Discouraging soft drink consumption reduces blood glucose and cholesterol of Brazilian elementary students: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational program aimed at discouraging sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages intake on blood fasting glucose and total cholesterol. Forty-seven fourth grade classes in twenty-two schools have participated in a randomized controlled trial aimed at discouraging soft drink intake in order to prevent excessive weight gain during a school year, in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Of 1140 randomized students, 478 (238 in intervention group and 240 in control group) aged 9-12years old had at least one result on biochemical data and were analyzed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on changes in fasting glucose and total cholesterol at the end of follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed taking into account the cluster (classes) effect. Statistically significant decrease in fasting glucose (-9.12mg/dL vs. +0.51mg/dL, p<0.001) and total cholesterol (-10.34mg/dL vs. +2.14mg/dL, p<0.001) were observed among students in the intervention group in comparison with controls. In addition, the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and hypercholesterolemia decreased in interventions and increased in controls (-2.4% vs. +8.8%, p=0.04 and -10.0% vs. +2.7%, p=0.03, respectively). Discouraging soft drink consumption among children has led to a reduction in fasting glucose and total cholesterol, suggesting that these beverages may play a role in the development of cardiometabolic risk in childhood.

Sociodemographic characteristics determine dietary pattern adherence during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Sociodemographic factors may affect adherence to specific dietary patterns during pregnancy. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy and associated factors among Brazilian pregnant women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intake was evaluated with a semi-quantitative FFQ during the first postpartum week; the time frame included the second and third gestational trimesters. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns during pregnancy. Sociodemographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were applied to test the associations between the sociodemographic factors and dietary patterns. SETTING: Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2011. SUBJECTS: Postpartum women (n 327) who were 18-45 years of age and Mesquita residents. RESULTS: Three different dietary patterns were identified: 'healthy' (mainly comprising legumes, vegetables and fruits), 'mixed' (mainly comprising candy, butter and margarine, and snacks) and 'traditional' (mainly comprising beans and rice). Women with a higher monthly per capita family income (ß=0·0006; 95% CI 0·0001, 0·001; P=0·011) and women of older age (ß=0·021; 95% CI -0·001, 0·042; P=0·058) were more likely to adhere to the 'healthy' dietary pattern. Women with higher parity were less likely to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern (ß=-0·097; 95% CI -0·184, -0·009; P=0·030) and were more likely to adhere to the 'traditional' pattern (ß=0·098; 95% CI 0·021, 0·175; P=0·012). Although not statistically significant, older women were less likely to adhere to the 'mixed' (ß=-0·017; 95% CI -0·037, 0·003; P=0·075) and 'traditional' (ß=-0·018; 95% CI -0·037, 0·001; P=0·061) dietary patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Monthly per capita family income, parity and maternal age were factors associated with adherence to a healthy diet during pregnancy.

Sickness absenteeism among health workers in Cuiabá, Brazil.

Introduction: Sickness absenteeism has been considered a complex phenomenon, with multiple etiologies, including factors related to both the environment and the organization of work, as well as individual factors. However, it has been studied in restricted occupational groups. Objectives: To analyze the profile of sickness absenteeism among workers of a health company in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, in 2015 and 2016. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with workers present in the company's payroll from 01/01/2015 to 12/31/2016, with a medical certificate approved by the occupational physician to justify absence from work. The variables analyzed were the chapter of the disease according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Health Problems, sex, age, age group, number of medical certificates, days of absenteeism, the section of work activities, function performed at the time of sick leave, and indicators related to absenteeism. Results: 3,813 sickness leave certificates were registered, which corresponded to 45.4% of the company's workers. The mean number of sickness leave certificates was 4.0, which led to 18.9 days of absenteeism on average. The highest percentages of sickness absenteeism were found in women, in those with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue, in those working in Emergency Room sections and in the roles of customer service agents and analysts. Considering the longest periods of absence, the most identified categories were older people, circulatory system diseases, work in the administration section, and the motorcycle courier position. Conclusions: A considerable percentage of sickness absenteeism was identified in the company, requiring managers to invest in strategies to adapt the work environment.

Introdução: O absenteísmo-doença tem sido considerado um fenômeno complexo e de etiologia múltipla, incluindo fatores relacionados tanto ao ambiente e à organização do trabalho quanto a fatores individuais. No entanto, ele tem sido estudado em grupos ocupacionais restritos. Objetivos: Analisar o perfil de absenteísmo-doença em trabalhadores de uma prestadora de serviços na área da saúde em Cuiabá, no estado de Mato Grosso, em 2015 e 2016. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com trabalhadores presentes na folha de pagamento da empresa de 01/01/2015 a 31/12/2016, com atestado médico homologado pelo médico do trabalho para justificar a ausência ao trabalho. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: capítulo da doença, sexo, idade, faixa etária, número de atestados, dias de afastamento, seção de exercício das atividades laborais, função exercida no momento do afastamento e indicadores relacionados ao absenteísmo. Resultados: Foram registrados 3.813 atestados médicos, abrangendo 45,4% dos trabalhadores da empresa. A média de atestados foi de 4,0, que gerou, em média, 18,9 dias de afastamento. Os maiores percentuais de absenteísmo-doença foram encontrados nas mulheres, naqueles com doenças do sistema osteomuscular e do tecido conjuntivo, nas seções do Pronto Atendimento e nas funções de agentes de atendimento e analistas. Considerando os maiores tempos de afastamento, esses foram identificados nos mais velhos, naqueles com doenças do aparelho circulatório, na seção de administração e na função de motoboy. Conclusões: Identificou-se percentual considerável de absenteísmo-doença na empresa, sendo necessário que os gestores invistam em estratégias para adequação do ambiente de trabalho.

Dietary quality varies according to data collection instrument: a comparison between a food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour recall.

The objective of this study was to assess the agreement between the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index - Revised (BHEI-R), estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and multiple 24-hour recalls (24h-R). The Wilcoxon paired test, partial correlations (PC), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman method were used. The total BHEI-R scores and its components ("total fruits", "whole fruits", "total vegetables", "integral cereals", "saturated fat", "sodium", and "energy intake derived from solid fat, added sugar, and alcoholic beverages") were statistically different, with the ICC and PC indicating poor concordance and correlation. The mean concordance estimated for the total BHEI-R and its components varied from 68% for "integral cereals" to 147% for "whole fruits". The suitable concordance limits were violated for most of the components of the BHEI-R. Poor concordance was observed between the BHEI-R estimated by the FFQ and by multiple 24h-R, which indicated a strong reliability of the BHEI-R on the instrument used to collect information on food consumption.

[Caffeine intake and food sources of caffeine and prematurity: a case-control study]. / Consumo de cafeína e de alimentos-fonte de cafeína e prematuridade: um estudo caso-controle.

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an alkali that easily crosses the placental barrier and can interfere in the growth and development of fetal cells and compromise fetal oxygenation. Considering the widespread consumption of foods containing caffeine in Brazil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between total caffeine consumption (including its food sources) and prematurity. A case-control study of 140 cases (newborns with gestational age less than 37 weeks) and 162 controls (newborns with 37 weeks gestational age or greater) evaluated caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Intake measurement used a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire based on the following foods: coffee, tea, and powdered chocolate. Total caffeine consumption (including food sources) during pregnancy was not associated with prematurity, and most intakes were less than 300 mg/ day. Caffeine consumption in the present study does not support guidelines against caffeine consumption by Brazilian pregnant women.

Effectiveness of a home-based exercise program on anthropometric and metabolic changes among school cooks.

The scope of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric and metabolic changes after low intensity home-based exercise. In the school year of 2007, 95 school cooks in the city of Niteroi (State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: home-based exercise (n = 47) or control group (n = 48). The home-based exercise program was performed three times a week, during 40 minutes at moderate intensity. Anthropometric variables were collected at the baseline and after 4 and 8 months, whereas biochemical and individual food intake were measured at the baseline and after 8 months. Energy expenditure was evaluated only at the baseline. The home-based exercise group exhibited a greater weight loss (-0.9 vs. -0.2; p = 0.05) in comparison with controls during the follow-up and the same pattern was found for BMI (-0.1 vs. +0.1; p = 0.07), although without statistical significance. Exercise showed no effects on waist circumference, lipid profile and glucose. In conclusion, greater weight loss was observed in the group that performed low intensity home-based exercise and this strategy can assist in body weight control even without alterations in terms of lipids and glucose.