Assessing, understanding and modifying nutritional status, eating habits and physical activity in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the main knowledge gaps and to propose research lines that will be developed within the European Union-funded 'Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence' (HELENA) project, concerning the nutritional status, physical fitness and physical activity of adolescents in Europe.


METHODS
Review of the currently existing literature.


RESULTS
The main gaps identified were: lack of harmonised and comparable data on food intake; lack of understanding regarding the role of eating attitudes, food choices and food preferences; lack of harmonised and comparable data on levels and patterns of physical activity and physical fitness; lack of comparable data about obesity prevalence and body composition; lack of comparable data about micronutrient and immunological status; and lack of effective intervention methodologies for healthier lifestyles.


CONCLUSIONS
The HELENA Study Group should develop, test and describe harmonised and state-of-the-art methods to assess the nutritional status and lifestyle of adolescents across Europe; develop and evaluate an intervention on eating habits and physical activity; and develop and test new healthy food products attractive for European adolescents.
Moreno
L A
LA
Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain. lmoreno@unizar.es
González-Gross
M
M
Kersting
M
M
Molnár
D
D
de Henauw
S
S
Beghin
L
L
Sjöström
M
M
Hagströmer
M
M
Manios
Y
Y
Gilbert
C C
CC
Ortega
F B
FB
Dallongeville
J
J
Arcella
D
D
Wärnberg
J
J
Hallberg
M
M
Fredriksson
H
H
Maes
L
L
Widhalm
K
K
Kafatos
A G
AG
Marcos
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001823:Body Composition; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010809:Physical Fitness; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012307:Risk Factors