Do adults and older people follow current guidelines for milk consumption?

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of frequent milk consumption (≥five times/week), the consumption of low-fat/skimmed milk and associated factors in adults and older people, evaluating adherence to current Brazilian guideline. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study involving the analysis of data from the 2015 Campinas Food Intake and Nutritional Status and 2015 Campinas Health Survey. The prevalence of milk consumption was analysed according to socio-economic characteristics, morbidities and health-related behaviours. SETTING: City of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1710 participants of the 2015 Campinas Nutritional and Health Surveys. RESULTS: A total of 73·8 % of the population consumed milk, but the prevalence of frequent consumption was only 44·0 %. Frequent milk consumption was higher among women, older people and individuals with better diet quality. A total of 18·4 % of the individuals who consumed milk reported consuming low-fat/skimmed milk; this prevalence was higher among women, individuals with a higher socio-economic status, those with better diet quality and those with chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: Despite the high nutritional quality of milk and the different types available on the market, adults and older people do not follow current recommendations regarding its consumption. Information on the nutritional quality of milk and current recommendations should be disseminated more at healthcare services.

Weight self-perception in adolescents: evidence from a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate weight misperception among adolescents and determine associations between self-perceived weight and socio-demographic characteristics, BMI, screen time, self-rated food quantity and diet quality, weekly frequency of breakfast and the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, two-stage, probabilistic population-based study was conducted in Campinas, Brazil. Multinomial logistic regressions were run to estimate weight self-perception. SETTING: Data from the Campinas Health Survey (ISACamp) and Campinas Food Consumption Survey (ISACamp-Nutri). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 911 adolescents aged 10-19 years. RESULTS: Nearly half (47·7 %) of the adolescents with overweight/obesity did not evaluate their weight properly. Weight self-perception as thin and excess weight was associated with the female gender, overweight/obesity, self-rated diet quality as poor/very poor and eating snacks ≥3 times/week. Adolescents who did not consume breakfast daily were less likely to perceive themselves as thin. Adolescents who ate excessively were more likely and those who consumed cookies/crackers ≥3 times/week were less likely to perceive themselves as having excess weight. CONCLUSIONS: Greater weight misperception was found in overweight/obese adolescents. Gender, BMI, self-rated food quantity/diet quality, weekly frequency of breakfast and some unhealthy foods were associated with self-perceived weight. The present findings could contribute to health promotion strategies targeting adolescents.

Sociodemographic inequalities in eating practices and concerns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between selected dietary concerns and eating practices and determine the association of these concerns/practices with demographic and socio-economic characteristics in a population from a large Brazilian city. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. We investigated concerns regarding salt intake, the use of highly processed seasoning and the custom of reading the Na content on food labels. We also analysed concerns regarding the use of pesticides on food products and the practice of consuming organic foods. These variables were analysed according to sex, age group, schooling and income. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed for the estimation of prevalence ratios. SETTING: Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: The representative sample consisted of 1710 adults and seniors. RESULTS: A total 62·3 % of the population were concerned with salt intake, 34·7 % did not use highly processed seasoning and 10·6 % checked the Na content on food labels; 27·5 % were concerned with pesticides and 26·5 % consumed organic foods. The practices analysed were associated with the respective concerns. Women and seniors had a better profile, except for reading Na content in both groups and the consumption of organic foods among seniors. The frequency of checking the Na content and consuming organic foods increased with the level of schooling. The higher income group had a better profile, except for concern with salt intake. CONCLUSIONS: Considerable social differences were found regarding the dietary practices, and the practices were associated with concerns. The present findings underscore the need for different dietary counseling strategies targeting specific groups.

Impact of functional capacity on change in self-rated health among older adults in a nine-year longitudinal study.

The aims of the present study were to estimate the frequency of change in self-rated health (SRH) among community-dwelling older adults, between two measures taken at a 9-year interval; and determine factors associated with a decline and an improvement in SRH, in relation to aspects of physical/emotional health and subjective wellbeing. Data were derived from a community-based study on frailty among Brazilian elderly. Associations were investigated using Pearson's chi-square test and relative risk ratios were estimated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. 39.3% of participants did not change their SRH at both assessment times, 21.7% rated it as worse and 39.0% rated it as better. The relative risk ratio of an improvement in SRH for individuals with disability in basic activities of daily living (ADLs) was lower than for individuals with independence in basic ADLs (IRR=0.22; IC95%: 0.08-0.63). Understanding the complex interactions between self-rated health and the dimensions that influence the improvement of health perception may shed light on key determinants of the wellbeing among older adults.

Frailty and functional status among older adults with cognitive impairment: data from the second wave of the FIBRA study.

Frailty is defined as a recognizable state of increased vulnerability resulting from age-associated decline of function in various physiological systems, such that the ability to deal with acute or everyday stressors is compromised. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the sample of older adults with cognitive impairment, according to the frailty status indirectly assessed by family members, other clinical and sociodemographic variables; and to assess the overlap of clinical conditions evaluated in this sample with cognitive impairment. Methods: Data were extracted from the follow-up database of the Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults (FIBRA) study (2016-2017). The sample consisted of 130 elderly people with cognitive impairment assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The scores for the Clinical Dementia Scale (CDR), Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and Functional Activities Questionnaire were described. Frailty was indirectly measured through questions answered by family members about the five criteria that compose the frailty phenotype. Results: The sample consisted mostly of older women (n=91) with a mean age of 82.4 (SD=5.3) years, mean schooling of 3.3 years (SD=3.07), widowed (47.7%) and who lived with children and/or grandchildren (68%). More than half had multimorbidity (74.90%), 39.5% had depression symptoms suggestive of major depression, 57% had impaired functionality, 49.3% were frail, 37.6% pre-frail, and 13.10% robust. Conclusion: Among older adults with cognitive impairment, frailty and functional limitations are common.

A fragilidade é definida como um estado reconhecível de vulnerabilidade aumentada resultante do declínio da função associado à idade em vários sistemas fisiológicos, de modo que a capacidade de lidar com estressores agudos ou cotidianos fica comprometida. Objetivo: Caracterizar uma amostra de pessoas idosas com comprometimento cognitivo, segundo o estado de fragilidade, avaliado de forma indireta por familiares, assim como outras variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas; e avaliar a sobreposição das condições clínicas avaliadas nesta amostra com o comprometimento cognitivo. Métodos: Os dados foram extraídos do banco de dados de acompanhamento do estudo Fragilidade em Idosos Brasileiros (FIBRA - 2016-2017). A amostra foi composta por 130 idosos com comprometimento cognitivo avaliado pelo Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Foram descritos os escores da Escala Clínica de Demência (CDR), da Escala Cornell de Depressão em Demência e do Questionário de Atividades Funcionais. A fragilidade foi mensurada indiretamente por meio de questões respondidas junto aos familiares sobre os cinco critérios que compõem o fenótipo de fragilidade. Resultados: A amostra foi composta em sua maioria por mulheres idosas (n=91) com idade média de 82,4 (DP=5,3) anos, escolaridade média de 3,3 anos (DP=3,07), viúvas (47,7%) e que viviam com filhos e/ou netos (68%). Mais da metade apresentava multimorbidade (74,90%), 39,5% apresentavam sintomas depressivos sugestivos de depressão maior, 57% tinham funcionalidade prejudicada, 49,3% eram frágeis, 37,6% pré-frágeis e 13,10% robustos. Conclusão: Entre idosos com alterações cognitivas, é comum a co-ocorrência de fragilidade e de limitações funcionais.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mobility of older adults: A scoping review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify the most frequent determinants of contact limitation on older adults' mobility addressed by the recommendations to mitigate mobility limitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the recommendations characteristics and means of dissemination that might guide coping actions. BACKGROUND: Measures for physical contact restriction were implemented to prevent COVID-19 spread. These measures directly impacted older people, reducing their mobility, especially outside home environment. Health systems worldwide need to be prepared to implement strategies to mitigate negative effects of reduced mobility in this population. DESIGN: Scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework. METHOD: Therefore, a scoping review was conducted in LILACS, CINAHL, MEDLINE, WEB OF SCIENCE and SCOPUS databases. Documents and reports with recommendations from government agencies were also consulted. Results were presented in a narrative synthesis based on a conceptual model of mobility proposed by Webber (The Gerontologist, 2010, 50, 443) regarding the most frequently addressed determinants, characteristics of the proposed interventions, and means of dissemination for the older person population. FINDINGS: Twenty-eight studies were selected for the final sample. According to Webber's model, most articles (n = 14) presented the impacts on mobility from the perspective of physical determinants, relating this aspect to biological losses in the musculoskeletal system, and a minority assessed mobility in vital spaces, encompassing environmental (n = 3) and financial (n = 1) determinants. Also, the most frequent recommendation was that physical activity promotes maintenance of mobility and prevents the occurrence of adverse results, such as falls, fractures and functional decline. As to dissemination, digital technologies were recognised as a strategy to motivate, instruct and monitor exercise practice to increase mobility in older adults. CONCLUSION: The main conditions related to the decline in mobility of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic were physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle. The practice of physical activity is widespread and needs to be adapted according to individual needs. Finally, digital technologies are essential tools in this period, but other alternatives should also be considered for low-income seniors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is hoped that the gaps identified through this scoping review can help enhance the discussion on the broader assessment of mobility in older adults and the design of interventions when contact restriction is a reality.

Cognitive Impairment Predicts Sarcopenia 9 Years Later among Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the longitudinal association between cognitive impairment and sarcopenia in a sample of Brazilian community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN: Nine-year observational prospective study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 521 community-dwelling older adults from 2 Brazilian sites of the Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults (FIBRA in Portuguese) study. METHODS: Sarcopenia was defined as low hand-grip strength and low muscle mass. Cognitive impairment was determined at baseline using the Mini-Mental State Examination, with education-adjusted cutoff scores. The logistic regression model was used to assess the association between cognitive impairment and incident sarcopenia after adjusting for gender, age, education, morbidities, physical activity, and body mass index. Inverse probability weighting was applied to correct for sample loss at follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 72.7 (±5.6) years, and 365 were women (70.1%). Being 80 years and older [odds ratio (OR), 4.62; 95% CI, 1.38-15.48; P = .013], being under- and overweight (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11-0.76; P = .012, and OR, 5.12; 95% CI, 2.18-12.01; P < .001, respectively) and having cognitive impairment (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.18-5.04; P = .016) at baseline predicted sarcopenia after 9 years. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Cognitive impairment may predict sarcopenia in Brazilian older adults. More studies are necessary to identify the main mechanisms shared by sarcopenia and cognitive decline, which could support the development of prevention interventions.

Do you think that you eat more than you should? Perception of adolescents from a Brazilian municipality.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of the perception of eating more than one should and the associated factors in adolescents, and to analyze differences in dietary indicators according to the perception of overeating. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional population-based study with a sample of 912 adolescents, participants of a food consumption survey conducted in 2015-2016, in Campinas, SP, Brazil. RESULTS: The prevalence of the perception of eating more than one should was 35.0%, and higher in those who declared themselves non-white, those who had excess weight, those who had high waist circumference, those who would like to change their weight, those who did something to lose weight, and those who evaluated themselves as fat. The prevalence rates were also higher in those who perceived the quality of their diet as poor, who had higher frequencies of consumption of sweets, soft drinks, cold meats, and lower frequencies of consumption of fruits, raw vegetables, and breakfast up to three times a week. Among those who considered themselves as overeating, higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, added sugar, and sodium were observed, and prevalence rates of 38.5% for overweight and 66.2% for obesity were identified. CONCLUSION: The perception of eating more than one should was associated with unhealthy eating practices, the self-assessment of a poor quality diet, dissatisfaction with weight, and inadequate nutritional status. There is a need for further studies to investigate the application of the question "Do you think that you eat more than you should?" as a health behavior indicator.

FODMAP project: Development, validation and reproducibility of a short food frequency questionnaire to estimate consumption of fermentable carbohydrates.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder that is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms and that has a major impact on quality of life, resulting in direct and indirect health care costs. The majority of patients with IBS suffer from food intolerances, most commonly related to the consumption of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). This study aimed to develop and verify the validity and reproducibility of a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess typical FODMAP consumption in adults with IBS. METHODS: The primary FFQ list consisted of source foods of FODMAPs that contributed at least 10% to the frequency of consumption among 855 adults from a population-based study in the municipality of Campinas in 2014/2015. In addition, source foods of FODMAPs (according to the Monash University Low FODMAP Diet application) and foods commonly consumed by the Brazilian population (according to the FFQ for adults validated in the city of São Paulo) were included. One hundred and five (n = 105) healthy subjects were recruited to respond to the FFQ twice and to respond the 24-h dietary recall (24HR) three times during a 3-month period. The relative validity of the proposed instrument was compared with the average of the three 24HRs, and the reproducibility of the instrument was assessed by comparing both FFQ applications. The following statistical analyses were used for validation and reproducibility: Wilcoxon's test, Spearman's correlation analysis, weighted kappa, Bland Altman's plot and index, and interclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The final list of items for the short FFQ included 54 different foods. The foods were organized by FODMAP groups: free fructose, lactose, total oligosaccharides and total polyols, with variations of categories of responses for consumption frequency between 0 and 10 times and the unit of time in days, weeks or months. In the validity analyses, the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.209 (polyols) to 0.652 (lactose) (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the methods in the fructose and oligosaccharide groups. The lactose group presented good agreement, and the remaining groups had a lack of agreement, with a mean of 15.7%. The Bland-Altman index values were 4.7% (fructose), 3.8% (lactose), 5.7% (oligosaccharides) and 6.6% (polyols). Regarding reproducibility, the interclass and Spearman's correlation coefficients varied from ICC = 0.781 and r = 0.725 (oligosaccharides) to ICC = 0.913 and r = 0.807 (lactose) (p < 0.05), showing strongly reproducible results for lactose and polyols and good results for fructose and oligosaccharides. Accurate agreement between FFQ applications had a mean of 67.3%, and 3.0% showed disagreement between FFQ1 and FFQ2. The weighted kappa coefficient ranged from 0.576 (polyols) to 0.645 (lactose). CONCLUSION: The semi-quantitative short FFQ was developed to evaluate the consumption of FODMAPs in adults in São Paulo. The instrument presents good reproducibility for all groups of FODMAPs, good validity for lactose and weaker validity for fructose, polyols and oligosaccharides. As the short FFQ was carefully designed for the study population, its estimates are relatively reliable at the population group level. A future reanalysis of this questionnaire would be useful when the chemical composition data of FODMAPs are available.

Calcium intake by adolescents: a population-based health survey.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze calcium intake in adolescents according to sociodemographic variables, health-related behaviors, morbidities, and body mass index. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional population-based study, with a two-stage cluster sampling that used data from a survey conducted in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, between 2008 and 2009. Food intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall. The study included 913 adolescents aged 10-19 years. RESULTS: Average nutrient intake was significantly lower in the segment with lower education of the head of the family and lower per capita family income, in individuals from other cities or states, those who consumed fruit less than four times a week, those who did not drink milk daily, those who were smokers, and those who reported the occurrence of headaches and dizziness. Higher mean calcium intake was found in individuals that slept less than seven hours a day. The prevalence of calcium intake below the recommendation was 88.6% (95% CI: 85.4-91.2). CONCLUSION: The results alert to an insufficient calcium intake and suggest that certain subgroups of adolescents need specific strategies to increase the intake of this nutrient.

Diet quality among adolescents: a population-based study in Campinas, Brazil.

We assessed the overall diet quality and adequacy of diet consumption of each component of the diet of adolescents according to demographic, socioeconomic and body mass index (BMI) data. A cross-sectional population-based study analyzed a representative sample of 409 adolescents, aged 12-19 years, using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). We estimated the prevalence of diets classified in the first quartile of the HEI and the average scores of each component of the HEI. Linear and Poisson multiple regressions were used in the analysis. The mean score of HEI was 59.7. We observed a lower prevalence of inadequate diets in the segment with heads of household presenting higher schooling. The lower socioeconomic status segments, measured by income and schooling, showed a lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy products and a less diversified diet, and a higher intake of cereals and legumes. Overweight/obese adolescents consume more meat and eggs and less fruit compared to low weight/normal weight adolescents. Girls had a higher intake of total fat and lower sodium intake. The results identified diet components that deserve more attention in the strategies to promote healthy eating, and the more vulnerable segments among adolescents.