Association between the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Asthma in Adults from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-processed Food (UPF) consumption can play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the consumption of UPF and asthma. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1857 adults aged 23-25 years from the Ribeirão Preto-SP birth cohort (1978/1979). The exposure variable was the consumption of UPF (expressed as their percentage contribution to energy intake-% total caloric value [%TCV] and their percentage contribution to the amount of food ingested-%grams), which was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Asthma was the outcome and was defined based on a positive methacholine challenge test and the presence of wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath over the last 12 months. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to estimate the association between these variables. Unadjusted analyses and analyses adjusted for sex, age, household income, smoking, and physical activity level were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of asthma in the sample was 13.2%. The mean total consumption of UPF was 37.9 ± 11.2% TCV (corresponding to 35.1 ± 15.1% grams). There was no association between the consumption of UPF and asthma in adults. CONCLUSION: This study provides no evidence for an association between the consumption of UPF and asthma in young adults.

Impactos da pandemia do novo coronavírus no direito humano à alimentação e à nutrição adequadas e programas de segurança alimentar e nutricional: quais os desafios e o que propor? / Impacts of the new coronavirus pandemic on human rights to adequate food and nutrition and food and nutritional security programs: what are the challenges and solutions?

Resumo Introdução A pandemia do novo coronavírus intensificou a violação do direito humano à alimentação e nutrição adequadas e elevou a insegurança alimentar e nutricional na população brasileira. Objetivo Analisar as estratégias das políticas e programas de segurança alimentar e nutricional adotadas pelo governo brasileiro durante a pandemia (ano de 2020) para promoção da segurança alimentar e nutricional e combate à insegurança alimentar e nutricional no país. Método Realizou-se busca nos sites oficiais para análise das ações propostas. Resultados Apesar de algumas proposições pontuais, como a distribuição do auxílio emergencial, estratégias mais enérgicas, como o fortalecimento do Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos, encorajamento de pequenos agricultores, facilitação do transporte e da comercialização de alimentos e a garantia da continuidade de programas assistenciais que facilitem acesso à renda e à alimentação durante a pandemia, precisam ser urgentemente adotadas. Conclusão Essas estratégias requerem atuação das três esferas de governo em prol do combate dos impactos da pandemia do novo coronavírus nos índices de insegurança alimentar e nutricional no Brasil.

Abstract Background The new coronavirus pandemic increased the violation of human rights to adequate food and nutrition and increased food and nutritional insecurity in the Brazilian population. Objective to analyze the policies and programs adopted by the Brazilian Government to promote food and nutritional security during the pandemic (year 2020). Method Official websites were searched to identify proposed initiatives. Results Despite some specific measures, such as emergency financial aid, more effective strategies to strengthen the Food Acquisition Program, encourage small farmers, facilitate food transportation and sale and to guarantee that assistance programs that facilitate income and food access are continued throughout the whole pandemic, need to be urgently considered. Conclusion Initiatives from the three spheres of government are required to combat the impacts of the new coronavirus pandemic on indices of food and nutritional insecurity in Brazil.

Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with increase in fat mass and decrease in lean mass in Brazilian women: A cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the association between ultra-processed food consumption at 23-25 years of age and measurements of body composition-fat mass, fat mass distribution and lean mass at 37-39 years of age in Brazilian adults. Methods: 1978/1979 birth cohort study conducted with healthy adults from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 1,021 individuals participated in the fat mass analysis (measured by air displacement plethysmography) and 815 in the lean mass analysis and fat mass distribution (assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). Food consumption was evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire. Food items were grouped according to the level of processing as per the NOVA classification. Ultra-processed food consumption was expressed as a percentage of total daily intake (g/day). Linear regression models were used to estimate the effect of ultra-processed food consumption (g/day) on body mass index, body fat percentage, fat mass index, android fat, gynoid fat, android-gynoid fat ratio, lean mass percentage, lean mass index and appendicular lean mass index. Marginal plots were produced to visualize interactions. Results: The mean daily ultra-processed food consumption in grams was 35.8% (813.3 g). There was an association between ultra-processed food consumption and increase in body mass index, body fat percentage, fat mass index, android fat and gynoid fat and decrease in lean mass percentage, only in women. Conclusion: A high ultra-processed food consumption is associated with a long-term increase in fat mass and a decrease in lean mass in adult women.

Sex-Dependent Effects of the Intake of NOVA Classified Ultra-Processed Foods on Syndrome Metabolic Components in Brazilian Adults.

Longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between UPF consumption and the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and its components are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of UPF consumption on the incidence of MetS and its components in adults. A prospective study was conducted with 896 participants from the 1978/79 Ribeirão Preto cohort, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was evaluated in %kcal and %g at ages 23-25 years. Incidence of MetS and its components were estimated at ages 37-39 years, according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Poisson regression was used to assess associations, and interactions with sex were investigated. UPF consumption had no association with MetS (%kcal Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99-1.01; %g Adjusted PR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.99-1.01). However, women with higher UPF consumption, in %kcal and %g, had a higher risk of abdominal obesity (%kcal: p = 0.030; %g: p = 0.003); and women with higher UPF consumption, in %g, had a higher risk of low HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.041). For the other components of MetS, no significant associations were observed in either sex. These findings suggest evidence of no association between UPF consumption and MetS; however, consumption of UPF was associated with increased WC and low HDL-c, but only in women.

Agreement of adolescents' self-perception of their body image with the analysis on the three-dimensional body image / Concordância da autopercepção da imagem corporal com a análise de imagem corporal tridimensional de adolescentes

Abstract Objectives: to verify the agreement among adolescents' perception of their own body image and the health professionals' analysis based on three-dimensional body image and the inter-rater agreement. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out with 1,662 adolescents, aged 18 to 19 years old, from the 1997/98 birth cohort in São Luís, Maranhão. Self-perception of body image was assessed using the Stunkard's body image scale. Three nutritionists evaluated the three-dimensional body image obtained by the Photonic Scanner (3D Body Scanner) and classified according to the Stunkard's scale. The agreement between raters was verified by using weighted Kappa. Results: the analysis of agreement between raters in the general group and when stratified by sexwas considered moderate to good by Kappa. Regarding the intraclass correlation (ICC), good and excellent correlation values were observed both in the general group, males and females. There was a greater perception of overweight by all raters, when compared with the adolescents' self-assessments. When stratified by sex, examiner 1 had the same perception as male self-assessments, as for females the perception of overweight was more frequent, as well as raters 2 and 3, for both sexes. Conclusion: agreement between raters and self-assessments was considered weak/moderate in Kappa and good/excellent in ICC.

Resumo Objetivos: verificar a concordância da autopercepção da imagem corporal de adolescentes com a análise de profissionais da saúde a partir de imagem corporal tridimensional e a concordância inter-avaliadores. Métodos: estudo transversal, com 1662 adolescentes, de 18-19 anos, da coorte de nascimento de 1997/98 de São Luís, Maranhão. A autopercepção da imagem corporal foi avaliada pela escala de imagem corporal de Stunkard. Três nutricionistas avaliaram a imagem corporal tridimensional e classificaram conforme Stunkard. A concordância foi verificada utilizando Kappa ponderado. Resultados: a análise de concordância entre os avaliadores no grupo geral e quando estratificada por sexo foi considerada moderada a boa pelo Kappa. Em relação a correlação intraclasse (ICC), observou-se valores de correlação bons e excelentes tanto no grupo geral, quanto no sexo masculino e no feminino. Notou-se maior percepção de excesso de peso por todos os avaliadores, quando comparado às autoavaliações dos adolescentes. Quando estratificado por sexo, o avaliador 1 teve a mesma percepção que as autoavaliações do sexo masculino, enquanto para o sexo feminino a percepção de excesso de peso foi mais frequente, assim como os avaliadores 2 e 3, para ambos os sexos. Conclusão: a concordância entre avaliadores e as autoavaliações foram consideradas fracas/moderadas no Kappa e bons/excelente pela ICC.

Qualidade e Segurança Alimentar em unidades de alimentação e nutrição escolares da rede municipal de educação de São Luís, Maranhão / Quality and Food Safety in school feeding and nutrition units from public schools from São Luís, State of Maranhão

Introdução: A alimentação escolar e a água ofertadas aos escolares devem ser inócuas do ponto de vista higiênico-sanitário. Objetivo: Avaliar as condições higiênico-sanitárias das Unidades de Alimentação e Nutrição Escolares (UANE) da rede municipal de educação de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil e analisar a qualidade microbiológica da alimentação servida e da água dos bebedouros das escolas. Método: Avaliou-se as condições higiênico-sanitárias de 40 escolas, utilizando-se a Lista de Verificação de Boas Práticas na Alimentação Escolar (LVBPAE) proposta e validada por Stedefeldt et al.13. Realizou-se a quantificação de coliformes a 35°C e a 45°C, enumeração de Escherichia coli, enumeração de Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positiva e a pesquisa de Salmonella spp. de 57 amostras da alimentação escolar. Foram analisadas, ainda, 64 amostras de água dos bebedouros. Resultados: Todas as UANE apresentaram risco sanitário regular. A média de conformidades em Boas Práticas (BP) foi de 69,7% (± 3,83). Nenhum alimento foi considerado impróprio para o consumo. Verificou-se alto índice de contaminação da água dos bebedouros, com 48,4% das amostras positivas para coliformes totais e 12,5% para Escherichia coli. Conclusões: Devem ser tomadas medidas corretivas para os itens de BP considerados críticos e que garantam a qualidade microbiológica da água servida aos escolares.

Introduction: School feeding and water offered to schoolchildren should be safe from the hygienic-sanitary point of view. Objective: To evaluate the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the School Food and Nutrition Units (UANE) of the municipal education network of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, and to analyze the microbiological quality of the food served and the drinking water of the schools. Method: The hygienic-sanitary conditions of 40 schools were evaluated using the Checklist of Good Practices in School Feeding (LVBPAE), proposed and validated by Stedefeltd et al.13. Quantification of coliforms at 35°C and 45°C, enumeration of Escherichia coli, enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive, and Salmonella spp. of 57 school feeding samples. Also, 64 water samples from the drinking fountains were analyzed. Results: All UANE presented a regular health risk. The average compliance in Good Practices (BP) was 69.7% (± 3.83). No food was considered unfit for consumption. There was a high water contamination rate in drinking fountains, with 48.4% of samples positive for total coliforms and 12.5% for Escherichia coli. Conclusions: Corrective measures should be taken for BP items considered critical and that guarantee the microbiological quality of the water served to schoolchildren.