Improving the Nutritional Status of Socially Vulnerable Children in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon, through a Food Supplementation Programme.

Information on the effects of government nutrition programmes provided to socially vulnerable children to improve their nutritional status is scarce. We analysed the effectiveness of a nutritional programme, including food supplementation with infant formula, on the evolution of the weight and height of socially vulnerable children from Manaus in the Brazilian Amazon. This study included 7752 children aged 12-24 months admitted to the programme between 2017 and 2020. Weight and height measurements at admission and every three months thereafter were extracted from the programme database. Weight-for-age, weight-for-height, body mass index-for-age (BMI/A), and height-for-age z-scores were analysed using a multilevel linear regression model, which showed a statistically significant decrease in nutritional deficits toward nutritional recovery at follow-up. The programme's effectiveness was evaluated in 1617 children using a paired analysis comparing data from between 12 and 15 months of age at admission and follow-up after 6-9 months. Children admitted with wasting presented an increase in the BMI/A z-score, whereas children admitted with a risk of being overweight and obese had a statistically significant decrease in the BMI/A z-score. Children admitted with stunted growth also showed increased height-for-age z-scores. The nutrition programme was effective for children experiencing wasting and reducing excess weight.

The Effect of Infant Formulas With 4 or 8 g/L GOS/FOS on Growth, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Behavioral Patterns: A Prospective Cohort Study.

There is a lack of studies investigating the clinical benefits of prebiotic-supplemented infant formula. In this study, healthy infants that started, on medical recommendation, artificial feeding with one of 2 infant formulas containing 4 g/L of GOS/FOS (9:1) (IF4 group; n = 60) or 8 g/L of GOS/FOS (9:1) (IF8 group; n = 60) were followed for 30 days to the evaluation of growth and gastrointestinal symptoms. Exclusively breastfed infants (EBF; n = 60) were followed up as a reference. Both infant formulas supported adequate weight gain, however, IF4 formula promotes growth more similar to breastfed infants. There was no additional benefit of a dose higher than 4 g/L of GOS/FOS on gastrointestinal symptoms.

Labels layout of cats and dogs food sold in Brazil and their national regulation adequacy / Layouts de rotulagem de alimentos completos para cães e gatos comercializados no Brasil e adequação quanto à legislação nacional

Due to the increasing of the pet foods marketing and the need to establish standards for quality and registration purposes, a study was conducted to evaluate the information on the package labels of 64 dogs and cats complete dry foods commercialized in Brazil and compare them to current regulation of the sector. From the total labels analyzed, all of them (100%) presented unconformity for at least one of the items evaluated. The highest rate of non-conformity was observed in the presentation of illustrations and phrases that induced the use of the product based on the false concept of advantage or animal health security (47%), leading to the misunderstanding of the owners. The results demonstrate a deficiency of the manufacturing companies regarding the labeling adequacy to the pet food regulation, as well as indicate a lack of rigorous enforcement by the agencies.

Considerando a diversidade de tipos, composição e informações atrativas presentes nas embalagens de alimentos para cães e gatos existentes no mercado, foi realizado um estudo para avaliar as informações contidas na rotulagem de 64 alimentos completos secos para esses animais comercializados em diferentes regiões do Brasil e sua conformação com as informações obrigatórias exigidas pela legislação brasileira. Do total de 64 rótulos analisados??, 100% tiveram discordância para pelo menos um dos itens avaliados. A maior frequência de não conformidades observada foi a apresentação de ilustrações e frases inadequadas que dão ideia de vantagem ou segurança (47%), induzindo ao entendimento equivocado dos proprietários. Os resultados demonstraram deficiência das empresas fabricantes quanto ao cumprimento e em ações para adequação da rotulagem de seus produtos às normas vigentes, além de falta de fiscalização rigorosa por parte das agências.