Adequacy of basal metabolic rate prediction equations in individuals with severe obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The determination of energy requirements in clinical practice is based on basal metabolic rate (BMR), frequently predicted by equations that may not be suitable for individuals with severe obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the accuracy and precision of BMR prediction equations in adults with severe obesity. Four databases were searched in March 2021 and updated in May 2023. Eligible studies compared BMR prediction equations with BMR measured by indirect calorimetry. Forty studies (age: 28-55 years, BMI: 40.0-62.4 kg/m2) were included, most of them with a high risk of bias. Studies reporting bias (difference between estimated and measured BMR) were included in the meta-analysis (n = 20). Six equations were meta-analyzed: Harris & Benedict (1919); WHO (weight) (1985); Owen (1986); Mifflin (1990); Bernstein (1983); and Cunningham (1980). The most accurate and precise equations in the overall analysis were WHO (-12.44 kcal/d; 95%CI: -81.4; 56.5 kcal/d) and Harris & Benedict (-18.9 kcal/d; 95%CI -73.2; 35.2 kcal/d). All the other equations tended to underestimate BMR. Harris & Benedict and WHO were the equations with higher accuracy and precision in predicting BMR in individuals with severe obesity. Additional analyses suggested that equations may perform differently according to obesity BMI ranges, which warrants further investigation.

Instruments and indicators for assessing organisational food environments: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have explored the food environment to characterise it and understand its role in food practices. Assessment of the organisational food environment can contribute to the development of more effective interventions to promote adequate and healthy eating. However, few instruments and indicators have been developed and validated for assessing this type of setting. The systematisation of those can be useful to support the planning of future assessments and the development of wide-ranging instruments. This study aims to conduct a scoping review to systematise evidence on instruments and indicators for assessing organisational food environments. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review was planned according to the methodological framework for scoping reviews proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and subsequently enhanced by Levac et al. For the report of the review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and guidelines will be used. The search will be conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The studies to be included were required to have been published in peer-reviewed journals since January 2005. No geographical, population or language restrictions will be applied given the desired breadth of the review. Two researchers will select the articles and extract the data independently. The conceptual model proposed by Castro and Canella will guide the data extraction and analysis. The results will be presented with narrative synthesis for the extracted data accompanying the tabulated and charted results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is based on the analysis of published scientific literature and did not involve patients, medical research, or any type of personal information; therefore, no ethical approval was obtained for this study. The results of this scoping review will be submitted for publication in an international peer-reviewed journal, preferably open access.

Changes in the Gut Microbiota after the Use of Herbal Medicines in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicine is a low-cost treatment and has been increasingly applied in obesity treatment. Gut microbiota (GM) is strongly associated with obesity pathogenesis. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review guided by the question: "Does the use of herbal medicine change the GM composition in obese individuals?" Randomized clinical trials with obese individuals assessing the effects of herbal medicine intervention in GM were retrieved from the Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, including the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Two reviewers independently extracted data using standardized piloted data extraction forms and assessed the study-level risk of bias using an Excel template of the Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool 2-RoB 2. RESULTS: We identified 1094 articles in the databases. After removing duplicates and reading the title and abstract, 14 publications were fully evaluated, of which seven publications from six studies were considered eligible. The herbs analyzed were Moringa oleifera, Punica granatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis, W-LHIT and WCBE. The analysis showed that Schisandra chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis had significant effects on weight loss herbal intervention therapy composed by five Chinese herbal medicines Ganoderma lucidum, Coptis chinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Nelumbo nucifera gaertn, and Fructus aurantii (W-LHIT) and white common bean extract (WCBE) on GM, but no significant changes in anthropometry and laboratory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Herbal medicine modulates GM and is associated with increased genera in obese individuals.

Completeness of Reporting in Diet- and Nutrition-Related Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews With Meta-Analysis: Protocol for 2 Independent Meta-Research Studies.

BACKGROUND: Journal articles describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews with meta-analysis of RCTs are not optimally reported and often miss crucial details. This poor reporting makes assessing these studies' risk of bias or reproducing their results difficult. However, the reporting quality of diet- and nutrition-related RCTs and meta-analyses has not been explored. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the reporting completeness and identify the main reporting limitations of diet- and nutrition-related RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs, estimate the frequency of reproducible research practices among these RCTs, and estimate the frequency of distorted presentation or spin among these meta-analyses. METHODS: Two independent meta-research studies will be conducted using articles published in PubMed-indexed journals. The first will include a sample of diet- and nutrition-related RCTs; the second will include a sample of systematic reviews with meta-analysis of diet- and nutrition-related RCTs. A validated search strategy will be used to identify RCTs of nutritional interventions and an adapted strategy to identify meta-analyses in PubMed. We will search for RCTs and meta-analyses indexed in 1 calendar year and randomly select 100 RCTs (June 2021 to June 2022) and 100 meta-analyses (July 2021 to July 2022). Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts of records yielded by the searches, then read the full texts to confirm their eligibility. The general features of these published RCTs and meta-analyses will be extracted into a research electronic data capture database (REDCap; Vanderbilt University). The completeness of reporting of each RCT will be assessed using the items in the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials), its extensions, and the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) statements. Information about practices that promote research transparency and reproducibility, such as the publication of protocols and statistical analysis plans will be collected. There will be an assessment of the completeness of reporting of each meta-analysis using the items in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and collection of information about spin in the abstracts and full-texts. The results will be presented as descriptive statistics in diagrams or tables. These 2 meta-research studies are registered in the Open Science Framework. RESULTS: The literature search for the first meta-research retrieved 20,030 records and 2182 were potentially eligible. The literature search for the second meta-research retrieved 10,918 records and 850 were potentially eligible. Among them, random samples of 100 RCTs and 100 meta-analyses were selected for data extraction. Data extraction is currently in progress, and completion is expected by the beginning of 2023. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-research studies will summarize the main limitation on reporting completeness of nutrition- or diet-related RCTs and meta-analyses and provide comprehensive information regarding the particularities in the reporting of intervention studies in the nutrition field. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/43537.

Cross-sectional associations between body mass index, waist circumference, and multimorbidity: Pró-Saúde study.

Background: This study aimed (1) To investigate the association between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with multimorbidity (MM), and (2) To identify patterns of MM and investigate the relationship between BMI and WC with specific combinations of MM (patterns of MM). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,698 participants of the fourth phase of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (Pró-Saúde Study). MM was defined by the presence of two or more morbidities. MM patterns were identified by exploratory factor analysis based on tetrachoric correlations. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations (odds ratios (OR) with the respective confidence intervals (CI)). Results: Of the total number of participants, 39.5% were overweight and 30.0% were obese; 89.0% (n = 1,468) of women and 77.0% (n = 952) of men were abdominally obese. Indeed, 60.7% (n = 1,635) was identified with MM. For the category four or more morbidities, OR values of 5.98 (95% CI 4.84-7.13) and 7.48 (95% CI 6.14-8.18) were found for each point of increase in BMI, and 6.74 (95% CI 5.48-7.99) and 8.48 (95% CI 7.64-9.29) for each additional centimeter in the WC, for female and male, respectively. Five patterns of MM were identified: respiratory, osteoarticular, cardiometabolic, gastric, and thyroid diseases (56.4% of the total variance). Positive associations were found between BMI and patterns of cardiometabolic, osteoarticular, thyroid and gastric diseases (higher OR of 1.09 [95% CI 1.04-1.14]) and less pronounced between WC and patterns of cardiometabolic and osteoarticular (higher OR of 1.04 [95% CI 1.03-1.04]). Conclusions: The results showed that an increase of both BMI and WC was associated with a higher number of morbidities and with patterns of cardiometabolic and osteoarticular diseases.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Homecare Services for Adults and Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

This study provides an overview of the literature on the cost-effectiveness of homecare services compared to in-hospital care for adults and older adults. A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases from inception to April 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) (older) adults; (ii) homecare as an intervention; (iii) hospital care as a comparison; (iv) a full economic evaluation examining both costs and consequences; and (v) economic evaluations arising from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted data and assessed study quality. Of the 14 studies identified, homecare, when compared to hospital care, was cost-saving in seven studies, cost-effective in two and more effective in one. The evidence suggests that homecare interventions are likely to be cost-saving and as effective as hospital. However, the included studies differ regarding the methods used, the types of costs and the patient populations of interest. In addition, methodological limitations were identified in some studies. Definitive conclusions are limited and highlight the need for better standardization of economic evaluations in this area. Further economic evaluations arising from well-designed RCTs would allow healthcare decision-makers to feel more confident in considering homecare interventions.

Prevalence of vitamin B complex deficiencies in women in reproductive age, pregnant, or lactating woman in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B deficiencies are involved with several outcomes in fertility and pregnancy. In Brazil, the national prevalence rates of these micronutrient deficiencies in women of reproductive age were not known. This study aims to systematically identify, select, evaluate, analyze, and report the prevalence rates of vitamin B complex deficiencies in women of reproductive age in Brazil and identify variables that may modify the outcome rates. METHODS: A systematic review will be conducted guided by the following question: "What is the prevalence of vitamin B deficiencies in women of reproductive age in Brazil?". The studies will be identified and selected from a literature search using electronic databases, consultation with researchers/specialists, and reference lists of eligible studies and reviews on the topic. Major eligibility criteria include observational cross-sectional and cohort studies carried out in Brazil and performed in women 10-49 years old, or pregnant and lactating mothers, and investigated the deficiency of vitamin B complex by laboratory test. Two reviewers independently will perform the screening and selection of the studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. For the data report, a narrative approach will be used to present the characteristics of the included studies and individual findings. A random meta-analysis model will be implemented to summarize the individual prevalence rates in a global value if the studies are sufficiently homogeneous. DISCUSSION: This study aims to identify the national and regional prevalence rates of vitamin B complex deficiencies in women of reproductive age; allow the policymakers discuss, plan, and implement public policies to screen; and prevent and/or treat these malnutrition conditions. This also aims to know the rates of nutritional deficiencies over the years, serving as an indirect indicator of the socioeconomic and dietary patterns of the population. Specifically for folate, this study allows to compare the prevalence rates of deficiency of this vitamin before and after the mandatory fortification of wheat and corn flours implemented since 2004 in Brazil, in this specific population. The evidence gathered may highlight the need for population-based studies to investigate the deficiency of these vitamins. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020188474.

Caffeine and cerebral palsy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effects of caffeine on the development of cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING: A search of five databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) or cohort studies published through May 2022. Studies conducted on newborns at risk of developing CP upon receiving caffeine in the first days of life were included as well. Two independent researchers assessed the screening, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of children with CP. RESULTS: Four studies met our inclusion criteria. The only RCT found a decreased risk (approximately 40 %) of developing CP with 20 mg/kg caffeine citrate (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.39, 0.89). In addition, when comparing the period over which caffeine citrate was administered, one retrospective cohort study reported that infants who received caffeine up to the second day of life were also less likely to develop CP. Some methodological issues should be highlighted: in the RCT, the differences between the groups with respect to loss to follow-up were not explored. Similarly, intention-to-treat analyses were not performed. Most cohort studies have not adequately identified the primary confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine could be an important intervention in preventing CP. However, few studies have assessed the effects of caffeine on the risk of CP development. Due to methodological differences, no recommendation regarding its use can be safely made. The findings suggest a positive effect of caffeine citrate in the early stages of life with approximately 20 mg/kg of weight; however, well-designed RCTs with adequate sample size and power, randomization process, outcome measurement, and data analysis are still required.

Protocol for a meta-research study of protocols for diet or nutrition-related trials published in indexed journals: general aspects of study design, rationale and reporting limitations.

INTRODUCTION: The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) reporting guideline establishes a minimum set of items to be reported in any randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocol. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) reporting guideline was developed to improve the reporting of interventions in RCT protocols and results papers. Reporting completeness in protocols of diet or nutrition-related RCTs has not been systematically investigated. We aim to identify published protocols of diet or nutrition-related RCTs, assess their reporting completeness and identify the main reporting limitations remaining in this field. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a meta-research study of RCT protocols published in journals indexed in at least one of six selected databases between 2012 and 2022. We have run a search in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Global Health using a search strategy designed to identify protocols of diet or nutrition-related RCTs. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts of records yielded by the search in Rayyan. The full texts will then be read to confirm protocol eligibility. We will collect general study features (publication information, types of participants, interventions, comparators, outcomes and study design) of all eligible published protocols in this contemporary sample. We will assess reporting completeness in a randomly selected sample of them and identify their main reporting limitations. We will compare this subsample with the items in the SPIRIT and TIDieR statements. For all data collection, we will use data extraction forms in REDCap. This protocol is registered on the Open Science Framework (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/YWEVS). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study will undertake a secondary analysis of published data and does not require ethical approval. The results will be disseminated through journals and conferences targeting stakeholders involved in nutrition research.

Effectiveness of nutritional interventions to prevent nonprogressive congenital and perinatal brain injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

CONTEXT: Nutritional interventions for newborns with brain injury are scarce, and there are gaps in the knowledge of their mechanisms of action in preventing the occurrence of cerebral palsy (CP) or the incidence of other developmental disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of nutritional interventions in preventing nonprogressive congenital or perinatal brain injuries, or in improving outcomes related to neurological development. DATA SOURCES: Randomized trials on any nutritional intervention for pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery, or for children with low birth weight, preterm, or with confirmed or suspected microcephaly, CP, or fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASDs) were retrieved from MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and CENTRAL databases from inception to September 17, 2020. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction, risk of bias (Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2), and quality of evidence (GRADE approach) were assessed by 2 authors. DATA ANALYSIS: Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. Seventeen studies were included on intravenous interventions (magnesium sulfate [n = 5], amino acids [n = 4], vitamin A [n = 1], and N-acetylcysteine [n = 1]); enteral interventions (vitamin D [n = 1], prebiotic [n = 1], nutrient-enriched formula [n = 1], and speed of increasing milk feeds [n = 1]); and oral interventions (choline [n = 1] and docosahexaenoic acid, choline, and uridine monophosphate [n = 1]). All studies assessed CP, except 1 on FASDs. Eight studies were judged as having high risk of bias. Five studies (7413 babies) with high-quality evidence demonstrated decreased risk of childhood CP (RR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.88) with magnesium sulfate. Interventions with amino acids had no effect on CP prevention or other outcomes. Except for 1 study, no other intervention decreased the risk of CP or FASDs. CONCLUSION: Although different types of nutritional interventions were found, only those with antenatal magnesium sulfate were effective in decreasing CP risk in preterm infants. Well-designed, adequately powered randomized clinical trials are required.

Nutrients with Antioxidant Properties and Their Effects on Lower-Limb Ulcers: A Systematic Review.

Chronic lower-limb ulcers (LLUs) are ulcers that fail to proceed through an orderly and timely process to produce anatomic and functional integrity. LLUs reduce the quality of life of affected individuals and are a public health problem. The treatment options include medications or surgery. Nutrition therapy is an important adjunct to improve the clinical picture and healing of LLUs. Considering that nutrients with antioxidant properties can improve the process of tissue healing, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant nutrient supplementation in the treatment of LLUs through randomized clinical trials. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The guiding question was-can antioxidant nutrients help in the treatment of chronic LLUs? In total, 1184 articles were found when searching for antioxidant nutrients associated with the most common causes of LLUs. Fourteen articles were included in this review after removing duplicates, studies with topical and/or venous use of antioxidants, and articles published in other languages, except English. Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A, C, D, and resveratrol along with probiotics positively improved the ulcer healing. These effects were more significant when there was initially a deficiency of the respective supplemented nutrients. Therefore, correcting and maintaining an adequate nutritional status can improve ulcer healing and contribute to the clinical treatment of patients with LLUs.

Food consumption patterns, overweight and cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional analysis of the Pró-Saúde Study, Brazil, 2013. / Padrão de consumo de alimentos, excesso de peso e risco cardiovascular: uma análise transversal do Estudo Pró-Saúde, 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To identify food consumption patterns and association between overweight and risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with staff of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who took part in the Pró-Saúde Study. Food consumption was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire. Association between dietary patterns (exposure) and overweight and cardiovascular risk (outcomes) was estimated using linear regression. RESULTS: Among the 520 staff assessed, four dietary patterns were found: 'ultra-processed', 'healthy', 'meat' and 'traditional'. After adjustment, the 'meat' pattern was inversely associated with waist circumference (ß=-1.52 - 95%CI -2.66;-0.39), body mass index (ß=-0.56 - 95%CI -1.01;-0.11), and the Framingham Risk Score (ß=-0.36 - 95%CI -0.64;-0.09). CONCLUSION: In view of excess weight, risk of cardiovascular disease and inverse association between the 'meat' food consumption pattern and BMI, it is important to conduct further investigations, with non-working groups, with the aim of gaining greater understanding of the health-disease process related to food consumption.

The effect of food and nutrients on iron overload: what do we know so far?

There has been no established food and nutrition guidance for diseases characterized by the presence of iron overload (IOL) yet. Hepcidin is a hormone that diminishes iron bioavailability. Its levels increase in response to increased iron stores. Hence, IOL conditions could hypothetically trigger a self-regulatory mechanism for the reduction of the intestinal absorption of iron. In addition, some food substances may modulate intestinal iron absorption and may be useful in the dietary management of patients with IOL. This scoping review aimed to systematize studies that support dietary prescriptions for IOL patients. It was carried out according to the method proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Although the need to restrict iron in the diet of individuals with hemochromatosis is quite clear, there is a consensus that IOL diminishes the rate of iron absorption. Reduced iron absorption is also present and has been reported in some diseases with transfusion IOL, in which serum hepcidin is usually high. The consumption of polyphenols and 6-shogaol seems to reduce iron absorption or serum ferritin concentration, while procyanidins do not cause any changes. Vitamin C deficiency is often found in IOL patients. However, vitamin C supplementation and alcohol consumption should be avoided not only because they increase iron absorption, but also because they provoke toxic oxidative reactions when the iron is excessive. Dietary approaches must consider the differences in the pathophysiology and treatment of IOL diseases.

Influence of sugar label formats on consumer understanding and amount of sugar in food choices: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

CONTEXT: Reducing population intakes of sugar has become a focus of many national and international public health policies. Packaged foods and beverages are key contributors to sugar intakes, and food labels can be an effective tool to reduce sugar consumption. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the influence of sugar label formats on 2 outcomes: consumers' understanding of sugar information, and the amount of sugar in consumers' food choices. DATA SOURCES: Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CAB Abstracts, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched up until February 4, 2020. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized experiments or quasi-experiments were included if they investigated the influence of sugar label formats on consumers' understanding of sugar information or on the amount of sugar in consumers' food choices. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted independently by 2 authors. Mean differences (MDs), standardized mean differences (SMDs), and odds ratios (ORs) plus 95%CIs were used to describe between-group differences for intervention label formats using random-effects models. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies, which examined 39 comparisons, were included. Label formats using "high in sugar" interpretative texts (traffic light labels [MD 41.6; 95%CI 37.9-45.4] and warning signs [OR 1.33; 95%CI 1.0-1.78]) were most effective in increasing consumers' understanding of the sugar content in packaged foods. Health warning messages (SMD -0.32; 95%CI -0.43 to -0.22), graphical depictions of sugar content in teaspoons (SMD -0.32; 95%CI -0.48 to -0.17), and warning signs (SMD -0.24; 95%CI -0.35 to -0.13) were most effective for influencing consumers to choose products with lower sugar content. CONCLUSIONS: Formats that provide an interpretation of sugar information, particularly those indicating if a product is high in sugar, were more helpful than only numerical information for improving consumer understanding and promoting food choices with less sugar. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42018081222.

Globalização e Processamento de Alimentos: Consumo Alimentar no Nordeste Brasileiro / Globalization and Food Processing: Food Consumption in Northeastern Brazil

Introdução: O atual modelo globalizado de produção de alimentos acarreta homogeneização na alimentação, com diminuição no consumo de alimentos in natura e grande participação de ultraprocessados. Objetivo: Investigar os fatores associados ao consumo alimentar de adultos, considerando os níveis de processamento de alimentos. Métodos: Estudo transversal com adultos no estado de Pernambuco que avaliou o consumo alimentar e variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, segurança alimentar e outras relacionadas ao modo e prática de aquisição de alimentos. Foi utilizado questionário de frequência alimentar para investigação do consumo, com divisão dos alimentos conforme o nível de processamento, com posterior análise através de escores. Avaliou-se a associação entre consumo alimentar e variáveis explicativas através dos testes "U" de Mann Whitney e Kruskal Wallis, com aplicação, neste último caso, do teste "U" de Mann Whitney a posteriori. Foram consideradas estatisticamente significantes associações com valor de p<0,05. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 1.066 adultos, cuja maioria possuía baixa escolaridade, baixa renda, com participação em programa de transferência de renda e em situação de insegurança alimentar. Essas variáveis mostraram associação com o consumo de determinados grupos alimentares. Também foram observadas diferenças no consumo conforme características como local de moradia, sexo, faixa etária, modo de aquisição de alimentos, local de compra e hábito de leitura do rótulo. Conclusões: Diante do contexto globalizado de estímulo aos industrializados, aspectos como gênero, condições econômicas, local de moradia, ambiente e práticas de compra de alimentos podem se mostrar como protetores para maior consumo de alimentos minimamente processados ou de risco para o consumo de ultraprocessados.

Introduction: The current globalized model of food production leads to the homogenization of diet, with a reduction in the consumption of unprocessed foods and the considerable participation of ultra-processed foods. Objective: Investigate factors associated with food consumption among adults considering the degree of food processing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults in the state of Pernambuco involving the assessment of food consumption. Data were also collected on sociodemographic characteristics, food insecurity and aspects related to food acquisition. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate food intake, with the categorization of foods according to the degree of processing and the subsequent analysis of consumption scores. Associations between food consumption and explanatory variables were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal- Wallis test, the latter of which was complemented with the post hoc Mann-Whitney U test. Associations with a p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: One thousand sixty-six adults were interviewed. Most had a low level of schooling and low income, were beneficiaries of the income transfer program and were in a situation of food insecurity. These variables were associated with the consumption of particular food groups. Differences in consumption were found according to place of residence, sex, age group, mode of food acquisition, place of purchase and the habit of reading food labels. Conclusions: In the globalized context that stimulates the consumption of industrialized foods, aspects such as sex, economic status, place of residence and food purchasing environment and practices can serve as protective factors that ensure the greater consumption of minimally processed foods or risk factors for the consumption of ultra-processed foods products.

Padrão de consumo de alimentos, excesso de peso e risco cardiovascular: uma análise transversal do Estudo Pró-Saúde, 2013 / Patrón de consumo de alimentos, sobrepeso y riesgo cardiovascular: un análisis transversal del Estudio Pro-Salud, Brasil, 2013 / Food consumption patterns, overweight and cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional analysis of the Pró-Saúde Study, Brazil, 2013

Objetivo: Identificar o padrão de consumo e a associação entre excesso de peso e risco de doença cardiovascular. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com servidores da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, participantes do Estudo Pró-Saúde. O consumo alimentar foi investigado mediante questionário de frequência alimentar. A associação entre padrões alimentares (exposição), excesso de peso e risco cardiovascular (desfechos) foi estimada por regressão linear. Resultados: Entre 520 avaliados, foram observados quatro padrões alimentares: 'ultraprocessados'; 'saudável'; 'carnes'; 'tradicional'. Nas análises ajustadas, 'carnes' foi inversamente associado à circunferência de cintura (ß=-1,52 - IC95% -2.66;-0,39), índice de massa corporal (IMC) (ß=-0,56 - IC95% -1,01;-0,11) e escore de risco de Framingham (ß=-0,36 - IC95% -0,64;-0,09). Conclusão: Diante do excesso de peso, risco de doenças cardiovasculares e associação inversa entre o padrão alimentar 'carnes' e o IMC, tornam-se importantes novas investigações em populações não trabalhadoras, visando melhor compreender o processo saúde-doença relacionado ao consumo alimentar.

Objetivo: Identificar patrones de consumo y asociación con sobrepeso y riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. Métodos: Estudio transversal, con funcionarios de la Universidad del Estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, participantes del Estudio Pro-Salud. Se investigó el consumo de alimentos mediante cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria. La asociación entre patrones dietéticos (exposición), sobrepeso y riesgo cardiovascular (resultados) se estimó mediante regresión lineal. Resultados: Fueron observados cuatro patrones dietéticos: `ultraprocesado´, `saludable´, `carnes`, `tradicional´. Después del ajuste, el patrón de carne se asoció inversamente con la circunferencia de la cintura (ß=-1,52 - IC95% -2,66 ;-0,386), el índice de masa corporal (ß=-0,56 - IC95% -1,008; -0,108) y el puntaje de riesgo de Framingham (ß=-0,36 - IC95% -0,64;-0,092). Conclusión: En vista del sobrepeso, el riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y la asociación inversa entre el patrón de carne y el IMC, es importante investigar más, en grupos no laborales, con el objetivo de comprender el proceso salud-enfermedad relacionado al consumo de alimentos.

Objective: To identify food consumption patterns and association between overweight and risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with staff of the Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who took part in the Pró-Saúde Study. Food consumption was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire. Association between dietary patterns (exposure) and overweight and cardiovascular risk (outcomes) was estimated using linear regression. Results: Among the 520 staff assessed, four dietary patterns were found: 'ultra-processed', 'healthy', 'meat' and 'traditional'. After adjustment, the 'meat' pattern was inversely associated with waist circumference (ß=-1.52 - 95%CI -2.66;-0.39), body mass index (ß=-0.56 - 95%CI -1.01;-0.11), and the Framingham Risk Score (ß=-0.36 - 95%CI -0.64;-0.09). Conclusion: In view of excess weight, risk of cardiovascular disease and inverse association between the 'meat' food consumption pattern and BMI, it is important to conduct further investigations, with non-working groups, with the aim of gaining greater understanding of the health-disease process related to food consumption.

Antioxidant nutrients and hemolysis in sickle cell disease.

Hemolysis is one of the main pathophysiological characteristics of sickle cell disease (SCD) and might cause or could be the result of oxidative stress. Antioxidants are studied in SCD due to their potential to ensure redox balance and minimize deleterious effects on erythrocyte membranes. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant nutrient supplementation on reducing hemolysis in SCD patients through randomized clinical trials. We conducted our study according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions investigating whether antioxidants could improve the hemolytic status of SCD patients. This study included 587 articles published until April 2020. We reduced this pool to 12 articles by excluding duplicates, reviews, comments, and studies with non-human subjects. Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and zinc were the antioxidants that reportedly improved the indirect hemolysis parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, or red blood cells. High-dose vitamin C and E supplementation worsened hemolysis, causing increased reticulocytes, lactate dehydrogenase, indirect bilirubin, and haptoglobin. More intervention studies especially high-quality controlled randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the effects of antioxidant nutrients in reducing hemolysis in SCD.

Sociodemographic determinants of food consumption pattern: Pró-Saúde Study. / Determinantes sociodemográficos do padrão de consumo de alimentos: Estudo Pró-Saúde.

AIMS: To identify dietary patterns (DP) and to investigate their association with sociodemographic aspects. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional data analysis of a sub-sample from Phase 4 of the Pró-Saúde Longitudinal Study (2012-2013), constituting a total of 520 participants. DP were obtained by principal component analysis from a food frequency questionnaire. Association between DP and sociodemographic aspects was analyzed by adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: Four DP were identified: processed and ultraprocessed products; fresh food; meats and alcoholic beverages; and traditional Brazilian foods. There was a greater adherence chance to "processed and ultraprocessed products" pattern among adults ≥ 55 years and lower chance among men. The probability of adherence to "fresh food" pattern was directly associated to men, subjects with a high educational level and inversely associated to adults aged ≥ 60 years. There was a lower chance of "meats and alcoholic beverages" pattern among men and increased chance of adherence to "traditional Brazilian foods" pattern among whites, subjects with ≥ 60 years and low schooling. CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic factors were important determinants of DP, especially gender, schooling and age. Presence of a DP composed of processed and ultraprocessed products indicates the need for awareness strategies and supply limitation in this population, since it affects their health.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle is related to risk scores of a first cardiovascular event in adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between phase angle (PhA) and first cardiovascular (CV) event risk. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. PhA was determined using a single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Scores from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA; N = 455; 49% men) and the Framingham General Cardiovascular (FRS-CVD; N = 489; 49% men) were used to estimate the risk for a first CV event in adults. Logistic and multinomial regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between ACC/AHA and FRS-CVD risk scores (outcomes) and PhA. Additionally, the consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods was included in the models as an adjustment variable. RESULTS: Men and women, classified according to ACC/AHA (P < 0.001; P = 0.035) and FRS-CVD scores (P = 0.002; P = 0.012) as low risk for first event CV, presented higher PhA values than participants with elevated risk. However, only in men categorized as CV high risk, the third PhA tertile (>7.3°) was associated with a CV lower risk (ACC/AHA, odds ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.56; FRS-CVD, relative risk ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.37). The adjustment of all models for consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods did not change the results. CONCLUSION: Higher PhA values were associated with lower risk for a first CV event in men classified in higher-risk categories. In natura or minimally processed food consumption did not influence the relationship between PhA and CV risk. These results may encourage future research about possible applications of PhA as an additional index in primary prevention of CV events.

Food consumption according to degree of processing and sociodemographic characteristics: Estudo Pró-Saúde, Brazil. / Consumo alimentar segundo o grau de processamento e características sociodemográficas: Estudo Pró-Saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the food consumption according to the degree of processing and associations with sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of the Estudo Pró-Saúde (Pro-Health Study), with 520 civil servants of university campuses, Rio de Janeiro, 2012-13. A food frequency questionnaire was used to classify food consumption: 1) in natura, minimally processed, food preparations based on these foods; 2) processed foods; 3) ultra-processed foods. The relative energy contribution of each group was determined, and a seemingly unrelated equations regression (SUR) regression model was used to estimate associations with sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The in natura food group (1) contributed with 59% of the energy consumption and was directly associated with age [45-49 years (ß = 1.8 confidence interval of 95% - 95%CI -1.2; 4.8); 50-54 (ß = 1.5 95%CI -1.5; 4.5); 55-59 (ß = 2.9 95%CI -0.4; 6.3) and ≥ 60 (ß = 4.6 95%CI 1.1; 8.2)], compared to age ≤ 44. In contrast, the group of ultra-processed foods contributed 27% and were inversely associated with age [45-49 (ß = -1.7 95%CI -4.3; 0.9); 50-54 (ß = -1.8 95%CI -4.3; 0.9); 55-59 (ß = -4.9 95%CI -8.0; -2.0); ≥ 60 (ß = -4.5 95%CI -7.6; -1.5)]. Gender, income and schooling were not associated with food consumption. CONCLUSION: Younger adults had higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, indicating the need for interventions mainly in this age group. The absence of association with other sociodemographic characteristics may be due to the influence of contextual factors.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o consumo alimentar segundo o grau de processamento e associações com características sociodemográficas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de subamostra do Estudo Pró-Saúde, com 520 funcionários públicos de campi universitários, Rio de Janeiro, 2012-13. Questionário de frequência alimentar foi utilizado para classificar o consumo alimentar: 1) in natura, minimamente processados, preparações culinárias à base desses alimentos; 2) alimentos processados; 3) alimentos ultraprocessados. Determinou-se a contribuição energética relativa de cada grupo, e foi utilizado modelo de regressão seemingly unrelated equations regression (SUR) para estimar associações com as características sociodemográficas. RESULTADOS: O grupo de alimentos in natura (1) contribuiu com 59% do consumo energético e foi diretamente associado à idade [45-49 anos (ß = 1,8 intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% -1,2; 4,8); 50-54 (ß = 1,5 IC95% -1,5; 4,5); 55-59 (ß = 2,9 IC95% -0,4; 6,3) e ≥ 60 (ß = 4,6 IC95% 1,1; 8,2)], comparado à idade ≤ 44. Em contraste, ultraprocessados contribuíram com 27% e foram inversamente associados à idade [45-49 (ß = -1,7 IC95% -4,3; 0,9); 50-54 (ß = -1,8 IC95% -4,3; 0,9); 55-59 (ß = -4,9 IC95% -8,0; -2,0); ≥ 60 (ß = -4,5 IC95% -7,6; -1,5)]. Sexo, renda e escolaridade não foram associados ao consumo alimentar. CONCLUSÃO: Adultos mais jovens apresentaram maior consumo de ultraprocessados, indicando a necessidade de intervenções principalmente nessa faixa etária. A ausência de associação com demais características sociodemográficas pode ser por conta da influência de fatores contextuais.