Nutritional status of iodine in pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents assisted at the Family Health Strategy in Vespasiano, MG / Estado nutricional de iodo em adolescentes gestantes e não gestantes assistidas na ESF em Vespasiano, MG

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the nutritional status of iodine in pregnant adolescents, taking into account the increase in the demand for iodine during pregnancy and the absence of iodization strategies for this population. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted with 62 pregnant and 71 non-pregnant adolescents assisted in primary care. The nutritional status of iodine was determined by urinary samples. The iodine concentration in the consumed culinary salt was also evaluated. For the comparative analyses of categorical variables, the Chi-square test was used and for the continuous variables, the Kruskal-Wallis test, considering a 95% confidence interval (CI) and significance level of 5%. Results: the mean iodine concentration in household salt was 25.1 mg/kg (CI95%= 11.1-67.5 mg/kg), with higher mean content in culinary salt in the group of pregnant women (p<0.028). Regarding the nutritional status of iodine, 71% of pregnant adolescents were deficient and 29% iodine-sufficient, with significant difference when compared to 38% of deficiency and 62% of sufficiency in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: there was an iodic deficiency among pregnant adolescents, even in the face of higher concentrations of iode in household salt, exposing a paradox between higher consumption and lower sufficiency in this group. Thus, it is suggested to consider iodine supplementation during pregnancy, seeking to minimize the effects of this deficiency on maternal and child health.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar o estado nutricional de iodo em adolescentes gestantes, levando-se em consideração o aumento na demanda de iodo na gestação e a ausência de estratégias de iodização para essa população. Métodos: estudo transversal realizado com 62 adolescentes gestantes e 71 não gestantes assistidas na atenção primária. O estado nutricional de iodo foi determinado pela concentração de iodo em amostras urinárias. O teor de iodo no sal culinário também foi avaliado. Para as análises comparativas das variáveis categóricas utilizou-se o teste de qui-quadrado e para as variáveis contínuas o teste Kruskal-Wallis, considerando intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% e nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: a média da concentração de iodo no sal domiciliar foi de 25,1 mg/kg (IC95%= 11,1-67,5 mg/kg), com maior teor médio no sal culinário de gestantes (p<0,028). Em relação ao estado nutricional de iodo, 71% das adolescentes gestantes mostraram-se deficientes e 29% iodo-suficientes, com diferença significativa quando comparadas aos 38% de deficiência e 62% de suficiência no grupo controle (p<0,001). Conclusões: observou-se deficiência iódica entre adolescentes gestantes, mesmo diante de maiores concentrações de iodo no sal domiciliar, expondo um paradoxo entre maior consumo e menor suficiência neste grupo. Assim, sugere-se considerar a suplementação de iodo na gestação, buscando-se minimizar os efeitos desta carência sobre a saúde maternoinfantil.

Anemia and nutritional aspects in adolescent athletes: a cross-sectional study in a reference sport organization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between anemia and nutritional aspects in adolescent athletes from a large sport club. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, involving 298 athletes aged between 10 and 17 years, submitted to measurement of skin folds, weight and height, and collection of capillary blood in duplicate to determine hemoglobin values. It was carried out in a random sample composed of athletes from eight sport modalities. RESULTS: Regarding nutritional status, 10.1% of athletes were overweight based on body mass index and 70 (23.5%) athletes had a percentage of body fat classified as high or very high. The prevalence of anemia was 16.4%, being more prevalent in judo (37.1%), basketball (34%) and futsal (20.5%) athletes. Low hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with shorter stature (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant association between anemia and short stature, suggesting that the athlete's height-weight development may be affected in suboptimal conditions of oxygen distribution.

Prevalence and factors associated to vitamin A deficiency in children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia / Prevalência e fatores associados com deficiência de vitamina A em crianças atendidas em creches públicas do Sudoeste da Bahia

Abstract Objectives: to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and factors associated to children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia. Methods: a cross-sectional study involving 303 children aged 24 to 60 months attending public day care centers in the city of Vitória da Conquista, BA. A questionnaire was applied for the parents or legal guardians to answer and the children's height and weight were measured. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum retinol taking in consideration the values below 0.70 imol/L as inadequate. The vaccination card was verified in relation to the adequacy of vitamin A supplementation. Food weighting was done to evaluate the consuming of lipids and vitamin A. The association between the variables and vitamin A deficiency was verified by logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of inadequate serum retinol levels was 13.1% (1.99 ± 1.17 imol/L); 4.3% were low height and 1.2% of thinness. Most children (91.7%) had their vitamin A doses outdated on their vaccination cards. The variables associated to vitamin A deficiency were children aged less or equal to 34 months (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.23 - 5.74) and maternal age was less than 26 years (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.11 - 5.17). Conclusions: vitamin A deficiency configures as a moderate public health problem in children attending public day care centers in the Southwest of Bahia.

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a prevalência de deficiência de vitamina A e os fatores associados em crianças assistidas em creches do Sudoeste da Bahia. Métodos: estudo transversal envolvendo 303 crianças de 24 a 60 meses assistidas em creches públicas de Vitória da Conquista - BA. Aplicado questionário com pais ou responsáveis e aferidas medidas de peso e estatura das crianças. Amostras de sangue coletadas para análise do retinol sérico, considerando níveis inadequados inferiores a 0,70 imol/L. O cartão de vacina foi verificado em relação à adequação da suplementação de vitamina A. Realizou-se pesagem direta dos alimentos para avaliação do consumo de lipídio e vitamina A. Associação entre as variáveis estudadas e a deficiência de vitamina A foi verificada por meio de regressão logística. Resultados: prevalência de níveis inadequados de retinol de 13,1% (1,99 ± 1,17 fimol/L); 4,3% baixa estatura e 1,2% magreza. A maioria das crianças (91,7%) estava com as doses de suplementação de vitamina A desatualizadas. As variáveis associadas com deficiência de vitamina A foram a idade da criança inferior ou igual a 34 meses (OR: 2,66; IC95%: 1,23 - 5,74) e idade materna inferior a 26 anos (OR: 2,39; IC95%: 1,11 - 5,17). Conclusões: a deficiência de vitamina A configura-se como um moderado problema da saúde pública em crianças assistidas em creches públicas do sudoeste baiano.

Effectiveness of fortification of drinking water with iron and vitamin C in the reduction of anemia and improvement of nutritional status in children attending day-care centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Because of the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in Brazil, individual control measures tend to be ineffective, and fortification of foods with iron is considered the most effective method to fight anemia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of fortification of drinking water with iron and vitamin C in the reduction of anemia in children in day-care centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: This before-and-after study evaluated 318 children aged 6 to 74 months. Identification data and data on socioeconomic variables were collected; anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed before and after 5 months of fortification of water with 5 mg of elemental iron and 50 mg of ascorbic acid per liter. The fortified water was used for drinking and cooking at the day-care center. Wilcoxon's nonparametric test was used to evaluate the differences in continuous variables, and McNemar's test was used to compare the prevalence rates of anemia. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia decreased significantly from 29.3% before fortification to 7.9% at the end of the study, with a significant increase in hemoglobin levels. Reductions in the prevalence rates of stunting and underweight were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Fortification of water with iron and vitamin C significantly reduced the prevalence of anemia and improved nutritional status among children attending day-care centers.

Iron fortification strategies for the control of childhood anemia in Brazil.

This article presents data on the fortification of foods, necessary as an important public health approach for the success in reducing anemia. The use of food vehicles, iron salts and their costs, as well as recent work on iron fortification of foods in Brazil are reviewed. Recent research serves as a cornerstone for countries that attempt to implement permanent, long-lasting iron fortification programs aimed at the prevention of anemia considering cultural habits, type of iron salts and at-risk groups.