Childhood obesity is associated with a high degree of metabolic disturbance in children from Brazilian semi-arid region.

Projected to impact 310 million children by the next decade, childhood obesity is linked to serious health issues like metabolic disturbance and cardiovascular diseases. This study introduces a novel approach for the integrated assessment of inflammatory, glycemic and lipid disorders in obese children in resources-limited settings and also identifies key factors contributing to these changes. Conducting a cross-sectional analysis of 231 children aged 5-12 years from public schools in Brazil's semi-arid region, the research involved collecting medical history, anthropometric measurements, and blood samples to analyze glycemic and lipid profiles, along with C-reactive protein levels. We used an adapted the Molecular Degree of Perturbation model to analyze deviations in metabolic markers from a healthy control group. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney and Fisher exact tests, backward logistic regression, and hierarchical cluster analysis. The study identified a direct and independent association between elevated Metabolic Disturbance Degree and both overweight and obesity in children, with significant differences in CRP, Triglycerides, and HDL levels noted between obese and healthy-weight groups. The findings highlight the critical need for early detection and comprehensive understanding of obesity-related changes to mitigate the severe health risks associated with childhood obesity.

Higher Bifidobacterium spp. fecal abundance is associated with a lower prevalence of hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk markers among schoolchildren from Bahia, Brazil.

The gut microbiome has recently been the subject of considerable scientific interest due to its essential bodily functions. Several factors can change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, and dietary habits are one of the most important contributors. Despite the recognition of the probiotic effects related to the genus Bifidobacterium spp. (BIF) studies aiming to assess its relationship with metabolic outcomes show conflicting results, particularly in the child population. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the fecal abundance of BIF in a group of schoolchildren from public schools in Bahia, Brazil, and to investigate their relationship with food consumption and laboratory and anthropometric characteristics. A sample of 190 subjects aged 5 to 19y was randomly selected for dietary, laboratory, and anthropometric assessment. Fecal BIF abundance assessment was performed using the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction assay. Fecal BIF abundance was higher among subjects who had lower intakes of meat. The abundance of BIF was also higher among subjects with lower Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR). Low BIF abundance was associated with a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.07, p = 0.001) and high WHtR (PR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1, 08, p = 0.015). These findings allow us to conclude that BIF fecal abundance is related to dietary and anthropometric parameters in schoolchildren, and its increase is associated with positive metabolic outcomes.

Assessment of heavy metals in the particulate matter of two Brazilian metropolitan areas by using Tillandsia usneoides as atmospheric biomonitor.

PURPOSE: The aims of this paper were to quantify the heavy metals (HM) in the air of different sites in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (SA) using Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae) as a biomonitor, and to study the morphology and elemental composition of the air particulate matter (PM) retained on the Tillandsia surface. METHODS: Tillandsia samples were collected in a noncontaminated area and exposed to the air of five sites in RJ State and seven in SA for 45 days, in two seasons. Samples were prepared to HM quantification by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while morphological and elemental characterizations were studied by using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: HM concentrations were significantly higher when compared to control sites. We found an increasing metal concentration as follows: Cd < Cr < Pb < Cu < Zn. PM exhibited a morphology varying from amorphous- to polygonal-shaped particles. Size measurements indicated that more than 80% of particles were less than 10 µm. PM contained aluminosilicates iron-rich particles, but Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ba were also detected. CONCLUSION: HM input in the atmosphere was mainly associated with anthropogenic sources such as vehicle exhaust. Elemental analysis detected HM in the inhalable particles, indicating that those HMs may intensify the toxic effects of PM on human health. Our results indicated T. usneoides as an adequate biomonitor of HM in the PM belonging to the inhalable fraction.