Excess weight increases the risk of sarcopenia in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease. Nutritional status influences the course of the disease, however, its relationship with sarcopenia needs further investigation. The aim of the study was to identify patients with sarcopenia and assess its association with nutritional status and the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: The study assessed 110 patients submitted to evaluation of sociodemographic characteristics, level of physical activity, nutritional status, and presence of sarcopenia. The clinical course of the disease, age at onset, disease duration, disease-modifying therapy, and expanded scale of disability status (EDSS) were investigated. RESULTS: Mean age was 37.17 (SD = 10.60) years, disease duration was 6.29 years (SD = 4.65), with a predominance of female gender (80.90 %), relapsing-remitting clinical form (RRMS) (89.10 %) and mild level of disability (EDSS median = 1.92). The group had excess weight (53.6 %) according to body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fat accumulation measured by waist circumference (WC) (53.6 %). High percentage of fat mass ( % FM) was observed in 54.5 % and 38.2 % of the patients according to bioimpedance (BIA) and ultrasound (US), respectively. It was observed that 15.5 % were at risk for sarcopenia, which was associated with excess weight, and high % FM (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of including nutritional status indicators, and sarcopenia assessment in the care of patients with MS.

Adequação dos cardápios da alimentação escolar de creches segundo a pirâmide alimentar infantil / Adequacy of school feed boards according to children's food pyramid

Introdução: Uma alimentação adequada na fase pré-escolar é essencial, visto que os hábitos alimentares começam a ser consolidados nessa etapa. Objetivo: Verificar a adequação dos cardápios da alimentação escolar em creches municipais de Fortaleza, Ceará. Metodologia: A partir dos per capitas, os alimentos foram desmembrados em ingredientes separados por grupos alimentares da Pirâmide Alimentar Infantil e quantificados em frações conforme as porções do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. Comparou-se a média de porções de cada módulo de cardápios com a recomendação da Pirâmide Alimentar Infantil. Consideraram-se adequados os grupos alimentares que atingissem 70% das porções, visto que o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) preconiza atender a 70% das necessidades nutricionais de crianças matriculadas em tempo integral. Resultados e Discussão: Foram encontradas as seguintes médias relativas aos grupos alimentares: cereais 2,3±0,2; verduras e legumes 0,3±0,1; frutas 1,0±0,1; leite 0,8±0,2; carnes 0,5±0,0; feijões 0,6±0,2; óleos 0,2±0,0; e açúcar 0,4±0,2. O grupo de verduras e legumes apresentou o menor percentual (10,0%) de adequação, já o de feijões (60,0%) e o de cereais (46,0%), os maiores resultados. Conclusão: Todas as porções estavam abaixo da recomendação da Pirâmide Alimentar Infantil, não atendendo também às diretrizes do PNAE. Portanto, sugere-se que mudanças nos cardápios sejam realizadas, a fim de se adequar melhor às recomendações propostas, contribuindo, assim, para a promoção da saúde das crianças.(AU)

Introduction: Adequate pre-school feeding is essential, as eating habits begin to be consolidated in this stage. Objectives: To verify the adequacy of school feeding menus in municipal day care centers in Fortaleza, Ceará. Methodology: Through a per capita analysis, foods were divided into ingredients separated by food groups from the Child Food Pyramid, and quantified in portions according to the portions of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. The average portion of each menu module was compared with the recommendation of the Child Food Pyramid. Food groups that reached 70% of the portions were considered adequate, since the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) recommends that 70% of the nutritional needs of children enrolled in full time be served. Results and Discussion: The following averages were found for food groups: cereals 2.3 ± 0.2; vegetables and legumes 0.3 ± 0.1; fruits 1.0 ± 0.1; milk 0.8 ± 0.2; meats 0.5 ± 0.0; beans 0.6 ± 0.2; oils 0.2 ± 0.0; and sugar 0.4 ± 0.2. The group of vegetables had the lowest percentage (10.0%) of adequacy, while that of beans (60.0%) and cereals (46.0%) had the highest results. Conclusion: All portions were below the recommendation of the Infant Food Pyramid, not meeting the guidelines of the PNAE. It is therefore suggested that changes on the menus be made in order to better fit the proposed recommendations, contributing to the promotion of children's health.(AU)