European adolescent ready-to-eat-cereal (RTEC) consumers have a healthier dietary intake and body composition compared with non-RTEC consumers.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyse the association of European adolescents' ready-to-eat-cereal (RTEC) consumption frequency with their dietary intake by applying the concept of diet quality index and nutritional status.


METHODS
From the multi-centre European HELENA study, relevant data were available in 1,215 adolescents (12.5-17.5 years). RTEC consumption was identified from a food frequency questionnaire. A diet quality index, daily nutrient intakes and daily milk/yoghurt and fruit intake were calculated from two 24-h dietary recalls. BMI, waist and hip circumference and body fat were measured for body composition. Cross-sectional regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age, socio-economic status, city and breakfast skipping. Differences in sub-regions within Europe were explored.


RESULTS
RTEC consumers showed a more favourable daily micronutrient intake (vitamin B2, B5, B7, D, calcium, phosphorus and potassium), a better diet quality index, more frequent fruit (57 vs. 51%) and milk/yoghurt consumption (81.2 vs. 56%) and less breakfast skipping (25.1 vs. 36.7%). No differences in energy and macronutrient intake were observed. Daily RTEC consumers were 57% less likely to be overweight than RTEC non-consumers but did not differ in glucose and lipid status (N = 387).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first comprehensive pan-European survey elucidating socio-demographic determinants of European adolescents' RTEC consumption and indicating better dietary habits in RTEC consumers. The improved dietary profile was reflected in a more beneficial body composition. Our results have also shown the advantage of using an all-integrating diet quality index by capturing the diet complexity.
Department of Public Health, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185 - 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium, Nathalie.michels@ugent.be.
Nathalie
N
Michels
Stefaan
S
De Henauw
Christina
C
Breidenassel
Laura
L
Censi
Magdalena
M
Cuenca-García
Magdalena
M
Cuenca-Garcí
Marcela
M
Gonzalez-Gross
Frederic
F
Gottrand
Lena
L
Hallstrom
Anthony
A
Kafatos
Mathilde
M
Kersting
Yannis
Y
Manios
Ascension
A
Marcos
Denes
D
Molnar
Luis A
LA
Moreno
Maria
M
Plada
Michael
M
Sjostrom
Béatrice
B
Reye
Frank
F
Thielecke
Jara
J
Valtueña
Kurt
K
Widhalm
Mandy
M
Claessens
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D062408:Breakfast; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D057140:Fast Foods; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides