Eating frequency and weight and body composition: a systematic review of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: The present review aimed to examine the association of eating frequency with body weight or body composition in adults of both sexes. DESIGN: PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched. PRISMA and MOOSE protocols were followed. Observational studies published up to August 2016 were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist. SETTING: A systematic review of the literature. SUBJECTS: Adults (n 136 052); the majority of studies were developed in the USA and Europe. RESULTS: Thirty-one articles were included in the review: two prospective and twenty-nine cross-sectional studies. Thirteen per cent of the studies received quality scores above 80 %. The assessment of eating frequency and body composition or body weight varied widely across the studies. Potential confounders were included in 73 % of the studies. Fourteen studies reported an inverse association between eating frequency and body weight or body composition, and seven studies found a positive association. The majority of studies applied multiple analyses adjusted for potential confounders, such as sex, age, education, income, smoking, physical activity and alcohol intake. Six studies took into account under-reporting of eating frequency and/or energy intake in the analysis, and one investigated the mediation effect of energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: There is not sufficient evidence confirming the association between eating frequency and body weight or body composition when misreporting bias is taken into account. However, in men, a potential protective effect of high eating frequency was observed on BMI and visceral obesity.

Workplace social capital, mental health and health behaviors among Brazilian female workers.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have investigated the relationship between workplace social capital and mental health, yet few have sought to examine the mediating mechanisms. We sought to explore the role of workplace social capital on health related behaviors and on mental health among female employees in Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with 553 women aged 28-50 years working in the production line of a poultry processing plant. We assessed workplace social capital, common mental disorders, stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and health related behaviors (physical activity, healthy eating habits and co-occurrence of risk behaviors). We used structural equation modeling to clarify relationships between exposures, outcomes, and mediating variables. RESULTS: Our model demonstrated a direct effect of social capital on the outcomes studied. Higher workplace social capital was associated with lower stress and common mental disorders as well as more favorable health-related behaviors. Our model also showed an indirect effect of social capital on mental health and on behaviors that was mediated by lower levels of perceived stress. CONCLUSION: Workplace social cohesion may play an important role in the promotion of mental health and healthy behaviors among women employees.

Dietary intake in children and adolescents with food addiction: A systematic review.

Food addiction (FA) is characterized by behavioral changes related to the consumption of palatable foods, marked by dependence, impulsivity, and compulsion. Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to FA owing to their significant consumption of ultra-processed foods. This review aims to investigate the differences in dietary intake in pediatric populations with and without FA. We conducted a systematic literature review. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO databases were searched up to July 2023. Potentially eligible studies were independently checked by two researchers. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. Of the 4868 articles identified, six studies were included. All the included studies had high methodological quality. High consumption of calories and fat was observed in children and adolescents with FA. A diet quality analysis showed that the consumption of ultra-processed foods, such as sugary drinks, sweets, and chips, was related to FA. Given these findings, we concluded that FA in childhood may be associated with higher energy consumption and, consequently, higher intake of macronutrients. Few studies have examined the relationship between FA and food intake in childhood, and more studies are required.

Association between work shift and the practice of physical activity among workers of a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The regular practice of physical activity (PA) has been associated with better health. In addition, job characteristics may determine the PA behaviours of employees, including the work shift. However, relatively few studies have examined the PA behaviour among shift workers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between work shift and the practice of PA among workers of a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1206 workers (786 females), ages 18 to 50, working in shifts on a production line that operates 24 hours/day. Workers who engaged in more than 150 minutes/week of PA were considered active. Multivariate analyses were conducted using Poisson regression and all analyses were stratified by gender. RESULTS: Of the total participants studied, 36% (95%CI: 33-39) were considered active and the sociodemographic characteristics associated with PA differed among males and females. Regarding work shift, night shift workers had higher prevalence of PA. However, increased PA was significantly associated with work shift particularly among females. After controlling for potential confounders, women who worked during the night shift were approximately 30% more active than those who worked during the day (PR[prevalence ratio]= 1.32;95%CI: 1.07-1.62;p=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a low prevalence of PA among the workers and indicated a significantly association between work shift and PA. Working at night was positively associated with regular PA, particularly among females. These results contribute for initiatives that aim to increase PA among the workers, take into account the job characteristics and gender differences.

Introducción: La práctica regular de actividad física (AF) se ha asociado con una mejor salud. Además, las características del trabajo se pueden determinar las conductas de la AF de los trabajadores, incluyendo el turno de trabajo. Sin embargo, relativamente pocos estudios han examinado el comportamiento AF entre los trabajadores por turnos. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la asociación entre turno de trabajo y la práctica de la AF entre los trabajadores de una planta de procesamiento de aves en el sur de Brasil. Métodos: Un estudio transversal se llevó a cabo con 1.206 trabajadores (786 mujeres), con edades entre 18 a 50 años, trabajando en turnos de una línea de producción que funciona las 24 horas/día. Los trabajadores que han participado en más de 150 minutos/semana de AF se consideraron activos. Se realizó un análisis multivariante mediante regresión de Poisson y todos los análisis se estratificó por sexo. Resultados: De los participantes en el estudio, el 36% (IC del 95%: 33-39) se consideraron activas y las características sociodemográficas asociadas con AF difirieron entre machos y hembras. En cuanto a los turnos de trabajo, los trabajadores del turno de noche tenían mayor prevalencia de la AF. Sin embargo, el aumento de la AF se asoció significativamente con el trabajo por turnos sobre todo entre las mujeres. Después de ajustar por factores de confusión, las mujeres que trabajaban en el turno de la noche fueron aproximadamente un 30% más activos que los que han trabajado durante el día (PR[razón de prevalencia]=1,32;IC del 95%: 1,07-1,62;p=0,010). Conclusiones: Este estudio encontró una baja prevalencia de PA entre los trabajadores e indicó una asociación significativa entre el trabajo por turnos y AF. Trabajar de noche se asoció positivamente con la AF regular, especialmente entre las mujeres. Estos resultados contribuyen a las iniciativas para aumentar la AF entre los trabajadores, teniendo en cuenta las características de las diferencias laborales y de género.