Use of table sugar and non-caloric sweeteners in Brazil: associated factors and changes across a decade.

This study evaluated changes in the use of sweeteners over one decade and the relationship between socio-demographics, diet and weight status with the type of sweetener. Data came from the Brazilian National Dietary Surveys of 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, including ≥ 10-year-old individuals (n 32 749; n 44 744, respectively, after excluding pregnant and lactating women). The use of table sugar, non-caloric sweeteners (NCS), both or none was reported through a specific question. Food consumption was assessed using two non-consecutive food records (2008-2009) and 24-h recalls (2017-2018). For the last survey, means of energy, macro and micronutrient intake, food groups' contribution (%) to daily energy intake and age- and energy-adjusted nutrient intake were estimated according to the type of sweetener used. Differences in means and proportions across the categories of sweeteners used were evaluated based on the 95 % CI. All analyses were stratified by sex and considered sample design and weights. Over 10 years, the use of table sugar decreased by 8 %, while the habit of not using any sweetener increased almost three times, and the use of NCS remained stable. Larger reductions in the use of table sugar were observed in the highest income level and among men. Regardless of sex, compared with NCS users, table sugar users had greater mean intake of energy, carbohydrates and added sugar and lower micronutrient intake means. Although table sugar is still the most used sweetener, the increased choice of 'no sweetener' is noteworthy in Brazil.

Cardiometabolic risk assessment: A school-based study in Brazilian adolescent.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, new indices combining routine and low-cost anthropometric and biochemical measurements have emerged. Among them, the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are being investigated for the prediction of altered blood pressure (BP) and insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether visceral adiposity index (VAI) and height-corrected lipid accumulation product (HLAP) are predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were obtained from the Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) study, a cross-sectional, national, multicenter, school-based survey conducted between 2013 and 2014 in Brazil. The sample consisted of 37,815 adolescents aged 12-17 years of both genders attending the last 3 years of elementary or secondary school from public and private schools located in 273 municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. A Poisson regression was performed to verify associations between VAI and HLAP indices and the presence of altered BP and IR according to sex. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied to compare the predictive ability and determine the cut-off points of the VAI and HLAP indices in identifying cardiometabolic risk obtained by altered BP and IR. The prevalences of altered BP and IR were 24.49 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 23.14-25.87) and 24.22 % (95 % CI: 22.70-25.80), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The VAI and HLAP indices are good predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. HLAP showed better performance in identifying insulin resistance in males.

Selenium intake is not associated with the metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adolescents: an analysis of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents.

Se reduces cellular inflammation and lipid peroxides; therefore, its association with CVD and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been studied. We aimed to investigate the association between Se intake and the MetS and its parameters (high waist circumference, hyperglycaemia, high blood pressure, high TAG and low HDL-cholesterol) in Brazilian adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. This research is part of the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a Brazilian nationwide school-based study with regional and national relevance. We assessed: (1) socio-demographic data (sex, age, type of school and maternal education) using a self-administered questionnaire; (2) dietary intake using a 24-h recall applied for the whole sample and a second one applied to a subsample to allow within-person variability adjustment; (3) anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference) and blood pressure using standardised procedures; and (4) biochemical analyses (fasting glucose, TAG and HDL-cholesterol). Logistic regression was applied, basing the analysis on a theoretical model. Median Se intake was 98·3 µg/d. Hypertension and hyperglycaemia were more prevalent among boys, while a high waist circumference was more frequent in girls, and low HDL-cholesterol levels were higher among private school students. The prevalence of the MetS was 2·6 %. No association between the MetS and its parameters and Se intake was found. This lack of association could be due to an adequate Se intake in the studied population.

Skipping breakfast is associated with the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents - ERICA.

Breakfast is considered as the most important meal of the day. The habit of skipping this meal in adolescence tends to remain until adulthood and has been associated with cardiometabolic risk factors. The present study estimated the prevalence of skipping breakfast and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors. This is a cross-sectional study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), with a nationally representative sample of 36 956 Brazilian adolescents, aged 12-17 years, enrolled in public and private schools. The outcomes were excess body weight (BMI), central obesity (waist circumference and waist:height ratio), lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and TAG) and glycidic profile (fasting glycaemia, fasting insulin and glycated Hb). The association between skipping breakfast and each outcome was estimated using multiple Poisson regression models (prevalence ratio (PR) and 95 % CI). Prevalence of skipping breakfast was 68·7 % and, after adjustments, it was associated with excess body weight (PR = 1·30; 95 % CI 1·18, 1·43), central obesity both by waist circumference (PR = 1·27; 95 % CI 1·00, 1·61) and by waist:height ratio (PR = 1·32; 95 % CI 1·13, 1·54) and high fasting glucose levels (PR = 1·54; 95 % CI 1·09, 2·18), fasting insulin (PR = 1·64; 95 % CI 1·21, 2·22), glycated Hb (PR = 1·16; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·31) and total cholesterol (PR = 1·14; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·27). Skipping breakfast was associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescence. In this context, the school environment is an ideal space to promote healthy eating habits, favouring the implementation of food and nutrition education activities to make adolescents aware of the importance of consuming breakfast daily.

Early consumption of ultra-processed foods among children under 2 years old in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complementary food consumption according to the extent and purpose of food processing based on NOVA classification among children aged 6-24 months of Federal District, Brazil. DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study using a 24-h recall to estimate the daily energy intake and nutrients according to NOVA classification. We conducted a linear regression to assess the association between the processed and ultra-processed foods (UPF) energy intake and the daily energy intake from saturated fat, daily energy intake from total sugars and daily intake of sodium. SETTING: Federal District, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred and thirty-eight children aged between 6 and 24 months attended at Primary Health Care Units from March 2017 to March 2018. RESULTS: On average, children aged from 6 to 12 and from 12 to 24 months consumed 2393 and 4054 kJ/d, respectively, and processed and UPF represented one-third of dietary energy intake. Group 2 (processed and UPF) was higher carbohydrate contributors, and lower protein, fibre and most micronutrient contributors, when compared with Group 1 (unprocessed, minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients). In addition, the higher the energy intake from processed and UPF, the higher was the daily energy intake from saturated fat, daily energy intake from total sugar and daily intake of sodium. CONCLUSION: Children are being exposed early to processed and UPF and their share affect the diet's nutritional quality.

Difference in adult food group intake by sex and age groups comparing Brazil and United States nationwide surveys.

BACKGROUND: International comparisons of dietary intake are an important source of information to better understand food habits and their relationship to nutrition related diseases. The objective of this study is to compare food intake of Brazilian adults with American adults identifying possible dietary factors associated with the increase in obesity in Brazil. METHODS: This research used cross-national analyses between the United States and Brazil, including 5,420 adults in the 2007-2008 What We Eat In America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and 26,390 adults in the 2008-2009 Brazilian Household Budget Survey, Individual Food Intake. Dietary data were collected through 24 h recalls in the U.S. and through food records in Brazil. Foods and beverages were combined into 25 food categories. Food intake means and percentage of energy contribution by food categories to the population's total energy intake were compared between the countries. RESULTS: Higher frequencies of intake were reported in the United States compared to Brazil for the majority of food categories except for meat, rice and rice dishes; beans and legumes; spreads; and coffee and tea. In either country, young adults (20-39 yrs) had greater reports of meat, poultry and fish mixed dishes; pizza and pasta; and soft drinks compared to older adults (60 + yrs). Meat, poultry and fish mixed dishes (13%), breads (11%), sweets and confections (8%), pizza and pasta (7%), and dairy products (6%) were the top five food category sources of energy intake among American adults. The top five food categories in Brazil were rice and rice dishes (13%), meat (11%), beans and legumes (10%), breads (10%), and coffee and tea (6%). Thus, traditional plant-based foods such as rice and beans were important contributors in the Brazilian diet. CONCLUSION: Although young adults had higher reports of high-calorie and nutrient-poor foods than older adults in both countries, Brazilian young adults did not consume a diet similar to Americans, indicating that it is still possible to reverse the current trends of incorporating Western dietary habits in Brazil.

Dietary patterns and biochemical markers related to diabetes mellitus: an association analysis based on data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary patterns and biochemical markers related to diabetes mellitus (DM): glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index from 35 454 Brazilian adolescents 12 to 17 y of age. METHODS: Dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis by the principal components method. The data originated from the school-based study ERICA (Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents) carried out between 2013 and 2014. Linear regression models analyzed the associations. RESULTS: Three dietary patterns were found: traditional Brazilian, bread and coffee, and Western. An inverse association was found in young girls between the traditional Brazilian pattern and fasting glucose (ß = -0.76; P = 0.005) and HbA1c in the second and third tertiles (ß = -0.04; P = 0.002; ß = -0 .06; P < 0.001), and the Western pattern with HbA1c (ß = -0.02; P = 0.035). In boys, a positive association was found between the second tertile of the dietary pattern and insulin (ß = 0.48; P = 0.009) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (ß = 0.11; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the traditional Brazilian pattern was inversely associated with blood glucose and HbA1c values in girls. Furthermore, the data suggest that there is an important difference between boys and girls in the association of dietary patterns and the markers used.

Dietary sodium intake remains high in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian National Dietary Surveys, 2008-2009 and 2017-2018.

Reducing salt intake is considered one of the most cost-effective interventions to decrease morbidity and mortality resulting from noncommunicable diseases. This study aimed to describe changes in sodium intake in the Brazilian population using data from the National Dietary Surveys (NDS) conducted in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. We hypothesized that over the 10-year period evaluated, sodium intake has remained high in Brazil. Nationwide representative samples of 34,003 and 46,164 individuals (aged ≥10 years) from NDS 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, respectively, were evaluated. Food consumption data were obtained from 2 nonconsecutive food records (NDS 2008-2009) and two 24-hour food recalls (NDS 2017-2018). Trends, percentiles of distribution, and proportions of the population exceeding the age-specific tolerable upper intake level for sodium were estimated. Dietary sodium intake was also estimated as a function of energy intake (mg/1000 kcal). Overall, mean crude daily sodium intake was slightly lower in 2017-2018 than in 2008-2009 (2489 mg/d vs. 2529 mg/d). The decrease in sodium intake (mg/day) was statistically significant (P < .05) only among female adolescents and subjects in the highest income level. Additionally, an overall statistically significant increase in dietary sodium density was observed independent of age, sex, and income level for energy-adjusted data (P < .05). Our findings indicate that sodium intake has not significantly changed over time in the Brazilian population; thus, policies aimed at reducing sodium intake in Brazil are necessary.

Hexane extract from Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-hil. leaves: chemical composition and its bioactive potential against Candida pathogenic species, Leishmania amazonensis and Xylella fastidiosa.

Spiranthera odoratissima A. St.-Hil. (Rutaceae) has been popularly used against abdominal pain and rheumatism. This study aimed at extracting hexane from S. odoratissima (HE-SO) leaves to identify and quantify its volatile compounds by GC-MS and GC-FID and to evaluate its antifungal, antileishmanial and antibacterial activities in vitro. HE-SO exhibited antileishmanial activity against promastigote forms of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (IC50 = 38.16 µg/mL) and was moderately active against Xylella fastidiosa (MIC = 100 µg/mL). HE-SO also showed remarkable antifungal potential against six strains of Candida species, i. e., C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and C. orthopsilosis. The lowest MIC values were between 31.25 and 250 µg/mL. Spathulenol (20.2%), τ-cadinol (11.7%), α-cadinol (9.4%), caryophyllene oxide (9.2%) and isoaromadendrene epoxide (8.2%) were the major components identified in HE-SO. Therefore, results showed that HE-SO has promising antileishmanial and antifungal actions.

[Eating away from home and biomarkers for chronic noncommunicable diseases in Brazilian adolescents]. / Alimentação fora de casa e biomarcadores de doenças crônicas em adolescentes brasileiros.

The study aimed to assess the relationship between food consumption away from home and alterations in biomarkers for chronic noncommunicable diseases in Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents (ERICA), conducted in 36,956 adolescents in 2013/2014. The relationship between food consumption away from home and each target outcome (hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, high glycated hemoglobin, and hyperinsulinemia) was tested with logistic regression models adjusted for age, school system (public versus private), physical activity, and screen time. Data on food consumption were obtained with a 24-hour diet recall (24HR), analyzing consumption of energy, added sugar, sodium, potassium, fiber, fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, sandwiches, cakes, dessert, chocolates, and sodas. The results showed that 53.2% of adolescents consumed foods away from home. Eating away from home showed an inverse relationship with hyperinsulinemia (OR = 0.65; 95%CI: 0.46-0.92) and hyperglycemia (OR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.30-0.71) in boys and hypertension (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.55-0.92) and hyperglycemia (OR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.34-0.96) in girls. However, the consumption of calories, added sugar, sandwiches, desserts, and sodas was higher in adolescents that consumed foods away from home. The protective role of eating away from home, as measured by biochemical indicators in adolescents, may be a function of higher consumption of school meals, which was more frequent among adolescents that consumed food away from home, thus highlighting the importance of encouraging consumption of school meals.

Objetivou-se avaliar a relação entre o consumo de alimentos fora de casa e alterações em biomarcadores de doenças crônicas em adolescentes brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo transversal em que foram utilizados os dados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA), conduzido com 36.956 adolescentes, em 2013/2014. A relação entre consumir alimentos fora de casa e cada desfecho de interesse (hipertrigliceridemia, hipercolesterolemia, hiperglicemia, elevada hemoglobina glicada e hiperinsulinemia) foi testada por modelos de regressão logística ajustados por idade, rede de ensino da escola, atividade física e tempo de uso de telas. Dados de consumo alimentar foram obtidos pela aplicação do recordatório referente às 24h anteriores (R24h), analisando o consumo de energia, açúcar de adição, sódio, potássio, fibras, frutas, verduras, arroz, feijão, sanduíches, bolos, sobremesas, chocolates e refrigerantes. Foi encontrado que 53,2% dos adolescentes consumiam alimentos fora de casa. A alimentação fora de casa apresentou relação inversa com hiperinsulinemia (OR = 0,65; IC95%: 0,46-0,92) e hiperglicemia (OR = 0,46; IC95%: 0,30-0,71), entre meninos, e hipertensão (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,55-0,92) e hiperglicemia (OR = 0,57; IC95%: 0,34-0,96), entre meninas. Entretanto, o consumo de calorias, açúcar de adição, sanduíches, sobremesas e refrigerantes foi maior nos adolescentes que consumiam alimentos fora de casa. O papel protetor da alimentação fora de casa em indicadores bioquímicos nos adolescentes pode ser em função de um maior consumo da alimentação escolar, mais frequente entre os adolescentes que consumiam alimentos fora de casa, destacando a importância do estímulo ao consumo da alimentação escolar.

El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar la relación entre el consumo de alimentos fuera de casa y las alteraciones en biomarcadores de enfermedades crónicas en adolescentes brasileños. Se trata de un estudio transversal, en el que se utilizaron los datos del Estudio de Riesgos Cardiovasculares en Adolescentes (ERICA), realizado con 36.956 adolescentes, en 2013/2014. La relación entre consumir alimentos fuera de casa y cada resultado de interés (hipertrigliceridemia, hipercolesterolemia, hiperglucemia, elevada hemoglobina glicada e hiperinsulinemia) se probó mediante modelos de regresión logística ajustados por edad, red de enseñanza de la escuela, actividad física y tiempo de uso de pantallas. Se obtuvieron datos del consumo alimentario mediante la aplicación del recordatorio referente a las 24h anteriores (R24h), analizando el consumo de energía, azúcar añadido, sodio, potasio, fibras, frutas, verduras, arroz, frijoles, sándwiches, bizcochos, postres, chocolates y refrescos. Se encontró que un 53,2% de los adolescentes consumían alimentos fuera de casa. La alimentación fuera de casa presentó una relación inversa con la hiperinsulinemia (OR = 0,65; IC95%: 0,46-0,92) e hiperglicemia (OR = 0,46; IC95%: 0,30-0,71) entre chicos, e hipertensión (OR = 0,71; IC95%: 0,55-0,92) e hiperglicemia (OR = 0,57; IC95%: 0,34-0,96) entre chicas. Sin embargo, el consumo de calorías, azúcar añadido, sándwiches, postres y refrescos fue mayor en los adolescentes que consumían alimentos fuera de casa. El papel protector de la alimentación fuera de casa en indicadores bioquímicos en los adolescentes puede ser en función de un mayor consumo de merienda escolar, más frecuente entre los adolescentes que consumían alimentos fuera de casa, destacando la importancia del estímulo al consumo de la merienda escolar.

Most consumed foods in Brazil: evolution between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of food consumption by the Brazilian population in 2008-2009 to 2017-2018. METHODS: Data from the National Dietary Surveys of 2008-2009 and 2017-2018 were used. Both surveys estimated food consumption of two non-consecutive days of individuals aged 10 years or older. The first survey collected consumption data from 34,003 individuals through food records; the second, obtained data from 46,164 individuals, through 24-hour recalls. The twenty most frequently reported food groups in the two surveys were identified. The probability of consumption of each food group in the two surveys was estimated according to sex, age and income. This study presents the foods that had a change in the frequency of consumption of 5% or higher between the two surveys. The probability of consumption was corrected for intra-individual variability using the method developed by the National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: Rice, beans, coffee, bread, vegetables and beef remained the staple Brazilian diet, ranking as the six most consumed items in both surveys. Ultra-processed foods such as sweet/stuffed cookies, savory cookies, processed meats and carbonated drinks also remained among the 20 most consumed foods. Trend analyses showed, regardless of gender, age and income range, a decrease in the consumption of rice, beans, beef, bread, fruit, milk and dairy, processed meats and carbonated drinks, and an increase in the consumption of sandwiches. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian diet is still characterized by consumption of traditional foods, such as rice and beans, and by high frequency of consumption of ultra-processed foods, such as cookies and carbonated drinks. However, between the years of 2008-2009 and 20172018, there was a decrease in the consumption of rice, beans, beef, bread, fruit, milk and dairy, processed meats and carbonated drinks, but an increase in the consumption of sandwiches. The results show a decrease in quality in the Brazilian diet.

Limitations in the comparison of the Brazilian National Dietary Surveys of 2008-2009 and 2017-2018.

OBJETIVE: To present particular characteristics of two Brazilian National Dietary Surveys (Inquéritos Nacionais de Alimentação - INA) and the methodology used to better compare their data. METHODS: This study details the differences between both INA conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. We present the alterations in data collecting methods and food composition tables as well as the analysis strategies recommended to obtain such data. A validation study with 95 participants of the third wave of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health assessed the measurement error associated with the procedures adopted in the 24-hours dietary recall of INA 2017-2018. The reference standards were urinary protein recovery, sodium, and potassium biomarkers. Different strategies were used in the analysis of INA to compare two essential dietary items that had their collection method changed: fats and sugars. RESULTS: The validation study indicated lower underreport in the most recent survey with higher means of energy intake. The correlation of means for the 24-hours recalls with their respective biomarkers was 0.58 for proteins, 0.31 for potassium, and 0.30 for sodium. Comparing the food composition tables used in both surveys with the data obtained by INA 2008-2009, the mean variation of energy, macronutrients, and minerals was lower than 15%, except for trans fats and selenium, which had means 40% and 52% lower in the Tabela Brasileira de Composição de Alimentos (TBCA - Brazilian Food Composition Table). INA 2017-2018 presents lower means for added sugar, using a generic question about the frequency of sugar consumption as a measure for sugar as an additional item. CONCLUSION: The methodological changes promoted in the most recent INA enhanced food groups and nutrients intake estimation, adding detailed and specific data in dietary habits reports.

[A dietary approach to control hypertension: reflections on adherence to and possible impacts on public health]. / Abordagem dietética para controle da hipertensão: reflexões sobre adesão e possíveis impactos para a saúde coletiva.

The DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) diet is considered a healthy eating standard and has been recommended for the control of arterial hypertension. The scope of this article was to review the scientific literature regarding the DASH diet and to verify the adherence to this food standard by the Brazilian population. An integrative review of the literature in the Medline/PubMed, SciELO and LILACS databases was conducted in English and Portuguese. The literature on the DASH diet is extensive. However, only four studies showing adherence to the DASH diet by the Brazilian population were found. Findings from this review show that the DASH diet represents a potentially accessible and applicable intervention, which could improve the health of the population. The studies differed in the methods of evaluation. The low adherence to the diet in the Brazilian population reveals the need for nutritional actions to deal with hypertension. Innovative strategies are called for to determine how best to minimize the barriers to dissemination and greater adherence to this healthy food standard. Food plans and flexible, non-restrictive, compatible guidelines with clear objectives directed towards gradual changes with frequent monitoring by a multiprofessional health team, are suggested.

A dieta DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) é considerada um padrão alimentar saudável, sendo preconizada para o controle da hipertensão arterial. O objetivo do artigo foi revisar a literatura sobre a dieta DASH e verificar sua adesão pela população brasileira. Realizou-se revisão integrativa nas bases Medline/PubMed, SciELO e LILACS, nos idiomas inglês e português. A literatura sobre dieta DASH é extensa, entretanto quatro estudos mostrando a adesão pela população brasileira foram encontrados. A dieta DASH representa uma intervenção potencialmente acessível e aplicável que poderia melhorar a saúde da população. Os estudos diferiram entre si nos métodos de avaliação utilizados e a baixa adesão evidencia a necessidade de implementação de ações no âmbito da atenção nutricional ao hipertenso. Estratégias inovadoras serão necessárias para determinar a melhor forma de minimizar as barreiras para disseminação e adesão a esse padrão alimentar saudável. Sugere-se planos alimentares e orientações flexíveis, pouco restritivas, compatíveis, com objetivos claros, direcionados para mudanças graduais, com monitoramento frequente de equipe multiprofissional de saúde.

Dietary patterns of Brazilian adolescents according to geographic region: an analysis of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA). / Padrões alimentares de adolescentes brasileiros por regiões geográficas: análise do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA).

The study aimed to identify the dietary patterns of Brazilian adolescents in each of Brazil's five major geographic regions and verify possible differences in adherence to dietary patterns according to age, sex, and type of school. Data were analyzed from 71,298 adolescents 12 to 17 years of age that participated in the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA), a cross-sectional nationwide, multicenter, school-based survey. Food consumption data were obtained using a 24-hour food recall, and identification of dietary patterns used factor analysis. Associations between the adolescents' sociodemographic characteristics and dietary patterns were verified by linear regression analyses, stratified by age and adjusted for nutritional status, total energy intake, and physical activity. In the five geographic regions, three dietary patterns with similar characteristics were identified: traditional pattern, bread-and-coffee pattern, and unhealthy pattern. The North of Brazil showed a fourth dietary pattern characterized by typical regional foods, called the traditional-North pattern. In all five regions, male adolescents showed the highest adherence to the traditional pattern and the lowest adherence to the unhealthy pattern. Private school students showed higher adherence to the unhealthy pattern and lower adherence to the traditional pattern. The results suggest that in this sample of adolescents, males were associated with traditional Brazilian foods such as rice and beans, while higher socioeconomic status was associated with the consumption of unhealthy foods like sugary beverages and snacks.

O estudo teve como objetivo identificar os padrões alimentares de adolescentes brasileiros para cada uma das cinco regiões do país, e verificar se há diferença na adesão dos padrões alimentares de acordo com idade, sexo e tipo de escola. Foram analisados dados de 71.298 adolescentes de 12 a 17 anos que participaram do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA), pesquisa transversal, nacional, multicêntrica e de base escolar. Os dados de consumo alimentar foram obtidos por meio de recordatório alimentar de 24hs, e para a identificação dos padrões alimentares foi aplicada análise fatorial. A associação entre as características dos adolescentes e os padrões alimentares foi verificada por meio de análises de regressão linear, estratificadas por idade e ajustadas por estado nutricional, ingestão energética total e atividade física. Nas cinco regiões foram identificados três padrões alimentares com características similares: padrão tradicional, padrão pão e café e padrão não saudável. A Região Norte apresentou um quarto padrão alimentar caracterizado por alimentos típicos da região: padrão tradicional Norte. Em todas as regiões, os adolescentes do sexo masculino registraram maior adesão ao padrão tradicional e menor adesão ao padrão não saudável. entre os estudantes de escolas privadas foi observada maior adesão ao padrão não saudável e menor adesão ao padrão tradicional. Os resultados sugerem que, entre os adolescentes avaliados, ser do sexo masculino foi associado ao maior consumo de alimentos tradicionalmente brasileiros como o arroz e feijão, já o maior nível socioeconômico esteve associado ao consumo de alimentos não saudáveis como bebidas açucaradas e lanches.

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar los patrones alimentarios de adolescentes brasileños para cada una de las cinco regiones del país, y verificar si existen diferencias en la adhesión a los patrones alimentarios, de acuerdo a la edad, sexo y tipo de escuela. Se analizaron datos de 71.298 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años que participaron en el Estudio de Riesgos Cardiovasculares en Adolescentes (ERICA), investigación transversal, nacional, multicéntrica y de base escolar. Los datos de consumo alimentario se obtuvieron mediante un recordatorio alimentario de 24h, y para la identificación de los patrones alimentarios se aplicó el análisis factorial. La asociación entre las características de los adolescentes y los patrones alimentarios se verificó mediante un análisis de regresión lineal, estratificado por edad y ajustado por estado nutricional, ingestión energética total y actividad física. En las cinco regiones se identificaron tres patrones alimentarios con características similares: patrón tradicional, patrón pan y café y patrón no saludable. La Región Norte presentó un cuarto patrón alimentario caracterizado por alimentos típicos de la región: patrón tradicional Norte. En todas las regiones, los adolescentes del sexo masculino registraron una mayor adhesión al patrón tradicional y menor adhesión al patrón no saludable. Entre los estudiantes de escuelas privadas se observó una mayor adhesión al patrón no saludable y menor adhesión al patrón tradicional. Los resultados sugieren que, entre los adolescentes evaluados, ser de sexo masculino se asoció a un mayor consumo de alimentos tradicionalmente brasileños como el arroz y frijoles, por otra parte, un mayor nivel socioeconómico estuvo asociado al consumo de alimentos no saludables como bebidas azucaradas y aperitivos.

Usual intake and dietary sources of Selenium in adolescents: A cross-sectional school-based study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Selenium is a mineral that constitutes selenoproteins and, therefore, has been studied, especially in cardiovascular diseases. Some risk factors for the development of these diseases, such as obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia, have been observed early in life, including in childhood and adolescence, and food and nutrient intake is an important associated factor for their development. The aim of this study was to assess usual intake of selenium (Se) and dietary inadequacies regarding the consumption of this mineral, and to identify the main dietary sources of Se among 12-17 year-old Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: Data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents, performed countrywide in the years 2013 and 2014, were used to estimate inadequate Se dietary intake. The National Cancer Institute's method was used, considering two days of 24 h dietary recall (24hR). The contribution of each food group to the total intake of Se was determined using a single 24hR, and was defined as a ratio between the total intake of Se and the percentage of Se in each food group, until reaching 95%. Food mentioned by adolescents were categorized into 39 food groups, according to macronutrient similarities. RESULTS: Data from 76,957 adolescents aged from 12-17 years (49.7% girls) from public and private schools were assessed. Selenium intake was according to recommendation levels. Mean Se intake ranged from 84.3 to 105.9 µg among sex and age groups. Considering the whole sample, meat, pasta, poultry, and fish were the food groups that contributed with the greatest amount of Se (representing 57.9% of total Se). Brazil nuts are consumed in bigger quantity only by 14-17 year-old girls, contributing to 1.6% of the Se in their diets. CONCLUSION: Brazilian adolescents have an adequate Se intake because of the high consumption of meat, pasta, and poultry. Although Brazil nuts are the most important dietary source of Se, adolescents consume them in very small amounts, leading to a small contribution in the total intake.

Prevalence of binge eating and associated factors in a Brazilian probability sample of midlife women.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of binge eating (BE) and inappropriate behaviors of weight control in a population sample of Brazilian midlife adult women and to correlate the prevalence of BE with self-rated health (SRH). METHOD: A household sample of 1,298 females aged 35 years or older answered a face-to-face interview including questions on eating behaviors and had their weight and height measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of regular BE (twice or more episodes by week) and inappropriate methods of weight control was 11.5 and 10.2%, respectively. BE episodes were positively correlated with BMI and negatively correlated with age and SRH. These correlations persisted when mutually adjusted by BMI, age, and SRH. CONCLUSION: These findings show the relevance of BE on the overall health of women of this age group and emphasize the need for expanding research on eating disorders to beyond the populations more frequently assessed of teenagers and young adults.

Food consumed outside the home in Brazil according to places of purchase.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the places of purchase of food consumed outside the home, characterize consumers according to the places of consumption, and identify the food purchased by place of consumption in Brazil. METHODS: We have used data from the Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar (Household Budget Survey) of 2008-2009 with a sample of 152,895 subjects over 10 years of age. The purchase of food outside the home was collected from the records of all expenditures made in seven days. The places of purchase were grouped according to their characteristics: supermarket, bakery, street food, restaurant, snack bar, fruit shop, and other places. The types of food were grouped into nine categories, considering the nutritional aspects and the marketing characteristics of the item. We have estimated the frequency of purchase in the seven groups of places in Brazil and according to gender and type of food purchased per place. We have calculated the average age, income and years of education, as well as the per capita expenditure according to places of purchase of food consumed outside the home. RESULTS: The purchase of food outside the home was reported by 41.2% of the subjects, being it greater among men than women (44% versus 38.5%). Adults had a higher frequency (46%) than teenagers (37.7%) and older adults (24.2%). The highest frequency of places of purchase were snack bar (16.9%) and restaurant (16.4%), while the fruit shop (1.2%) presented the lowest frequency. Sweets, snack chips and soft drinks were the most purchased items in most places. Average expenditure was higher for restaurant (R$33.20) and lower for fruit shop (R$4.10) and street food (R$5.00). CONCLUSIONS: The highest percentage of food consumed outside the home comes from snack bars and restaurants, pointing to important places for the development of public policies focused on promoting healthy eating. OBJETIVO: Descrever os locais de aquisição dos alimentos consumidos fora do lar, caracterizar os consumidores de acordo com os locais de consumo e identificar os alimentos adquiridos por local de consumo no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Utilizaram-se dados da Pesquisa de Orçamento Familiar 2008-2009 em uma amostra de 152.895 indivíduos acima de 10 anos. A aquisição de alimentos para consumo fora do lar foi coletada por registros de todos os gastos realizados no período de sete dias. Os locais de aquisição de alimentos foram agrupados de acordo com suas características: supermercado, padaria, comida de rua, restaurante, lanchonete, frutaria e outros. Os tipos de alimentos adquiridos foram alocados em nove categorias de alimentos, considerando os aspectos nutricionais e as características de comercialização do item. Estimou-se a frequência de aquisição de alimentos nos sete grupos de locais no Brasil e por sexo e o tipo de alimento adquirido por local. Calculou-se a média de idade, de renda e de anos de escolaridade, bem como da despesa per capita segundo locais de aquisição de alimentos consumidos fora do lar. RESULTADOS: A aquisição de alimentos fora do lar foi reportada por 41,2% dos indivíduos, sendo maior entre os homens do que nas mulheres (44% versus 38,5%). Os adultos apresentaram maior frequência de aquisição (46%) do que os adolescentes (37,7%) e os idosos (24,2%). Os locais com maiores frequências de consumo de alimentos fora do lar foram lanchonete (16,9%) e restaurante (16,4%), enquanto frutaria (1,2%) apresentou a menor frequência. Doces, salgadinhos e refrigerante foram os alimentos mais adquiridos na maioria dos locais. Os gastos médios com alimentos foram maiores para restaurante (R$33,20) e menores para frutaria (R$4,10) e comida de rua (R$5,00). CONCLUSÕES: O maior percentual de consumo de alimentos fora do lar é proveniente de lanchonete e restaurante, apontando importantes locais para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas com foco na promoção da alimentação saudável.

Food Consumption According to the Days of the Week - National Food Survey, 2008-2009.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the variations in energy, nutrients, and food groups intake between days of the week and weekend days in the Brazilian population. METHODS: We used data from the first National Food Survey (2008-2009) of a one-day food log of a representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 10 years or older (n = 34,003). For the analyses, we considered the sample weights and the effect of the study design. The mean (and standard deviations) and frequencies (%) of energy, nutrients, and food groups consumption were estimated for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday), we then estimated the differences according to the days of the week for the population strata analyzed. RESULTS: The average daily energy intake for the weekend was 8% higher than the one observed for weekdays. The average percentage contribution of carbohydrate to the daily energy intake was higher during the week compared to Saturday and Sunday (56.3% versus 54.1%, p < 0.01). The inverse was observed for averages of the contribution to the daily intake of energy from total fat (26.8% versus 28.4%), saturated fat (9.1% versus 9.9%) and trans fat (1.4% versus 1.6%). The most significant changes between weekdays and weekend days were observed for eggs, sugar-added beverages, puff snacks and chips, beans, and pasta. During weekends, the frequency of beverage with added sugar consumption increased by 34%, the amount consumed increased by 42%, and the contribution to energy intake increased by 62% when compared to weekdays. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian population increases energy intake and unhealthy food markers on weekends compared to weekdays.

The impact of the reduction of sodium content in processed foods in salt intake in Brazil.

This study aimed at assessing the potential impact of the reduction of sodium content in processed foods in the average salt intake in the Brazilian population. A total of 32,900 participants of the first National Dietary Survey (NDS 2008-2009), age 10 years and older who provided information about food intake over two days were evaluated. The sodium reduction targets established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in 2010 and 2013 were used as the reference to determine the maximum content of sodium in 21 groups of processed food. The results show that sodium reduction targets in processed food have small impact in mean Brazilian population intake of salt. For 2017, the expected mean reduction is of 1.5%, the average sodium intake being still above the recommended 2,000mg/day maximum. Therefore, it will hardly be possible to reach the necessary reduction in salt intake in Brazil from volunteer agreements like the ones made so far.