Validation of the Diet Quality Index for Adolescents by comparison with biomarkers, nutrient and food intakes: the HELENA study

Abstract

Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) aim to address the nutritional requirements at population level in order to prevent diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle. Diet quality indices can be used to assess the compliance with these FBDG. The present study aimed to investigate whether the newly developed Diet Quality Index for Adolescents (DQI-A) is a good surrogate measure for adherence to FBDG, and whether adherence to these FBDG effectively leads to better nutrient intakes and nutritional biomarkers in adolescents. Participants included 1804 European adolescents who were recruited in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Study. Dietary intake was assessed by two, non-consecutive 24 h recalls. A DQI-A score, considering the components' dietary quality, diversity and equilibrium, was calculated. Associations between the DQI-A and food and nutrient intakes and blood concentration biomarkers were investigated using multilevel regression analysis corrected for centre, age and sex. DQI-A scores were associated with food intake in the expected direction: positive associations with nutrient-dense food items, such as fruits and vegetables, and inverse associations with energy-dense and low-nutritious foods. On the nutrient level, the DQI-A was positively related to the intake of water, fibre and most minerals and vitamins. No association was found between the DQI-A and total fat intake. Furthermore, a positive association was observed with 25-hydroxyvitamin D, holo-transcobalamin and n-3 fatty acid serum levels. The present study has shown good validity of the DQI-A by confirming the expected associations with food and nutrient intakes and some biomarkers in blood

Influence of dietary pattern, physical activity, and I148M PNPLA3 on steatosis severity in at-risk adolescents

“…The prevalence of risk factors for obesity is fairly high among the adolescents. This study shows that a great proportion of overweight/ obese children and adolescents had correct dietary habits (Vyncke et al 2013) and confirm that genetic factors, and in particular the I148M variant of PNPLA3, play a major role in the development and severity of steatosis in obesity during the developmental age, representing by far the strongest determinant. These and previous data (Valenti et al 2010b) suggest that severe steatosis and NASH behave similarly to a monogenic disease in obese individuals during the developmental age.…”

“…In conclusion, despite likely increased caloric intake, obese adolescents report an apparently almost correct dietary pattern (Vyncke et al 2013). The severity of the hepatic complication resulting from insulin resistance, i.e.…”

Dietary quality indices vary with sociodemographic variables and anthropometric status among Mexican adults: a cross-sectional study. Results from the 2006 National Health and Nutrition Survey

“…The Diet Quality Index Revised developed by Hains et al (51) was reported to correlate with plasma biomarkers (52) for micronutrient intake. Dietary variety and diversity were shown to be associated with nutrient adequacy (53) , biomarkers (54) and lower disease risk (55) . These indices, with some modifications, have been used previously in Mexicans (41) , Haitian immigrants in Canada (56) and a sample of the African population (40) , but not in a nationally representative sample.…”

Health Inequalities in Urban Adolescents: Role of Physical Activity, Diet, and Genetics

“…47,48 The DQI-A consists of 3 principles forming the basis of a healthy diet: dietary equilibrium, dietary diversity, and dietary quality. 48,49 A final DQI-A score was calculated, with a higher score indicating a better-quality diet. The validity of the HELENA-DIAT and the DQI-A has been confirmed elsewhere.…”