Vitamin A deficiency and associated risk factors in children aged 12-59 months living in poorest municipalities in the South Region of Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children and associated risk factors. DESIGN: Analysis of data from a cross-sectional multicentre study performed in the primary care units of the municipalities from January to June 2015. The children's legal guardians answered a socio-economic questionnaire, and the children's blood samples were obtained by venipuncture. Plasma retinol was determined by HPLC. Plasma retinol values of <0·70 µmol/l were considered VDA. Poisson multiple regression with robust variance was used. Values of P < 0·05 were considered significant. The data were analysed in the SPSS software, 21.0. SETTING: Forty-eight poorest municipalities in the South Region of Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children (n 1503) aged 12-59 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of VAD in the sample was 1·9 % (95 % CI (0·5, 6·8)). The following risk factors were associated with the outcome in the final explanatory model: family received Bolsa Familia program benefits (PR = 3·19; 95 % CI (1·69, 6·02)), child was not being breastfed (PR = 5·22; 95 % CI (1·68, 16·18)) and stunting (PR = 4·75; 95 % CI (2·10, 10·73)). CONCLUSIONS: VAD did not represent a public health problem for children living in socio-economically vulnerable municipalities in the South Region of Brazil, suggesting a new panorama of this nutritional deficiency even in regions of low socio-economic conditions in these three states. Thus, in view of the current nutritional transition scenario, it is necessary to continuously monitor and improve public policies related to vitamin A supplementation in the country.

Time trends and social inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices: national estimates from Brazil's Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008-2019.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the time trends and socio-economic inequalities in infant and young child feeding practices in accordance with the Brazilian deprivation index (BDI). DESIGN: This time-series study analysed the prevalence of multiple breast-feeding and complementary feeding indicators based on data from the Brazilian Food and Nutrition Surveillance System, 2008-2019. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to analyse time trends. Annual percent change (APC) and 95 % CI were calculated. SETTING: Primary health care services, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 911 735 Brazilian children under 2 years old. RESULTS: Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices differed between the extreme BDI quintiles. Overall, the results were more favourable in the municipalities with less deprivation (Q1). Improvements in some complementary feeding indicators were observed over time and evidenced such disparities: minimum dietary diversity (Q1: Δ 47·8-52·2 %, APC + 1·44, P = 0·006), minimum acceptable diet (Q1: Δ 34·5-40·5 %, APC + 5·17, P = 0·004) and consumption of meat and/or eggs (Q1: Δ 59·7-80·3 %, APC + 6·26, P < 0·001; and Q5: Δ 65·7-70·7 %, APC + 2·20, P = 0·041). Stable trends in exclusive breast-feeding and decreasing trends in the consumption of sweetened drinks and ultra-processed foods were also observed regardless the level of the deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in some complementary food indicators were observed over time. However, the improvements were not equally distributed among the BDI quintiles, with children from the municipalities with less deprivation benefiting the most.

Modelling the impact of sodium intake on cardiovascular disease mortality in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of death in Mexico, while high blood pressure is suffered by about half of the adult population. Sodium intake is one of the main risk factors for these diseases. The Mexican adult population consumes about 3.1 g/day, an amount that exceeds what is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) < 2 g sodium/day. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of reducing sodium intake on CVD mortality in Mexico using a scenario simulation model. METHODS: The Integrated Model of Preventable Risk (PRIME) was used to estimate the number of deaths prevented or postponed (DPP) due to CVD in the Mexican adult population following the following sodium intake reduction scenarios: (a) according to the WHO recommendations; (b) an "optimistic" reduction of 30%; and (c) an "intermediate" reduction of 10%. RESULTS: The results show that a total of 27,700 CVD deaths could be prevented or postponed for scenario A, 13,900 deaths for scenario B, and 5,800 for scenario C. For all scenarios, the highest percentages of DPP by type of CVD are related to ischemic heart disease, hypertensive disease, and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that if Mexico considers implementing policies with greater impact to reduce sodium/salt consumption, a significant number of deaths from CVD could be prevented or postponed.

Development and application of the TFA macrosimulation model: a case study of modelling the impact of trans fatty acid (TFA) elimination policies in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: The consumption of trans-fatty acids (TFA) is directly associated with cardiovascular disease risk and is responsible for a significant health burden globally. The policy strategies for reducing TFA include limiting their content in foods and eliminating partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) in the market. This study aims to describe a comparative risk assessment macrosimulation model and to apply this tool to estimate the potential reductions in CVD mortality gained from the compared scenarios of TFA reduction/elimination in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: We developed and implemented a comparative risk assessment macrosimulation model estimates the potential CVD mortality reduction (coronary heart disease - CHD- and stroke) if TFA intake is reduced in diets. The TFA macrosimulation model estimates the change in the annual number of NCD deaths between baseline with current TFA consumption levels and alternate or counterfactual scenarios, such as considering different limits to TFA content in foods and the elimination of PHO in Brazil in 2018. The model incorporated additional outputs related to other impacts of TFA reduction on DPP, such as Years of Life Lost, Years of Productive Life Lost, and related economic impacts of premature deaths. RESULTS: In 2018, a 2% limit for TFA in the oils and fats and a 5% limit of TFAs for other foods could avert or postpone approximately 2,000 deaths (UI 95% 1,899-2,142) and save US$ 32.1 million savings in productivity losses to the economy associated to premature deaths. An intermediate scenario, applying a 2% limit of TFA in all food products In Brazil could prevent or postpone approximately 6,300 deaths (UI 95% 5,925-6,684) and the premature deaths prevented would represent US$ 100.2 million in economic saving. Finally, by banning PHO, approximately 10,500 deaths could be prevented or postponed (UI 95% 9,963 - 10,909), corresponding to US$ 166.7 million in savings to the economy because of premature deaths. CONCLUSION: The TFA macrosimulation model can efficiently compare different policy scenarios for trans fats reduction policies at the country level and proves that the elimination of PHOs from the food market in Brazil may significantly reduce the health burden of trans fatty acids in the country compared to other policy options. The model also represents a useful public health tool to support TFA reduction and elimination policies in other countries.

Estimating the health and economic effects of the voluntary sodium reduction targets in Brazil: microsimulation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Excessive sodium consumption is one of the leading dietary risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), mediated by high blood pressure. Brazil has implemented voluntary sodium reduction targets with food industries since 2011. This study aimed to analyse the potential health and economic impact of these sodium reduction targets in Brazil from 2013 to 2032. METHODS: We developed a microsimulation of a close-to-reality synthetic population (IMPACTNCD-BR) to evaluate the potential health benefits of setting voluntary upper limits for sodium content as part of the Brazilian government strategy. The model estimates CVD deaths and cases prevented or postponed, and disease treatment costs. Model inputs were informed by the 2013 National Health Survey, the 2008-2009 Household Budget Survey, and high-quality meta-analyses, assuming that all individuals were exposed to the policy proportionally to their sodium intake from processed food. Costs included costs of the National Health System on CVD treatment and informal care costs. The primary outcome measures of the model are cardiovascular disease cases and deaths prevented or postponed over 20 years (2013-2032), stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: The study found that the application of the Brazilian voluntary sodium targets for packaged foods between 2013 and 2032 could prevent or postpone approximately 110,000 CVD cases (95% uncertainty intervals (UI): 28,000 to 260,000) among men and 70,000 cases among women (95% UI: 16,000 to 170,000), and also prevent or postpone approximately 2600 CVD deaths (95% UI: - 1000 to 11,000), 55% in men. The policy could also produce a net cost saving of approximately US$ 220 million (95% UI: US$ 54 to 520 million) in medical costs to the Brazilian National Health System for the treatment of CHD and stroke and save approximately US$ 71 million (95% UI: US$ 17 to170 million) in informal costs. CONCLUSION: Brazilian voluntary sodium targets could generate substantial health and economic impacts. The reduction in sodium intake that was likely achieved from the voluntary targets indicates that sodium reduction in Brazil must go further and faster to achieve the national and World Health Organization goals for sodium intake.

Time trends and social inequalities in child malnutrition: nationwide estimates from Brazil's food and nutrition surveillance system, 2009-2017.

OBJECTIVE: In Brazil, national estimates of childhood malnutrition have not been updated since 2006. The use of health information systems is an important complementary data source for analysing time trends on health and nutrition. This study aimed to examine temporal trends and socio-demographic inequalities in the prevalence of malnutrition in children attending primary health care services between 2009 and 2017. DESIGN: Time trends study based on data from Brazil's Food and Nutrition Surveillance System. Malnutrition prevalence (stunting, wasting, overweight and double burden) was annually estimated by socio-demographic variables. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to analyse time trends. Annual percent change (APC) and 95 % CI were calculated. SETTING: Primary health care services, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children under 5 years old. RESULTS: In total, 15,239,753 children were included. An increase in the prevalence of overweight (APC = 3·4 %; P = 0·015) and a decline in the prevalence of wasting (-6·2 %; P = 0·002) were observed. The prevalence of stunting (-3·2 %, P = 0·359) and double burden (-1·4 %, P = 0·630) had discrete and non-significant reductions. Despite the significant reduction in the prevalence of undernutrition among children in the most vulnerable subgroups (black, conditional cash transfer's recipients and residents of poorest and less developed areas), high prevalence of stunting and wasting persist alongside a disproportionate increase in the prevalence of overweight in these groups. CONCLUSIONS: The observed pattern in stunting (high and persistent prevalence) and increase in overweight elucidate setbacks in advances already observed in previous periods and stresses the need for social and political strategies to address multiple forms of malnutrition.

[Costs attributable to obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in the Unified Health System, Brazil, 2018Costos atribuibles a la obesidad, la hipertensión y la diabetes en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil, 2018]. / Custos atribuíveis a obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the cost attributable to arterial hypertension, diabetes and obesity in the Unified Health System of Brazil in 2018. METHOD: The study estimated the cost attributable to non-communicable chronic diseases based on relative risk and population prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, considering the cost of hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and medications distributed by the SUS to treat these diseases. Cost data were obtained from SUS information systems. The analysis explored the cost of disease according to sex and age in the adult population. RESULTS: The total cost of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in the SUS reached R$ 3.45 billion (95%CI: 3.15-3.75) in 2018, that is, more than US$ 890 million. Of this amount, 59% referred to the treatment of hypertension, 30% to diabetes, and 11% to obesity. The age group from 30 to 69 years accounted for 72% of the total costs, and women accounted for 56%. When obesity was considered separately as a risk factor for hypertension and diabetes, the cost attributable to this diseases reached R$ 1.42 billion (95%CI: 0.98-1.87), i.e., 41% of the total cost. CONCLUSIONS: The estimates of costs attributable to the main chronic diseases associated with inadequate diet revealed a heavy economic burden of these disorders for the SUS. The data show the need to prioritize integrated and intersectoral policies for the prevention and control of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and may support the advocacy for interventions such as fiscal and regulatory measures to ensure that the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition are met.

OBJETIVO: Estimar los costos atribuibles a la hipertensión arterial, la diabetes y la obesidad en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) de Brasil en el 2018. MÉTODOS: Se estimaron los costos atribuibles a las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles a partir de los riesgos relativos y de las tasas de prevalencia poblacional de hipertensión, diabetes y obesidad, teniendo en cuenta los costos de hospitalización, los procedimientos ambulatorios y los medicamentos distribuidos por el SUS para el tratamiento de esas enfermedades. Los datos de costos se obtuvieron en los sistemas de información de salud disponibles en el SUS. En el análisis se exploraron los costos de las enfermedades según el sexo y la edad de la población adulta. RESULTADOS: Los costos totales atribuibles a la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad en el SUS alcanzaron R$ 3,450 milliones (IC 95%: de 3,15 a 3,75) en el 2018, o sea, más de US$ 890 millones. De esos costos, 59% correspondió al tratamiento de la hipertensión, 30% al de la diabetes y 11% al de la obesidad. En total, 72% de los costos correspondieron a personas de 30 a 69 años y 56%, a mujeres. Al considerarse por separado la obesidad como factor de riesgo de hipertensión y diabetes, los costos atribuibles a esa enfermedad alcanzaron R$ 1.420 millones (IC 95%: de 0,98 a 1,87), o sea, 41% del total. CONCLUSIONES: Las estimaciones de los costos atribuibles a las principales enfermedades crónicas relacionadas con la alimentación inadecuada ponen de manifiesto la pesada carga económica de esas enfermedades para el SUS. Los datos muestran la necesidad de priorizar políticas integradas e intersectoriales para la prevención y el control de la hipertensión, la diabetes y la obesidad, y permiten apoyar la defensa de intervenciones como medidas fiscales y regulatorias para alcanzar los objetivos del Decenio de las Naciones Unidas de Acción sobre la Nutrición.

Sodium intake according to NOVA food classification in Brazil: trends from 2002 to 2018.

Excessive sodium intake is a major global public health issue and the identification of dietary sources and temporal trends in its consumption are a key to effective sodium reduction policies. This study aims to update estimates of sodium intake and its dietary sources in Brazil according to the NOVA food classification system. Records of 7-day food purchases of households from the Brazilian Household Budgets Survey of 2002-2003, 2008-2009, and 2017-2018 were converted into nutrients using food composition tables and the mean availability was estimated per 2,000kcal/day. Mean daily sodium available for consumption in Brazilian households has increased from 3.9 to 4.7g per 2,000kcal, from 2002-2003 to 2017-2018, over twice the recommended levels of sodium intake. From 2002-2003 to 2017-2018, the processed culinary ingredients, including table salt, represented the largest dietary source of sodium, although their participation in dietary sodium was reduced by 17% (66.6% to 55%), while the percentage of dietary sodium from processed foods increased by 20.3% and from ultra-processed foods increased by 47.6% (11.3% to 13.6% and 17% to 25.1%, respectively). In conclusion, the total household sodium availability remains high and has increased over time in Brazil, yet the participation of different dietary sources of sodium have gradually changed.

Corrigendum: Editorial: Economic and health impacts of dietary interventions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1283108.].

Burden of ischemic heart disease attributable to trans fatty acids, 1990-2019.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The impact of cardiovascular disease attributable to trans fatty acids (TFAs) in the Brazilian population has not been systematically evaluated. This study aims to analyze the burden of ischemic heart disease (IHD) attributable to TFAs in Brazil between 1990 and 2019. METHODS: Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 were used to investigate the attributable burden in Brazil and its 27 federative units, for both sexes-pooled adults aged ≥25 years. Mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from IHD attributable to TFAs were expressed as crude and age-standardized rates and differences from 1990 to 2019 by percentage and annualized rate of change. Linear regression was used to investigate trends. National voluntary and regulatory policies for industrial TFAs (iTFAs) implemented until 2019, summary exposure value (SEV) and sociodemographic index (SDI) were examined. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2019, crude and age-standardized mortality rates from IHD attributable to TFAs decreased by -15.9% and -58.0%, respectively, in Brazil. A decrease in crude (-23.3%) and age-standardized (-56.4%) DALY rates of IHD attributable to TFAs was also noticed in the country. States of the South, Southeast, and the Federal District had the largest declines of IHD attributable to TFAs, while states of the Northeast and North had the smallest or even an increase. The policies already adopted had little effect on the IHD burden. A lower SEV and higher SDI value seemed to reduce the burden of IHD. CONCLUSIONS: Although a downward trend in IHD attributable to TFAs and a reduction in exposure to TFAs were observed, this burden is still relevant in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of diet policies, such as banning iTFAs.

Effective and Scalable Interventions to Reduce Sodium Intake: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: High-sodium intake is a main risk factor for increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. Reducing sodium intake at the population level is one of the most cost-effective strategies to address this. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis are to examine data from recent studies that measure the effectiveness and scalability of interventions aimed at reducing sodium intake at both the population and individual level. RECENT FINDINGS: Worldwide, sodium intake is higher than the World Health Organization recommendations. Structural interventions such as mandatory reformulation of foods, food labeling, taxes or subsidies, and communication campaigns have shown to be the most effective in reducing the population's sodium consumption. Interventions in education, particularly those that use a social marketing framework with short duration, food reformulation, and combined strategies, have the potential to decrease sodium intake.

Impact of implementation of front-of-package nutrition labeling on sugary beverage consumption and consequently on the prevalence of excess body weight and obesity and related direct costs in Brazil: An estimate through a modeling study.

RATIONALE: Intake of sugary beverages has been associated with obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases, thereby increasing the direct health costs related to these diseases. Front-of-package nutrition labeling (FoPNL) aims to help consumers understand food composition, thereby improving food choices and preventing the development of such diseases. OBJECTIVE: To estimate, over five years, the impact of implementing FoPNL in Brazil on the prevalence of excess body weight and obesity in adults who consume sugary beverages and the direct costs related to such problems. METHODS: A simulation study to performed to estimate the effect of FoPNL implementation on the prevalence of excess body weight and obesity. The VIGITEL research database (2019), published in the 2020 report, was used in this study (the final sample consisted of 12,471 data points representing 14,380,032 Brazilians). The scenarios were considered: base (trend in sugary beverage intake); 1 (base scenario associated with the changes in energy content of the purchased beverages observed after the first phase of the Chilean labeling law (-9.9%); and 2 (scenario 1 associated with reformulation of beverages, total energy reduction of -1.6%). Changes in body weight were estimated using the simulation model of Hall et al. (2011) over five years. A linear trend in the prevalence of obesity and excess body weight in the Brazilian population was considered. The impact of the prevalence of obesity and excess body weight on body mass index was estimated. In addition, the direct health costs related to obesity were estimated. RESULTS: Energy consumption from sugary beverages after FoPNL implementation is expected to be reduced by approximately 28 kcal/day (95% CI, -30 to -27) considering scenario 1. In scenarios 1 and 2, without FoPNL, the prevalence of obesity and excess body weight over five years was estimated to be 25.3% and 25.2%, and 64.4% and 64.2%, respectively. By extrapolating the results to the entire Brazilian population, it was observed that the implementation of FoPNL may reduce the prevalence of obesity by -0.32 percentage points and -0.35 percentage points (scenario 1 and 2, respectively) and excess body weight by -0.42 percentage points and -0.48 percentage points (scenarios 1 and 2, respectively) in five years. It is estimated that after five years of implementation, it will be possible to save approximately US$ 5,5 millions (95% CI 4,7 to 8,8) in scenario 1, reaching approximately US$ 6,1 millions (95% CI 5,3 to 9,8) in scenario 2. CONCLUSION: The results of this modeling study indicate that FoPNL may reduce prevalence of excess body weight and obesity, representing strategic public policies for obesity prevention.

Quality of child anthropometric data from SISVAN, Brazil, 2008-2017.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of anthropometric data of children recorded in the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) from 2008 to 2017. METHOD: Descriptive study on the quality of anthropometric data of children under five years of age admitted in primary care services of the Unified Health System, from the individual databases of SISVAN. Data quality was annually assessed using the indicators: coverage, completeness, sex ratio, age distribution, weight and height digit preference, implausible z-score values, standard deviation, and normality of z-scores. RESULTS: In total, 73,745,023 records and 29,852,480 children were identified. Coverage increased from 17.7% in 2008 to 45.4% in 2017. Completeness of birth date, weight, and height corresponded to almost 100% in all years. The sex ratio was balanced and approximately similar to the expected ratio, ranging from 0.8 to 1. The age distribution revealed higher percentages of registrations from the ages of two to four years until mid-2015. A preference for terminal digits "zero" and "five" was identified among weight and height records. The percentages of implausible z-scores exceeded 1% for all anthropometric indices, with values decreasing from 2014 onwards. A high dispersion of z-scores, including standard deviations between 1.2 and 1.6, was identified mainly in the indices including height and in the records of children under two years of age and residents in the North, Northeast, and Midwest regions. The distribution of z-scores was symmetric for all indices and platykurtic for height/age and weight/age. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of SISVAN anthropometric data for children under five years of age has improved substantially between 2008 and 2017. Some indicators require attention, particularly for height measurements, whose quality was lower especially among groups more vulnerable to nutritional problems.

[Initiatives developed in Brazil to reduce sodium content of processed foods]. / Iniciativas desenvolvidas no Brasil para a redução do teor de sódio em alimentos processados.

The construction of strategies for reducing the sodium content of processed foods is part of a set of actions to decrease the intake of this nutrient in Brazil-from the current 12 g of salt per person per day to less than 5 g per person per day (2 000 mg sodium) by 2020. In this process, a central action is the pact between the government and the food industry to establish voluntary, gradual, and sustainable targets to reduce the maximum sodium content of industrial foods. This article describes the Brazilian experience in building and implementing strategies for the reduction of these maximum limits in processed foods and the social actors involved in this effort.

Strategies to reduce the consumption of nutrients critical to health: the case of sodium. / Estratégias para redução do consumo de nutrientes críticos para a saúde: o caso do sódio.

Chronic non-communicable diseases correspond to the main cause of death in the world and have inadequate nutrition as one of its main modifiable risk factors, highlighting the excessive consumption of sodium and its association with cardiovascular diseases, mediated by blood pressure. This study evaluated the impact of different policy scenarios for reducing sodium consumption from processed and ultra-processed foods in the prevention of deaths due to cardiovascular outcomes in the adult population in Brazil. We used secondary data from public reports and databases of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and population surveys. We analyzed the impacts, up to 2027, of three scenarios: maintenance of the current voluntary targets, and two mandatory scenarios, considering the lowest targets in the Americas and the lowest global targets. The Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME) analyzed the deaths prevented or delayed from sodium consumption in such scenarios. In 2027, more than 72,000 deaths would be attributed to excess sodium; the voluntary goals would result in the prevention or postponement of up to 4,001 (95% uncertainty intervals - 95%UI: 1,611-6,563) deaths, while the mandatory scenarios would result in the prevention of 9,704 (95%UI: 3,955-15,665) and 15,561 (95%UI: 6,350-25,096) deaths from cardiovascular diseases, considering the lower regional and international targets, respectively. The findings suggest that the maintenance of voluntary targets has limited impact when compared to possible and more restrictive scenarios of reducing sodium content in processed and ultra-processed foods and reinforce the need to adopt measures with greater effectiveness in the country.

Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis correspondem à principal causa de morte no mundo e têm a alimentação inadequada como um de seus principais fatores de risco modificáveis, destacando-se o consumo excessivo de sódio e sua associação com doenças cardiovasculares, mediadas pela pressão arterial. Este estudo avaliou o impacto de diferentes cenários de políticas para a redução do consumo de sódio com base em alimentos processados e ultraprocessados na prevenção de mortes por desfechos cardiovasculares na população adulta no Brasil. Foram utilizados dados secundários, de relatórios e bases públicas do Sistema Único de Saúde e de inquéritos populacionais. Foram analisados os impactos, até 2027, de três cenários: manutenção das atuais metas voluntárias, e dois cenários mandatórios, considerando as menores metas nas Américas e as menores metas mundiais. Para a análise das mortes prevenidas ou adiadas com base no consumo de sódio em tais cenários foi utilizado o Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME). Em 2027, mais de 72 mil mortes seriam atribuíveis ao excesso de sódio e as metas voluntárias resultariam na prevenção ou adiamento de até 4.001 (intervalos de 95% de incerteza - II95%: 1.611-6.563) mortes, e os cenários mandatórios resultariam na prevenção de 9.704 (II95%: 3.955-15.665) e 15.561 (II95%: 6.350-25.096) mortes por doenças cardiovasculares, considerando as menores metas regionais e internacionais, respectivamente. Os achados sugerem que a manutenção de metas voluntárias tem impacto limitado quando comparada a cenários possíveis e mais restritivos de redução do teor de sódio em alimentos processados e ultraprocessados, e reforçam a necessidade de adoção de medidas com maior efetividade no país.

Las enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles son la principal causa de muerte en el mundo y cuentan con la alimentación inadecuada, como uno de sus principales factores de riesgo modificables, destacándose el consumo excesivo de sodio y su asociación con enfermedades cardiovasculares, causadas por la presión arterial. Este estudio evaluó el impacto de diferentes escenarios de políticas para la reducción del consumo de sodio, en base a alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados, en la prevención de muertes por desenlaces cardiovasculares en la población adulta brasileña. Se utilizaron datos secundarios, de informes y bases públicas del Sistema Único de Salud y de encuestas poblacionales. Se analizaron impactos, hasta 2027, en tres escenarios: mantenimiento de las actuales metas voluntarias, y dos escenarios obligatorios, considerando metas menores en las Américas y las menores metas mundiales. Para el análisis de las muertes prevenidas o pospuestas, basándose en el consumo de sodio en tales escenarios, se utilizó el Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME). En 2027, más de 72 mil muertes serían atribuibles al exceso de sodio y las metas voluntarias resultarían en la prevención o aplazamiento de hasta 4.001 (intervalos de 95% de incertidumbre - II95%: 1.611-6.563) muertes, y los escenarios obligatorios resultarían en la prevención de 9.704 (II95%: 3.955-15.665) y 15.561 (II95%: 6.350-25.096) muertes por enfermedades cardiovasculares, considerando las menores metas regionales e internacionales, respectivamente. Los resultados sugieren que el mantenimiento de metas voluntarias tiene un impacto limitado, cuando se compara con escenarios posibles y más restrictivos de reducción del contenido de sodio en alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados, y refuerzan la necesidad de adopción de medidas con una mayor efectividad en el país.

The estimated burden of ultra-processed foods on cardiovascular disease outcomes in Brazil: A modeling study.

Introduction: Ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to estimate CVD premature deaths, incident cases, and disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to the consumption of UPF in Brazilian adults in 2019. Methods: A validated a comparative risk assessment model was adapted to estimate the burden of major CVD outcomes (coronary heart disease and stroke) attributable to the consumption of UPF in Brazilian adults aged 30 to 69 years. The model inputs included nationally representative data of the UPF contribution to the total energy of the diet, national official demographic records, CVD outcomes (incidence, deaths and DALYs) from the Global Burden of Disease study for 2019, and relative risks from meta-analysis studies. Results: We estimated that approximately 19,200 premature deaths (95% uncertainty intervals - UI, 7,097 to 32,353), 74,900 new cases (95% UI, 25,983 to 128,725), and 883,000 DALYs/year (95% UI, 324,279 to 1,492,593) from CVD were attributable to the consumption of UPF in Brazil, corresponding to about 22% of the premature deaths from CVD and to 33% of the total premature all-cause deaths attributable to UPF intake among Brazilian adults. Reducing UPF consumption by 10% in the adult population would avert approximately 11% of the premature CVD deaths, equivalent to 2,100 deaths/year (95% UI, 697 to 4,511). A 20% reduction in UPF intake would avert approximately 21% of the premature CVD deaths or 4,100 deaths (95% UI, 1,413 to 8,047), and a 50% reduction in UPF intake would avert about 52% of the premature CVD deaths, corresponding to 9,900 deaths/year (95% UI, 3,682 to 17,820). If UPF consumption among adults was reduced to that of the first quintile of UPF intake in the baseline scenario, approximately 81% of the premature CVD deaths would be averted, corresponding to some 15,600 deaths/year (95% UI, 5,229 to 27,519). Conclusion: Our study estimated a high burden of premature CVD outcomes attributable to the consumption of UPF in Brazil. Our findings support food policies aimed at reducing the consumption of UPF, such as fiscal and regulatory policies, which are imperative to prevent CVD in Brazil.

Evolution of nutrition actions in primary health care along the 20-year history of the Brazilian National Food and Nutrition Policy. / Evolução das ações de nutrição na atenção primária à saúde nos 20 anos da Política Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição do Brasil.

This study aimed to systematize food and nutrition actions developed in primary health care (PHC) from 1999 to 2019, identifying advances in this period and current perspectives. This is a qualitative study that analyzed documents published between 1999 and 2020, available in scientific databases and in the gray literature. In addition, a quantitative analysis was conducted using information systems from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, such as the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System and the Health Information System for Primary Care, and microdata from the Program for Improving Access and Quality of Primary Health Care (PMAQ-AB). The actions and regulatory milestones identified were categorized as federal administration, food and nutrition surveillance, promotion of proper healthy food, nutritional care - multiple burdens of poor nutrition and training. The results showed food and nutrition actions followed the pace of the epidemiological scenario, considering the multiple burdens of poor nutrition. The first decade was more focused on handling issues involved in hunger, malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency and, in 2006, it started to emphasize prevention and care for people with obesity and other non-communicable chronic diseases and promote proper healthy food, developing actions in the period with a strong intersectoral character and understanding PHC as a priority field of action in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). The universalization of food and nutrition actions in PHC is still a current challenge.

O objetivo do estudo é sistematizar as ações de alimentação e nutrição desenvolvidas na atenção primária à saúde (APS), de 1999 a 2019, identificando os avanços no período e perspectivas atuais. É uma pesquisa qualitativa realizada baseando-se na análise de documentos publicados entre 1999 e 2020, disponíveis em bases de dados científicos e na literatura cinza. Adicionalmente, realizou-se análise quantitativa valendo-se de sistemas de informação do Ministério da Saúde, como o Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional e o Sistema de Informação em Saúde para a Atenção Básica e dos microdados do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). As ações e marcos normativos identificados foram categorizados em gestão, vigilância alimentar e nutricional, promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável, atenção nutricional - múltipla carga de má nutrição e formação. Os resultados revelam que as ações de alimentação e nutrição acompanharam o cenário epidemiológico, considerando-se a múltipla carga da má nutrição, estando a primeira década mais direcionada ao enfrentamento da fome, da desnutrição e carências de micronutrientes e; a partir de 2006, passou a dar ênfase à prevenção e cuidado de pessoas com obesidade e outras doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, além da promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável, desenvolvendo, durante todo o período, ações com forte caráter intersetorial e compreendendo o lócus da APS como campo prioritário de atuação no Sistema Único de Saúde. A universalização das ações de alimentação e nutrição na APS, contudo, é ainda um desafio atual.

El objetivo del estudio es sistematizar las acciones de alimentación y nutrición desarrolladas en la atención primária a la salud (APS), de 1999 a 2019, identificando los avances durante este período y perspectivas actuales. Es una investigación cualitativa, realizada basándose en el análisis de documentos publicados entre 1999 y 2020, disponibles en bases de datos científicas y en literatura gris. Asimismo, se realizó un análisis cuantitativo, valiéndose de sistemas de información del Ministerio de Salud, como el Sistema de Vigilancia Alimentario y Nutricional y el Sistema de Información en Salud para la Atención Básica, así como de los microdatos procedentes del Programa Nacional de Mejoría de Acceso y Calidad de la Atención Básica (PAMQ-AB). Las acciones y marcos normativos identificados fueron categorizados en gestión, vigilancia alimentaria y nutricional, promoción de la alimentación adecuada y saludable, atención nutricional - múltiple carga de mala nutrición y formación. Los resultados revelan que las acciones de alimentación y nutrición acompañaron el escenario epidemiológico, considerándose la múltiple carga de la mala nutrición, estando la primera década más dirigida al combate del hambre, desnutrición y carencias de micronutrientes y, a partir de 2006, pasó a dar énfasis a la prevención y cuidado de personas con obesidad y otras enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, además de la promoción de la alimentación adecuada y saludable, desarrollando, durante todo el período, acciones con un fuerte carácter intersectorial y comprendiendo el locus de la APS como campo prioritario de actuación en el Sistema Único de Salud. La universalización de las acciones de alimentación y nutrición en la APS constituye un desafío todavía actual.

Factors associated with salt intake in the Brazilian adult population: National Health Survey. / Fatores associados ao consumo de sal na população adulta brasileira: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde.

This paper aims to identify the factors associated with high salt intake in the Brazilian adult population. This is a cross-sectional study with 8,083 adults participating in the National Health Survey (PNS, 2014/15). Salt intake was based on the estimation of 24-hour urinary sodium calculated from the sodium/creatinine ratio in spot urine samples. The highest quartile of the distribution was considered high salt intake. The relationship between high salt consumption and sociodemographic factors, lifestyles, morbidity, and self-rated health status was analyzed by calculating the crude prevalence ratios and the prevalence ratios adjusted for age and gender. Approximately 28.1% had an estimated salt intake higher than 10.56 g/day. Overweight (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio; 95%CI - PRadj 1.23; 1.09-1.39), obesity (PRadj 1.61; 1.43-1.83), and diabetes (PRadj 1.36; 1.17-1.58) were positively associated with high salt intake. Female gender (PRadj 0.73; 0.66-0.80), high schooling level (PRadj 0.88; 0.79-0.99), living in the North and chronic kidney disease (PRadj 0.71; 0.56-0.90) were protective factors. Salt consumption is elevated nationwide and in all population subgroups, requiring coordinated actions.

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar os fatores associados ao consumo elevado de sal na população brasileira adulta. Estudo transversal com dados de 8.083 adultos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS, 2014/15). O consumo de sal foi baseado na estimativa de excreção urinária de sódio de 24 horas, calculada pela relação sódio/creatinina em amostra de urina casual. Considerou-se consumo elevado o quartil mais alto da distribuição. A relação entre consumo elevado de sal e fatores sociodemográficos, estilos de vida, morbidade e autoavaliação do estado de saúde foi analisada pelo cálculo das razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas por idade e sexo. 28,1% apresentavam consumo estimado de sal maior que 10,56 g/dia. Estiveram positivamente associados ao consumo elevado de sal a presença de sobrepeso (Razão de Prevalência ajustada; IC95% - RPaj 1,23; 1,09-1,39), obesidade (RPaj 1,61; 1,43-1,83) e diabetes (RPaj 1,36; 1,17-1,58). Foram fatores de proteção o sexo feminino (RPaj 0,73; 0,66-0,80), escolaridade elevada (RPaj 0,88; 0,79-0,99), morar na região Norte e presença de doença renal crônica (RPaj 0,71; 0,56-0,90). O consumo de sal é elevado em todo o país e em todos os subgrupos da população, demandando ações coordenadas para seu enfrentamento.

Individual and contextual predictors of children's hemoglobin levels from Southern Brazilian municipalities in social vulnerability.

Few studies have investigated the simultaneous effect of individual and contextual factors on the occurrences of anemia. This study aims to evaluate the variability of children's hemoglobin levels from municipalities in social vulnerability and its association with factors of individual and municipal nature. This is a cross-sectional, multi-center study, with children data (12-59 months) collected from 48 municipalities of the Southern region of Brazil, that were included in the Brazil Without Poverty Plan. Individuals' data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and secondary and ecological data of children's municipalities were collected via national surveys and institutional websites. The outcome was defined as the hemoglobin level obtained by HemoCue. A multilevel analysis was performed using Generalized Linear Models for Location Scale and Shape using R, with a 5% significance level. A total of 1,501 children were evaluated. The mean hemoglobin level was 12.8g/dL (95%CI: 12.7-12.8), with significant variability between municipalities. Lower values of hemoglobin were observed in children who lived in municipalities with a higher urbanization rate and a lower number of Community Health Agents, in relation to the reference categories. At the individual level, lower hemoglobin values were identified for children under 24 months, not enrolled at daycares, who were beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program and diagnosed with underweight. The results shed light on important factors at the municipal and the individual levels that were associated to the hemoglobin levels of children living in municipalities in social vulnerability.

Developing and applying a costing tool for hypertension and related cardiovascular disease: Attributable costs to salt/sodium consumption.

This paper proposes a costing tool for hypertension and cardiovascular disease by adapting cost-of-illness methodologies to estimate the attributable burden of excessive salt intake on cardiovascular disease. The methodology estimates the changes in blood pressure that result from each gram change in salt intake and links diet to the direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertensive disease, aortic aneurysm, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and rheumatic heart, using the relative risks of disease and the prevalence of salt consumption in the population. The methodology includes (a) identifying major diseases and conditions related to excessive salt intake and relevant economic cost data available, (b) quantifying the relationship between the prevalence of excessive salt intake and the associated risk of disease morbidity and mortality using population attributable risks (PAR), (c) using PARs to estimate the share of total costs directly attributed to excessive salt intake, and (d) undertaking a sensitivity analysis of key epidemiological and economic parameters. The costing tool has estimated that, in 2013, US$ 102.0 million (95% uncertainty interval-UI: US$ 96.2-107.8 million) in public hospitalizations could be saved if the average salt intake of Brazilians were reduced to 5 g/d, corresponding to 9.4% (95% UI: 8.9%-9.9%) of the total hospital costs by CVDs. This methodology of cost of illness associated with salt consumption can be adapted to estimate the burden of other dietary risk factors and support prevention and control policies in Brazil and in other countries.