Edited eukaryotic translation initiation factors confer resistance against maize lethal necrosis.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), which is caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus along with a potyvirus, has threatened the food security of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), which also facilitate virus genome translation, are known to confer variable resistance against viruses. Following phylogenetic analysis, we selected two eIF4E proteins from maize as the most likely candidates to facilitate MLN infection. A knockout (KO) of each of the corresponding genes in elite but MLN-susceptible maize lines conferred only partial protection. Our inability to knockout both the genes together suggested that at least one was required for survival. When we edited (ED) the eIF4E genes in Mini Maize, however, the plants with the eif4e1-KO became highly resistant, whereas those with the eif4e2-KO remained susceptible. Neither of the causal viruses could be detected in the MLN-inoculated eif4e1-KO plants. The eIF4E2 cDNA in Mini Maize lacked the entire 4th exon, causing a 22-amino acid in-frame deletion, which shortened the protein to 198 amino acids. When we introduced mutations in the 4th exon of the eIF4E2 gene in two elite, MLN-susceptible lines pre-edited for an eif4e1-KO, we obtained as strong resistance against MLN as in eif4e1-KO Mini Maize. The MLN-inoculated lines with eif4e1-KO/eIF4E2-exon-4ED performed as well as the uninoculated wild-type lines. We demonstrate that the C-terminal 38 amino acids of eIF4E2 are dispensable for normal plant growth but are required for the multiplication of MLN viruses. Our discovery has wide applications across plant species for developing virus-resistant varieties.

Water insecurity may exacerbate food insecurity even in water-rich environments: Evidence from the Bolivian Amazon.

Globally, challenges with water and food are two of the most pressing problems people face. Yet hydrologically water-rich environments and rural environments are often overlooked in these discussions due to abundance of natural water resources. Here we test the relationship between water and food insecurity among 270 Tsimane' households in the Bolivian Amazon. Water challenges were evaluated with the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE), water quality perception, objective water quality analyses, and water access via the JMP drinking water ladder. Food insecurity was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and quantitative measures of food frequency recall were used to further test the water and food insecurity relationship. Using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression, each point increase in HWISE score was associated with 0.47 point (95 % CI: 0.30, 0.62, p < 0.001) higher food insecurity, and households with access to improved water sources had between 1.25 and 1.36 points (95 % CI: -2.61, -0.01, p < 0.05) lower food insecurity compared to households reliant on surface water. These relationships held true independent of quantitative measures of both fish and meat consumption. Using mixed-effects logistic regression analyses, each point increase in HWISE score was associated with 43 % (95 % CI: 1.25-1.66, p < 0.001) increased odds of experiencing severe food insecurity. Households changing what was eaten due to experienced water problems was associated with 2.33 points (95 % CI: 0.41, 4.25, p < 0.05) higher food insecurity. This relationship held true independent of perceived water quality, indicating other structural water problems may be important here in the household water and food insecurity relationship. These results demonstrate that even in water-rich environments, like the Amazon, water and food insecurity are interconnected. Further, despite the challenging conditions, equitable structural interventions, like the development of improved water infrastructure, are critical for the provision of clean drinking water and may simultaneously help alleviate food insecurity.

Using Household Dietary Diversity Score and Spatial Analysis to Inform Food Governance in Chile.

This study explores how the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and spatial visualization can inform food governance in Chile, focusing on socio-demographic and geographical determinants affecting food consumption patterns. A national household database (n = 4047), including households from 2019 (n = 3967; 98.02%) and 2020 (n = 80; 1.98%), provided by the "Family Support Program of Food Self-Sufficiency" (FSPFS) of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, was analyzed. The findings revealed that Chilean vulnerable households were led mostly by women (86.6%), with an age average of 55.9 ± 15.6 years old, versus 68.9 ± 12.9 years in the case of men. The intake frequency analysis showed that dairy, fruits, and vegetables were below the recommended values in at least half of the households, and that fats and sugars were above recommended levels. Regarding the HDDS (0-189), the national average was 91.4 ± 20.6 and was significantly influenced by the number of minors in the households, water access, food access issues, and residing in the Zona Sur. Finally, the spatial visualization showed that the Zona Central had higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, while the extreme zones Norte Grande and Zona Austral showed higher intakes of fats and sugars. These findings emphasize the importance of leveraging data insights like the HDDS and spatial visualization to enhance food security and inform food governance strategies.

A Comprehensive Review of Climate Change and Plant Diseases in Brazil.

Analyzing the impacts of climate change on phytosanitary problems in Brazil is crucial due to the country's special role in global food security as one of the largest producers of essential commodities. This review focuses on the effects of climate change on plant diseases and discusses its main challenges in light of Brazil's diverse agricultural landscape. To assess the risk of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, oomycetes, nematodes, and spiroplasms, we surveyed 304 pathosystems across 32 crops of economic importance from 2005 to 2022. Results show that diseases caused by fungi account for 79% of the pathosystems evaluated. Predicting the occurrence of diseases in a changing climate is a complex challenge, and the continuity of this work is strategic for Brazil's agricultural defense. The future risk scenarios analyzed here aim to help guide disease mitigation for cropping systems. Despite substantial progress and ongoing efforts, further research will be needed to effectively prevent economic and environmental damage.

Semi-Arid Environmental Conditions and Agronomic Traits Impact on the Grain Quality of Diverse Maize Genotypes.

We assessed the impact of environmental conditions and agronomic traits on maize grain quality parameters. The study was conducted using genotypes with distinct genetic constitutions developed specifically for late sowing in semi-arid environments. We evaluated the agronomic, physical, and chemical characteristics of eight maize open-pollinated varieties, six inbred lines, and three commercial hybrids. The yield of the open-pollinated varieties showed a positive correlation with protein content (r = 0.33), while it exhibited a negative correlation with the carbohydrate percentage (r = -0.36 and -0.42) in conjunction with the inbred lines. The flotation index of the hybrids was influenced primarily by the environmental effect (50.15%), whereas in the inbred lines it was nearly evenly divided between the genotype effect (45.51%) and the environmental effect (43.15%). In the open-pollinated varieties, the genotype effect accounted for 35.09% and the environmental effect for 42.35%. The characteristics of plant structure were associated with grain quality attributes relevant for milling, including hardness and test weight. Inbred lines exhibited significant genotype contributions to grain hardness, protein, and carbohydrate content, distinguishing them from the other two germplasm types. These associations are crucial for specific genotypes and for advancing research and development of cultivars for the food industry.

Associations between retirement, social security policies and the health of older people: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: As people age, they are more likely to experience several health conditions which are circumstances that arise throughout life that can interfere with an individual's ability to work, leading them to demand the social security system. This research aims to systematically review and synthesize studies related to health conditions in the aging process with social security policy reforms. METHODS: A systematic review was performed across Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Pubmed, CINAHL, ASSIA (Proquest) and APA PsycNet from 1979 to 2022. Methods are outlined in a published protocol registered a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42021225820). Eligible studies include original empirical articles published in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, using the search terms "aging" and "social security". Identified outcomes were organized into categories and a meta-ethnography was completed following the phases proposed by Noblit and Hare and the eMERGe meta-ethnography reporting guidance. RESULTS: There were 17 eligible studies from 4 continents with 10 cross-sectional, 1 both cross-sectional and longitudinal and 5 longitudinal data analysis. These assessed the relationship of health conditions that occur in the aging process related to social security policies, in particular, to retirement. The categories included (i) health as a way to promote an active working life for the elderly; (ii) health as an indicator for reforms in social security policies; (iii) retirement planning as a strategic element for coping with post-retirement life; and (iv) the relationship between social security policies and psychological health. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that health and retirement defined in social security policies are related and have an impact on people's lives, especially in the decision to leave the labor market. Therefore, measures to assess the possible consequences of this relationship when promoting reforms on social security policies should be encouraged.

Second-generation snacks prepared from quinoa with probiotic. Physicochemical properties, in vitro digestibility, antioxidant activity and consumer acceptability.

Food security is a pressing issue, emphasizing the necessity for food designs that address the current geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. This study evaluates the impact of including different percentages (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 60 %) of high protein quinoa flour (HPQF) in the development of a new rice-based snack. The aim is to create four snack formulations with a protein content enriched with probiotics, surpassing those currently available in the market. Probiotics Bacillus coagulans were added at a 0.1 % concentration. Once the rice flour and quinoa flour are mixed, they are mixed with the probiotic, to move on to the extrusion process. Following the incorporation of probiotics, the snacks were packaged in a modified atmosphere, and their physicochemical properties, Bacillus coagulans probiotic viability, tolerance to artificial gastroenteric juice (TAGJ), starch digestibility, and sensory acceptance were assessed. Significant differences were observed in the expansion index, with the 60 % inclusion snack exhibiting the least expansion. Despite having a higher density, this snack reached a porosity index similar to that of the 20 % HPQF snack. Achieving a 17 % protein content in the snacks was possible with a 60 % inclusion rate. Texture was notably affected by the inclusion of HPQF, with snacks having higher inclusion levels showing increased hardness. Probiotic viability evaluation consistently remained above 106 UFC/g of snack, while TAGJ exhibited a viability of 75 %. Although HPQF inclusion led to a decrease in the glycemic index (GI), snacks still maintained a GI above 70 %. Regarding antioxidant properties, snacks with 60 % HPQF inclusion displayed superior results, reaching 35.29, 5.52, and 13.74 µmol of AA/g, measured via ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP methods, respectively. These findings demonstrate a heightened antioxidant capacity compared to other formulations. Our results indicate that the new probiotic snack serves as a rich source of protein and probiotics and is well-received sensorially. However, it is worth noting that it falls within the category of high GI foods, prompting the need for future studies aimed at reducing this parameter.

Climate change impacts on livestock in Brazil.

Brazilian livestock provides a significant fraction of the food consumed globally, making the country one of the largest producers and exporters of meat, milk and eggs. However, current advances in the production of protein from Brazilian animal origin may be directly impacted by climate change and the resulting biophysical effects. Therefore, it is strategically consistent to develop measures to deal with the resulting environmental heat stress on domesticated animal species, especially the need in developing countries. This work aims to (1) evaluate the impacts of climate change on livestock (cattle-dairy, cattle-beef, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry-general) in different regions of Brazil and (2) discuss possible response strategies, associated with animal comfort and welfare. From our results, we can draw better strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on livestock production. The results presented show an increase of high heat stress in South and Southeast and an increase of extreme heat stress in North and Central-West areas of Brazil. The rise in extreme heat stress tends to occur mostly during spring and summer and tends to vary considering the different evaluated species. Within the evaluated species, the ones that seem to be more affected by climate changes are Poultry, pigs, cattle-beef and general (temperature-humidity index value). The differences between the results for the five geographic regions in Brazil suggests that different mitigation measures need to be considered to cope with future heat stress in livestock. To ensure the long-term success of Brazil's influence on the global market for proteins of animal origin, it must achieve sustainable production systems more intensively.

Clusters of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Their Association with Food Insecurity in Mexican University Students.

Food insecurity (FI) expresses irregular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. We analyze the association between clusters of sociodemographic characteristics and FI in university students from Mexico. The Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale was applied, and household type, socioeconomic status (SES), and the characteristics of the head of the household, among others, were asked in a cross-sectional study. We performed Two-Step cluster analysis and logistic regression models. We included 466 university students (72.5% women, 47% with FI). We identified three clusters; Cluster-1 (n = 163) included a single-parent (37.4%) or co-resident/roommate (27%) household type, middle SES (63.2%); the head of the household is usually a woman (76.1%), single (71.8%), and with bachelor's degree (41.7%) or less educational level (46.6%). Cluster-2 (n = 144) included the nuclear (89.6%) household type, high SES (76.4%); the head of the household is usually a man (79.2%), in a relationship (99.3%), and with a bachelor's degree (63.2%) or graduate level (33.3%). Cluster-3 (n = 147) is very similar to Cluster-2. The difference is that Cluster-3 includes middle SES (70.1%), and the head of the household's educational level is high school or less (100%). Only belonging to Cluster-1 was positively associated with FI (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.24, 3.09). These results show the interrelationships between multiple sociodemographic characteristics and should contribute to developing interventions that simultaneously address numerous sociodemographic factors to diminish FI in university students.

Seguridad alimentaria y calidad de vida de la población en la provincia Cusco / Food security and quality of life the population in the Cusco Province / Segurança alimentar e qualidade de vida da população na província de Cusco

La seguridad alimentaria es cuando toda persona en todo momento tiene acceso económico y físico a suficientes alimentos inocuos y nutritivos para satisfacer sus necesidades alimentarias y preferencias en cuanto alimentos a fin de llevar una vida sana y activa. Por lo que el objetivo evaluar seguridad alimentaria y calidad de vida de la población vulnerable en la provincia Cusco, Perú. Para lo que se aplicó metodología con enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño no experimental de corte transversal, basada en cuestionarios aplicados y entrevistas a una muestra de estudio (249 pobladores), la misma que previo a su aplicación superó las pruebas de validez y confiabilidad. Se realizó pruebas de frecuencia a los resultados de la opinión de los encuestados y correlación de Sperman's. Se evidencia que en un 65,9% la percepción de la población es que existe una inadecuada seguridad alimentaria, asimismo en un 85,1% que existe una mala calidad de vida, y desde una perspectiva estadística entre las citadas variables se obtuvo una significancia de 0,000 con un Rho de Sperman de 0,442, lo que demuestra la vulnerabilidad que se encuentra la población de Cusco. Concluyendo que entre las dos variables de estudio existe una relación directamente proporcional y de nivel moderado, denotando que en la media que se mejora los aspectos asociados a las dimensiones de la seguridad alimentaria, por consecuencia se tendría una mejora calidad de vida de la población de la provincia de Cusco, lo que evidencia que en la medida que se refuerce los aspectos asociados a la seguridad alimentaria, el bienestar físico y psicológico aspecto relacionado a la salud de dichas personas tendrá la oportunidad de mejorar.

Food security is when everyone at all times has economic and physical access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a healthy and active life. Therefore, the objective is to evaluate food security and quality of life of the vulnerable population in the province of Cusco, Peru. For which a methodology with a quantitative approach was applied, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, based on questionnaires applied and interviews to a study sample (249 residents), which, prior to its application, passed the validity and reliability tests. Frequency tests were carried out on the results of the respondents' opinion and Sperman's correlation. It is evident that in 65.9% the perception of the population is that there is inadequate food security, also in 85.1% that there is a poor quality of life, and from a statistical perspective, a significance was obtained between the aforementioned variables of 0.000 with a Sperman's Rho of 0.442, which demonstrates the vulnerability of the population of Cusco. Concluding that between the two study variables there is a directly proportional relationship and of a moderate level, denoting that on average the aspects associated with the dimensions of food security are improved, consequently there would be an improved quality of life for the population of the province of Cusco, which shows that to the extent that the aspects associated with food security are reinforced, the physical and psychological well-being, an aspect related to the health of these people, will have the opportunity to improve

A segurança alimentar é quando todos têm, em todos os momentos, acesso económico e físico a alimentos seguros e nutritivos suficientes para satisfazer as suas necessidades dietéticas e preferências alimentares para levar uma vida saudável e activa. Portanto, o objetivo é avaliar a segurança alimentar e a qualidade de vida da população vulnerável na província de Cusco, Peru. Para o qual foi aplicada uma metodologia de abordagem quantitativa, com desenho transversal não experimental, baseada na aplicação de questionários e entrevistas a uma amostra do estudo (249 residentes), que, antes da sua aplicação, passou em testes de validade e fiabilidade. Foram realizados testes de frequência sobre os resultados das opiniões dos entrevistados e correlação de Spearman. Evidencia-se que em 65,9% a percepção da população é que há segurança alimentar inadequada, também em 85,1% que há má qualidade de vida, e do ponto de vista estatístico obteve-se significância entre as variáveis citadas de 0,000, com um Speman Rho de 0,442, o que demonstra a vulnerabilidade da população de Cusco. Concluindo que entre as duas variáveis do estudo existe uma relação diretamente proporcional e moderada, denotando que em média os aspectos associados às dimensões da segurança alimentar são melhorados, consequentemente haveria uma melhoria na qualidade de vida da população do província de Cusco, o que mostra que à medida que se reforçam os aspectos associados à segurança alimentar, o bem-estar físico e psicológico, aspecto relacionado à saúde dessas pessoas, terá a oportunidade de melhorar

Seguridad alimentaria y calidad de vida de la población en la provincia Cusco

La seguridad alimentaria es "cuando toda persona en todo momento tiene acceso económico y físico a suficientes alimentos inocuos y nutritivos para satisfacer sus necesidades alimentarias y preferencias en cuanto alimentos a fin de llevar una vida sana y activa". Por lo que el objetivo evaluar seguridad alimentaria y calidad de vida de la población vulnerable en la provincia Cusco, Perú. Para lo que se aplicó metodología con enfoque cuantitativo, con un diseño no experimental de corte transversal, basada en cuestionarios aplicados y entrevistas a una muestra de estudio (249 pobladores), la misma que previo a su aplicación superó las pruebas de validez y confiabilidad. Se realizó pruebas de frecuencia a los resultados de la opinión de los encuestados y correlación de Sperman's. Se evidencia que en un 65,9% la percepción de la población es que existe una inadecuada seguridad alimentaria, asimismo en un 85,1% que existe una mala calidad de vida, y desde una perspectiva estadística entre las citadas variables se obtuvo una significancia de 0,000 con un Rho de Sperman de 0,442, lo que demuestra la vulnerabilidad que se encuentra la población de Cusco. Concluyendo que entre las dos variables de estudio existe una relación directamente proporcional y de nivel moderado, denotando que en la media que se mejora los aspectos asociados a las dimensiones de la seguridad alimentaria, por consecuencia se tendría una mejora calidad de vida de la población de la provincia de Cusco, lo que evidencia que en la medida que se refuerce los aspectos asociados a la seguridad alimentaria, el bienestar físico y psicológico aspecto relacionado a la salud de dichas personas tendrá la oportunidad de mejorar.

Food security is "when everyone at all times has economic and physical access to sufficient safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for a healthy and active life." Therefore, the objective is to evaluate food security and quality of life of the vulnerable population in the province of Cusco, Peru. For which a methodology with a quantitative approach was applied, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, based on questionnaires applied and interviews to a study sample (249 residents), which, prior to its application, passed the validity and reliability tests. Frequency tests were carried out on the results of the respondents' opinion and Sperman's correlation. It is evident that in 65.9% the perception of the population is that there is inadequate food security, also in 85.1% that there is a poor quality of life, and from a statistical perspective, a significance was obtained between the aforementioned variables of 0.000 with a Sperman's Rho of 0.442, which demonstrates the vulnerability of the population of Cusco. Concluding that between the two study variables there is a directly proportional relationship and of a moderate level, denoting that on average the aspects associated with the dimensions of food security are improved, consequently there would be an improved quality of life for the population of the province of Cusco, which shows that to the extent that the aspects associated with food security are reinforced, the physical and psychological well-being, an aspect related to the health of these people, will have the opportunity to improve.

A segurança alimentar é "quando todos têm, em todos os momentos, acesso económico e físico a alimentos seguros e nutritivos suficientes para satisfazer as suas necessidades dietéticas e preferências alimentares para levar uma vida saudável e activa". Portanto, o objetivo é avaliar a segurança alimentar e a qualidade de vida da população vulnerável na província de Cusco, Peru. Para o qual foi aplicada uma metodologia de abordagem quantitativa, com desenho transversal não experimental, baseada na aplicação de questionários e entrevistas a uma amostra do estudo (249 residentes), que, antes da sua aplicação, passou em testes de validade e fiabilidade. Foram realizados testes de frequência sobre os resultados das opiniões dos entrevistados e correlação de Spearman. Evidencia-se que em 65,9% a percepção da população é que há segurança alimentar inadequada, também em 85,1% que há má qualidade de vida, e do ponto de vista estatístico obteve-se significância entre as variáveis citadas de 0,000, com um Speman Rho de 0,442, o que demonstra a vulnerabilidade da população de Cusco. Concluindo que entre as duas variáveis do estudo existe uma relação diretamente proporcional e moderada, denotando que em média os aspectos associados às dimensões da segurança alimentar são melhorados, consequentemente haveria uma melhoria na qualidade de vida da população do província de Cusco, o que mostra que à medida que se reforçam os aspectos associados à segurança alimentar, o bem-estar físico e psicológico, aspecto relacionado à saúde dessas pessoas, terá a oportunidade de melhorar.

Custos sociais da DPOC: o impacto sobre os anos de vida saudável e a perda de produtividade no Brasil entre os anos de 2017 e 2022 / Social costs of COPD: The impact on healthy life years and productivity loss in Brazil from 2017 to 2022

Objetivo: Estimar as perdas de produtividade causadas pela doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) na população brasileira. Métodos: O estudo utilizou dados obtidos do Datasus, IBGE, indicadores previdenciários, óbitos e aposentadorias precoces por DPOC no Brasil de 2017 a 2022. Para estimar o impacto da DPOC, foram utilizados: anos de vida saudável perdidos (DALYs) e anos de vida ajustados por produtividade (PALYs), assim como as métricas de perda de produtividade salarial (PPS) e perda de produtividade nacionalizada (PPN), que avalia a perda em função do PIB. Resultados: Mais de 196 milhões de dias de trabalho foram perdidos devido à DPOC. As principais fontes são: óbitos precoces (95.264.088), afastamentos permanentes (67.314.232) e aposentadoria precoce (30.304.490). Diárias hospitalares (3.221.591) têm uma contribuição minoritária. O valor total de DALYs observado no período do estudo foi de 2.819.332,63 anos de vida saudável perdidos causados pela DPOC; um total de 14.997.166 PALYs foi perdido por conta da DPOC ou um valor anual equivalente de R$ 230,7 bilhões. Considerando a PPS, estimamos que a DPOC acarretou perdas de produtividade associadas à reposição da mão de obra de R$ 1,38 bilhão anual e, em relação à PPN, de R$ 8,28 bilhões por ano. Conclusões: Afastamentos de pacientes com DPOC podem acarretar maiores dispêndios com pagamentos de benefícios previdenciários. Este estudo atualiza e amplia correlações entre dados socioepidemiológicos, custos de saúde e previdenciários da DPOC no Brasil. Considerando todas as perdas, a DPOC pode causar perdas de R$ 240 bilhões por ano.

Objective: To estimate productivity losses due to workdays lost caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Brazilian population. Methods: The study used data from DATASUS, IBGE, social security indicators, deaths, and early retirements due to COPD in Brazil from 2017 to 2022. To estimate the impact of COPD, the following were used: Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Productivity-Adjusted Life Years (PALYs), as well as metrics for wage productivity loss (PPS) and nationalized productivity loss (PPN), which evaluates the loss in relation to GDP. Results: More than 196 million workdays were lost due to COPD. The main sources are premature deaths (95,264,088), permanent absences (67,314,232), and early retirement (30,304,490). Hospitalization days (3,221,591) had a minor contribution. The total DALYs observed during the study period was 2,819,332.63 years of healthy life lost due to COPD; a total of 14,997,166 PALYs were lost due to COPD, equivalent to an annual value of R$ 230.7 billion. Considering PPS, we estimate that COPD resulted in productivity losses associated with workforce replacement of R$ 1.38 billion annually; and in relation to PPN, R$ 8.28 billion per year. Conclusions: Absences in COPD patients can lead to higher expenditures on social security benefit payments. This is the first study to correlate socioepidemiological data, health, and social security costs of COPD in Brazil. Considering all losses, COPD can cause losses of R$ 240 billion per year.

Evolução do sobrepeso e obesidade no contexto dos países da OCDE e do Brasil / Evolution of overweight and obesity in the context of OECD countries and Brazil

Objetivo: A obesidade populacional afeta inúmeras nações do mundo, implicando custos econô¬micos, sociais e ambientais severos, comprometendo a condição de desenvolvimento sustentável. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a evolução da situação de sobrepeso e obesidade popu¬lacional dos países-membros da OCDE e do Brasil. Métodos: Este estudo analisa dados sobre a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade populacional disponibilizados pela OCDE para os seus paí¬ses-membros e pelo sistema Vigitel para o Brasil. Resultados: Os países da OCDE apresentam uma variabilidade grande na prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade, e a prevalência média está na faixa dos 50%. Para o Brasil, a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade populacional aumentou expressiva¬mente nos últimos anos, indo de cerca de 45% em 2010 para 53,5% em 2020. Conclusão: A maioria dos países analisados está classificada em uma condição de taxa média de prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade superior a 50% e uma tendência de crescimento dessa prevalência. O estudo ainda apresenta algumas ações e políticas públicas promovidas em outros países com o propósito de promover a redução da prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade, e que poderiam ser adaptadas e implementadas no contexto brasileiro.

Objective: Population obesity affects many nations of the world, implying severe economic, social and environmental costs, compromising the condition of sustainable development. This study aims to analyze the evolution of the situation of overweight and obesity in the OECD member countries and Brazil. Methods: This study analyzes data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity made available by the OECD for its member countries, and by the Vigitel System for Brazil. Results: The OECD countries show a great variability in the prevalence of overweight/obesity, with the average prevalence being in the range of 50%. For Brazil, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population has increased significantly in recent years, going from about 45% in 2010 to 53.5% in 2020. Conclusion: Most of the countries analyzed are classified in a condition of average prevalence rate of overweight and obesity greater than 50% and a tendency for this prevalence to increase. The study also presents some actions and public policies promoted in other countries with the purpose of promoting the reduction of the prevalence of overweight and obesity, which could be adapted and implemented in the Brazilian context.

Nutritional and techno-functional properties of the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula.

With the increasing need to promote healthy and sustainable diets, seaweeds emerge as an environmentally friendly food source, offering a promising alternative for food production. The aim of this study was to characterize the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula from the coast of São Paulo, Brazil, regarding its nutritional and techno-functional properties using two dehydration methods, oven drying and lyophilized. A commercial dried sample was used as a control. Analyses of proximate composition, mineral determination, amino acid determination, antioxidant capacity, pH, color, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal properties, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and techno-functional properties were performed. Seaweed flours showed significant differences in physicochemical composition, with dietary fiber content of seaweed flours exceeding 70 %. Glutamic and aspartic acids were the most abundant amino acids, with contents of 88.56 and 56.88 mg/g of protein in Sargassum oven drying. Both for antioxidant potential and bioactive compounds, Sargassum lyophilized flours showed the highest levels of compounds. Sargassum lyophilized exhibited lighter color compared to Sargassum oven drying and Sargassum commercial. Emulsion formation, foam formation capacity and stability were higher in Sargassum lyophilized, as well as water and oil absorption. The results suggest that seaweeds can be used to formulate a wide variety of food products, such as sausages, bread, cakes, soups, and sauces.

Association between food insecurity and long COVID in adults from southern Brazil: findings of the PAMPA cohort.

BACKGROUND: Social and economic factors, such as food insecurity, contribute to long coronavirus disease (COVID). During the pandemic, a significant rise in food insecurity was observed, both in Brazil and worldwide. We aimed to investigate the association between food insecurity and long COVID in Brazilian adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study nested within the Prospective study About Mental and Physical Health in Adults (PAMPA) Cohort. Participants completed an online questionnaire in June 2022. We assessed food insecurity using the Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity. Long COVID was defined as any post-coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms that persisted for at least 3 months after infection. RESULTS: A total of 956 participants were included (74.0% female, median age 36 (Interquartile Range [IQR] (29-45.7). The prevalence of food insecurity was 29.4%, and 77.8% had long COVID. Food insecurity was associated with an increased probability of long COVID (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.22). Participants in food insecurity situations had a higher likelihood of experiencing neurological (PR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.10-1.28), pulmonary (PR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17-1.52) and gastrointestinal (PR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.31-1.88) symptoms after infection. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity was associated with long COVID. Governments must plan public policies to mitigate the effects of long COVID and food insecurity.

The Working Environment in Primary Healthcare Outpatient Facilities: Assessment of Physical Factors and Health Professionals' Perceptions of Working Environment Conditions.

The objectives of this study were to assess the adequacy of physical parameters/factors (temperature, relative humidity, noise, and illuminance levels) of the work environment in PHC facilities, to evaluate the association between the adequacy of these measured physical parameters and the physical characteristics of the PHC facilities and their surroundings and to assess the association between health professionals' perceptions about exposure to physical risks in the PHC work environment and the adequacy of physical parameters measured in the same facilities. The study monitored 23 PHC facilities in southern Brazil and interviewed 210 health professionals. Data analysis involved Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Spearman's correlation, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to control for confounding factors. The significance level was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). The combination of temperature and relative humidity presented thermal comfort levels outside the adopted criteria for adequacy in consultation (outdoor relative humidity, p = 0.013) and procedure rooms (front door open, p = 0.034). Inadequate sound comfort (noise) levels in the morning shift were found in the vaccination (front door open, p = 0.021) and consultation rooms (movement of people, p = 0.016). In PHC facilities where reception rooms had insufficient lighting, internal curtains were opened less frequently (p = 0.047). The analysis of health professionals' perceptions of physical factors demonstrated that physicians more frequently perceive the physical risk of temperature and humidity (p = 0.044). The higher the number of nurses (p = 0.004) and oral health technicians in the PHC facilities (p = 0.031), the greater the general percentage of adequacy of monitored physical parameters. It was also confirmed that the higher the perception of moderate or severe physical risk among health professionals, the lower the general percentage of the adequacy of the physical parameters of the work environment of the PHC facilities evaluated (rs = -0.450, p = 0.031). This study's evidence contributes to a better understanding of physical conditions and future occupational interventions to ensure the comfort, safety, and well-being of PHC workers.

Unlocking the Potential of Insect-Based Proteins: Sustainable Solutions for Global Food Security and Nutrition.

The present review highlights the potential of insect-based proteins to address the growing need for sustainable and secure food systems. The key findings suggest that edible insects offer a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional livestock, requiring significantly less land, water, and feed while emitting lower levels of greenhouse gases. Insect farming can also reduce waste and recycle nutrients, supporting circular economy models. Nutritionally, insects provide high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and beneficial fats, making them valuable to human diets. Despite these benefits, this review emphasizes the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to ensure food safety, manage potential allergenicity, and mitigate contamination risks from pathogens and environmental toxins. Additionally, developing innovative processing technologies can enhance the palatability and marketability of insect-based products, promoting consumer acceptance. This review concludes that with appropriate regulatory support and technological advancements, insect-based proteins have the potential to significantly contribute to global food security and sustainability efforts.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Food Insecurity among Pregnant Women in an Important City of the Amazon Region: A Study of the Years 2021 and 2022.

INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity (FI) experienced during pregnancy represents a relevant public health problem, as it negatively affects maternal and child health. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of FI among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the period from 2021 to 2022, with a representative sample of 423 women resulting from a sample calculation based on the average (2912 births) that occurred in the years 2016 to 2020 in the only maternity hospital in the municipality. After analyzing the medical records, interviews were carried out with the postpartum women using a standardized questionnaire and the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals to measure associations. RESULTS: FI was observed in 57.0% of cases and was associated with age under 20 years (PR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.29; 1.79), receipt of government assistance (PR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.10; 1.55), loss of family employment (PR = 1.40; 95% CI 1.20; 1.64), greater number of residents (PR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.00; 1.37), and prenatal care in a public institution (PR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.04; 2.26). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of FI cases, associated with socioeconomic, demographic, and prenatal care characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food Insecurity and Sleep-Related Problems in Adolescents: Findings from the EHDLA Study.

PURPOSE: The current research aimed to investigate the connection between food insecurity and sleep issues among Spanish adolescents aged from 12 to 17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia, Spain). METHODS: Data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities Study, which included a sample of 836 adolescents (55.3% girls), were analyzed. Food insecurity was evaluated using the Child Food Security Survey Module in Spanish (CFSSM-S), while sleep-related problems were evaluated using the Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings during the night, Regularity and duration of sleep, and Sleep-disordered breathing (BEARS) sleep screening tool. Generalized linear models were employed to explore the association between food insecurity and sleep-related issues. RESULTS: Compared with their counterparts with food security, adolescents with food insecurity had greater probabilities of bedtime problems (24.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 16.9% to 33.0%, p = 0.003), excessive daytime sleepiness (36.4%, 95% CI 27.5% to 46.3%, p < 0.001), awakenings during the night (16.7%, 95% CI 10.8% to 25.1%, p = 0.004), and any sleep-related problems (68.1%, 95% CI 57.5% to 77.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that food insecurity is related to greater sleep-related problems among adolescents. Implementing strategies to mitigate food insecurity may contribute to improved sleep health among adolescents, highlighting the importance of integrated public health interventions.