Estimation of the availability of iron in the school meals of Municipal Centers for Early Childhood Education of a capital city in northeastern Brazil.

The final stage of Fe deficiency is Fe deficiency anaemia, with repercussions for human health, especially in children under 5 years of age. Studies conducted in Brazilian public daycare centres show high prevalence of anaemia. The present study aims to evaluate the availability of Fe in the meals of the Municipal Centers of Early Childhood Education in Maceió. The experimental design comprises selection of algorithms, menu evaluation, calculation of the estimates, comparison between the estimates obtained and the recommendations, and analysis of correlation between meal constituents, and of the concordance between the absorbable Fe estimates. Four algorithms were selected and a monthly menu consisting of 22 d. The correlation analysis showed a moderate positive correlation to animal tissue (AT) v. non-heme iron (r = 0·42; P = 0·04), and negative to AT v. Ca (r = -0·54; P = 0·09) and Ca v. phytates (r = -0·46, P = 0·03). Estimates of absorbable Fe ranged from 0·23 to 0·44 mg/d. The amount of Fe available, unlike the total amount of Fe offered, does not meet the nutritional recommendations on most school days. The Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the Monsen and Balinfty and Rickard et al. showed greater agreement. The results confirm the need to adopt strategies to increase the availability of Fe in school meals.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on health and functional capacity in institutionalized older adults / Efectos de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en la salud y capacidad funcional de personas mayores institucionalizadas / Efeitos da infecção por SARS-CoV-2 na saúde e na capacidade funcional de pessoas idosas institucionalizadas

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the health conditions and functional capacity of older adults living in long-term care units in Maceió City - Alagoas State. Methods: A prospective cohort was conducted with institutionalized older adults of both sexes. Older adults were assessed for clinical conditions (diagnosis of chronic diseases and biochemical tests), functional capacity, and nutritional status. All assessments were repeated on two occasions, maintaining a 6-month interval between them. Results: The sample was composed of 289 older adults. Of the total, 98 (33.9%) were positive for COVID-19 and eight died (2.8%). Men were more likely to have COVID-19 (OR = 3.50; p < 0.01). It was observed that the disease contributed to increasing the frequency of dependent older adults after six months (OR = 1.38; p-interaction < 0.01). It was also observed that after six months of positive diagnosis for COVID-19, there was greater weight loss (p < 0.01), reduced BMI (p < 0.01), increased mean SBP (p = 0.04), and DBP (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Effects of COVID-19 in institutionalized older adults go beyond acute complications and compromise blood pressure control, functional capacity, and favor weight loss.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 sobre las condiciones de salud y la capacidad funcional de personas mayores que viven en unidades de cuidados a largo plazo en la ciudad de Maceió - Alagoas. Métodos: Se realizó una cohorte prospectiva con ancianos institucionalizados de ambos sexos. Los ancianos fueron evaluados en cuanto a condiciones clínicas (diagnóstico de enfermedades crónicas y pruebas bioquímicas), capacidad funcional y estado nutricional. Todas las evaluaciones se repitieron en dos ocasiones, manteniendo un intervalo de 6 meses entre ellas. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta por 289 personas mayores. Del total, 98 (33,9%) dieron positivo a la COVID-19 y ocho fallecieron (2,8%). Los hombres tenían más probabilidades de tener COVID-19 (OR = 3,50; p <0,01). Se observó que la enfermedad contribuyó al aumento de la frecuencia de ancianos dependientes después de seis meses (OR = 1,38; interacción p < 0,01). Se observó que la enfermedad contribuyó al aumento de la frecuencia de ancianos dependientes después de seis meses (OR = 1,38; interacción p < 0,01). También se observó que después de seis meses de diagnóstico positivo para COVID-19, hubo mayor pérdida de peso (p < 0,01), reducción del IMC (p < 0,01), aumento de la PAS media (p = 0,04) y la PAD (p = 0,03). Conclusión: Los efectos del COVID-19 en ancianos institucionalizados van más allá de las complicaciones agudas y comprometen el control de la presión arterial, la capacidad funcional, favoreciendo la pérdida de peso.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2 nas condições de saúde e capacidade funcional de idosos residentes em unidades de longa permanência na cidade de Maceió - Alagoas. Métodos: Foi realizada uma coorte prospectiva com idosos institucionalizados de ambos os sexos. Os idosos foram avaliados quanto às condições clínicas (diagnóstico de doenças crônicas e exames bioquímicos), capacidade funcional e estado nutricional. Todas as avaliações foram repetidas em duas ocasiões, mantendo um intervalo de 6 meses entre elas. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 289 idosos. Do total, 98 (33,9%) deram positivo para COVID-19 e oito faleceram (2,8%). Os homens tiveram maior probabilidade de ter COVID-19 (OR = 3,50; p < 0,01). Observou-se que a doença contribuiu para o aumento da frequência de idosos dependentes após seis meses (OR = 1,38; interação de p <0,01). Observou-se também que após seis meses de diagnóstico positivo para COVID-19, houve maior perda de peso (p < 0,01), redução do IMC (p < 0,01), aumento da média da PAS (p = 0,04) e da PAD (p = 0,03). Conclusão: Os efeitos da COVID-19 em idosos institucionalizados vão além das complicações agudas e comprometem o controle da pressão arterial, a capacidade funcional, favorecendo a perda de peso.