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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 4/2017

01-06-2017 | Original Contribution

Foods contributing to vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 intakes and biomarkers status in European adolescents: The HELENA study

Authors: Iris Iglesia, Theodora Mouratidou, Marcela González-Gross, Inge Huybrechts, Christina Breidenassel, Javier Santabárbara, Ligia-Esperanza Díaz, Lena Hällström, Stefaan De Henauw, Frédéric Gottrand, Anthony Kafatos, Kurt Widhalm, Yannis Manios, Denes Molnar, Peter Stehle, Luis A. Moreno, on the behalf of HELENA study group

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the association between food groups consumption and vitamin B6, folate and B12 intakes and biomarkers in adolescents.

Methods

In total 2189 individuals participating in the cross-sectional Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study met the eligibility criteria for analysis of dietary intakes (46 % males) and 632 for biomarker analysis (47 % males). Food intakes were assessed by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls. Biomarkers were measured by chromatography and immunoassay. Food groups which best discriminated participants in the extreme tertiles of the distribution of vitamins were identified by discriminant analyses. Food groups with standardised canonical coefficients higher or equal to 0.3 were selected as valid discriminators of vitamins intake and biomarkers extreme tertiles. Linear mixed model elucidated the association between food groups and vitamins intakes and biomarkers.

Results

Vitamin B6 intakes and biomarkers were best discriminated by meat (males and females), margarine and mixed origin lipids only in males and breakfast cereals (females). Breakfast cereals (males), and fruits, margarine and mixed origin lipids, vegetables excluding potatoes, breakfast cereals, and soups/bouillon (females) determined the most folate intakes and biomarkers. Considering vitamin B12 intakes and biomarkers, meat, and white and butter milk (males and females), snacks (males), and dairy products (females) best discriminated individual in the extremes of the distribution. Fewer associations were obtained with mixed model for biomarkers than for vitamins intakes with food groups.

Conclusions

Whereas B-vitamin intakes were associated with their food sources, biomarkers did with overall food consumption. Low-nutrient-density foods may compromise adolescents’ vitamin status.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Foods contributing to vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 intakes and biomarkers status in European adolescents: The HELENA study
Authors
Iris Iglesia
Theodora Mouratidou
Marcela González-Gross
Inge Huybrechts
Christina Breidenassel
Javier Santabárbara
Ligia-Esperanza Díaz
Lena Hällström
Stefaan De Henauw
Frédéric Gottrand
Anthony Kafatos
Kurt Widhalm
Yannis Manios
Denes Molnar
Peter Stehle
Luis A. Moreno
on the behalf of HELENA study group
Publication date
01-06-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1221-1

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