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Nutrition Journal
Published in: Nutrition Journal 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: the HELENA cross-sectional study

Authors: Yi Lin, Theodora Mouratidou, Carine Vereecken, Mathilde Kersting, Selin Bolca, Augusto César F de Moraes, Magdalena Cuenca-García, Luis A Moreno, Marcela González-Gross, Jara Valtueña, Idoia Labayen, Evangelia Grammatikaki, Lena Hallstrom, Catherine Leclercq, Marika Ferrari, Frederic Gottrand, Laurent Beghin, Yannis Manios, Charlene Ottevaere, Herman Van Oyen, Denes Molnar, Anthony Kafatos, Kurt Widhalm, Sonia Gómez-Martinez, Ligia Esperanza Díaz Prieto, Stefaan De Henauw, Inge Huybrechts, On behalf of the HELENA study group

Published in: Nutrition Journal | Issue 1/2015

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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.

Objectives

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.
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Metadata
Title
Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: the HELENA cross-sectional study
Authors
Yi Lin
Theodora Mouratidou
Carine Vereecken
Mathilde Kersting
Selin Bolca
Augusto César F de Moraes
Magdalena Cuenca-García
Luis A Moreno
Marcela González-Gross
Jara Valtueña
Idoia Labayen
Evangelia Grammatikaki
Lena Hallstrom
Catherine Leclercq
Marika Ferrari
Frederic Gottrand
Laurent Beghin
Yannis Manios
Charlene Ottevaere
Herman Van Oyen
Denes Molnar
Anthony Kafatos
Kurt Widhalm
Sonia Gómez-Martinez
Ligia Esperanza Díaz Prieto
Stefaan De Henauw
Inge Huybrechts
On behalf of the HELENA study group
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Nutrition Journal / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-14-10

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