Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition among communitydwelling elderly people in Spain using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and to analyse its distribution according to age, gender and residence region. Design: Cross-sectional study assessing the nutritional status of elderly persons through both the short form and the full version of the MNA test. Setting: Pharmacy offices across the whole country (Spain) were enrolled to recruit participants. Subjects: A total of 22 007 participants (8014 men and 13 993 women), aged $65 years, assessed during the last two months of 2005. Results: According to MNA screening, 4?3 % subjects were classified as undernourished (MNA score ,17) and 25?4 % were at risk of undernutrition (MNA score $17 to #23?5). The MNA short form correlated strongly with the full MNA version (r 5 0?85). MNA total score was significantly higher in men than in women (25?4 (SD 3?7) v. 24?6 (SD 3?9); P , 0?001) and lower in the oldest than in the youngest subjects (P , 0?001) in both genders. According to regional distribution, the best nutritional status was found in elderly from the north of Spain excluding the north-west area. Conclusions: Female gender, older age and living in the south half or northwest of the country were associated with higher rates of undernutrition among community-dwelling elderly persons in Spain.

s Summary Background A prospective cohort study with university level participants was initiated to study the effect of Mediterranean diet on health. Aims The objective of this study was to identify possible lifestyle and socioeconomic variables associated with the consumption of a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP). Method: This analysis includes 1587 males and 2260 females. MDP was defined "a priori" by summing the standardized residuals of nutrients and foods after adjusting a regression model using total energy intake as the independent variable. Multiple regression and non-parametric locally weighted regression models were adjusted with the relative adherence to the MDP as the dependent variable in males and females. Results Women were more compliant than men with the MDP (Coefficient regression (b) = 4.1; Confidence Interval (CI) 95 % = 3.2 to 4.9). The compliance with the MDP was significantly poorer among younger participants both in men and women (p < 0.001 in men and in women). Participants who were more physically active were more likely to fulfill the traditional MDP (p = 0.01 in men and p < 0.001 in women). Conclusions Our findings provide evidence supporting the progressive departure from the traditional MDP in younger and highly educated subjects of the Mediterranean area. A more active life-style is associated with a better compliance with the MDP.s Key words eating patternsMediterranean dietary patternconfounders

This study aimed to (i) gain insight in the prevalence of overweight indices in European preschoolers (4-7 years); (ii) identify energy balance-related behaviours associated with overweight/obesity; and (iii) identify children at risk for overweight/obesity. Secondary analyses of six European data sets were conducted according to standardized protocols. Based on objectively measured height and weight, prevalence of overweight and obesity across the countries ranged from 8% to 30% and 1% to 13%, respectively, with highest rates in Southern European countries (i.e. Spain and Greece). Positive associations between sedentary behaviours and overweight indices were found. Physical activity and dietary behaviours were not associated, possibly because of methodological limitations. Children of parents with high body mass index or low socioeconomic status were at increased risk of overweight/obesity. In conclusion, large differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers across Europe were observed. Future obesity prevention interventions in preschoolers should target screen time giving specific attention to children from overweight and/or low socioeconomic status parents. There is a need for high methodological quality studies, preferably with a long-term prospective design using sensitive, valid and reliable measures of behaviours, assessing whether and which physical activity and dietary behaviours are associated with overweight in preschoolers.

Background/Objectives: Mediterranean diet has been related with reduced morbidity and better well-being. The aim of this study was to assess whether the adherence to the Mediterranean diet were associated with mental and physical health related to quality of life. Subjects/Methods: This analysis included 11 015 participants with 4 years of follow-up in the SUN Project (a multipurpose cohort study based on university graduates from Spain). A validated 136-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet at baseline, according to a nine-point score, presented in four categories (low, low-moderate, moderate-high and high). Health-related quality of life (HRQL) was measured after 4 years of follow-up with the Spanish version of the SF-36 Health Survey. Generalized Linear Models were fitted to assess adjusted mean scores, the regression coefficients (b) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the SF-36 domains according to categories of adherence to Mediterranean diet. Results: Multivariate-adjusted models revealed a significant direct association between adherence to Mediterranean diet and all the physical and most mental health domains (vitality, social functioning and role emotional). Vitality (b ¼ 0.50, 95% CI ¼ 0.32-0.68) and general health (b ¼ 0.45, 95% CI ¼ 0.26-0.62) showed the highest coefficients. Mean values for physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health and vitality domains were significantly better with increasing adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Those having improved their initial high diet scores have better scores in physical functioning, general health and vitality. Conclusions: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet seems to be a factor importantly associated with a better HRQL.