[Assessment of food insecurity in the context of COVID-19: association with emergency aid and collecting food donations among the socially vulnerable population of a capital in Northeastern Brazil]. / Avaliação da insegurança alimentar no contexto da COVID-19: associação com o auxílio emergencial e recebimento de doação de alimentos na população em vulnerabilidade social de uma capital do Nordeste do Brasil.

The scope of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity in the context of COVID-19 and its association with the emergency aid income-transfer program and the collecting of food donations by the population in a situation of social vulnerability. A cross-sectional study was carried out with socially vulnerable families eight months after confirming the first case of COVID-19 in Brazil. A total of 903 families, living in 22 underprivileged communities of Maceió, in the state of Alagoas, were included. Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated, and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was applied. The association of food insecurity with the variables studied was performed using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, considering α = 5%. Of the total sample, 71.1% were food insecure, a situation associated with receiving food donations (PR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.02; 1.27) and being a beneficiary of emergency aid (PR =1.23; 95%CI: 1.01; 1.49). The results show that the population in a situation of social vulnerability was strongly affected by food insecurity. On the other hand, the population group in question benefited from actions implemented at the outset of the pandemic.

O estudo objetivou investigar a prevalência de insegurança alimentar no contexto da COVID-19 e sua associação com o programa de transferência de renda Auxílio Emergencial e o recebimento de doação de alimentos na população em vulnerabilidade social. Estudo transversal, realizado com famílias em vulnerabilidade social, oito meses após a confirmação do primeiro caso de COVID-19 no Brasil. Foram incluídas 903 famílias, residentes em 22 aglomerados subnormais de Maceió, em Alagoas. Avaliaram-se características sociodemográficas e foi aplicada a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. A associação da insegurança alimentar com as variáveis estudadas foi realizada por meio de regressão de Poisson com estimativa robusta das variâncias, considerando α = 5%. Do total da amostra, 71,1% estavma em insegurança alimentar, situação que se associou com o recebimento de doação de alimentos (RP = 1,14, IC95%: 1,02; 1,27) e ser beneficiário do Auxílio Emergencial (RP = 1,23, IC95%: 1,01; 1,49). Os resultados mostram que a população em vulnerabilidade social foi fortemente afetada pela insegurança alimentar. Em contrapartida, essa população foi beneficiada por ações que foram implementadas no início da pandemia.

Avaliação da insegurança alimentar no contexto da COVID-19: associação com o auxílio emergencial e recebimento de doação de alimentos na população em vulnerabilidade social de uma capital do Nordeste do Brasil / Assessment of food insecurity in the context of COVID-19: association with emergency aid and collecting food donations among the socially vulnerable population of a capital in Northeastern Brazil

Resumo O estudo objetivou investigar a prevalência de insegurança alimentar no contexto da COVID-19 e sua associação com o programa de transferência de renda Auxílio Emergencial e o recebimento de doação de alimentos na população em vulnerabilidade social. Estudo transversal, realizado com famílias em vulnerabilidade social, oito meses após a confirmação do primeiro caso de COVID-19 no Brasil. Foram incluídas 903 famílias, residentes em 22 aglomerados subnormais de Maceió, em Alagoas. Avaliaram-se características sociodemográficas e foi aplicada a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. A associação da insegurança alimentar com as variáveis estudadas foi realizada por meio de regressão de Poisson com estimativa robusta das variâncias, considerando α = 5%. Do total da amostra, 71,1% estavma em insegurança alimentar, situação que se associou com o recebimento de doação de alimentos (RP = 1,14, IC95%: 1,02; 1,27) e ser beneficiário do Auxílio Emergencial (RP = 1,23, IC95%: 1,01; 1,49). Os resultados mostram que a população em vulnerabilidade social foi fortemente afetada pela insegurança alimentar. Em contrapartida, essa população foi beneficiada por ações que foram implementadas no início da pandemia.

Abstract The scope of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity in the context of COVID-19 and its association with the emergency aid income-transfer program and the collecting of food donations by the population in a situation of social vulnerability. A cross-sectional study was carried out with socially vulnerable families eight months after confirming the first case of COVID-19 in Brazil. A total of 903 families, living in 22 underprivileged communities of Maceió, in the state of Alagoas, were included. Sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated, and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was applied. The association of food insecurity with the variables studied was performed using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, considering α = 5%. Of the total sample, 71.1% were food insecure, a situation associated with receiving food donations (PR = 1.14; 95%CI: 1.02; 1.27) and being a beneficiary of emergency aid (PR =1.23; 95%CI: 1.01; 1.49). The results show that the population in a situation of social vulnerability was strongly affected by food insecurity. On the other hand, the population group in question benefited from actions implemented at the outset of the pandemic.

Social network of malnourished children and its association with family's food and nutritional security / Rede social de crianças desnutridas e sua relação com a segurança alimentar e nutricional da família

Abstract Objectives: evaluate the relationship between family's food and nutrition insecurity (FNI) and the social network of malnourished children. Methods: cross-sectional study with 92 children, included in the economic class D-E. For the analysis of the children's social network, the mothers answered four simple questions. To investigate the FNI, the Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity was used. The association between variables was analyzed by Poisson regression with robust analysis of variances. Results: 56.5% of the children had a weak social network (<10 individuals), and the prevalence of FNI was 72.8%. An inverse association was observed between children of the daily social network and FNI family (OR=0.94; CI95%=0.89-0.99], p=0.03). The number of individuals in the children's daily social network was negatively associated with the likelihood of FNI. The mother's educational level was also related to FNI (OR=2.20 [CI95%=1.11-4.34]; p=0.02), being the child up to 2.2 times more likely to be in FNI when the mother has less than four years of study. Conclusion: these results suggest that social network is associated with the FNI of malnourished children. Interventions designed to strengthen instrumental and other forms of support among small social networks can improve the health/nutrition of malnourished children with FNI.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a relação entre a insegurança alimentar e nutricional (IAN) da família e a rede social de crianças desnutridas. Métodos: estudo transversal com 92 crianças, inseridas na classe econômica D-E. Para a análise da rede social das crianças, as mães responderam quatro perguntas simples. Para investigar a IAN foi utilizada a Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar. A associação entre as variáveis foi analisada por regressão de Poisson com análise robusta das variâncias. Resultados: 56,5% das crianças apresentaram rede social fraca (<10 indivíduos), e a prevalência de IAN foi de 72,8%. Foi observada uma associação inversa entre rede social diária das crianças e IAN da família (RP=0,94, [IC95%=0,89-0,99]; p=0,03). O número de indivíduos na rede social diária das crianças se associou negativamente com a probabilidade de IAN. O nível de escolaridade materno também estava relacionado com a IAN (RP=2,20 [IC95%=1,11-4,34]; p=0,02), tendo a criança até 2,2 vezes mais probabilidade de estar em IAN quando a mãe apresenta menos de quatro anos de estudo. Conclusão: esses resultados sugerem que a rede social está associada à IAN de crianças desnutridas. Intervenções destinadas a fortalecer maneiras instrumentais e outras formas de apoio entre pequenas redes sociais podem melhorar a saúde/nutrição de crianças desnutridas com IAN.

Red propolis supplementation does not decrease acute respiratory events in stunted preschool children: A paired nonrandomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of "red propolis" supplementation in the frequency of acute respiratory infections incidence in stunted preschool children. We hypothesized that the "red" propolis supplementation is effective in the reduce frequency of acute respiratory complications in stunted children. METHODS: This is a non-randomized, pair-matched clinical trial with 70 children, ranging from 1 to 5 years old, followed for 1 year, which were paired into two groups according to age, sex, and stunting classification. The children were in the day hospital regimen of CREN and received 5 meals/day and an additional 8 ml of honey or honey with "red propolis" in a 3% dilution. The children had access to nutritional, psychological, dental, and physician care. Respiratory complications were recorded in a pre-existing protocol of the institution by the same pediatrician, who was blind for the children's allocation. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests such as hemogram, IGF-1, and immunoglobulin E, G, M were conducted. RESULTS: The most prevalent symptoms were coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion and wheezing. The use of "red propolis" did not decrease the frequency of infections between the control and propolis groups, respectively (2 [1-7] vs 3 [1-7], p = 0.10), which was within the estimated by the Pan American Health Organization. There were no differences between groups in anthropometric and biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with "red propolis" did not reduce the number of infections in stunted children over 1 year. Possibly, the dilution percentage (3%) may have been insufficient to allow effective action. The protocol of published in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4n7j6h).

Estimates of resting energy expenditure and total energy expenditure using predictive equations in adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Energy expenditure predictive equations can generate inaccurate estimates for overweight or obese individuals. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to determine which predictive equations for resting energy expenditure (REE) and total energy expenditure (TEE) have the lowest bias and the highest precision in adults with overweight and obesity. DATA SOURCES: Searches were performed in January 2022 in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, and the gray literature databases. DATA EXTRACTION: Meta-analyses were performed with equations included in more than 1 study. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model and the I2 statistic were used to quantify heterogeneity in the quantitative analyses. The Egger test was performed to assess potential publication biases, and metaregressions were conducted to explore the heterogeneity. Findings were presented separated by participants' body mass index classification (overweight and obesity). DATA ANALYSIS: Sixty-one studies were included. The FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) equation, which uses only body weight in its formula, showed the lowest bias in estimating REE (mean difference [MD] = 8.97 kcal; 95% CI = -26.99; 44.94). In the subgroup analysis for individuals with obesity, the Lazzer (2007) equation showed the lowest bias (MD = 4.70 kcal; 95% CI = -95.45; 104.86). The Harris-Benedict equation (1919) showed the highest precision values for individuals with overweight (60.65%) and for individuals with obesity (62.54%). Equations with body composition data showed the highest biases. The equation proposed by the Institute of Medicine (2005) showed the lowest bias (MD = -2.52 kcal; 95% CI = -125.94; 120.90) in estimating the TEE. Most analyses showed high heterogeneity (I2 > 90%). There was no evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSION: For individuals with overweight, the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) and the Harris-Benedict equations (1919) showed the lowest bias and the highest precision in predicting the REE, respectively. For individuals with obesity, the Harris-Benedict equation (1919) showed the highest precision and the Lazzer equation (2007) showed the lowest bias. More studies are needed on predictive equations to estimate the TEE. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021262969.

Association between sitting/lying down, standing, walking time and number of steps per day with the hormonal profile and resting energy expenditure of women with obesity living in a low-income region.

Reducing sedentary behaviour (SB) and increasing physical activity (PA) by sitting less and standing/walking more is advised to prevent chronic diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying this recommendation are not well established, especially in individuals with obesity living in low-income regions. The present study evaluated whether there are associations between PA indicators (PAI - standing time, walking time and the number of steps/d) and SB indicators (SBI - sitting/lying down time) with the hormonal profile and resting energy expenditure (REE) of adult women living in a low-income region. This is a cross-sectional study. We collected data on hormones (insulin resistance, leptin and thyroid axis), body composition (tetrapolar bioimpedance), REE (indirect calorimetry), and PAI and SBI (triaxial accelerometers, ActivPAL). Multivariable linear models adjusting for age and fat-free mass were performed. Fifty-eight women (mean age of 31 years and BMI of 33 kg/m2) were included. The mean sitting/lying down time and standing time were 16·08 and 5·52 h/d, respectively. Sitting/lying down time showed a direct association with free thyroxine (FT4) (ß = 0·56 ng/dl; 95 % CI = -1·10, -0·02). Standing time showed a direct association with FT4 (ß = 0·75 ng/dl; 95 % CI = 0·01; 1·48) and inverse association with free triiodothyronine (ß = -2·83 pg/ml 95 % CI = -5·56, -0·10). There were no associations between PAI and SBI with the REE, insulin resistance, leptin and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thus, decreased SB is associated with thyroid hormones levels but not with REE, insulin resistance or leptin in women with obesity living in low-income regions.

Avaliação do comportamento de risco de graduandos de Medicina em uma universidade de Alagoas / Evaluation of the risk behavior of Medical students at a university in Alagoas

Resumo: Introdução: Os comportamentos de risco à saúde surgem regularmente nas fases iniciais da vida de uma pessoa e representam um grande catalisador para o desenvolvimento de outras doenças. Nesse sentido, diversos grupos sociais vivenciam diferentes contextos, valores, ambientes e condições de vida que condicionam o estabelecimento de certos comportamentos que podem ser prejudiciais a eles. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como finalidade avaliar o comportamento de risco de graduandos de Medicina de uma universidade de Alagoas. Método: Para tal, aplicou-se o Questionário de Comportamentos de Risco nos Estudantes Universitários (QREU) que consiste em 24 questões que avaliam seis categorias de comportamentos, a saber: uso de tabaco; consumo de álcool e outras drogas; comportamentos sexuais de risco; hábitos alimentares; inatividade física; e direção perigosa. As respostas foram categorizadas e apresentadas como frequências relativas e absolutas; processaram-se e analisaram-se os dados no software SPSS. Resultado: Dos acadêmicos de Medicina matriculados durante o período de coleta, 134 (44,66%) responderam ao questionário. Observou-se diferença estatística entre "tabagismo diário" (p = 0,01), "tranquilizantes sem consentimento médico" (p = 0,03) e "uso de preservativos" (p = 0,01) na análise univariável dos anos de curso. Já em relação ao agrupamento das variáveis sociodemográficas, observou-se diferença estatística em "uso de preservativos" (p = 0,02). Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos com relação ao comportamento de risco no grupo estudado apontam uma alerta de conscientização sobre o uso de métodos preventivos de investigação e a realização de futuros trabalhos que envolvam transformações no comportamento de risco dos jovens brasileiros.

Abstract: Introduction: Health risk behaviors often begin in the early stages of a person's life, and represent a major catalyst for the development of other diseases. In this regard, different social groups experience several contexts, values, environments and living conditions, which lead to the establishment of certain behaviors that can be harmful to themselves. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk behavior of medical students at a university in Alagoas. Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk behavior of medical students at a university in Alagoas. To this end, the Questionnaire on Risk Behavior in University Students (QREU) was applied. It consisted of twenty-four questions, which assess six categories of behavior, namely: use of tobacco; consumption of alcohol and other drugs; risky sexual behaviors; eating habits; physical inactivity; and dangerous driving. The responses were categorized, presented as relative and absolute frequencies; the data were processed and analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: Of the medical students enrolled during the data collection period, 134 (44.66%) responded to the questionnaires. There was a statistical difference between "daily smoking" (p=0.01), "tranquilizers without medical consent" (p=0.03) and "use of condoms" (p=0.01), in the univariate analysis of the years of course. Regarding the grouping of sociodemographic variables, there was a statistical difference in "condom use" (p=0.02). Conclusion: Therefore, the minor observations verified in relation to the risk behavior in the studied group, indicate a warning to raise the awareness about the use of preventive investigation methods and the execution of future works involving changes in the risk behavior of Brazilian youngsters.

Trend of the nutritional status of pregnant adolescent beneficiaries of the Brazilian Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer program in the 2008-2018 period. / Tendência do estado nutricional de gestantes adolescentes beneficiárias do programa de transferência condicionada de renda brasileiro Bolsa Família no período 2008-2018.

This ecological study aimed to analyze the trend of the nutritional status of pregnant adolescent beneficiaries of the Brazilian Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer program in the 2008-2018 period. We evaluated secondary data of pregnant adolescent beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program from January 2008 to December 2018, extracted from the public reports of the WEB Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. We accessed the monitoring reports on the consolidated public-access health conditionalities of the Bolsa Família Program, always considering the second validity. An annual variation of -1.2% (95%CI: [-1.6; -0.8] p<0.01) was observed in the prevalence of underweight in Brazil in the studied sample. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the country had annual variations of 2.9% (95%CI: [2.0; 3.7] p<0.01) and 7.5% (95%CI: [5.7; 9.3] p<0.01), respectively. We conclude by saying, that, in the evaluated period, the prevalence of underweight among pregnant adolescent beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program showed a decreasing trend, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased throughout Brazil.

Trata-se de um estudo ecológico que objetivou analisar a tendência do estado nutricional de gestantes adolescentes beneficiárias do programa brasileiro de transferência condicionada de renda, Bolsa Família, no período 2008-2018. Foram avaliados dados secundários de gestantes adolescentes beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família no período de janeiro de 2008 a dezembro de 2018, extraídos dos relatórios públicos do Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional WEB. Foram consultados os relatórios de acompanhamento das condicionalidades de saúde consolidados de acesso público do Programa Bolsa Família, sempre considerando a 2ª vigência. Observou-se uma variação anual de -1,2% (IC95%: [-1,6; -0,8] p<0,01) na prevalência de baixo peso na amostra estudada. Com relação as prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade no país, observou-se variações anuais de 2,9% (IC95%: [2,0; 3,7] p<0,01) e 7,5% (IC95%: [5,7; 9,3] p<0,01), respectivamente. Conclui-se que, no período avaliado, a prevalência de baixo peso entre as gestantes adolescentes beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família apresentou uma tendência decrescente, ao passo que as prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade apresentam uma tendência crescente em todo o Brasil.

Association between phase angle and height-to-age index classifications of children under five years of age.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The phase angle (PA) has been used as an indicator of prognosis and nutritional status because it reflects the integrity of the individuals' cellular function. In contrast to the investigations that assessed acute malnutrition (weight deficit) and PA in children, studies that evaluated the relationship of this indicator with stunting (height deficit) are still scarce and inconclusive. Thus, we aim to investigate whether there are differences in PA according to the classifications of the height-for-age (H/A) index of children under five years of age. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in a nutritional recovery center, in households, and in a daycare center in Maceió-Alagoas, Brazil. Anthropometric data were collected, and resistance and reactance were obtained through the use of tetrapolar electrical bioimpedance, from children aged 2-5 years. The PA and the percentage of body fat were calculated. Children were divided into 3 groups: adequate H/A, at-risk of stunting and stunted. Analysis of covariance for the main outcome was performed using age, sex, and the body mass index-to-age as covariates, and the H/A classification as the exposure. RESULTS: The mean children's PA in the adequate H/A group was 3.9° [95% CI 3.6-4.2], while in the group at-risk of stunting and stunted it was 4.5° [95% CI 4.3-4.7] and 4.6° [95% CI 4.4-4.8], respectively, showing statistical difference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In the present sample, stunted children have higher PA values than children with adequate H/A.

Effect of early time-restricted feeding on the metabolic profile of adults with excess weight: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Time-restricted feeding (TRF) studies have been summarized in previous systematic reviews, but these were not specific for individuals with excess weight and studies involving early time-restricted feeding (eTRF). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of eTRF on the metabolic profile of adults with excess weight. METHODS: Data were extracted from MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, OpenGrey.eu, Greylit, and by manual search. Randomized controlled trials in which the participants were older than 18 years, with a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 and that were allocated in an intervention with eTRF were included. The studies should have assessed any of the following outcomes from the metabolic profile: resting metabolic rate, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, cortisol, leptin, Ghrelin, Peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide, hemodynamic parameters, and appetite. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool. Publication bias was examined with a funnel plot and Egger's test. GRADE was used to assess the overall quality of evidence. RESULTS: Ten articles from nine randomized clinical trials, with 264 individuals, were included in qualitative analysis and eight articles with 184 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. There were significant effects on the fasting blood glucose (WMD: -2.75; 95% CI [-4.59; -0.90] mg/dL; p < 0.01; I2 = 88.7%; 7 studies) and HOMA-IR. (WMD: -0.50; 95% CI [-0.82; -0.19]; p < 0.01; I2 = 50.8%; 4 studies). The other outcomes were not significant. Three studies showed a high risk of bias. Seven outcomes were classified as very low quality and one as low quality. There was evidence of publication bias for fasting blood glucose. CONCLUSIONS: Although the eTRF regimen seems to have a beneficial effect on the fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR of individuals with excess weight, the results of this meta-analysis should be analyzed with caution due to the low-quality evidence.

Association between COVID-19 diagnosis and economic class, race/skin color and social distancing in Brazilian university students / Associação entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19 e a classe econômica, raça/cor da pele e distanciamento social em universitários brasileiros

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To determine the association between diagnosis of COVID-19 and the economic class, race/skin color, and adherence to social distancing in Brazilian university students. Methods: This is a nationwide cross-sectional study carried out with online questionnaires applied to Brazilian university students, at 94 universities in the public and private education network. Self-reported age, sex, economic class data, race/skin color, COVID-19 diagnosis, and adherence to social distancing measures were collected. Results: 5,984 individuals were evaluated. No significant association was found between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and economic class and race/skin color in the multivariable analysis. However, we observed that there were significant associations between the diagnosis of COVID-19 and partial adherence to social distancing, with leaving home only for going to work (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.10­1.66; p < 0.01) and with non-adherence to social distancing (PR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.29­2.97; p <0.01). Conclusion: The diagnosis of COVID-19 was associated with age, non-adherence and partial adherence to social distancing measures in Brazilian university students, but was not associated with race/skin color and economic class.

Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19 e a classe econômica, raça/cor da pele e adesão às medidas ao distanciamento social em universitários brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de abrangência nacional, realizado com universitários brasileiros. Foram coletados dados autorreferidos de idade, sexo, classe econômica, raça/cor, diagnóstico do COVID-19 e adesão às medidas de distanciamento social. Resultados: 5.984 indivíduos foram avaliados. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19, a classe econômica e raça/cor na análise multivariável. Observamos que houve associações significativas entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19 e adesão parcial ao distanciamento social (RP: 1,35; IC 95%: 1.10­1.66; p < 0,01) e com a não adesão ao distanciamento social (RP: 1,96; IC95%: 1.29­2.97; p < 0,01). Conclusão: O diagnóstico de COVID-19 foi associado à idade, não adesão e adesão parcial às medidas de distanciamento social em universitários brasileiros, mas não se associou à raça/cor e classe econômica. (AU)

Agreement between equations-estimated resting metabolic rate and indirect calorimetry-estimated resting metabolic rate in low-income obese women

ABSTRACT Objectives Indirect calorimetry is established as a gold standard to determine the resting metabolic rate (RMR), however, its clinical use is limited, especially in low-income settings. Thus, the use of predictive equations appear as an alternative to estimate the RMR, but its precision is debatable, especially in obese individuals and in populations without specifically developed equations. To evaluate the agreement between the RMR estimated by equations and by indirect calorimetry in low-income obese women. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study with adult and obese women, which estimated the RMR by indirect calorimetry and compared with 13 predictive equations using the concordance correlation coefficient, root mean square error (RMSE) and Bland-Altman methods. The maximum allowed differences were predefined as 10%. Results No equation presented its confidence intervals for the Bland-Altman limits of agreement inside the predefined acceptable range. The Harris-Benedict equation achieved better agreement (bias of 2.9% and RMSE of 274.3kcal) whereas the Henry-Rees equation achieved better precision (42.3% of the sample within the 10% maximum allowed difference). Conclusion None of the studied equations satisfactorily estimated the RMR estimated by indirect calorimetry. In the absence of specific equations for this population, the use of the Harris-Benedict and Henry-Rees equations could be considered.

Agreement between equations-estimated resting metabolic rate and indirect calorimetry-estimated resting metabolic rate in low-income obese women.

Objectives Indirect calorimetry is established as a gold standard to determine the resting metabolic rate (RMR), however, its clinical use is limited, especially in low-income settings. Thus, the use of predictive equations appear as an alternative to estimate the RMR, but its precision is debatable, especially in obese individuals and in populations without specifically developed equations. To evaluate the agreement between the RMR estimated by equations and by indirect calorimetry in low-income obese women. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study with adult and obese women, which estimated the RMR by indirect calorimetry and compared with 13 predictive equations using the concordance correlation coefficient, root mean square error (RMSE) and Bland-Altman methods. The maximum allowed differences were predefined as 10%. Results No equation presented its confidence intervals for the Bland-Altman limits of agreement inside the predefined acceptable range. The Harris-Benedict equation achieved better agreement (bias of 2.9% and RMSE of 274.3kcal) whereas the Henry-Rees equation achieved better precision (42.3% of the sample within the 10% maximum allowed difference). Conclusion None of the studied equations satisfactorily estimated the RMR estimated by indirect calorimetry. In the absence of specific equations for this population, the use of the Harris-Benedict and Henry-Rees equations could be considered.