Supplementation of Probiotics and Its Effects on Physically Active Individuals and Athletes: Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of probiotic supplementation on physically active individuals. The participants, interventions, comparisons, outcome and study design inclusion criteria were (a) studies involving healthy adults or older subjects of both sexes who did physical exercise (including athletes and physically active individuals), (b) interventions with probiotics, (c) inclusion of a control group, (d) outcomes not previously defined, and (e) clinical trials and randomized clinical trials, with no language or date restrictions. The search was conducted in the following scientific databases: MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, Scopus, and Lilacs. Search terms were "Probiotics" OR "Prebiotics" OR "Microbiota" AND "Exercise" OR "Athletes." The articles were first screened by title and abstract by two independent reviewers and disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted independently by the same two reviewers; results were extracted in duplicate and then compared to avoid errors. A total of 544 articles were retrieved and 24 were included. A total of 1,680 patients were included, most of them being male (n = 1,134, 67.5%), with a mean age of 30.9 ± 6.1 years. Following probiotic supplementation, positive effects have been reported for several outcomes including respiratory tract infection, immunologic markers, and gastrointestinal symptoms in both athletes and nonathletes. However, published studies have distinct protocols and measured outcomes, and some of them have small sample size and failed to prove beneficial effect on probiotic supplementation, leading to inconclusive results for standardized supplementation protocols.

Phase Angle Is an Independent Predictor of 6-Month Mortality in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition status through phase angle (PA) and its association with mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed with hospitalized decompensated cirrhotic patients. Nutrition status was assessed by PA, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) within 72 hours of hospital admission. The best PA cutoff point for malnutrition diagnosis was determined by ROC curve analysis, considering the SGA as the reference standard. Predictors of 6-month mortality were identified using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for Child-Pugh and MELD scores, and hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS: This study included 97 patients, 63% male (n = 61), with a mean age of 60.1 ± 10.3 years. The median follow-up time of patients was 11.2 months (IQR, 2.4-21). Overall mortality was 58.8% (n = 57) and 6-month mortality was 35.1% (n = 34). Nutrition assessment according to BIVA indicated a risk for cachexia and normal hydration. Patients with values of PA ≤5.52° were considered malnourished. Malnourished patients according to PA (58.8%, n = 57) had a higher risk of 6-month mortality (HR = 3.44; 95% CI, 1.51-7.84; P = .003), and each increase of 1° in PA values was associated with a reduction of 53% in 6-month mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: The PA is an independent predictor of 6-month mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Therefore, PA may be useful to assess the nutrition status and identify patients at the highest risk of mortality in clinical practice.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis evaluates cellularity and hydration in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients is correlated with mortality and a better response to liver transplantation. However, recovery of the nutritional status in these patients is a challenge due to the difficulty in establishing a reliable nutritional diagnosis. The bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method appears as a feasible tool in clinical practice to define the physiological state of cirrhotic patients by assessing hydration and body cellularity. AIM: To evaluate body composition in cirrhotic patients using BIVA. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out by following cirrhotic outpatients at a hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. A tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance analysis device was used to evaluate cellularity and hydration and to perform the BIVA. The BIVA graphic was elaborated by software and for statistical analysis a significance level of 5% (P ≤ 0.05) was considered. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety patients, 61.1% males, with a mean age of 56.6 ± 11.0 years, were evaluated. Of these, 56.3% had Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) A score, and the prevalent etiology was hepatitis C virus (47.4%). The patients were classified according to cellularity and hydration by the quadrants and ellipses of the BIVA method, quadrant 1 (47.9%); quadrant 2 (18.9%); quadrant 3 (14.2%); and quadrant 4 (18.9%). Those classified in quadrant 1 and 2 had a higher phase angle compared to those in quadrants 3 and 4 (P < 0.001). Quadrant 2 patients had a lower average age than the other groups. The association with CTP score showed that patients in quadrant 2 had a higher proportion of CTP A, and those in quadrant 4 had a higher proportion of CTP C (P < 0.052). CONCLUSION: The BIVA method allows identification of the cellularity and hydration status of cirrhotic patients, and its association with clinical factors determines the disease severity, age and prognostic index.

Parameters of Bioelectrical Impedance Are Good Predictors of Nutrition Risk, Length of Stay, and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of nutrition risk in the intensive care unit (ICU) is limited by characteristics of critically ill patients, and new methods have been investigated for their applicability and predictive validity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters as predictors of nutrition risk and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to an ICU. The modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score was used for assessment of nutrition risk, and BIA was performed in the first 72 hours of admission. Phase angle (PA) measurements were obtained, and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) was used to classify patients by hydration status (BIVA >70%). Patients were followed until hospital discharge and evaluated for hospital mortality, ICU length of stay, length of hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included (62.5 ± 14.1 years, 50.6% female). A PA <5.5o showed an accuracy of 79% (95% CI 0.59-0.83) in identifying patients at high nutrition risk and was associated with nearly 2 times greater risk for an ICU length of stay longer than 5 days (relative risk = 2.18 [95% CI 1.39-3.40]). Hyperhydration was a significant predictor of mortality (hazard ratio = 2.24 [95% CI 1.07-4.68]). Higher resistance and reactance values, adjusted for height, were found in survivors compared with nonsurvivors. CONCLUSION: The predictive validity of BIA was satisfactory for the assessment of nutrition risk, ICU length of stay, and mortality in critically ill patients.

Safety and Results of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the dual interference between cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). METHODS: Forty-three individuals admitted for CIEDs implantation were submitted to a tetrapolar BIA with an alternating current at 800 microA and 50 kHz frequency before and after the devices' implantation. During BIA assessment, continuous telemetry was maintained between the device programmer and the CIEDs in order to look for evidence of possible electric interference in the intracavitary signal of the device. RESULTS: BIA in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction or electrical interference in the intracardiac electrogram of any electrode. After the implantation of the devices, there were significant reductions in BIA measurements of resistance, reactance, and measurements adjusted for height resistance and reactance, reflecting an increase (+ 1 kg; P<0.05) in results of total body water and extracellular water in liter and, consequently, increases in fat-free mass (FFM) and extracellular mass in kg. Because of changes in the hydration status and FFM values, without changes in weight, fat mass was significantly lower (-1.2 kg; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: BIA assessment in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction. The differences in BIA parameters might have occurred because of modifications on the patients' body composition, associated to their hydration status, and not to the CIEDs.

Association of Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress in adolescent volleyball athletes and non-athletes.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the relationship between the Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress parameters in adolescent athletes and non-athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 18 adolescent male and female volleyball athletes who were paired with 15 adolescent non-athletes. Body fat percentage, food intake, free radical production, antioxidant enzyme activity, and thiol and protein damage were measured. RESULTS: In the Healthy Eating Index assessment, the food quality of 72.7% of the sample was classified as low, and no participant was found to have good food quality. The mean intake of vitamins A and E was below recommendations in both groups and sexes; however vitamin C intake was appropriate for the age group. Increased free radical production was observed in the athletes' erythrocytes (p<0.001), accompanied by lower levels of plasma reduced glutathione (p = 0.01), but there were no correlations between Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress parameters or between body composition, vitamin A, C and E intake and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The sample's diet quality was classified as low and, despite the fact that there was greater production of free radicals in the athletes' erythrocytes and plasma, in addition to lower levels of plasma reduced glutathione , there was no correlation between Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress.

Prognostic role of phase angle in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have exacerbation of symptoms and fluid retention, and high risk of re-hospitalizations and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phase angle at hospital admission as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients with ADHF. METHODS: Patients hospitalized for ADHF, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% and BOSTON criteria ≥8 points were included. The patients were evaluated at hospital admission (first 36 h) and then followed up for assessment of outcomes. Phase angle was measured with tetra polar bioelectrical impedance device. Mortality data was obtained from an average of 24 months after discharge, from the medical records of the hospital and outpatient or telephone contact with patients or family members. The best-discriminatory level of phase angle was selected based on the ROC curve for mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included and the majority was male (63%), with a mean age of 61 ± 12 years, ischemic etiology being the most prevalent (48%) and LVEF average of 26 ± 8%. Mortality was 49% at an average of 24 months after hospital discharge. The average phase angle at hospital admission was 5.6 ± 2°, and lower values were associated with higher mortality. Survivors were compared to died patients in the risk factor variables for mortality. In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, LVEF and urea, phase angle <4.8° was independently associated with increased mortality (HR 2.67; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Phase angle seems to be a prognostic marker in patients with ADHF independently of other known risk factors.

Consumo alimentar de indivíduos com ortorexia e sua relação com nível de atividade física / Food consumption of individuals with ortorexia and its relationship with physical activity level

Objetivo: Comparar o consumo alimentar entre indivíduos identificados com e sem ortorexia, e suas diferenças em relação ao nível de atividade física. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com uma amostra de 59 indivíduos adultos (30 mulheres e 29 homens), com idade entre 18 e 50 anos, de ambos os sexos. Os participantes foram avaliados e divididos segundo nível e tipo de atividade física (fisicamente ativos: > 150min de exercício por semana). A presença de ortorexia foi avaliada pelo questionário ORTO-15, e o consumo alimentar avaliado por recordatório habitual de um dia. A análise estatística foi feita por teste t Student ou U de Mann-Whitney, para comparação entre os grupos com e sem ortorexia. A comparação dos dados descritos como frequências absolutas e percentuais foi realizada por qui-quadrado. Resultados: A média de idade dos indivíduos avaliados foi de 31, 2 ± 8,9 anos. Houve prevalência de ortorexia de 78%, sendo maior nos indivíduos fisicamente ativos (86% vs 65%; p=0,05). Indivíduos com ortorexia consumiam mais proteínas em relação às gramas por dia, por kg, percentual do valor energético total e kcal (p<0,05); e tinham um consumo mais baixo de carboidratos em relação ao percentual do valor energético total (p<0,05), em comparação aos sem ortorexia. Esse padrão se manteve significativo apenas dentro do grupo fisicamente ativo. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a ortorexia pode estar associada à prática de exercício físico e a um comportamento alimentar com maior consumo de proteínas e baixo em carboidratos. (AU)

Objective: To compare food consumption among individuals identified with or without orthorexia, and their differences in relation to the level of physical activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 59 adult individuals (30 women and 29 men), aged between 18 and 50 years, of both sexes. Participants were assessed and divided about level and type of physical activity (physically active: >150min of exercise per week). Presence of orthorexia was evaluated by ORTO-15 questionnaire, and food consumption was evaluated by a usual one-day recall. Statistical analysis was done by T-Student or Mann-Whitney U Test for comparison between groups with and without orthorexia. Comparison of data described as absolute and percentage frequencies was performed by chi-square. Results: The mean age of the sample evaluated was 31.2 ± 8.9 years. There was a prevalence of orthorexia of 78%, being higher in physically active individuals (86% versus 65%, p = 0.05). Individuals with orthorexia consumed more protein in relation to grams per day, kg, percentage of total energy value and kcal (p <0.05); and had lower intake of carbohydrates than the percentage of total energy value (p <0.05), compared to those without orthorexia. This pattern remained significant only in the physically active group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that orthorexia may be associated with physical exercise and eating behavior with higher intakes of protein and low carbohydrates. (AU)

Dynamic changes in bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and phase angle in acute decompensated heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether changes in hydration status (reflecting fluid retention) would be detected by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and after clinical stabilization. METHODS: Patients admitted to ADHF were evaluated at admission, discharge and after clinical stabilization (3 mo after discharge) for dyspnea, weight, brain natriuretic peptide, bioelectrical impedance resistance, reactance, and phase angle. Generalized estimating equations and chi-square detected variations among the three time points of evaluation. RESULTS: Were included 57 patients: Mean age was 61 ± 13 y, 65% were male, LVEF was 25 ± 8%. During hospitalization there were improvements in clinical parameters and increase in resistance/height (from 250 ± 72 to 302 ± 59 Ohms/m, P < 0.001), reactance/height (from 24 ± 10 to 31 ± 9 Ohms/m, P < 0.001), and phase angle (from 5.3 ± 1.6 to 6 ± 1.6°, P = 0.007). From discharge to chronic stability, both clinical and BIVA parameters remained stable. At admission, 61% of patients had significant congestion by BIVA, and they lost more weight and had higher improvement in dyspnea during hospitalization (P < 0.05). At discharge, more patients were in the upper half of the graph (characterizing some degree of dehydration) while at chronic stability normal hydration status was more prevalent (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: BIVA and phase angle were able to detect significant changes in hydration status during ADHF, which paralleled the clinical course of recompensation, both acutely and chronically. The classification of congestion by BIVA at admission identified patients with more pronounced changes in weight and dyspnea during compensation.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Its Association with Clinical Complications in Hospitalized Cardiac Patients: Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background Malnutrition can affect the clinical course of hospitalized patients, increasing hospital stay, infections, mortality, and hospital costs. Among heart disease patients, the malnutrition prevalence ranges from 25 to 51.9%. Objective To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with clinical complications in cardiac patients admitted to a cardiology hospital. Method Retrospective cohort study with patients evaluated within 48 hours of admission to the ward of a referral center for cardiology in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Patients were aged 18 years or older. Malnutrition was assessed by Subjective Global Assessment. Length of hospital stay, transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), hospital discharge and in-hospital death were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 22.0 program. Comparisons between groups with and without malnutrition were made by unpaired Student's t-test and chi-square test with adjusted residuals, and multivariate Poisson regression used for analysis of outcomes. The significance level considered was 5%. Results We evaluated 130 patients aged 63 ± 13 years, 63% were male, and the most frequent cause of hospitalization was angina (25%). The prevalence of malnutrition was 27% and, after statistical adjustment for age, malnutrition was positively associated with ICU transfer and length of hospital stay longer than seven days. Conclusion The prevalence of malnutrition found in this sample was 27% and this nutritional diagnosis was positively associated with ICU transfer and length of hospital stay longer than seven days. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Safety and results of bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices

Abstract Objective: To analyze the dual interference between cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Methods: Forty-three individuals admitted for CIEDs implantation were submitted to a tetrapolar BIA with an alternating current at 800 microA and 50 kHz frequency before and after the devices' implantation. During BIA assessment, continuous telemetry was maintained between the device programmer and the CIEDs in order to look for evidence of possible electric interference in the intracavitary signal of the device. Results: BIA in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction or electrical interference in the intracardiac electrogram of any electrode. After the implantation of the devices, there were significant reductions in BIA measurements of resistance, reactance, and measurements adjusted for height resistance and reactance, reflecting an increase (+ 1 kg; P<0.05) in results of total body water and extracellular water in liter and, consequently, increases in fat-free mass (FFM) and extracellular mass in kg. Because of changes in the hydration status and FFM values, without changes in weight, fat mass was significantly lower (-1.2 kg; P<0.05). Conclusion: BIA assessment in patients with CIEDs was safe and not associated with any device malfunction. The differences in BIA parameters might have occurred because of modifications on the patients' body composition, associated to their hydration status, and not to the CIEDs.

Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Most reports regarding the obesity paradox have focused on body mass index (BMI) to classify obesity and the prognostic values of other indirect measurements of body composition remain poorly examined in heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between BMI and other indirect, but easily accessible, body composition measurements associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in HF. METHODS: Anthropometric parameters of body composition were assessed in 344 outpatients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% from a prospective HF cohort that was followed-up for 30 ± 8.2 months. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: HF patients were predominantly male, of non-ischemic etiology, and had moderate to severe LV systolic dysfunction (mean LVEF = 32 ± 9%). Triceps skinfold (TSF) was the only anthropometric index that was associated with HF prognosis and had significantly lower values in patients who died (p = 0.047). A TSF > 20 mm was present in 9% of patients that died and 22% of those who survived (p = 0.027). Univariate analysis showed that serum creatinine level, LVEF, and NYHA class were associated with the risk of death, while Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that TSF > 20 was a strong independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.97, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although BMI is the most widely used anthropometric parameter in clinical practice, our results suggested that TSF is a better predictive marker of mortality in HF outpatients.

Prega cutânea tricipital como preditor prognóstico na insuficiência cardíaca ambulatorial / Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure

FUNDAMENTO: A maioria dos estudos relatando o paradoxo da obesidade utiliza índice de massa corporal (IMC) para classificar obesidade. Dados avaliando o valor prognóstico de outras medidas indiretas de composição corporal são pouco explorados na insuficiência cardíaca (IC). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre IMC e outras medidas de composição corporal indiretas com risco de morte por todas as causas na IC. MÉTODOS: Parâmetros antropométricos de composição corporal foram avaliados em 344 pacientes ambulatoriais com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) < 50%, de uma coorte prospectiva seguida durante 30 ± 8,2 meses. A sobrevida foi avaliada por curvas de Kaplan-Meier e análise de regressão de risco proporcional de Cox. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes eram predominantemente do sexo masculino, de etiologia não-isquêmica e com disfunção sistólica do VE moderada a grave (FEVE média de 32 ± 9%). Prega cutânea tricipital (PCT) foi o único parâmetro antropométrico associado com prognóstico, com valores significativamente menores nos pacientes que morreram (p = 0,047). Uma PCT > 20 mm estava presente em 9% dos pacientes que morreram e em 22% dos vivos (p = 0,027). Na análise univariada, creatinina sérica, FEVE e classe funcional foram associadas ao risco de morte. Na regressão de Cox, PCT > 20 mm foi o preditor independente mais forte de mortalidade por qualquer causa (hazard ratio: 0,36; IC 95%: 0,13-0,97; p = 0,03). CONCLUSÃO: Embora IMC seja o parâmetro antropométrico mais utilizado na prática clínica, nossos resultados sugerem que PCT pode ser um melhor preditor de mortalidade em pacientes ambulatoriais com IC.

BACKGROUND: Most reports regarding the obesity paradox have focused on body mass index (BMI) to classify obesity and the prognostic values of other indirect measurements of body composition remain poorly examined in heart failure (HF). Objective: To evaluate the association between BMI and other indirect, but easily accessible, body composition measurements associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in HF. METHODS: Anthropometric parameters of body composition were assessed in 344 outpatients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% from a prospective HF cohort that was followed-up for 30 ± 8.2 months. Survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: HF patients were predominantly male, of non-ischemic etiology, and had moderate to severe LV systolic dysfunction (mean LVEF = 32 ± 9%). Triceps skinfold (TSF) was the only anthropometric index that was associated with HF prognosis and had significantly lower values in patients who died (p = 0.047). A TSF > 20 mm was present in 9% of patients that died and 22% of those who survived (p = 0.027). Univariate analysis showed that serum creatinine level, LVEF, and NYHA class were associated with the risk of death, while Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that TSF > 20 was a strong independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.97, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although BMI is the most widely used anthropometric parameter in clinical practice, our results suggested that TSF is a better predictive marker of mortality in HF outpatients.

Avaliação nutricional, consumo alimentar e risco para doenças cardiovasculares de crianças praticantes de natação / Nutritional assessment, food consumption and cardiovascular risk in child swimmers

Introdução: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) destacam-se, nos dias atuais, como a mais frequente causa de mortalidade, inclusive na infância. Dentre os fatores de risco para DCV estão o alto consumo de gorduras saturadas, trans, colesterol, como também o excesso de peso e gordura corporal. Objetivo: avaliar o estado nutricional e consumo alimentar de crianças praticantes de natação de um clube esportivo. Métodos: A avaliação nutricional foi realizada por meio de antropometria, utilizando-se: peso, estatura, dobra cutânea triciptal (DCT), subescapular (DCSE), circunferência abdominal (CA) e cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). O percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) foi determinado através da soma da DCT e da DCSE. Para avaliar o consumo alimentar utilizou-se o Questionário Simplificado para Avaliação de Risco Cardiovascular (QRC) que identifica a frequência de consumo de 9 alimentos ricos em gorduras. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 204 crianças, 59% do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 8±2 anos. Quando classificados, 30,4% apresentavam-se com excesso de peso de acordo com o IMC, 26% tinham CA aumentada e 41% apresentaram alto consumo de alimentos que aumentam o risco cardiovascular. De acordo com a classificação do %GC, 11% foram classificados como muito alto para a idade, com diferença significativa entre os sexos (P<0,05), sendo que o sexo feminino teve maior número de crianças classificadas como muito alto. Conclusão: Embora pratiquem atividade física regular, as crianças estudadas apresentaram alta prevalência de excesso de peso e alto consumo de alimentos que aumentam o risco cardiovascular.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) stand out, today, as the most frequent cause of mortality, even in childhood. Among risk factors for CVD are high consumption of saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, as well as excess weight and body fat. Aim: Assess the nutritional status and intake of child swimmers of a sport club. Methods: The nutritional assesment was evaluated by antropometry, using: weight, height, triciptal (TS) and subscapular skinfold (SS), abdominal circumference (AC) and Body Mass Index (BMI). To assess food intake, we used the Simplified Questionnaire for Assessing Cardiovascular Risk (SCR) that identifies the frequency of consumption of 9 fat-rich foods. Results: We evaluated 204 children, 59% male, with mean age 8±2 years. When classified, 30.4% presented with excess weight according to BMI, 26% had increased waist circunference and 41% had high intake of foods that increase cardiovascular risk. According to the classification of body fat percentage (BF%), 11% were classified as having very high BF% for their age, with significant difference between sexes (P<0.05), and females had a greater number of children classified as having very high BF%. Conclusion: In spite of practicing regular physical activity, the swimmers studied showed a high prevalence of overweight and high intake of foods that increase cardiovascular risk.