Dietary practices of university students according to the Dietary Guidelines for the brazilian population: PADu study / Práticas alimentares de ingressantes na universidade segundo o Guia Alimentar para a população brasileira: estudo PADu

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate factors associated with dietary practices in students of a institution of higher education, included in the PADu study: "Anxiety and depression symptoms among university students in Minas Gerais: a longitudinal study". Methods Cross-sectional study of PADu project baseline with undergraduate first period students, who responded in person to a printed and self-administered questionnaire. Dietary practices were evaluated through a 24 items scale based on recommendations of Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Answer choices are four-point Likert scale: "strongly agree", "agree", "disagree" and "strongly disagree". The sum of the items corresponded a score ranging (0-72 points), a high score indicating greater adequacy. The explanatory variables were: sociodemographics (gender, age, knowledge area, skin color, marital status, monthly household income), behaviors (excess alcohol consumption, physical exercise, screen exposure, internet use), health conditions (self-rated health, nutritional status, symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress). Adjusted multiple linear regression model was used to estimate the coefficients and their 95% CI. Results 356 students participated in the study. The average of dietary practices was 34.9±9.3 (0-63) points. Physical exercise practice (β: 3.75; CI: 1.83; 5.67) was associated with higher scores in the eating students score. We observed factors associated with the lowest score greater exposure to screens (β: -0.44; CI: -0.67; -0.13), excessive internet use (β: -3.05; CI: -5.22; -0.88), poor health self-assessment (β: -3.63; CI: -4.97; -1.21), excessive alcohol consumption (β: -2.09; CI: -3.92;-0.26) and stress symptoms (β: -2.81; CI: -4.72; -0.77). Conclusion Most students have inadequate dietary practices associated with internet use, alcohol consumption and stress.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar os fatores associados às práticas alimentares em estudantes de uma instituição de Ensino Superior incluídos no estudo PADu: "Sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em universitários de Minas Gerais: um estudo longitudinal". Métodos Estudo transversal da linha de base do projeto PADu com alunos do primeiro período da graduação, que responderam pessoalmente a um questionário impresso e autoaplicável. As práticas alimentares desses estudantes foram avaliadas por meio de uma escala de 24 itens baseada nas recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. As opções de resposta foram coletadas em escala Likert de quatro pontos: "concordo totalmente", "concordo", "discordo" e "discordo totalmente". A soma dos itens correspondeu a uma pontuação (0-72 pontos), onde uma pontuação alta indicava maior adequação. As variáveis explicativas foram: características sociodemográficas (sexo, idade, área do conhecimento, cor da pele, estado civil, renda familiar total mensal), comportamentos (consumo excessivo de álcool, exercícios físicos, exposição a telas e uso de internet) e condições de saúde (autoavaliação saúde, estado nutricional, sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e stress). O modelo de regressão linear múltipla ajustado foi usado para estimar os coeficientes e seus IC 95%. Resultados 356 alunos participaram do estudo. A média das práticas alimentares foi de 34,9±9,3 (0-63) pontos. A prática de exercícios físicos (β: 3,75; IC: 1,83; 5,67) esteve associada a maiores escores no escore de hábitos alimentares dos escolares. Foram observados fatores associados ao menor escore maior exposição a telas (β: -0,44; IC: -0,67; -0,13), uso excessivo de internet (β: -3,05; IC: -5,22; -0,88), ruim autoavaliação de saúde (β: -3,63; IC: -4,97; -1,21), consumo excessivo de álcool (β: -2,09; IC: -3,92; -0,26) e sintomas de estresse (β: -2,81; IC: -4,72; -0,77). Conclusão A maioria dos estudantes apresenta práticas alimentares inadequadas associadas ao uso da internet, consumo de álcool e estresse.

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) Promotes Jejunal Tissue Regeneration by Enhancing Antioxidant Response in 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Mucositis.

Intestinal mucositis (IM) caused by antineoplastic chemotherapy is characterized by an important inflammatory process, which may compromise ongoing treatment. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) on the antioxidant response in BALB/c mice pretreated with Açaí pulp (200 g/kg) for 14 day. A group of animals receiving a single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (200 mg/kg) were euthanized on day three (D3) or seven (D7) after administration, the distal jejunum was isolated for the analyses of histology, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, and concentration of total sulfhydryl groups (GSH). Seven days after induction, the intake of Açaí by the IM group almost completely regenerated tissue histology. Notably, SOD activity decreased in the MUC + Açaí group (D3). CAT activity reduced on D3 and D7 in the IM groups and Açaí treatment groups, respectively. No change was observed in the total GSH concentration at the tissue level. Our results demonstrated the protective effect of Açaí pulp components on intestinal damage induced by 5-FU, as well as the ability to control the response to oxidative stress, in order to mobilize defense pathways and promote tissue repair.

A prospective study in women: açaí (Euterpe oleracea Martius) dietary intake affects serum p-selectin, leptin, and visfatin levels.

INTRODUCTION: Background: açaí is the fruit of the palm tree Euterpe oleracea Martius, which is native to the Amazon region. This fruit has been extensively studied due to its potential effects on human health. Studies have also evaluated the potential effect of açaí on the inflammatory response, but there are still few studies that have assessed this property in humans. Objective: in this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of 200 g of açaí pulp consumption per day during four weeks on a rich panel of inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: a prospective nutritional intervention study was conducted on forty apparently healthy women who consumed 200 g of açaí pulp per day for four weeks. A panel of serum inflammatory markers were evaluated before and after the nutritional intervention, namely, cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, IVAM-1, P-selectin, MCP-1, and fractalkine), interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17) and adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, and adipsin). The data were analyzed using paired Student's t-test to evaluate the effect of the intervention using PASW Statistics, version 17.0, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: four weeks of açaí pulp consumption decreased p-selectin, leptin, and visfatin concentrations in the serum of the participating women. Conclusion: these results show that consumption of açaí pulp was able to modulate important biomarkers of the inflammatory process in apparently healthy women.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el açaí es el fruto de la palmera Euterpe oleracea Martius, originaria de la región amazónica. Esta fruta ha sido ampliamente estudiada debido a sus posibles efectos sobre la salud humana. Los estudios también han evaluado el efecto potencial del açaí sobre la respuesta inflamatoria, pero todavía hay pocos estudios que hayan evaluado esta propiedad en seres humanos. Objetivo: en este estudio, nuestro objetivo ha sido evaluar los efectos del consumo de 200 g de pulpa de açaí por día durante cuatro semanas sobre un rico panel de biomarcadores inflamatorios. Métodos: se ha realizado un estudio prospectivo de intervención nutricional en el que cuarenta mujeres aparentemente sanas han consumido 200 g de pulpa de açaí al día durante cuatro semanas. Se ha evaluado un panel de marcadores inflamatorios séricos antes y después de la intervención nutricional, a saber, moléculas de adhesión celular (ICAM-1, IVAM-1, P-selectina, MCP-1 y fractalquina), interleucinas (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 e IL-17) y adipocinas (adiponectina, leptina, visfatina y adipsina). Los datos han sido analizados mediante la prueba de la t de Student pareada para evaluar el efecto de la intervención mediante el PASW Statistics, versión 17.0, y todo valor de p < 0,05 se consideró significativo. Resultados: después de cuatro semanas de consumo de pulpa de açaí disminuyeron las concentraciones de p-selectina, leptina y visfatina en el suero de las mujeres participantes. Conclusión: estos resultados muestran que el consumo de pulpa de açaí ha sido capaz de modular importantes biomarcadores del proceso inflamatorio en mujeres aparentemente sanas.

Consumption of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-supplemented diet during colitis development ameliorates gut inflammation without causing steatosis in mice.

Dietary supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been proposed for weight management and to prevent gut inflammation. However, some animal studies suggest that supplementation with CLA leads to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The aims of this study were to test the efficiency of CLA in preventing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, to analyze the effects of CLA in the liver function, and to access putative liver alterations upon CLA supplementation during colitis. So, C57BL/6 mice were supplemented for 3 weeks with either control diet (AIN-G) or 1% CLA-supplemented diet. CLA content in the diet and in the liver of mice fed CLA containing diet were accessed by gas chromatography. On the first day of the third week of dietary treatment, mice received ad libitum a 1.5%-2.5% DSS solution for 7 days. Disease activity index score was evaluated; colon and liver samples were stained by hematoxylin and eosin for histopathology analysis and lamina propria cells were extracted to access the profile of innate cell infiltrate. Metabolic alterations before and after colitis induction were accessed by an open calorimetric circuit. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and alanine aminotransaminase were measured; the content of fat in liver and feces was also accessed. CLA prevented weight loss, histopathologic and macroscopic signs of colitis, and inflammatory infiltration. Mice fed CLA-supplemented without colitis induction diet developed steatosis, which was prevented in mice with colitis probably due to the higher lipid consumption as energy during gut inflammation. This result suggests that CLA is safe for use during gut inflammation but not at steady-state conditions.

Early-life nutritional status and metabolic syndrome: gender-specific associations from a cross-sectional analysis of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

OBJECTIVE: In the present study we investigated gender-specific associations of low birth weight (LBW) and shorter relative leg length with metabolic syndrome (MetS) after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health-related behaviours. We also investigated whether these associations are independent of age at menarche and BMI at 20 years old. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SUBJECTS: Baseline data from 12 602 participants (35-74 years) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), 2008-2010. SETTING: MetS was defined according to the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. LBW (<2·5 kg) and age- and sex-standardized relative leg length (high, medium and low) were the explanatory variables studied. The strength of the associations between the explanatory variables and MetS was estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: MetS prevalence was 34·2 %; it was more prevalent in men (36·8 %) than in women (32·2 %). In multivariate analysis, LBW was associated (prevalence ratio; 95 % CI) with MetS only in women (1·28; 1·24, 1·45). Shorter leg length was associated with MetS in both men (1·21; 1·09, 1·35 and 1·46; 1·29, 1·65 for low and medium lengths, respectively) and women (1·12; 1·00, 1·25 and 1·40; 1·22, 1·59 for low and medium lengths, respectively). Additional adjustments for age at menarche and BMI at 20 years old did not change the associations. CONCLUSIONS: Poor nutritional status as estimated by LBW and lower leg length in childhood was associated with a higher prevalence of MetS, although LBW was a significant factor only among women.

Açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) pulp dietary intake improves cellular antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of serum in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of açai pulp (Euterpe oleracea Martius) intake on the prevention of oxidative damage by measuring the activity of antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers of protein oxidation in women. METHODS: A nutritional intervention study was conducted with thirty-five healthy women who were asked to consume 200 g/d of açai pulp for 4 wk. Blood samples were collected, and blood pressure and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after the experimental period. Antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, production of reactive oxygen species, and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in polymorphonuclear cells. Serum concentration of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups were also determined. RESULTS: The açai intake increased catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced the production of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, it reduced serum concentration of protein carbonyl and increased total serum sulfhydryl groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the antioxidant benefit of dietary açai for the healthy women included in the present study, and may increase understanding of the beneficial health properties of this fruit.

Effect of a protein-free diet in the development of food allergy and oral tolerance in BALB/c mice.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a protein-free diet in the induction of food allergy and oral tolerance in BALB/c mice. The experimental model used was mice that were fed, since weaning up to adulthood, a balanced diet in which all dietary proteins were replaced by amino acid diet (Aa). The absence of dietary proteins did not prevent the development of food allergy to ovalbumin (OVA) in these mice. However, Aa-fed mice produced lower levels of IgE, secretory IgA and cytokines. In addition, when compared with mice from control group, Aa-fed mice had a milder aversive reaction to the allergen measured by consumption of OVA-containing solution and weight loss during food allergy development. In addition, mice that did not have dietary proteins in their diets were less susceptible to induction of oral tolerance. One single oral administration was not enough to suppress specific serum Ig and IgG1 levels in the Aa-fed group, although it was efficient to induce suppression in the control group. The present results indicate that the stimulation by dietary proteins alters both inflammatory reactivity and regulatory immune reactivity in mice probably due to their effect in the maturation of the immune system.

Perfil antropométrico e dietético de crianças com anemia falciforme / Antrhopometric and dietary patterns of children with sickle cell disease / Perfil antropométrico y dietético de niños con anemia falciforme

A anemia falciforme (AF), uma das doenças hematológicas mais difundidas no mundo, apresenta como principal característica seus portadores possuírem uma hemoglobina anormal denominada S (HbS) em suas hemácias. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil antropométrico e dietético de pré-escolares e escolares com AF, considerando seu status socioeconômico, consumo de energia e nutrientes e o índice de desnutrição proteico- -calórico. Este estudo foi do tipo transversal e de natureza quantitativa, realizado no município de Januária (MG), no período de outubro a dezembro de 2010. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio da aplicação de questionário e avaliação antropométrica. Os resultados mostraram que pais/responsáveis tinham baixa escolaridade e as famílias viviam em situação de pobreza. A maioria das crianças era eutrófica e fazia o número de refeições diárias recomendado, mas a quantidade e qualidade dos alimentos eram inadequadas. Houve déficit expressivo no consumo de micronutrientes devido ao baixo consumo de frutas e verduras. Concluiu-se que a população estudada, predominantemente de baixo nível socioeconômico, apresentava indicadores antropométricos dentro dos limites de eutrofia, no entanto o consumo dietético era inadequado

Patients with the sickle cell disease (SCD), one of the most common blood diseases worldwide, carry an abnormal type of hemoglobin called S (HbS). This study evaluated the anthropometrical and dietary patterns of preschool and school-aged children with SCD, considering their socioeconomic status, energy and nutrient intake and the index of protein-calorie malnutrition. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study carried out in Januária (MG), Brazil from October to December 2010. Data collection was conducted through questionnaire application and anthropometric measurements. The results showed that the parents/guardians had low education and the families lived in poverty. Most children had normal weight and height and received the recommended number of meals per day, but food amount and quality were inadequate. An expressive deficit in micronutrient intake was detected likely because of low fruit and vegetable consumption. In conclusion, the population studied, most of low socioeconomic status, exhibited anthropometrical indicators within normal weight and height range, but their dietary habits were inadequate.

La Anemia falciforme (AF), una de las enfermedades hematológicas más difundidas en el mundo, sus portadores presentan, como principal característica, una hemoglobina anormal denominada S(HbS) en sus hematíes. Estudio de enfoque transversal y de naturaleza cuantitativa, realizado en el municipio de Januária (MG), en el período octubre-diciembre de 2010. La recolecta de datos fue realizada a través de un cuestionario y evaluación antropométrica. Los resultados mostraron que los padres/responsables tenían baja escolaridad y las familias vivían en situación de pobreza. La mayoría de los niños era eutrófica y la alimentación diaria, en número, estaba dentro de lo recomendado, pero la cantidad y la calidad de la misma era inadecuada. Hubo un déficit expresivo en el consumo de micronutrientes debido al bajo consumo de frutas y verduras. Se concluye que la población estudiada, predominantemente de bajo nivel socioeconómico, presentaba indicadores antropométricos dentro de los límites de eutrofia, sin embargo, el consumo dietético era inadecuado.