Analysis of the prevalence in sugar consumption in child care consultations / Análise da prevalência do consumo de açúcar em consultas de puericultura

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the prevalence of sugar consumption and associated factors in childcare consultations. Methods: cross-sectional study with 599 children > six months to < 24 months of age, assisted by the Family Health Units. Outcomes: daily consumption of sweetened beverages, sweets/candies, recorded in the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System; independent variables: sociodemographic data. Multiple logistic regression test was applied. Results: 62.10% of the children consume sugary drinks and 42.23%, sweets/candies. Consuming sugary drinks was associated with the age of 12-17 months and 29 days (OR=2.525; CI95%=1.68-3.78) and 18-17 months and 29 days (OR=2.90; CI95%=1.90-4.43); children living with more than four people at home (OR=1.59; CI95%=1.11-2.26), aged 12-17 months and 29 days (OR=2.05; CI95%=1.34-3.13) and 18-23 months and 29 days (OR=2.51; CI95%=1.62-3.87) were more likely to consume sweets/candies than younger children. Maternal aspects, such as age (OR=0.66; CI95%=0.46-0.93), marital status (OR=1.67; CI95%=1.06-2.6), schooling (OR=2.14; CI95%=1.12-4.08), and presence of government assistance (OR=2.03; CI95%=1.41-2.93), were conditions associated with the consumption of sweets. Conclusions: the prevalence of sugar in children's diet was high and was associated with sociodemographic aspects. Health education actions should be carried out in childcare, in order to promote healthy food, minimizing the consumption of sugar.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar a prevalência do consumo de açúcar e fatores associados em consultas de puericultura. Métodos: estudo transversal com 599 crianças >seis a <24 meses de idade, assistidas por Unidades de Saúde da Família. Desfechos: consumo diário de bebidas adoçadas, doces/guloseimas, registrados no Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional; variáveis independentes: dados sociodemográficos. Aplicou-se teste de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: 62,10% das crianças consomem bebidas açucaradas e 42,23% doces/guloseimas. Consumir bebidas açucaradas associou-se à idade de 12-17 meses e 29 dias (OR=2,525; IC95%=1,68-3,78) e 18-17 meses e 29 dias (OR=2,90; IC95%=1,90-4,43); crianças residirem com mais de quatro pessoas na casa (OR=1,59; IC95%:1,11-2,26), terem idade de 12-17 meses e 29 dias (OR=2,05; IC95%=1,34-3,13) e 18-23 meses e 29 dias (OR=2,51; IC95%=1,62-3,87) apresentaram maior chance de consumir doces/guloseimas que crianças mais novas. Aspectos maternos como idade (OR=0,66; IC95%=0,46-0,93), estado civil (OR=1,67; IC95%=1,06-2,6), escolaridade (OR=2,14; IC95%=1,12-4,08), e presença de auxílio do governo (OR=2,03;IC95%=1,41-2,93), foram condições associadas ao consumo de doces/guloseimas. Conclusão: foi alta a prevalência de açúcar na dieta das crianças e esteve associada a aspectos sociodemográficos. Ações de educação em saúde devem ser realizadas na puericultura, a fim de fomentar a alimentação saudável, minimizando o consumo de açúcar.

Chocolate Candy and Incident Invasive Cancer Risk in the Women's Health Initiative: An Observational Prospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory and animal studies suggest an inverse association between chocolate consumption and the risk of cancer. Epidemiological studies have yielded inconsistent evidence. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of chocolate candy consumption with incident, invasive total, breast, colorectal, and lung cancers in a large cohort of postmenopausal American women. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with a mean 14.8-year follow-up. Chocolate candy intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Invasive cancer events were assessed by physician adjudication. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The Women's Health Initiative Study enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women at 40 clinical centers nationwide between 1993 and 1998. Of these women, 114,281 with plausible food frequency or biometric data and no missing data on chocolate candy exposure were selected for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cancer risk in quartiles of chocolate candy consumption with the first quartile as referent. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: There were 16,164 documented incident invasive cancers, representing an incidence rate of 17.0 per 100 participants and 12.3 per 1000 person years during follow-up among participants without any preexisting cancers or missing outcome data. There were no statistically significant associations for total invasive cancer (P-linear = .47, P-curvature = .14), or invasive breast cancer (P-linear = .77, P-curvature = .26). For colorectal cancer P-linear was .02, P-curvature was .03, and compared with women eating a 1 oz (28.4 g) chocolate candy serving <1 time per month, the hazard ratio for ≥1.5 times/wk was 1.18 (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.35). This result may be attributable to the excess adiposity associated with frequent chocolate candy consumption. CONCLUSIONS: In the Women's Health Initiative, there was no significant association between chocolate candy consumption and invasive total or breast cancer. There was a modest 18% higher risk of invasive colorectal cancer for women who ate chocolate candy at least 1.5 times/wk. These results require confirmation.

Risk and protection factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in adolescents in Brazilian capitals. / Fatores de risco e proteção para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze trend estimates on the prevalence of risk and protective behaviors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in adolescents, according to data from the National School Health Survey in 2009, 2012 and 2015. METHODS: Data from the three cross-sectional studies in Brazilian capitals and the Federal District were used. In total, 173,310 adolescents enrolled in the ninth grade of elementary school were interviewed, with average age of 14 years. The prevalence of indicators of protective (consumption of beans and fruit; physical education classes at school; practice of physical activity for 60 minutes or more) and risk factors (consumption of candies and soft drinks; use of cigarettes and alcohol in the last 30 days; drug testing) were estimated through linear regression. RESULTS: There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of fruit consumption and in the reduction of bean, soft drinks and candies consumption, as well as the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. However, an increase in the prevalence of illicit drug experimentation was observed. Discussion: Despite the tendency to reduce risk factors, prevalences are high when compared with other sociocultural realities. CONCLUSION: The school is an important area of access to the adolescent public, and it is necessary to encourage school health promotion programs to reduce health risk behaviors, as well as to stimulate protective ones.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as estimativas de tendência sobre a prevalência de comportamentos de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes, segundo dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar em 2009, 2012 e 2015. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados dos três estudos transversais nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal. No total, entrevistaram-se 173.310 adolescentes matriculados no 9º ano do ensino fundamental, com idade média de 14 anos. Foram estimadas pelo modelo de regressão linear as prevalências dos indicadores de fatores de proteção (consumo de feijão e frutas; aulas de educação física na escola; prática de 60 minutos ou mais de atividade física) e de risco (consumo de guloseimas e refrigerantes; uso de cigarro e álcool nos últimos 30 dias; experimentação de drogas). RESULTADOS: Houve aumento significativo (p < 0,05) da prevalência do consumo de frutas e redução de consumo de feijão, refrigerantes e guloseimas, assim como do uso de bebidas alcoólicas e cigarro, entretanto foi observado aumento na prevalência de experimentação de drogas ilícitas. DISCUSSÃO: Apesar da tendência de redução em alguns fatores de risco, as prevalências encontradas são altas ao comparar com outras realidades socioculturais. CONCLUSÃO: A escola é um importante espaço de acesso ao público adolescente, e faz-se necessário estimular programas de promoção da saúde escolar para reduzir comportamentos de risco à saúde, assim como incentivar comportamentos protetores.

Fatores de risco e proteção para as doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras / Risk and protection factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in adolescents in Brazilian capitals

RESUMO: Objetivo: Analisar as estimativas de tendência sobre a prevalência de comportamentos de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em adolescentes, segundo dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar em 2009, 2012 e 2015. Métodos: Foram utilizados dados dos três estudos transversais nas capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal. No total, entrevistaram-se 173.310 adolescentes matriculados no 9º ano do ensino fundamental, com idade média de 14 anos. Foram estimadas pelo modelo de regressão linear as prevalências dos indicadores de fatores de proteção (consumo de feijão e frutas; aulas de educação física na escola; prática de 60 minutos ou mais de atividade física) e de risco (consumo de guloseimas e refrigerantes; uso de cigarro e álcool nos últimos 30 dias; experimentação de drogas). Resultados: Houve aumento significativo (p < 0,05) da prevalência do consumo de frutas e redução de consumo de feijão, refrigerantes e guloseimas, assim como do uso de bebidas alcoólicas e cigarro, entretanto foi observado aumento na prevalência de experimentação de drogas ilícitas. Discussão: Apesar da tendência de redução em alguns fatores de risco, as prevalências encontradas são altas ao comparar com outras realidades socioculturais. Conclusão: A escola é um importante espaço de acesso ao público adolescente, e faz-se necessário estimular programas de promoção da saúde escolar para reduzir comportamentos de risco à saúde, assim como incentivar comportamentos protetores.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze trend estimates on the prevalence of risk and protective behaviors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in adolescents, according to data from the National School Health Survey in 2009, 2012 and 2015. Methods: Data from the three cross-sectional studies in Brazilian capitals and the Federal District were used. In total, 173,310 adolescents enrolled in the ninth grade of elementary school were interviewed, with average age of 14 years. The prevalence of indicators of protective (consumption of beans and fruit; physical education classes at school; practice of physical activity for 60 minutes or more) and risk factors (consumption of candies and soft drinks; use of cigarettes and alcohol in the last 30 days; drug testing) were estimated through linear regression. Results: There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of fruit consumption and in the reduction of bean, soft drinks and candies consumption, as well as the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. However, an increase in the prevalence of illicit drug experimentation was observed. Discussion: Despite the tendency to reduce risk factors, prevalences are high when compared with other sociocultural realities. Conclusion: The school is an important area of access to the adolescent public, and it is necessary to encourage school health promotion programs to reduce health risk behaviors, as well as to stimulate protective ones.

Association between dietary patterns and mental disorders in pregnant women in Southern Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the association between dietary patterns and mental disorders among pregnant women in southern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 712 pregnant women recruited from the Study of Food Intake and Eating Behaviors in Pregnancy (ECCAGe). Food intake assessment was performed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis. The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) was used to evaluate participants' mental health. Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted to estimate prevalence ratios (PR). Results: In the adjusted models, there was a high prevalence of major depressive disorder among women with low fruit intake (43%, PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.04-1.95) and high sweets and sugars intake (91%, PR 1.91, 95%CI 1.19-3.07). Women with a common-Brazilian dietary pattern had higher prevalence of major depressive disorder compared to those with a varied consumption pattern (PR 1.43, 95%CI 1.01-2.02). Low intake of beans was significantly associated with generalized anxiety disorder (PR 1.40, 95%CI 1.01-1.93). Conclusions: Low consumption of fruits and beans and intake of the common-Brazilian dietary pattern during pregnancy were associated with higher prevalence of mental disorders. These results reinforce the importance of an adequate dietary intake to ensure better mental health in pregnancy.

Aquisição domiciliar de refrigerantes e de biscoitos reduz o efeito de uma intervenção de promoção de frutas e hortaliças / Household purchase of sodas and cookies reduces the effect of an intervention to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables / La adquisición domiciliaria de refrescos y galletas reduce el efecto de una intervención de promoción de frutas y hortalizas

Resumo: O presente estudo examina a influência do aumento da disponibilidade intradomiciliar de refrigerantes e biscoitos sobre os efeitos de uma intervenção de promoção do consumo de frutas e hortaliças. Foram analisados os dados de 70 famílias que viviam em comunidades de baixa renda na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, que foram selecionadas por meio de uma amostra probabilística estratificada e completaram registro alimentar de 30 dias antes e depois da intervenção. A intervenção contribuiu para um aumento significativo na disponibilidade intradomiciliar de frutas e hortaliças (+2,7 p.p.; IC95%: 1,5; 4,0), superando a tendência de estagnação na população brasileira. Já a aquisição de refrigerantes e biscoitos, que não foi objeto da intervenção, acompanhou a tendência crescente de consumo destes produtos (+5,8 p.p.; IC95%: 3,3; 8,4). As famílias que aumentaram a aquisição de refrigerantes e biscoitos apresentaram menores aumentos, ou decréscimos, na aquisição de frutas e hortaliças (p < 0,05) e tiveram uma chance quase quatro vezes menor de experimentar algum aumento na disponibilidade intradomiciliar de frutas e hortaliças.

Abstract: This study examines the influence of increasing household availability of sodas and cookies on the effects of an intervention to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The study analyzed data from 70 families living in low-income communities in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, selected in a stratified probabilistic sample, and who completed a 30-day food record before and after the intervention. The intervention contributed to a significant increase in the household availability of fruit and vegetables (+2.7 p.p.; 95%CI: 1.5; 4.0), contrary to the trend towards stagnation of such availability in the general population in Brazil. Meanwhile, the purchase of sodas and cookies, which was not the intervention's target, mirrored the upward trend in the consumption of these products (+5.8 p.p.; 95%CI: 3.3; 8.4). Families that increased their purchase of sodas and cookies showed lower increases, or even decreases, in the purchase of fruits and vegetables (p < 0.05), and had nearly fourfold lower odds of experiencing any increase in the household availability of fruits and vegetables.

Resumen: El presente estudio examina la influencia del aumento de la disponibilidad intradomiciliaria de refrescos y galletas, sobre los efectos de una intervención de promoción del consumo de frutas y hortalizas. Se analizaron los datos de 70 familias que vivían en comunidades de baja renta en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro, Brasil, que fueron seleccionadas mediante una muestra probabilística estratificada, y completaron un registro alimentario de 30 días antes y después de la intervención. La intervención contribuyó a un aumento significativo en la disponibilidad intradomiciliaria de frutas y hortalizas (+2,7 p.p.; IC95%: 1,5; 4,0), superando la tendencia de estancamiento en la población brasileña. Ya la adquisición de refrescos y galletas, que no fue objeto de la intervención, acompañó la tendencia creciente de consumo de estos productos (+5,8 p.p.; IC95%: 3,3; 8,4). Las familias que aumentaron la adquisición de refrescos y galletas presentaron menores aumentos, o decrementos, en la adquisición de frutas y hortalizas (p < 0,05) y tuvieron una probabilidad casi cuatro veces menor de experimentar algún aumento en la disponibilidad intradomiciliaria de frutas y hortalizas.

Consumption of sugar-rich food products among Brazilian students:National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2012) / Consumo de alimentos ricos em açúcar entre estudantes brasileiros:Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012) / Consumo de alimentos ricos en azúcar entre estudiantes brasileños:Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar (PeNSE 2012)

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the consumption of high-sugar foods by Brazilian schoolchildren and to identify associated factors, based on data from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2012). Consumption of these foods was classified as: do not consume sweets and soft drinks regularly; consume sweets or soft drinks regularly; and consume sweets and soft drinks regularly. Its association with sociodemographic information, eating habits, and family contexts were investigated via multiple ordinal regressions. Regular consumption of sweets and/or soft drinks was reported by 19.2% and 36.1% of adolescents, respectively, and higher prevalence was associated with female gender, age 14-15 years, higher maternal education, not living with the mother and father, not eating meals with the parents, eating while watching TV, and longer TV time. Nearly one-fifth of adolescents regularly consumed sweets and soft drinks, which was associated with socio-demographic and behavioral factors that should be targeted in order to improve their food consumption.

Resumo Objetivou-se analisar o consumo de alimentos ricos em açúcar entre estudantes brasileiros e identificar seus fatores associados. Utilizaram-se dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE 2012). O consumo desses alimentos foi classificado como: não consomem guloseimas/refrigerantes regularmente; consomem guloseimas ou refrigerantes regularmente; consomem guloseimas e refrigerantes regularmente. Fatores sociodemográficos, alimentares e familiares associados foram avaliados por regressão ordinal múltipla. O consumo regular de guloseimas e/ou refrigerantes foi relatado por 19,2% e 36,1% dos adolescentes, respectivamente, sendo mais prevalente entre estudantes do sexo feminino, com 14-15 anos de idade, com maior escolaridade materna, que não viviam com a mãe e o pai, que não realizam as refeições com os pais, que comiam assistindo TV e que passavam mais tempo diante da TV. Quase 1/5 dos adolescentes consumia guloseimas e refrigerantes regularmente, condição associada a fatores sociodemográficos e comportamentais, os quais devem ser priorizados visando a melhorar seu consumo alimentar.

Resumen Se tuvo como objetivo analizar el consumo de alimentos ricos en azúcar entre estudiantes brasileños e identificar sus factores asociados. Se utilizaron datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar (PeNSE 2012). El consumo de estos alimentos fue clasificado como: no consumen golosinas/refrescos regularmente; consumen golosinas o refrescos regularmente; consumen golosinas y refrescos regularmente. Factores sociodemográficos, alimentarios y familiares asociados fueron evaluados por regresión ordinal múltiple. El consumo regular de golosinas y/o refrescos fue relatado por 19,2% y 36,1% de los adolescentes, respectivamente, siendo más prevalente entre estudiantes del sexo femenino, con 14-15 años de edad, con mayor escolaridad materna, que no vivían con la madre y el padre, que no realizan las comidas con los padres, que comían viendo TV y que pasaban más tiempo viendo TV. Casi 1/5 de los adolescentes consumía golosinas y refrescos regularmente, condición asociada a factores sociodemográficos y de comportamiento, que deben ser observados como prioridad para mejorar el consumo alimenticio.

The role of behaviour in inequality in increments of dental caries among Finnish adults.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from cross-sectional studies implies that dental behaviours partially explain inequalities in oral health. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether dental behaviours completely eliminate inequality in increments of dental caries in a sample of Finnish adults. METHODS: The baseline data were collected from the Health 2000 survey, a nationally representative survey of 8,028 individuals aged 30 years or older living in mainland Finland. Four years later, 1,248 subjects were invited for oral re-examination, and 1,049 agreed to participate (84% response rate). At baseline, participants provided information on demographics, education and dental behaviours (dental attendance, tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste, sugar consumption and daily smoking). Oral examinations at baseline and follow-up were identical. RESULTS: Adults with basic education had significantly greater increments of DMFT (incidence rate ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.07-1.85) and DT (incidence rate ratio 2.23, 95% CI 1.27-3.90) than those with high education. Adjusting for single behaviours attenuated but did not eliminate education inequality in DMFT and DT increments, tooth brushing having the greatest impact on inequality. Simultaneous adjustment for all behaviours eliminated the significant relationship between education and caries increment. CONCLUSIONS: Accounting for important dental behaviours appears to explain all education inequality in dental caries in Finnish adults. The results should be interpreted with caution when applied to less egalitarian populations.

Low intake of vegetables, high intake of confectionary, and unhealthy eating habits are associated with poor sleep quality among middle-aged female Japanese workers.

OBJECTIVES: Although workers with poor sleep quality are reported to have problems with work performance, few studies have assessed the association between dietary factors and sleep quality using validated indexes. Here, we examined this association using information acquired from validated questionnaires. METHODS: A total of 3,129 female workers aged 34 to 65 years were analyzed. Dietary intake was assessed using a self-administered diet history questionnaire (DHQ), and subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The relationship between the intake of several food groups and nutrients and sleep quality was examined using multivariable logistic regression models. The effect of eating habits on sleep quality was also examined. RESULTS: Poor sleep quality was associated with low intake of vegetables (p for trend 0.002) and fish (p for trend 0.04) and high intake of confectionary (p for trend 0.004) and noodles (p for trend 0.03) after adjustment for potential confounding factors (age, body mass index, physical activity, depression score, employment status, alcohol intake and smoking status). Poor sleep quality was also significantly and positively associated with consumption of energy drinks and sugar-sweetened beverages, skipping breakfast, and eating irregularly. In addition, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with high carbohydrate intake (p for trend 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A low intake of vegetables and fish, high intake of confectionary and noodles and unhealthy eating habits were independently associated with poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality was also associated with high carbohydrate intake in free-living Japanese middle-aged female workers.

Daily consumption of sugary drinks and foods as a behavioural risk for health of adolescents in Kuwait.

PURPOSE: To determine the levels of daily consumption of soft drinks, sweets and cakes/pastries by schoolchildren in Kuwait and the possible background factors associated with these habits. In addition, the association between daily consumption of these sugar-rich products and other health-related habits was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationally representative sample of children from public schools was drawn for this study. Altogether, 1292 schoolchildren of an average age of 13 years (SD ± 1.04) participated by anonymously filling out a structured questionnaire in school classrooms. The questionnaire of the WHO Collaborative study (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) was used after modifications for the Kuwaiti situation. RESULTS: Daily consumption of soft drinks, sweets and cakes was very high, especially among the Kuwaiti schoolchildren. Very strong correlations were found between daily consumption of sweets and cakes/pastries (r = 0.60; P < 0.01), soft drinks and sweets (r = 0.50; P < 0.01) and between soft drinks and cakes/pastries (r = 0.42; P < 0.01). Among other unfavourable habits, late bedtime, watching TV often and smoking were strongly correlated with the daily use of sugary drinks and foods. Sociodemographic or socioeconomic factors were only weakly associated with the consumption of sugar-rich products. CONCLUSIONS: Daily consumption of sugar-rich products seems to be alarmingly high in Kuwait, higher than in any other of the 34 countries in the HBSC study. Other unhealthy habits were associated with the daily consumption of these sugar-rich products.

Greater effectiveness of daily iron supplementation scheme in infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of weekly and daily schemes of preventive supplementation with supplementary iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia in non-anemic infants. METHODS: A prospective population study with a quantitative approach and preventive intervention was performed in the city of Viçosa, Southeastern Brazil, in 2007-8. A total of 103 non-anemic children, aged between six and 18 months of age, were selected, corresponding to 20.2% of the children registered with and cared for by Equipes de Saúde da Família (Family Health Teams). Children were divided into two supplementation groups: daily dosage recommended by the Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria (Brazilian Society of Pediatrics) (group 1, n=34) and weekly dosage recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (group 2, n=69). Assessments were made in the beginning of the study and after six months, with hemoglobin dosage (portable ss-Hemoglobin-meter) and anthropometric and dietary assessments being performed and socioeconomic questionnaire applied. Impact indicators used were prevalence of anemia, hemoglobin variation, adherence to and side effects of supplements. RESULTS: Groups were homogeneous in terms of socioeconomic, biological and before-intervention health variables. After six months of supplementation, higher means of hemoglobin were found in group 1 than in group 2 (11.66; SD=1.25 and 10.95; SD=1.41, respectively, p=0.015); in addition to lower prevalences of anemia (20.6% and 43.5%, respectively, p=0.04). Only 'supplementation time' influenced severe anemia (p=0.009). Statistically significant differences were not found for the 'adherence to supplementation' and 'side effects' variables. CONCLUSIONS: The daily dosage recommended by the Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria was found to be more effective to prevent anemia in infants, when compared to the dosage used by the Ministry of Health. The weekly dosage recommended by the Brazilian government program needs to be reviewed to increase the effectiveness of prevention of anemia in infants cared for in public health services.

Tooth loss and intakes of nutrients and foods: a nationwide survey of Japanese dentists.

OBJECTIVES: To clarify the association of tooth loss with dietary intakes among dentists, for whom sufficient dental care is available. METHODS: We analyzed the data from 20 366 Japanese dentists (mean age +/- SD, 52.2 +/- 12.1 years; women 8.0%) who participated in a nationwide cohort study from 2001 to 2006. The baseline questionnaire included a validated food-frequency questionnaire to estimate intakes of foods and nutrients. We computed the geometric means of daily intakes by the number of teeth, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, physical activity, and history of diabetes. RESULTS: The mean intakes of some key nutrients and food groups, such as carotene, vitamins A and C, milk and dairy products, and vegetables including green-yellow vegetables, decreased with the increasing number of teeth lost (P for trend <0.05). On the contrary, mean intakes of carbohydrate, rice, and confectioneries were increased among those with fewer teeth (P for trend <0.05). The difference in the geometric mean (%) between totally edentulous subjects and those with > or =25 teeth, that is [(Geometric mean for > or =25 teeth) - (Geometric mean for 0 teeth)]/(Geometric mean for > or =25 teeth) x 100, was 14.3%, 8.6%, 6.1%, and -6.1% for carotene, vitamin C, vitamin A, and carbohydrate, respectively. For food groups, it was 26.3%, 11.9%, 5.6%, -9.5%, and -29.6% for milk and dairy products, green-yellow vegetables, total vegetables, rice, and confectioneries, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth loss was linked with poorer nutrition even among dentists.

Stability of dental health behavior: a 3-year prospective cohort study of 15-, 16- and 18-year-old Norwegian adolescents.

UNLABELLED: There is a need for a descriptive epidemiology of patterns of dental health behavior through adolescence. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the tracking (degree of stability) of several categories of self-reported dental health behavior in adolescence over a 3-year period. METHODS: In 1992, a representative sample of 970 15-year-old adolescents of Hordaland county, Norway, completed questionnaires under supervision at school. Postal follow-up studies 1 and 3 years later provided 709 and 781 answers, respectively. The present analyses included 581 adolescents who participated on all three occasions and 670 adolescents who replied in 1992 and 1995. Paired sample t-tests, cross-tabulations and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to assess stability. For use in the cross-tabulations all variables were transformed into binary categories (active and inactive). RESULTS: A substantial proportion of adolescents remained consistently in the same behavioral category for all 3 survey years. Toothbrushing (80%) and use of dental floss (64%) were the most stable activities, while consumption of sugared mineral water (53%), intake of chocolate/sweets (52%) and use of F-rinse (54%) were less stable. However, Pearson's correlations between corresponding behaviors assessed in 1992 and 1995 were moderate and varied from 0.59 (toothbrushing) to 0.22 (F-rinse) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results do not conclusively indicate a pattern of tracking. The tendency is, however, clear enough to support the assumption that dental health behavior continues during adolescence into adulthood.