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

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.The HELENA-study took place with the financial support of the European Community Sixth RTD Framework Programme. This work was also partially supported by the European Union in the framework of the Public Health Programme, the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS), the Spanish Ministry of Education, and the Spanish Ministry of Health, Maternal, Child Health and Development Network and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation AGL2007-29784-E. The content of this paper reflect only the authors' views and the rest of HELENA-study members and the European Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Augusto César F. de Moraes is in receipt of a PhD scholarship from the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP: proc. 2011/11137-1 and 2011/20662-2) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow scholarship from National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq: proc. 313772/2014-2); Luis A. Moreno was given scholarship of Visiting Professor from Brazilian government by Science without Borders Program by CNPq and CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) (proc. 007/2012). The GENUD Research Group co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (MICINN-FEDER)