Type and timing of ultra-processed foods consumption and its association with dietary intake and physical activity in women with obesity living in poverty.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the type and timing of ultra-processed foods (UPF) consumption and its association with dietary intake (DI) and physical activity (PA) in women with obesity living in poverty. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed. Obesity was defined by at least two criteria (body mass index, waist circumference or % fat mass). Poverty was defined as the three lowest classes of the Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion. PA was measured with triaxial accelerometers and DI was assessed with three 24-h dietary recalls. Foods were categorised according to the NOVA classification, with UPF classified into five subgroups, as well as the timing of consumption into six meals. RESULTS: In total, 56 adult women were included. Overall energy intake was 1653.21 (503.22) kcal/day. UPF intake was 21.62% (11.94%) kcal/day, being higher at breakfast (4.91% kcal/day), afternoon snack (5.39% kcal/day) and dinner (5.01% kcal/day). Only UPF subgroup 4 (sandwich biscuits, sweets, or treats) showed a positive association with energy intake (ß = 54.40 [27.6, 81.10] kcal/day) and a negative association with protein intake (ß = -0.31% [-0.48%, -0.14%] kcal/day). UPF consumption in morning (ß = -0.41% [-0.79%, -0.02%] kcal/day) and afternoon (ß = -0.18% [-0.33%, -0.04%] kcal/day) snacks was associated with lower protein intake. Furthermore, lunchtime UPF consumption was positively associated with walking time (ß = 0.16% [0.02%; 0.30%]) and steps/hour (ß = 8.72 [1.50; 15.94] steps/h). CONCLUSIONS: Women with obesity living in poverty consume more UPF during breakfast, afternoon snack and dinner. Physical activity is positively associated with UPF consumption at lunch. UPF, such as sandwich biscuits, sweets or treats, contribute to increasing energy intake and reducing protein intake.

Adequacy of the "pocket formulas" for measuring total energy expenditure in healthy women compared with the new DRI equation: A doubly labeled water study.

OBJECTIVES: "Pocket formulas" are practical alternatives for calculating an individual's total energy expenditure (TEE). Typically, more sophisticated predictive equations are used, such as the new equations proposed in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Nevertheless, these new equations necessitate estimating physical activity levels (PALs). The aim of this study was to compare the use of pocket formulas (kcal/kg of body weight) with the new predictive equations for energy expenditure proposed by the DRI (2023) in healthy women and with the doubly labeled water (DLW) method to predict TEE. METHODS: The TEEs of healthy adult women were measured by DLW and calculated using the pocket formulas (× 20, × 25, × 30, and × 35 kcal/kg of body weight) and the new DRI equation. PALs by triaxial accelerometers were also collected. RESULTS: The study included 55 women. For the entire sample, the × 30 pocket formula had the lowest bias (-6%; limits of agreement [LOAs]: -39.8; 27.5; root mean square error: 373.4) and the highest precision (42%). The pocket formulas showed reasonable agreement in the different body mass index categories compared with the results found by the 2023 DRI proposal. For individuals with normal weight, the agreement was × 35 kcal/kg: bias (%) = -4.8; LoA = -41.5; 31.8, with overweight, it was × 30 kcal/kg: bias (%) = -2.2; LoA = -25.1; 20.6, and with obesity, it was × 30 kcal/kg: bias (%) = 4.2; LoA = -21.1; 29.4. CONCLUSION: Pocket formulas provide a reasonable agreement with TEE in healthy, sedentary, or low-active adult women, which may be a more simplistic strategy when there is no PAL data for calculating the DRI equations.