Treatment of childhood obesity based on the reduction of ultra-processed foods plus energy restriction: A randomised controlled trial based on the Brazilian guidelines.

Reducing ultra-processed foods (UPF) improves diet quality and may curb energy consumption. This study aimed to compare an intervention based on the reduction of UPF, according to the Dietary Guideline for the Brazilian Population (DGBP), with and without advice on energy intake. A parallel and randomised controlled trial was carried out with children with obesity from 7 to 12 years old. Both control (CG) and intervention groups (IG) participated monthly in 6 standardised educational activities based on the 10 steps of the DGBP. An individualised food plan was also provided to the IG. The rate of change for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body weight, and UPF consumption were investigated based on mixed-effect models. At the end of the study, the BMI declined in the IG (Δ = -0.27 kg/m2) compared to the CG (Δ = + 0.53 kg/m2) (p = .0002). Both groups showed a decline in grams of UPF until the fourth month and a gradual increase in the following months. Combining the qualitative approach of the DGBP with counselling on energy restriction through the diet plan proved to be effective in reducing childhood obesity. Clinical Trial Registration: This trial is registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBEC), under the RBR-3st5sn registry, available at http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-3st5sn/. The datasets generated by the current study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

A multicomponent family intervention, combined with salt reduction for children with obesity: a factorial randomized study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials to treat childhood obesity show modest results, weight regain and high dropout rates. Children with obesity often live in families with habits that contribute to unhealthy weight gain. This study will test whether a family intervention with a Brazilian-adapted Planetary Healthy Diet (PHD) and reduced portion sizes, along with increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior, can reduce excessive weight gain. The protocol promotes the intake of in natura products and water and reduces ultra-processed foods, sugar, and sodium. It encourages family lifestyle changes and physical activities, with randomized allocation to experimental and control groups. The responsible family member will be evaluated during follow-up. The control group will receive a print of the Brazilian dietary guideline. METHODS: A factorial crossover design will also allocate families to receive reduced sodium salt plus anti-inflammatory herbs and a placebo salt. Both the control and intervention groups will be randomly assigned to the sequence of both salts. The approach aims to reduce body weight expectations and evaluate salt's impact on blood pressure. It includes a 1-month intervention, 1-month washout, and 1-month intervention with monthly clinic visits and teleservice by health professionals. The primary outcomes will be the variation in the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the children. BMI and the variation in the blood pressure of the pair (child/mother or father) as well as waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) will also be measured. DISCUSSION: The project will test the effectiveness of the use of the recommendations of the PHD, physical activity and a salt-reduced sodium. The results of the present study will allow the refinement of interventions aimed at the treatment of childhood obesity and may help develop guidelines for the treatment of obesity in Brazilian children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-10 mm62vs). Registered 10 February 2023.

Blood pressure variation and ultra-processed food consumption in children with obesity.

To investigate the influence of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in children with obesity, using dietary and urinary markers. We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial involving children with obesity, aged 7 to 12 years. Over a period of six months, the children and their guardians attended monthly individual consultations and educational activities aimed at promoting a reduction in UPF consumption. During each visit, measurements of blood pressure, body weight, height, and 24-h dietary recall were recorded. Additionally, spot urine samples were collected at baseline, and at the second and fifth-month follow-ups. A total of 96 children were included in the analysis. Energy intake, UPF intake and blood pressure showed a quadratic pattern of change, with a decrease in the first two months and an increase thereafter. There was an association between UPF consumption and DBP. The intake of UPF was correlated with the urinary sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio (r = 0.29; p = 0.008) and the dietary Na/K ratio (r = 0.40; p < 0.001). For every 100 g increase in UPF, DBP increased by 0.28 mmHg (p-value = 0.01). After further adjustment for changes in body mass index (BMI), and physical activity, the increase in DBP was 0.22 mmHg.    Conclusion: Our findings indicate that reducing UPF consumption may have an impact on blood pressure in children with obesity. Additional adjustment for BMI and physical activity did not influence the results. Therefore, reducing UPF consumption can be considered as a strategy against hypertension. What is Known: • Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease; however, this evidence is still limited in children. • Intake of calories from ultra-processed food in relation to the total calories is increasing worldwide. What is New: • Ultra-processed food consumption has an effect on the diastolic blood pressure, independent of changes in weight. • The intake of ultra-processed food was correlated to the dietary sodium-to-potassium ratio (r = 0.40; p < 0.001).

The Cardiovascular Health Integrated Lifestyle Diet (CHILD) Lowers LDL-Cholesterol Levels in Brazilian Dyslipidemic Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the CHILD-2 diet on the lipid profile of Brazilian children and adolescents with dyslipidemia. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study, where 149 participants (5-17 years) with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia were divided into two groups (GI: low or normal weight; n = 58 and GII: overweight; n = 91). Both groups underwent the CHILD-2 diet, characterized by 25-30% total fat and less than 7% of low-saturated fat (SF) for 6 months. Changes from baseline in the lipid profile, including Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, triacylglycerols and glucose concentrations, dietary and anthropometric data were examined at 3 and 6 months. Longitudinal analyses were performed using linear mixed-effects models in SAS. RESULTS: Serum LDL-C concentrations reduced over time compared with baseline (Δ = -5.1 mg/dL; p < 0.01), with no difference between groups (p = 0.35). TC concentrations decreased by -2.0 mg/dL (p < 0.01); but no difference was observed between groups. We found no significant changes in body mass index/age Z scores after a dietary intervention compared with baseline in both groups (p = 0.94). CONCLUSION: Despite the modest reduction, our findings confirm that children with dyslipidemia can benefit from the CHILD-2 diet combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Efetividade de uma estratégia para tratamento da obesidade infantil baseada no Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira: um ensaio randomizado / Effectiveness of a strategy for the treatment of childhood obesity based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population: a randomized trial

O Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira (GAPB) baseia suas recomendações na extensão e propósito do processamento ocorrido nos alimentos, e sugere que a redução do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (AUP) está relacionada a melhora na qualidade da alimentação e consequentemente perda de peso. Apesar de alguns estudos terem observado impacto importante na qualidade da dieta, não há evidências que a redução no consumo de AUP seja acompanhada por redução no consumo de energia total. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a efetividade de uma proposta de intervenção para tratamento da obesidade em crianças baseada no GAPB. Foi realizado um ensaio clínico randomizado com crianças entre 7 e 12 anos, encaminhados pelo Sistema Nacional de Regulação (SISREG) para atendimento ao ambulatório de nutrição do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE). Os participantes do Grupo controle (GC) e do Grupo Intervenção (GI) participaram de 6 atividades educativas padronizadas e contextualizadas com os 10 passos do GAPB. No GI, também foi prescrito um plano alimentar individualizado, com base nas recomendações nutricionais. Análise de intenção de tratar foi realizada para avaliar a taxa de variação do desfecho primário (índice de massa corporal (IMC)) e secundários (circunferência da cintura (CC) e peso), entre os GI e GC, com base em modelos de efeito mistos. Estas análises também foram aplicadas para medir o consumo alimentar, avaliado pela taxa de variação de gramas de AUP. Adicionalmente, os resultados do IMC foram comparados com curvas de crescimento, desenvolvidas pelo método LMS, que representa a evolução do IMC da população do estudo sem intervenção. Dos 101 participantes, 51 foram alocados no GI. Ao final do estudo, o IMC declinou no GI (Δ = -0,27 kg/m2) em relação ao GC (Δ = + 0,53 kg/m2), com diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos (p=0.0002). Ao comparar o GC com a curva LMS, observou-se maior aumento do IMC no grupo LMS (Δ = + 1,02 kg/m2; p<0,0001). Para mudança de peso, o aumento foi maior no GC (Δ= +5,51), comparado ao GI (Δ= +3,7, p=<0,0001). E não houve diferença significativa na trajetória da CC entre os grupos. Ambos os grupos apresentaram um declínio no consumo de gramas de AUP até o quarto mês e um aumento gradual nos meses seguintes, sem diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,77). A combinação de uma abordagem qualitativa baseada nas recomendações do guia com o aconselhamento da restrição energética por meio do plano alimentar mostrou-se eficaz na redução da obesidade infantil. As atividades educativas tiveram impacto no consumo de AUP, porém, há uma dificuldade em manter em longos períodos mudanças comportamentais. Uma vez que o consumo destes alimentos pode prejudicar o tratamento da obesidade infantil, são necessárias estratégias que proporcionem a redução do consumo de AUP ao longo do tempo.

The Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population (DGBP) rely its recommendation on the of extent and purpose that occurred in food and suggests that the reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) improves diet quality and consequent weight loss. Although some studies have observed an important impact on the quality of the diet, there is no evidence that the reduction in the consumption of UPF is accompanied by a reduction in total energy consumption. Thus, the goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention proposal for the treatment of obesity in children based on the DGBP. A randomized clinical trial was carried out with children between 7 and 12 years old, referred by the National Regulatory System (SISREG) to the nutrition outpatient clinic of University Hospital Pedro Ernesto (HUPE) are evaluated. Participants in the Control Group (CG) and Intervention Group (IG) participated in 6 standardized educational activities contextualized with the 10 Steps of DGBP. In the IG, an individualized food plan was prescribed, based on nutritional recommendations. Intent-to-treat analysis were performed to assess the rate of change of primary (body mass index (BMI)) and secondary (waist circumference (WC) and weight) outcomes between IG and CG, based on mixed-effects models. These analyzes were also applied to measure food consumption, assessed by the rate of change of grams of AUP. Additionally, the BMI results were compared with growth curves, developed by the LMS method, which represents the BMI evolution of the study population without intervention. Of the 101 participants, 51 were allocated to the IG. At the end of the study, BMI declined in the IG (Δ = -0.27 kg/m2) in relation to the CG (Δ = + 0.53 kg/m2), with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.0002). When comparing the GC with the LMS curve, a greater increase in BMI was observed in the LMS group (Δ = + 1.02 kg/m2; p<0.0001). For weight change, the increase was greater in the CG (Δ= +5.51), compared to the IG (Δ= +3.7, p=<0.0001). And there was no significant difference in the trajectory of WC between groups. Both groups showed a decline in grams of UPF until the fourth month and a gradual increase in the following months, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.77). The combination of a qualitative approach based on the DGBP with energy restriction advice through the food plan proved to be effective in reducing childhood obesity. Educational activities had an impact on UPF consumption, however, there is a difficulty in maintaining behavioral changes over long periods. Since the consumption of these foods can impair the treatment of childhood obesity, strategies are needed to reduce UPF consumption over time.

Treatment of Childhood Obesity Based on Brazilian Dietary Guidelines Plus Energy Restriction (PAPPAS HUPE Study): Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Food Guide for the Brazilian Population relies on natural or minimally processed foods mainly of plant origin such as beans and rice with low oil, salt, and sugar content and limited consumption of ultraprocessed foods. Reduction of ultraprocessed foods improves diet quality and energy consumption. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention for the treatment of obesity in children, with counseling based on the Brazilian Food Guide plus control of total energy intake. METHODS: A parallel, randomized clinical trial will include children aged 7 to 12 years. Randomization will be performed in blocks of 10 individuals using computer-generated random sequence numbers. Both the control and intervention groups will participate in 6 standardized educational activities based on the 10 steps of the Brazilian Food Guide. These activities will be conducted at the University Hospital Toy Library, located in the pediatric outpatient clinic. For the intervention group, in addition to the educational activities, an individualized food plan based on the nutritional recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics will be prescribed and discussed with the mothers and fathers. The primary outcome of the study will be variations in body mass index, and secondary outcomes will include analysis of insulin resistance, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and waist and neck circumference. RESULTS: This project was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development in December 2017 (grant no 408333/2017-0). Recruitment began in August 2018 and by September 2019, we had enrolled the 101 participants. In addition to the patients referred by the national system of regulation, recruitment was made by medical outpatient referral and external indication. This is an ongoing study. We expect the results to be published in November 2020. CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the project, in case of a positive result, a protocol for the treatment of obesity based on the Brazilian Food Guide will be proposed to the Unified Health System. A successful method to reduce childhood obesity is expected. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-3st5sn; http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-3st5sn. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/16170.

Associação do consumo de fibras e risco cardiovascular em pacientes idosos / Association of fiber intake and cardiovascular risk in elderly patients

Fundamentos: A doença cardiovascular está na liderança de causas de mortalidade. Através da alimentaçãopodem ser modificados alguns fatores de risco e a fibra dietética exerce papel importante na prevenção dessasdoenças.Objetivo: Avaliar o consumo de fibras, os fatores de risco cardiovascular e a associação entre eles em pacientesidosos atendidos em ambulatório de nutrição.Métodos: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, realizado mediante análise do recordatório de 24 horas e levantamentodos fatores de risco cardiovascular: circunferência abdominal, dados de lipidograma e glicemia de jejum, sedentarismoe tabagismo. Os participantes foram estratificados em grupos segundo o índice de massa corporal (IMC).Resultados: Foram avaliados 40 prontuários e encontrada maior prevalência em pacientes com sobrepeso (45,0%)e obesos (27,5%). Além disso, 72,5% relataram ser sedentários e 82,5% não tabagistas. As maiores médias de colesteroltotal, triglicerídeos e LDL-colesterol foram observadas nos eutróficos: 194,5±48,5 mg/dL; 167,2±95,9 mg/dL e130,0±37,7 mg/dL, respectivamente. Os obesos apresentaram menor média de HDL-colesterol (44,0±8,9 mg/dL)enquanto a maior média de glicemia de jejum (109,8±29,1 mg/dL) foi encontrada no grupo de sobrepeso. Oconsumo de fibras totais (g/dia) foi: 25,1±6,6 nos desnutridos; 22,6±7,0 nos eutróficos; 23,3±6,0 no grupo desobrepeso e 22,0±3,4 nos obesos. Não houve associação significativa com nenhuma das variáveis analisadas.Conclusão: Não foi encontrada associação entre o consumo de fibras e os fatores de risco cardiovascular analisadosem idosos deste estudo.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality. Through food, some risk factors may be modified and dietaryfiber plays an important role in preventing these diseases.Objective: To assess fiber intake, cardiovascular risk factors and the association between them in elderly patients at a nutrition clinic.Methods: Descriptive retrospective study conducted by analyzing 24-hour dietary recall and survey of cardiovascular risk factors:waist circumference, lipid profile data and fasting glucose, physical inactivity and smoking. The participants were stratified intogroups according to body mass index (BMI).Results: Forty records were evaluated and higher prevalence was found in overweight patients (45.0%) and obese patients (27.5%).In addition, 72.5% reported being physically inactive and 82.5% are non-smokers. The highest averages of total cholesterol, triglyceridesand LDL cholesterol were observed in eutrophic patients: 194.5±48.5 mg/dL; 167.2±95.9 mg/dL and 130.0±37.7 mg/dL,respectively. Obese patients had lower average HDL-cholesterol levels (44.0±8.9 mg/dL) while the highest average fasting glucose(109.8±29.1 mg/dL) was observed in the overweight group. The total fiber intake (g/day) was: 25.1±6.6 in malnourished patients;22.6±7.0 in eutrophic patients; 23.3±6.0 in the overweight group and 22.0±3.4 in obese patients. There was no significant associationwith any of the variables analyzed.Conclusion: No association was found between fiber consumption and the cardiovascular risk factors analyzed in the elderlyindividuals of this study.