Calcium Intake and Nutritional Adequacy in Spanish Children: The ANIVA Study

Structural characterisation of deer sinew peptides as calcium carriers, their promotion of MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and their effect on bone deposition in mice

Deer sinew as a by-product has high collagen and nutritional value. This study focuses on its hydrolysate being used as a calcium carrier to develop functional foods. The chelation mechanism was analyzed by SEM, EDS, UV-vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis after using peptide-sequenced deer sinew peptides for chelation with calcium ions. The results showed that the chelation of deer sinew peptides with calcium ions occurs mainly at the O and N atoms of carboxyl, amino and amide bonds. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that deer sinew peptide-calcium chelate (DSPs-Ca) promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells without toxic side effects and increased the alkaline phosphatase activity. The DSPs-Ca group improved the bone microstructure induced by low calcium, as well as up-regulated the expression of genes responsible for calcium uptake in the kidneys, as evidenced by serum markers, bone sections, bone parameters, and gene expression analyses in low-calcium-fed mice. From the above, it can be concluded that DSPs-Ca is expected to be a calcium supplement food for promoting bone health.

Determinants of the attitudes of proinnovative dairy consumers and a model simulating consumer behavior regarding increasing calcium intake

OBJECTIVE

A study was carried out to identify characteristics of consumers of dairy products.

METHODS

Based on a questionnaire with 127 participants, aged 22 to 52, a simulation model was developed, taking into account factors influencing the development of health-seeking behavior.

RESULTS

A relationship was found between consumer proinnovative attitude, actual prohealth behavior, and characteristics of the consumer influencing the consumption of calcium. Prohealth behavior (knowledge and application of the principles of healthy eating) is mainly influenced by material situation, age, and gender of the consumer. It has been reported that only 25% of parents talk to their children about the principles of healthy eating. No relationship was found between prohealth and proinnovation behaviors and level of education, sports activity, or number of children in the family.

CONCLUSIONS

Among young people, as many as 39% do not follow the principles of healthy eating, and these are mainly women. Respondents' proinnovative attitudes and social status were conducive to increasing calcium intake and correlate with greater diversity in the consumption of dairy products. The Pearson correlation coefficient between body mass index and calcium intake was not significant (r = -0.03; P = 0.76).

Deficiency of Daily Calcium and Vitamin D in Primary School Children in Lviv, Ukraine

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of calcium and vitamin D deficiency in school children aged 6 to 11 years in Lviv (Ukraine). The aim of this study was also to assess the effect of nutritional intervention and supplementation on serum calcium and vitamin D levels in children diagnosed with calcium deficiency. A 3 day diet was analyzed in 172 children. In 56 children with a deficiency of calcium and/or vitamin D, the level of total calcium, ionized calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood, as well as the calcium content in hair samples, was determined. Thirty children with confirmed calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency underwent a dietary intervention to increase calcium and vitamin D intake for 3 months. The study group (n = 15) was provided with a nutritional correction by modifying their diet with supplementation of calcium and vitamin D. The control group (n = 15) received only a diet modification. Decreased daily calcium intake was observed in 50.68% of boys and 70.71% of girls. A decreased level of daily vitamin D consumption was found in 84.93% of boys and 96.97% of girls. Among 56 children with insufficient daily consumption of calcium and/or vitamin D, 26.8% had reduced levels of total calcium in the blood, 16.1% had reduced levels of ionized calcium in the blood, and 48.2% had reduced levels of vitamin D. After 3 months of correction, normal calcium level was found in the hair of 10 students (66.7%) from the study group and in three subjects (20.0%) from the control group. Modification of the diet along with supplementation of calcium and vitamin D seems to be a more effective method for increasing the level of calcium among children aged 6 to 11 years.

Usual Dietary Intake, Nutritional Adequacy and Food Sources of Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Vitamin D of Spanish Children Aged One to <10 Years. Findings from the EsNuPI Study

Bone problems in the population begin to be establish in childhood. The present study aims to assess the usual calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D intakes, along with the food sources of these nutrients, in Spanish children participating in the EsNuPI (Estudio Nutricional en Población Infantil Española) study. Two 24 h dietary recalls were applied to 1448 children (1 to <10 years) divided into two sub-samples: one reference sample (RS) of the general population [n = 707] and another sample which exclusively included children consuming enriched or fortified milks, here called "adapted milks" (AMS) [n = 741]. Estimation of the usual intake shows that nutrient intake increased with age for all nutrients except vitamin D. Using as reference the Dietary Reference Values from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), calcium and magnesium intakes were found to be below the average requirement (AR) and adequate intake (AI), respectively, in a considerable percentage of children. Furthermore, phosphorus exceeded the AI in 100% of individuals and vitamin D was lower than the AI in almost all children studied. The results were very similar when considering only plausible reporters. When analyzing the food sources of the nutrients studied, milk and dairy products contributed the most to calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. Other sources of calcium were cereals and vegetables; for phosphorus: meat, meat products, and cereals; for magnesium: cereals and fruits; and, for vitamin D: fish and eggs. These results highlight the desirability of improving the intake concerning these nutrients, which are involved in bone and metabolic health in children. The AMS group appeared to contribute better to the adequacy of those nutrients than the RS group, but both still need further improvement. Of special interest are the results of vitamin D intakes, which were significantly higher in the AMS group (although still below the AI), independent of age.

Consumption of Very Low Mineral Water Is Associated with Lower Bone Mineral Content in Children

BACKGROUND

Our previous study found that consumption of very low mineral drinking water may retard height development in schoolchildren; however, its association with bone modeling remained unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of very low mineral water on biomarkers of bone modeling in children.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 2 groups of 10-13-y-old children who had consumed drinking water with normal mineral contents (conductivity 345 μs/cm, the NW group including 119 boys and 110 girls) or very low mineral contents (conductivity 40.0 μs/cm, the VLW group including 223 boys and 208 girls) in school for 4 y. Differences in daily total mineral intakes, developmental parameters, serum biomarkers of osteoblast activity, and bone formation and resorption between the 2 groups were analyzed with independent t test and chi-square test. Associations of developmental parameters and serum biomarkers with Ca intake from drinking water were analyzed with multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared with the NW group, the VLW group had lower daily Ca intake, height increase, bone mineral content (BMC), osteoblast activity [serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)] (means ± SDs: 433 ± 131 mg, 16.6 ± 8.27 cm, 1.92 ± 0.431 kg, and 9.28 ± 1.42 μg/L compared with 497 ± 155 mg, 22.3 ± 8.45 cm, 2.14 ± 0.354 kg, and 11.0 ± 0.823 μg/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and higher bone resorption [serum crosslinked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), mean ± SD: 142 ± 46.9 nmol/L compared with 130 ± 40.6 nmol/L, P = 0.001). Ca intake from drinking water was positively associated with height increase, BMC, and BALP (β: 0.0667, 95% CI: 0.0540, 0.0793; β: 3.22, 95% CI: 2.37, 4.08; and β: 23.9, 95% CI: 20.6, 27.2), respectively, P < 0.001), and was negatively associated with CTX (β: -0.206, 95% CI:-0.321, -0.0904, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These changes suggested that consumption of very low mineral water may be associated with osteoblast inhibition, bone resorption activation, bone mineral reduction, and height development retardation. The health risk of consuming very low mineral water should be considered in children.

Quantitative Ultrasound and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry as Indicators of Bone Mineral Density in Young Women and Nutritional Factors Affecting It

Young adulthood is an important stage in the accrual of bone mass. Young women are often unaware of the need, and how to optimize modifiable risk factors, particularly intake of nutrients associated with good bone health. In this study, an accessible way to estimate osteoporosis risk, quantitative ultrasound (QUS), is compared to the gold-standard technique dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a group of 54 healthy young women (18–26 years) from Manawatu, New Zealand, and the relationship with nutrient intake is investigated. Broadband ultrasound attenuation and speed of sound (BUA, SOS) were assessed by QUS calcaneal scans and bone mineral concentration/density (BMC/BMD) were determined by DXA scans of the lumbar spine and hip (total and femoral neck). Dietary intake of energy, protein, and calcium was estimated using three-day food diaries and questionnaires. DXA mean Z-scores (>−2.0) for the hip (0.19) and spine (0.2) and QUS mean Z-scores (>−1.0) (0.41) were within the expected ranges. DXA (BMD) and QUS (BUA, SOS) measurements were strongly correlated. Median intakes of protein and calcium were 83.7 g/day and 784 mg/day, respectively. Protein intake was adequate and, whilst median calcium intake was higher than national average, it was below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). No significant relationship was found between dietary intake of calcium or protein and BMD or BMC. To conclude, QUS may provide a reasonable indicator of osteoporosis risk in young women but may not be an appropriate diagnostic tool. Increased calcium intake is recommended for this group, regardless of BMD.

Dietary Calcium Intake in Sample of School Age Children in City of Rabat, Morocco

Calcium is an important mineral playing a vital role to maintain bone health. Calcium intake is considered as one of the most important determinants to assess the calcium status and to evaluate the calcium deficiency in the human body. Our study aims at estimating calcium intake in a sample of children and adolescent to be used in the global strategy to reduce calcium deficiency disorders in Morocco. Thus, 131 children and adolescents were recruited from public schools at Rabat and its regions in the framework of a descriptive cross-sectional study. For each participant, anthropometric parameters were measured. Calcium status was assessed by 24 h dietary recall. Food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate children's nutritional habits and to assess the consumption of calcium-rich food. Overall, the mean calcium intake was 522.0 ± 297.0 mg/day, and 85.5% of subjects highlighted calcium deficiency, with no significant difference between boys and girls. Calcium intake was significantly different according to age groups, and high consumption of calcium was found in subjects aged from 14 to 18 years (776.86 ±290.07 mg/day), giving evidence of the low calcium status of the studied population. Daily food intake and food frequency analysis showed that bread, vegetables, and fruits are the most consumed food and the main source of daily calcium intake. Consumption of dairy products, considered as the best source of calcium, is lower and represents only 14% of total calcium intake. Our study clearly showed that calcium status is very lower in Moroccan children and adolescents and a large proportion of this population have inadequate calcium intake. Hence, there's an urgent need of specific strategies, including children sensitisation and nutritional education, to increase calcium intake and therefore reduce calcium deficiency disorders impacting the whole body during childhood and in adult age.

Dietary Calcium Intake and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish Children: The ANIVA Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of dietary calcium intake with anthropometric measures, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in 1176 Spanish children aged 6-9 years. Data were obtained from "Antropometría y Nutrición Infantil de Valencia" (ANIVA), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample. Dietary calcium intake assessed from three-day food records was compared to recommended daily intakes in Spain. Anthropometric measures (weight and height) were measured according to international standards and adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) test. For the total sample of children, 25.8% had inadequate calcium intake, a significantly higher prevalence in girls (p = 0.006) and inadequate calcium intake was associated with lower height z-score (p = 0.001) for both sexes. In girls, there was an inverse relationship between calcium intake and body mass index (p = 0.001) and waist/hip ratio (p = 0.018). Boys presented a polarization in physical activity, reporting a greater level of both physical and sedentary activity in comparison with girls (p = 0.001). Children with poor adherence to MedDiet, even if they consume two yogurts or cheese (40 g) daily, adjusted by gender, age, total energy intake, physical activity and father's level of education, are at risk of inadequate total calcium intake (odds ratio adjusted [ORa]: 3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-9.94, p = 0.001). The intake of these dairy products was insufficient to cover calcium intake recommendations in this age group (6-9 years). It is important to prioritize health strategies that promote the MedDiet and to increase calcium intake in this age group.