title: Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: the HELENA cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers).
  
  
  METHODS
  The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mouratidou
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vereecken
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kersting
authors.forename: Selin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolca
authors.forename: Augusto César F
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cuenca-García
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Gross
authors.forename: Jara
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valtueña
authors.forename: Idoia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Labayen
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grammatikaki
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hallstrom
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leclercq
authors.forename: Marika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottrand
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beghin
authors.forename: Yannis
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Manios
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ottevaere
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Oyen
authors.forename: Denes
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kafatos
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Widhalm
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gómez-Martinez
authors.forename: Ligia Esperanza Díaz
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Stefaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Henauw
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 4K3, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Inge.Huybrechts@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Huybrechts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009765:Obesity; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013851:Thinness
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D010940:Plant Proteins