meals provide a wonderful opportunity to widen the variety of foods in the daily diet of children. Recommendations about school meals should address the quality and variety of the foods served for a healthy diet and stress the educational dimension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Serum selenium concentration in a representative sample of the Canarian population.

The concentration of serum selenium in 395 individuals (187 males + 218 females) living in the Canary Islands, Spain was determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean selenium concentration was 74.7 +/- 25.2 microg/l ranging between 7.86 and 182.3 microg/l. Twenty-two adults (7.2% of the total) had serum selenium concentrations under 45 microg/l. It is widely accepted that below this selenium serum concentration (45 microg/l) there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Our results fall within data recently published in other Spanish and European regions and are much lower than data observed in USA or seleniferous regions. The estimated Se intakes of our population were lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances for American people. Individuals from Lanzarote had a mean Se concentration significantly higher than individuals from the other islands. This could be attributed to differences in Se content of soil and/or differences in dietary habits of the populations. Serum selenium concentration did not vary with the sex of the subjects. Individuals younger than 14 years old had a serum selenium concentration significantly lower than the rest of the individuals. No relationship with socio-economic status, educational level, smoking habits, physical exercise or beer consumption was found. However, individuals who consume wine more than three times a week showed higher selenium concentrations than individuals with lower consumption. Also, individuals with consumption above seven units of spirit drinks a week had the highest mean selenium concentration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Food consumption and nutrient intake in relation to smoking].

BACKGROUND: It is well known that smoking and some nutritional habits are two of the most important risk factors for the development of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the food and nutrient consumption in relation to smoking in the Catalan population, Spain. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A representative sample of the Catalan population of 1774 people aged 18 to 64 years from both sexes. Nutritional status was evaluated using selected anthropometrical indexes, and food consumption with two 24-hour recall. Questionnaires about smoking consumption and a semiquantitative frequency questionnaire about alcohol consumption were also administered. RESULTS: Male non smokers consumed more dairy products than smokers, and more fruits and nuts than smokers and ex-smokers. Female non-smokers consumed more chicken, fruits and less sweets than smokers and ex-smokers. In both genders, smokers consumed more alcohol. With respect to nutrients, smokers consumed less fiber than non smokers and more energy from lipids and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of smokers is less healthy than that of non smokers and ex-smokers, which indicates a higher risk for the incidence of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Food consumption and food sources of energy and nutrients in Canary Islands (1997-98)].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate food consumption and identify the main food sources of energy and nutrient intake in the Canary Island population (1997-98). DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. METHODS: A dietary survey was realised in a representative sample of the Canary Island population (n = 1747; 821 men and 926 women) aged 6 to 75 years. The dietary survey technique utilised consisted of two 24-hour recalls over nonconsecutive days. Spanish Food Composition Tables were used as references. RESULTS: Food composition in the Canary Islands is characterised by typical Canary Island eating patterns, which have lost some of their Central American characteristics and have acquired clearly Mediterranean elements. As such, an acceptable intake of milk was noted (301 g/day) with highly elevated dairy product consumption (71 g/day), high intake of potatoes (143 g/day), moderate meat (red meat 46 g/day) and fish (46 g/day) consumption and low cereal (125 g/day) and legume (27 g/day) intakes. Nut consumption was observed to be fairly low (2 g/day), and average fruit intake (218 g/day) and low vegetable consumption (108 g/day) were also noted, the later being the lowest intake detected in Spain. It is also worth noting the elevated consumption of sweets (49 g/day). An inverse relationship was detected between social class and consumption of potatoes and pulses, and a direct one between vegetables, sausages and cheese. The main sources of energy were cereals and dairy products (21.2% and 18.4%, respectively), as well as the principal sources of saturated fats (5.8% and 28.1%), calcium (6.6% and 67.8%), sodium (27.5% and 18.8%) and riboflavin (6.6% and 41.2%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Anthropometric values and cardiovascular risk factors in Canary Islands (1997-98)].

OBJECTIVE: To know the distribution of certain anthropometric parameters and cardiovascular risk factors: hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and diabetes mellitus in the population of the Canary Islands. DESIGN: Epidemiological, cross-sectional study, with description of prevalence. SUBJECTS: 1365 individuals from de Canary Islands: 637 males (45.9%) and 738 females (54.1%) aged 18 to 75 years. RESULTS: In the Canary Islands obesity was found in 18.6% of the population, 14.3% males and 22.3% females. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 30.4%, with an average serum cholesterol level of 213.1 mg/dl in males and 218.7 mg/dl in females. 63.1% of the population declared to have a sedentary lifestyle. In the population between 18 and 75 years old, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 30.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The Canary Islands show a high prevalence of obesity compared to other Spanish data and low if we compare it with Latin American countries. The average and prevalent serum cholesterol levels are higher than those described in the rest of Spain and Latin America. The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle during spare time is similar to the average of our country and lower than the one described in Latin America.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Biochemical assessment of nutritional status in the Canary Islands population (1998)].

UNLABELLED: Nutrition surveys include information about dietary intake and nutritional status utilising clinical, biochemical and anthropometric measurements. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status of the Canary Island population by means of biochemical and haematological indicators METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was realised in a representative subsample aged 6 to 75 years that participated in the Nutritional Survey of the Canary Islands, 1997-98 (ENCA). We determined levels of ferritin and vitamin B12 (enzyme-immunoassay), serum and erythrocytic folic acid (automated ionic catchment), retinol, tocopherol and carotenes (high performance liquid chromatography) and minerals (atomic absorption spectrometry) RESULTS: There were neither sex, age nor socio-economic differences in the reference population sample and the ENCA sample. The participation rate was 48.8%. 25% of the women had deficit levels of ferritin and the prevalence of anaemia in women over 18 years was 2.9%. 13% of the population had low erythrocyte folic acid levels, that increased with age, and 3.4% had low vitamin B12 levels, which, on the contrary, decreased with age, 15% of the population presented a deficit of alpha-tocopherol and 5.2% of retinol, being more frequent in the youngest group, and 56.4% and 41.1% exhibited low levels of beta-carotene and lycopene respectively. Among mineral and trace elements, low levels of manganese drew attention due to its heightened prevalence, and, to a lesser extent, selenium. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the complexity of its interpretation, this data yields a precise estimation of nutritional status for certain vitamins and minerals in the Canary Island population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Knowledge, opinions and attitudes of the Canarian Islands population towards nutrition].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate knowledge and identify opinions and attitudes of the Canary Island population towards eating in relation to health. DESIGN: Epidemiological, cross-sectional descriptive or prevalence study. SUBJECTS: 1747 people from the Canary Islands: 821 males (47%) and 926 females (53%) aged 6 to 75 years. RESULTS: In the Canary Islands, 46.7% of the study population considered their knowledge of food and nutrition to be adequate, although an important percentage of the population didn't know the foods they had to restrict to prevent hypercholesterolemia. 43% of the population studied declared to be ready to modify their diet for health reasons and 78.7% of the people surveyed considered physicians as the most reliable source of food and nutrition information. CONCLUSIONS: An important proportion of the Canarian population considers that they should change their diet to improve their health. Likewise, a large number of this population admits to being ready to positively modify their eating habits, and health professionals are a key element in this process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Conclusions of the Canary Islands Nutrition Survey (1997-98). Foundations for a nutrition policy in Canary Islands].

The principal findings of the Canary Island Nutrition survey (ENCA). 1997-98 are presented. This survey was realised to obtain the following objectives: to evaluate eating habits and nutritional status utilising dietary, anthropometric and biochemical indicators in the Canary Island population along with determining lifestyle factors and the prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, a survey evaluating food-related knowledge and attitudes was also carried out. To attain this end, a cross-sectional study was realised in a representative sample of the Canary Island population aged 6 to 75 years (n = 1,747). This article summarises the key findings related to study objectives as well as study-derived recommendations to be realised within a Canary Island health and nutrition policy framework. For this purpose, the development of food based dietary guidelines addressed to meet target nutrients is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Energy and nutrient intake and risk of inadequate intakes in Canary Islands (1997-98)].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the consumption of energy and nutrients and to identify the risk of inadequate intakes in the Canary Island population (1997-98). DESIGN: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. METHODS: A dietary survey was conducted in a representative sample of the Canary Island population (n = 1747; 821 men and 926 women) aged 6 to 75 years. Two 24-hour recalls were utilised as the dietary survey instrument, carried out over non-consecutive days. Spanish Food Composition Tables were used and data was adjusted for intraindividual variability. RESULTS: The mean daily intakes were 1760 kcal for energy, 73 g for protein, 228 g for carbohydrates, 15 g for fibre and 62 g for fat (24 g SFA, 25 g MUFA and 8 g PUFA). Energy and nutrient consumption decreased with age excluding vitamins A. C and folate. Nutrient density increased with age, with the lowest intakes seen in children and adolescents. As for social class, decreased calorie intake was observed in the lowest category, with the highest income level showing the greatest intakes for vitamin A, B12, niacin and folate. Noteworthy findings include an overall low calorie intake, and elevated risks of inadequate intakes (percentages of the population with intakes below 2/3 of the RDI) for vitamins D (92.5%), E(87.4%), A(74%), folate(44.7%), iron(30.1%) magnesium (14.9%) and vitamin C (5.4%). Risk for inadequate protein intake was not observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The social and health variables associated with the self-perception of the health status of the adult population of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)].

AIM: To find out how the adult population in one municipality of the Canary Islands perceives its state of health, and how this is related to social and health variables. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study. PLACE: Telde (Gran Canaria). SUBJECTS: The municipality has a population census of 79,000 inhabitants. The sample was multistepped and selected randomly. It included 2626 people with a population variance of p = q = 50%, standard error +/- 4% with a confidence interval of 95.5%. Participation rate was of 82.5%. MEASUREMENT AND RESULTS: Data on aspects of socio-demography, morbidity, medication, use of public health facilities and lifestyles were collected via personal questionnaire. The relationship between different variables and people's perception of their health was calculated by odds ratio using logistic regression. Almost 50% of the sample perceived their state of health to be excellent or good. Subjects over the age of 45 (OR, 2.89), or who were unemployed, perceived themselves to be in a worse state of health (OR, 1.34). Contrastingly, those who had received higher education (OR, 0.39), or who, in the previous 15 days, had not been confined to bed (OR, 0.22), had not been on sick leave (OR, 0.23) or had not visited the doctor (OR, 0.38) had a better perception of their health. CONCLUSION: People's perception of their health is related to their quality of life and self-esteem and continues to be a useful indicator in the evaluation of their general state of health, reflecting aspects of both social level and health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Distribution of blood lipids in a representative sample of the adult population of Catalonia. Research Group on Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Catalonian Population: Biochemical Assessment].

BACKGROUND: The leading cause of mortality in Spain are cardiovascular diseases. Their prevention largely depends on the control of hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study is to describe the serum concentration of total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDLc), LDL-cholesterol (LDLc) and triglycerides in the population of Catalonia (Spain). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We obtained a representative sample of the catalan population 18-75 years-old in 1993. The concentrations of HDLc was analyzed after precipitation, the concentration of TC and triglycerides was obtained by enzimatic methods, and the concentration of LDLc was calculated using the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: We obtained a sample of 487 women and 393 men (participation rate: 38%). The mean concentrations of TC, LDLc, HDLc and triglycerides was, respectively, of 203.9 mg/dl (SD = 39.7 mg/dl) (5.24 mmol/l, SD = 1.02 mmol/l), 127.5 mg/dl (SD = 35.9 mg/dl) (3.28 mmol/l, SD = 0.92 mmol/l), 55.8 mg/dl (SD = 14.0 mg/dl) (1.45 mmol/l, SD = 0.36 mmol/l) and 103.9 mg/dl (SD = 75.4 mg/dl) (1.15 mmol/l, SD = 0.84 mmol/l). Nineteen percent of the sample had a concentration of TC > 240 mg/dl (6.42 mmol/l), 3.0% a concentration of HDLc < 35 mg/dl (0.91 mmol/l), 17.2% a concentration of LDL > 160 mg/dl (4.11 mmol/l) and 7.4% a concentration of triglycerides > 7.4 mg/dl (2.22 mmol/l). The concentrations of LDLc and triglycerides and the atherogenic index (TC/HDLc) were higher in men than in women and they increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: The cholesterol levels could be considered lower in Catalonia, Spain, than in other developed countries, and there is a tendency to decrease accordingly to the decrease in the cardiovascular mortality rates. However, the lipid profile in men older than 35 years and in women older than 50 years is still a cause of concern.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of obesity in Spain: the SEEDO'97 study. Spanish Collaborative Group for the Study of Obesity].

BACKGROUND: The weight distribution of a random sample of Spanish population aged 25-60 years is described. The prevalence of obesity and overweight is estimated by sex, age group and cultural level. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Weight, height and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured on 5,388 subjects aged 25-60 yr who participated in population Nutritional surveys carried out in four Spanish autonomous regions (Cataluña, País Vasco, Madrid and Valencia) from 1989 to 1994. They were pooled together in order to build a national random sample. The sample was classified according to body mass index (BMI) (weight in kg/height in m2). Obesity was defined as BMI > or = 30 kg/m2. The prevalence of obesity by sex, age group and cultural level was estimated. Risk values for WHR were defined as WHR > 1 for men and WHR > 0.9 for women. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was 13.4%, 11.5% among men and 15.2% among women. Obesity increased with age in men and women, from 5.3% in the 25-34 yr group to 26.3% in the age group 55-60. Among those with a BMI > or = 30, 30.7% of men and 25.1% of women had also risk values for WHR. Educational level showed an inverse relationship with obesity, thus obesity was higher in less educated groups, particularly among women (p < 0.001). The geographical distribution of obesity showed a south-southeast trend, significant for males (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of obesity in Spain was 13.4%, higher after 45 yr of age, particularly in women and less educated groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Comparison of 2 methods of evaluation of food and nutrient intake: 24-hour recall and semiquantitative frequency questionnaire].

BACKGROUND: Methods of dietary collection at an individual level include various procedures with different estimates of food, energy and nutrients intakes. The aim of this study was to compare two dietary methods widely used in nutritional epidemiology: a 24-hour recall and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-five people selected at random from the population of the Valle de Arán (Lérida, Spain) were surveyed. Nutritional intake information was obtained from both methods. RESULTS: The frequency method overestimated all the nutrient intakes only before adjustment by energy intake, except for cholesterol. After adjustment by energy intake estimations from both questionnaires were very similar; the percentages of energy supplied by proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates were very similar, too; the polyunsaturated/monounsaturated fatty acid ratios, were almost the same. Results show a level of correlation between the questionnaires that ranges from 0.81 to 0.23. Nutrients that showed the highest crude correlation between both questionnaires were alcohol, energy, carbohydrates, sodium and iodine (R > or = 0.7) while vitamins C, B1, B6, B12, and A, niacine, folic acid, iron, phosphorus and potassium showed the lowest (R < or = 0.5). Energy adjusted correlations were quite different to unadjusted ones particularly for lipids, monounsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, cholesterol, zinc and sodium, for which a lower coefficient was calculated after adjustment, and vitamins B2, B6, C, D and potassium, for which a higher coefficient was estimated after energy adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods make similar assessments when adjusting for caloric intake, but food frequency questionnaire tends to overestimate food consumption.

Adolescent↗