A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients.

RATIONALE: Quality of Life (QoL) is impaired in cancer, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. A diagnosis of cancer in elderly patients further exacerbates risks of negative health outcomes. Here we investigated associations between QoL and nutritional status in a sample population of mostly socially deprived elderly cancer patients. METHOD: 432 cancer patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study at point of admission to a tertiary referral hospital for cancer treatment. Patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) assessed nutritional status. Functional assessment of cancer therapy- general (FACT-G) quantified QoL. Relationship between PG-SGA and QoL was assessed by Spearman correlation. PG-SGA outcomes were compared against FACT-G scores employing Mann-Whitney test. Bivariate Linear Regression Model was employed to investigate influences of sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional status upon QoL. RESULTS: 37.5% of participants were malnourished or at risk. 39% were illiterate and 54.6% had family income lower than minimum wage. Malnourished patients showed lower FACT-G scores (76.8 vs. 84.7; p = 0.000). Poor nutritional diagnosis was inversely correlated with all QoL domains. Bivariate regression analysis showed that lower PG-SGA scores (ßo = - 1.00; p = 0.000) contributed to FACT-G score deterioration, the male gender showed better QoL scores, and other clinical and sociodemographic variables did not show relationship. CONCLUSION: Poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with worsened physical, social, emotional and functional well-being QoL domains in elderly cancer patients. Poorer nutritional status is an independent risk factor for worsened QoL. Future policies aimed at particularly vulnerable populations may improve QoL and health outcomes.

Phase angle and metabolic parameters in severely obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: obese patients present an inflammatory and metabolic profile that leads to oxidative stress and cellular damage. Phase angle is an indicator of cellular integrity and has been proposed as a prognostic parameter for changes in the metabolic profile. Objective: to investigate the possible association between phase angle and metabolic parameters in obese patients. Material and method: this was a cross-sectional study of adult obese patients who attended a specialized clinic between 2014 and 2016. All patients were ≥ 18 years of age, with a body mass index ≥ 35 kg/m2. All data were obtained from medical records and made part of the clinical protocol. Patients were divided into two groups using a cutoff point for phase angle, and the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis or Chi-squared test for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. Correlations were identified by Spearman's and Pearson's correlation analyses. All between-group differences were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. Results: a low phase angle was present in 30.5 % of the 141 patients enrolled in the study. We found an association between low phase angle and presence of hyperuricemia (p = 0.018) when adjusted for waist circumference, dysglycemia, arterial hypertension, and hyperuricemia. There was no correlation between phase angle and the components of body composition. Conclusions: there is an association of phase angle with uric acid levels, but not with other metabolic parameters.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: los pacientes obesos presentan un perfil inflamatorio y metabólico que provoca estrés oxidativo y daño celular. El ángulo de fase es un indicador de integridad celular que se ha propuesto como parámetro pronóstico de los cambios del perfil metabólico. Objetivo: investigar la posible asociación entre el ángulo de fase y los parámetros metabólicos en pacientes obesos. Material y método: este fue un estudio transversal de pacientes obesos adultos que asistieron a una clínica especializada entre 2014 y 2016. Todos los pacientes tenían ≥ 18 años de edad y un índice de masa corporal ≥ 35 kg/m2. Todos los datos se obtuvieron de los registros médicos y formaron parte del protocolo clínico. Los pacientes se dividieron en dos grupos usando un punto de corte para el ángulo de fase, y los grupos se compararon usando la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis o del chi cuadrado para las variables cuantitativas y categóricas, respectivamente. Las correlaciones se identificaron mediante el análisis de correlación de Spearman y el de Pearson. Todas las diferencias entre grupos se consideraron estadísticamente significativas si p ≤ 0.05. Resultados: se observó un ángulo de fase bajo en el 30,5 % de los 141 pacientes incluidos en el estudio. Encontramos una asociación entre el ángulo de fase bajo y la presencia de hiperuricemia (p = 0.018) cuando se ajustó para la circunferencia de la cintura, la disglucemia, la hipertensión arterial y la hiperuricemia. No hubo correlación entre el ángulo de fase y los componentes de la composición corporal. Conclusiones: el ángulo de fase presenta asociación con los niveles plasmáticos de ácido úrico pero no con otros parámetros metabólicos.

Reduction of relative handgrip strength and cardiometabolic risk in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

INTRODUCTION: Low handgrip strength (HS) is associated with cardiometabolic alterations that have affected people with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in adults receiving antiretroviral treatment. HS was evaluated using a dynamometer and divided by body weight to obtain the relative strength. The association between relative HS and overweight, increased waist circumference (WC), high body fat percentage, glycemia, and lipid ratios were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Low relative HS was identified in 35% of participants and associated with increased WC (odds ratio = 9.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.8-33.0). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low HS was high and associated with increased WC.

Path analysis of urinary incontinence in older adults living in nursing homes / Fatores associados à incontinência urinária em idosos institucionalizados

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with urinary incontinence in older adults living in nursing homes. Methods: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional, observational, and quantitative study using exploratory and path analysis (PA). Eighty-six older adults living in nursing homes in the city of Salvador, Brazil, and the city of Brasília, Brazil, were included. Data were collected from January to March 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic. The following variables were evaluated: sex, age group, functional performance, global cognitive function, comorbidities, and health conditions. Results: Urinary incontinence was associated with educational level, marital status, hypertension, one or more difficulties in basic activities of daily living, mood, insomnia, loss of appetite, fecal incontinence, and difficulty swallowing. In the PA, depression and difficulty swallowing were directly associated with urinary incontinence, and urinary incontinence was directly and significantly associated with insomnia and fecal incontinence. Conclusion: Given the variety of social and health components associated with urinary incontinence, it is necessary to assess, prevent, treat, and rehabilitate this condition in Brazilian nursing homes. Interventions in urinary incontinence demand integrated actions in functional, clinical, and mental health aspects to promote the well-being of older adults living in nursing homes. (AU)

Objetivo: Investigar os fatores associados à incontinência urinária em pessoas idosas institucionalizadas segundo a Análise de Caminhos. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram avaliados 86 idosos em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos brasileiras de Salvador (BA) e Brasília (DF), no período entre janeiro e março de 2020, período pré-pandemia de COVID-19. Os fatores analisados incluíram: sexo, faixa etária, desempenho funcional, desempenho cognitivo global, comorbidades e condições de saúde. Resultados: Observou-se que a incontinência urinária esteve associada ao nível de escolaridade, estado civil, hipertensão, uma ou mais dificuldades nas atividades básicas da vida diária, humor, insônia, perda de apetite, incontinência fecal e dificuldade de deglutição. Na Análise de Caminhos, os sintomas depressivos e as dificuldades de deglutição tiveram associação direta com a incontinência urinária, e a incontinência urinária teve associação direta e significativa com a insônia e a incontinência fecal. Conclusão: Dada a variedade de componentes sociais e de saúde associados à incontinência urinária, é necessário avaliar, prevenir, recuperar e reabilitar essa condição nas Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos brasileiras. Intervir na incontinência urinária requer ações integradas nos aspectos funcionais, clínicos e de saúde mental, que podem favorecer o bem-estar das pessoas idosas institucionalizadas. (AU)

Micronutrient intake in elderly living in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ingestion of micronutrients in elderly living in nursing homes. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 individuals of both sexes, age equal or greater than 60 years, living in nursing homes for elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Direct weighing of the food was used to get food intake, and prevalence of inadequacy was obtained using the software Multiple Source Method (MSM) and evaluated by estimated average requirement (EAR). RESULTS: A high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients was observed, being over 90% for vitamins E, folate, pyridoxine and calcium, in both sexes and between 50 and 70% for selenium, retinol, riboflavin, cyanocobalamin and vitamin C. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of inadequate intake of micronutrients in elderly living on nursing homes observed in this study may be used for planning public health strategies aiming to improve the nutritional context of this population and their quality of life, reducing the costs of health care.

Blood count parameters as a marker for metabolic syndrome in older adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Blood count parameters are associated with the metabolic syndrome (MS). However, few studies have evaluated the precision of blood count components to identify MS in older adults. We evaluated the accuracy of blood count components as a screening method and a marker of MS in older adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study with 203 older adults of both sexes was conducted. The following variables were used: MS as defined by harmonized criteria, hemoglobin, hematocrit, leukocytes and platelets. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, sensitivity (sens), specificity (spec) and logistic regression were adjusted for age and sex. Leukocyte count showed the highest Youden's index value for MS screening, with an optimal cut-off point of 7.514103/mm3 (sens: 66.7%; spec: 72.0%) for men and 5.626103/mm3 (sens: 73.1%; spec: 42.4%) for women. Older adults with leukocyte count higher than these cut-off points presented a 2.4 times greater chance of developing MS. CONCLUSION: Leukocyte count can be used as a screening indicator to identify individuals with a higher risk of developing MS. Older adults with high leukocyte count and no associated chronic diseases should receive attention, as they are individuals with a potential risk for MS.

Factors associated with sarcopenia in institutionalized elderly.

INTRODUCTION: The sarcopenia is a negative aspect for the health of the elderly, increased the risk for disease and mortality. Additionally can contributes greatly to functional reducing capacity and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with 216 elderly people, aged ≥ 60 years, of both sexes, residents in long-term care facilities in Salvador-Bahia, Brazil. To identify sarcopenia was used the skeletal muscle Index. Covariates were considered: gender, age, time of institutionalization, type of institution, body mass index and functional capacity. The Association between sarcopenia and covariates was evaluated using the Poisson regression model with robust variance. RESULTS: The prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly was 72.2% and this condition was associated with male sex (PR = 1,33; CI 95% = 1,081,65), thinness (PR = 1,29; CI 95% = 1,16-1,43) and obesity (PR = 0,37; CI 95% = 0,23-0,61). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sarcopenia was high among the elderly living in long-term institutions, especially among men. Elderly with thinness showed greater impairment of muscle reserves, while the state of obesity was protective.

Phase angle as a screening method for sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults / Ângulo de fase como método de triagem para sarcopenia em idosas ativas de comunidade

ABSTRACT Objective We investigated the utility of the phase angle as a screening tool for sarcopenia. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study that included 169 active community-dwelling elderly women. The phase angle was determined using tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, and sarcopenia was diagnosed based on skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance using bioelectrical impedance analysis, a handheld dynamometer, and the gait speed test, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to investigate the role of the phase angle as a predictor of sarcopenia. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 12.4%. The median phase angle was 5.30°; elderly women with sarcopenia had lower phase angles than those without sarcopenia (p=0.006). The phase angle cutoff for the detection of sarcopenia was ≤5.15°, with an area under the curve of 0.685, sensitivity 81.0%, specificity 60.8%, and accuracy 63.31%. Elderly women with a low phase angle show a high risk of presenting with reduced muscle mass. Conclusions The phase angle was shown to be a useful screening tool in elderly women with sarcopenia.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o ângulo de fase como método de triagem para sarcopenia. Métodos Estudo transversal realizado com 169 idosas ativas de comunidade. O ângulo de fase foi obtido por bioimpedância elétrica tetrapolar e a sarcopenia foi diagnosticada a partir da massa muscular esquelética, força muscular e performance física utilizando bioimpedância elétrica, dinamometria manual e o teste de velocidade de marcha, respectivamente. A curva Receiver Operating Characteristic foi construída para avaliar o ângulo de fase como preditor de sarcopenia. Resultados A prevalência de sarcopenia foi de 12,4%. A mediana do ângulo de fase foi de 5,30°; idosas com sarcopenia apresentaram valores menores do ângulo de fase em relação às não sarcopênicas (p=0,024). O ponto de corte do ângulo de fase para identificar sarcopenia foi ≤5,15°, com área sob a curva de 0,685, sensibilidade de 81,0%, especificidade de 60,8% e acurácia de 63,31%. Observou-se que idosas com ângulo de fase reduzido apresentaram maior chance de terem massa muscular reduzida e sarcopenia. Conclusão O ângulo de fase se mostrou útil para triagem de idosas com sarcopenia.

Factors Associated with Anemia in the Institutionalized Elderly.

As a common problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), anemia affects 25-63% of the elderly. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of anemia and its associated factors in the institutionalized elderly. The cross-sectional study was carried out with three hundred thirteen individuals aged ≥ 60 years, of both genders, living in long-term care facilities for the elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Poisson regression (PR) with robust variance estimates was used to assess the factors related to anemia. The prevalence of anemia was 38%. Mild anemia was predominant in both genders (male: 26.8%; female: 21.1%), as normocytic and normochromic anemia, with no anisocytosis (69.75%). Anemia was associated with thinness (PR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.04-2.72) and with moderate (PR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.07-3.63) and total (PR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.34-5.07) dependence in the final model. Severe dependence exhibited borderline significance (PR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.00-3.77). The prevalence of anemia was high in the institutionalized elderly in both genders, with characteristics suggesting chronic diseases as the causal factor, and the frequency of occurrence was higher in thinness elderly with moderate to total dependence.

Correction: Factors Associated with Anemia in the Institutionalized Elderly.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162240.].

Nutritional assessment in surgical oncology patients: a comparative analysis between methods.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The malnutrition found in oncology patients is the main responsible for the increase in morbimortality and worsening of their quality of life. Currently, the assessment of malnutrition is performed by subjective and objective methods, or the combination of them. Although these methods are routinely applied and their association is very common in clinical practice, there are few studies on the agreement between them. Thereby, this study aims to compare different methods for nutritional status assessment in surgical oncology patients. METHODS: 173 oncology patients, admitted for surgery, were submitted to an anthropometric evaluation and answered a SGA, PG-SGA and NRS-2002. Kappa test was used to evaluated the level of concordance between the methods. RESULTS: Poor concordance were observed between BMI and NRS-2002 (K=0,286), SGA (K=0,372) and PGSGA (K=0,173). Among the subjective methods, the best results were found for SGA and PG-SGA (K=0,690), and the lowest between NRS-2002 and both others (SGA: K=0,345; PG-SGA: K=0,322). CONCLUSIONS: The poor concordance found between objective and subjective methods reinforces the importance of associating indicators in the nutritional assessment of this population Despite of the poor concordance found between the nutritional status assessment methods investigated in this study, patients who had greater depletion of body stores were also diagnosed with a higher degree of malnutrition by subjective methods.

Introducción y objetivos: La desnutrición en el paciente oncológico es responsable por el aumento de la morbilidady la mortalidady produce una disminución de su calidad de vida. En la actualidad, la identificación de la desnutrición se lleva a cabo por medio de métodos subjetivos y objetivos o por la unión de ambos. A pesar de la asociación de estos métodos como examen de rutina en la práctica clínica, son muy pocos los trabajos que evalúan la concordancia entre ellos. De ese modo, el objetivo de este estudio fue comparar diferentes métodos para evaluar el estado nutricional de los pacientes oncológicos quirúrgicos. Métodos: Se analizaron 173 pacientes oncológicos, ingresados para cirugía, se sometieron a una evaluación antropométrica y respondieron a SGA, PG-SGA y NRS- 2002. Se utilizó el test Kappa para evaluar el nível de concordancia entre los métodos. Resultados: Baja concordancia entre el IMC con el NRS-2002 (K=0,286), ASG(K=0,372) y ASG-PPP (K=0,173) fue identificado. Entre los métodos subjetivos, los resultados fueron mejores com ASG y ASG-PPP (K=0,690) y menor entre el NRS-2002 y los otros (ASG: K=0,345; ASG-PPP: K=0,322). Conclusión: Los resultados demostraron baja concordancia entre los métodos objetivos y subjetivos, lo que refuerza La importancia de la asociación de los indicadores en la evaluación nutricional de esta población. Aunque se ha encontrado baja concordancia entre los métodos de evaluación nutricional empleados en este estudio, los pacientes que presentaron una mayor reducción de las reservas corporales, fueron diagnosticados com un mayor grado de mal nutrición por los métodos subjetivos.

Reduction of relative handgrip strength and cardiometabolic risk in individuals with HIV/AIDS

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Low handgrip strength (HS) is associated with cardiometabolic alterations that have affected people with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in adults receiving antiretroviral treatment. HS was evaluated using a dynamometer and divided by body weight to obtain the relative strength. The association between relative HS and overweight, increased waist circumference (WC), high body fat percentage, glycemia, and lipid ratios were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Low relative HS was identified in 35% of participants and associated with increased WC (odds ratio = 9.7; 95% confidence interval = 2.8-33.0). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low HS was high and associated with increased WC.

[In-service training for pedagogical coordinators in school nutrition: the report of an experience]. / Formação de coordenadores pedagógicos em alimentação escolar: um relato de experiência.

This article describes the experience of in-service training for pedagogical coordinators of the Brazilian School Nutrition Program (PNAE) developed by the Cooperation Center for Student Food and Nutrition of the Federal University of Bahia (CECANE-UFBA). Participant observation and analysis of data documented in films, group discussion summaries, procedural and final evaluations and field diaries are used. The formative experiences were in 2011, in two municipalities in Bahia and Sergipe states, involving 118 pedagogical coordinators from 79 municipalities in both states. It was revealed that the objective of raising awareness and guiding pedagogical coordinators for mainstreaming the theme of food and nutrition has been achieved. The educational proposal was evaluated by the coordinators as "dynamic," "productive" and "interactive," promoting the exchange of experiences among participants. Despite considering the theme relevant, the pedagogical coordinators do not have sufficient training about food and nutrition to back their teaching practices. It is considered that their training has some limitations on the impact in the fieldwork, as the knowledge acquired night be dissipated when the coordinators return to their workplace due to the lack of ongoing training.

[School: a place for studying and eating]. / Escola: lugar de estudar e de comer.

This study seeks to discuss the significance of school nutrition expressed by students in public schools from the state of Bahia, Brazil. The objective is to understand the symbolic aspects associated with school nutrition. The results of a survey into the significance of nutrition offered by the Brazilian School Nutrition Program (PNAE) expressed by students from six public schools in municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, are presented. A qualitative approach to understand nutrition at school and notions about healthy food by analyzing oral and written narratives of adolescents is used. The reports point to opposing stances between food in the home and food outside the home. What is customary can appear strange depending on the time and place. In this sense, they do not make an association between healthy food and PNAE. The food culture requires students to eat food on two occasions: breakfast and lunch (or dinner). These are aspects that are distinct, however they must be combined in school, because for these social actors, studying and eating are necessities that complement each other.

Anthropometric indicators associated with hypertriglyceridemia in the prediction of visceral fat / Indicadores antropométricos associados a hipertrigliceridemia na predição de gordura visceral

The accumulation of visceral fat is strongly associated with cardiometabolic changes. Alternative methods, such as the association between anthropometric indicators and hypertriglyceridemia, are used as the best estimate for the accumulation of visceral fat, preventing cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of anthropometric indicators with hypertriglyceridemia in the prediction of visceral fat in men and women. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 192 individuals, of both genders, submitted to anthropometric evaluation (sagittal abdominal diameter [SAD], waist circumference [WC], and waist-hip ratio [WHR]), serum dosage of triglycerides (TG), and computed tomography scan, in order to measure the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area. Descriptive analysis, Pearson's Correlation, and multiple linear regression were performed. Anthropometric indicators had high correlation with the VAT area (p=0.000). Regardless of serum TG levels, individuals with high values of anthropometric indicators had excess VAT area (p<0.05). For every centimeter increased in SAD, there was an average increase of 12.46 cm² in the VAT area. The study showed that both SAD and WC were good indicators to explain the variability in the VAT area, independently of changes in TG levels, making it possible to identify individuals with a risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

O acúmulo de gordura visceral está fortemente associada com alterações cardiometabólicas. Métodos alternativos, como a associação de indicadores antropométricos e hipertrigliceridemia, são usados ​​como uma melhor estimativa para o acúmulo de gordura visceral, prevenindo doenças cardiovasculares. O objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre indicadores antropométricos com a hipertrigliceridemia para predição de gordura visceral em homens e mulheres. Estudo transversal, realizado com 192 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, que foram submetidos à avaliação antropométrica (Diâmetro Abdominal Sagital -DAS, Circunferência da Cintura -CC e Relação Cintura-quadril -RCQ), dosagem sérica de triglicérides (TG) e tomografia computadorizada, a fim de medir a área do tecido adiposo visceral (ATAV). Análise descritiva, Correlação de Pearson e Regressão Linear Múltipla foram realizados. Indicadores antropométricos apresentaram alta correlação com a ATAV (p=0,000). Independente do nível sérico de TG, os indivíduos com indicadores antropométricos elevados tinham excesso de ATAV (p<0,05). Para cada aumento de um centímetro no DAS, houve um aumento médio de 12,46 cm² de ATAV. O estudo mostrou que ao mesmo tempo, DAS e CC foram os melhores indicadores para explicar a variabilidade na ATAV, independentemente de mudanças no nível de triglicérides, o que possibilitou a identificação de indivíduos com risco de desenvolver doenças cardiovasculares.

Formação de coordenadores pedagógicos em alimentação escolar: um relato de experiência / In-service training for pedagogical coordinators in school nutrition: the report of an experience

Este artigo descreve a experiência de formação de coordenadores pedagógicos em Alimentação Escolar desenvolvida pelo Centro Colaborador em Alimentação e Nutrição do Escolar da Universidade Federal da Bahia. Utilizou-se da observação participante e análise de dados documentados em: filmagens, resumos de discussão grupal, avaliações processuais e finais e diários de campo. As experiências de formação foram em 2011, em dois municípios da Bahia e na capital de Sergipe, com 118 coordenadores pedagógicos de 79 municípios dos dois estados. Constatou-se que os objetivos da formação de sensibilizar e orientar os coordenadores para a transversalização do tema alimentação e nutrição no currículo escolar foram alcançados. A proposta educativa foi avaliada pelos participantes como "dinâmica", "produtiva" e "interativa", promovendo trocas de experiências. Embora considerem um tema relevante, os coordenadores pedagógicos não têm formação suficiente nos conhecimentos de alimentação e nutrição para subsidiar as suas práticas pedagógicas. Considera-se que a formação apresente limitações quanto a seu desdobramento no campo de trabalho, pois a sensibilização alcançada pode ser fragilizada na volta dos atores ao seu ambiente laboral por falta de uma formação permanente.

This article describes the experience of in-service training for pedagogical coordinators of the Brazilian School Nutrition Program (PNAE) developed by the Cooperation Center for Student Food and Nutrition of the Federal University of Bahia (CECANE-UFBA). Participant observation and analysis of data documented in films, group discussion summaries, procedural and final evaluations and field diaries are used. The formative experiences were in 2011, in two municipalities in Bahia and Sergipe states, involving 118 pedagogical coordinators from 79 municipalities in both states. It was revealed that the objective of raising awareness and guiding pedagogical coordinators for mainstreaming the theme of food and nutrition has been achieved. The educational proposal was evaluated by the coordinators as "dynamic," "productive" and "interactive," promoting the exchange of experiences among participants. Despite considering the theme relevant, the pedagogical coordinators do not have sufficient training about food and nutrition to back their teaching practices. It is considered that their training has some limitations on the impact in the fieldwork, as the knowledge acquired night be dissipated when the coordinators return to their workplace due to the lack of ongoing training.

Escola: lugar de estudar e de comer / School: a place for studying and eating

Este estudo tem por objetivo discutir significados sobre alimentação escolar atribuídos por estudantes em escolas públicas na Bahia. Trata-se de compreender aspectos simbólicos associados à alimentação escolar na complexidade do mundo cotidiano da escola. Utiliza-se uma abordagem qualitativa para a compreensão do comer na escola e das noções sobre alimentação saudável, a partir das narrativas orais e escritas desses adoles­centes. Os relatos enunciam oposições entre alimentação estranha e familiar e vice-versa. O que é familiar torna-se estranho a depender do tempo/lugar. Citam diversos exemplos de alimentos que são da tradição, mas que se tornam estranhos ou não habituais ao horário. A cultura alimentar dos estudantes requer a obtenção de alimentos em dois momentos: merenda e almoço (ou jantar). Entidades estas que são distintas, não se mesclam e devem estar presentes na escola, pois para estes atores sociais, estudar e comer são necessidades que se complementam.

This study seeks to discuss the significance of school nutrition expressed by students in public schools from the state of Bahia, Brazil. The objective is to understand the symbolic aspects associated with school nutrition. The results of a survey into the significance of nutrition offered by the Brazilian School Nutrition Program (PNAE) expressed by students from six public schools in municipalities in the state of Bahia, Brazil, are presented. A qualitative approach to understand nutrition at school and notions about healthy food by analyzing oral and written narratives of adolescents is used. The reports point to opposing stances between food in the home and food outside the home. What is customary can appear strange depending on the time and place. In this sense, they do not make an association between healthy food and PNAE. The food culture requires students to eat food on two occasions: breakfast and lunch (or dinner). These are aspects that are distinct, however they must be combined in school, because for these social actors, studying and eating are necessities that complement each other.

Diagnóstico nutricional, antropométrico de escolares do centro histórico de Salvador / Antropometric nutricional diagnosis of studants of history center of Salvador

Trata-se do estudo sobre o perfil da desnutriçäo energético protéica de crianças que estudam em Escolas Públicas do Centro Histórico de Salvador. Investiga-se o estado nutricional pelo método antropométrico, de desvio padräo, atribuindo à medida de normalidade o percentil 50 do National center for Health Statistic - NCHS, recomendado pela O.M.S. Observa-se uma acentuada freqüência de nanismo nutricional associada à desnutriçäo aguda. Obtêm-se uma conclusäo analítica das condiçöes nutricionais pregressas destas crianças, desde a idade pré-escolar à escolar, com uma alta prevalência de nanismo: 70% e 55% respectivamente. O letárgico crescimento dos escolares do Centro Histórico vem reafirmar a instalaçäo da desnutriçäo energético protéica desde a mais tenra infância