Stress and the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods during COVID-19's Social Distancing: Are Mental Disorders Mediators in This Association? ELSA-Brasil Results.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated various determinants of mental disorders. Several behavioral changes were observed given this increase, including harmful health consequences, such as excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). To assess this relationship, we investigated the meditational role of symptoms of mental disorders (anxiety and depression) in the association between stress resulting from social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consumption of UPFs in 3884 Brazilian public employees in a supplementary study of the ELSA-Brasil study. Structural equation models (SEMs) were estimated to assess the direct and indirect effects mediated by symptoms of mental disorders. The results suggested a significant and positive mediational effect of the symptoms of mental disorders on the association between the stress resulting from social distancing and the consumption of UPFs. These findings contribute to informing the need for policies and early interventions in potentially stressful situations, with a focus on the promotion of mental health, and may thus help prevent or reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods.

Association between ultra-processed food consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes: the ELSA-Brasil cohort.

BACKGROUND: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption increases the risk of type 2 diabetes in various high-income countries, with some variation in the magnitude across studies. Our objective was to investigate the association of UPF consumption and specific subgroups with incident type 2 diabetes in Brazilian adults. METHODS: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 adults (35-74 years) enrolled in public institutions in Brazil (2008-2010). We followed participants with two clinic visits (2012-2014; 2017-2019) and annual telephone surveillance. After excluding those with diabetes at baseline, who died or were lost in the follow-up, with missing data, with implausible energy food intake, or reporting bariatric surgery, there were 10,202 participants. We used the NOVA classification to assess UPF consumption based on a food frequency questionnaire. We defined type 2 diabetes by self-report, medication use, or comprehensive laboratory tests. We estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using robust Poisson regression. RESULTS: Median UPF consumption was 372 g/day. Over 8.2 (0.7) years of follow-up, we detected 1799 (17.6%) incident cases. After adjustment for socio-demographics, family history of diabetes, and behavioral risk factors, comparing the fourth (≥ 566 g/day) with the first (< 236 g/day) quartile of UPF distribution, RR was 1.24 (1.10-1.39); every 150 g/day increments in UPF consumption resulted in a RR of 1.05 (1.03-1.07). Reclassifying natural beverages with added sweeteners as UPF increased risk (RR 1.40; 1.25-1.58). Among UPF subgroupings, consumption of processed meats and sweetened beverages increased diabetes risk, while yogurt and dairy sweets decreased the risk (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UPF consumption increased the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Brazilian adults, with heterogeneity across specific food items. These findings add to previous evidence for the role of UPFs in the development of diabetes and other chronic diseases, supporting recommendations to avoid their intake in diabetes prevention and management.

Waist-to-Height Ratio: A Sensitive Tool for Assessing the Need for Nutritional Risk Management in Elderly Populations from Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional status assessment commonly relies on body mass index (BMI), which overlooks lean mass and adipose tissue distribution. However, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) provide additional insights into fat accumulation. By combining these indices, it may be possible to identify older adults needing weight management interventions. OBJECTIVES: To assess the WC and WHtR as strategies for identifying individuals requiring weight management. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 509 elderly individuals in Northeast Brazil. Weight, height, hip circumference, and waist circumference were measured, and combined with indices such as BMI WC, WHR, and WHtR to identify those who require weight management. The DeLong test compared areas under the curves using receiver operating characteristic curves and statistical significance. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated to verify usefulness for clinical application. A validation sample of 599 elderly individuals from the country's Southern region was used to confirm the results. RESULTS: Both WC and WHtR showed adequate diagnostic accuracy with no statistically significant difference in AUCs. WHtR ≥ 0.50 had 92% sensitivity in identifying men and women requiring nutritional management. WC presented lower sensitivity but 93% specificity, useful for excluding elderly individuals from the nutritional risk category. These results were consistent in the validation sample. CONCLUSION: WHtR is a valuable index for screening nutritional risk management in the elderly population, applicable to men and women. Conversely, WC performs better in excluding individuals who do not need nutritional risk management.

Measurement of mid-arm circumference as a starting point for nutritional assessment of patients with decompensated cirrhosis: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The mid-arm circumference (MAC) is an accessible, quick, and inexpensive measurement, which can be performed at the bedside only with a measuring tape. In this sense, the present study aims to suggest MAC cut-off values to assess the nutritional status and its association with mortality of hospitalised patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed with decompensated cirrhotic patients. Nutritional status was assessed by MAC and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Considering the SGA as the reference standard and based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the MAC cut-off values with the best sensitivity and specificity were selected. Predictors of mortality were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The study included 100 patients with a mean ± SD age of 60.1 ± 10.3 years. The median follow-up time was 11.2 months and overall mortality was 60%. Considering malnutrition assessed by SGA as the reference standard, the area under the curve of MAC for women and men was 0.947 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.878-1.000) and 0.813 (95% CI = 0.694-0.932). The MAC cut-off values of ≤ 28 cm for women and ≤ 30 cm for men reached a sensitivity and specificity of 85.5% and 71%, respectively. According to multivariate analysis, a low MAC was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.20-4.84). CONCLUSIONS: The MAC cut-off values had satisfactory accuracy for men and women in predicting malnutrition. Additionally, a low MAC was an independent predictor of mortality. Thus, these MAC cut-off values can be used as the first step of nutritional assessment to prioritise patients who require more detailed assessment.

Association between meatless diet and depressive episodes: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the longitudinal study of adult health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: The association between vegetarianism and depression is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between a meatless diet and the presence of depressive episodes among adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with baseline data from the ELSA-Brasil cohort, which included 14,216 Brazilians aged 35 to 74 years. A meatless diet was defined from in a validated food frequency questionnaire. The Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R) instrument was used to assess depressive episodes. The association between meatless diet and presence of depressive episodes was expressed as a prevalence ratio (PR), determined by Poisson regression adjusted for potentially confounding and/or mediating variables: sociodemographic parameters, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, several clinical variables, self-assessed health status, body mass index, micronutrient intake, protein, food processing level, daily energy intake, and changes in diet in the preceding 6 months. RESULTS: We found a positive association between the prevalence of depressive episodes and a meatless diet. Meat non-consumers experienced approximately twice the frequency of depressive episodes of meat consumers, PRs ranging from 2.05 (95%CI 1.00-4.18) in the crude model to 2.37 (95%CI 1.24-4.51) in the fully adjusted model. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design precluded the investigation of causal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive episodes are more prevalent in individuals who do not eat meat, independently of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. Nutrient deficiencies do not explain this association. The nature of the association remains unclear, and longitudinal data are needed to clarify causal relationship.

The inflammatory food index and its association with weight gain and incidence of diabetes: Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diet plays a central role in regulating inflammation and is closely related to the development of chronic diseases. We aimed to develop an inflammatory food index (IFI) based on the relationship of food items with biomarkers of inflammation and to evaluate its association with weight gain and type 2 diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS: A sample of 9909 participants of the ELSA-Brasil study was analyzed. Standardized measurements including interviews, anthropometry, and laboratory exams were performed at baseline and follow-up. A baseline food frequency questionnaire was used to derive IFI scores using reduced rank regression (RRR). The inflammatory pattern derived included 11 pro-inflammatory food groups: processed meat, red meat, pork, sugary soda, and hot dogs. The anti-inflammatory pattern included seven food groups: fruits, nuts, and wine. The IFI score, adjusted through logistic regression for multiple sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates, including body mass index, predicted the development of a large weight gain (tertile 3 vs. 1: OR = 1.30; 95%CI 1.08-1.55). The score, adjusted for sociodemographic factors through proportional hazard models, predicted incident diabetes (tertile 3 vs. 1: HR = 1.26; 95%CI 1.04-1.52). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that subclinical inflammation caused by a pro-inflammatory food pattern, characterized mainly by greater ultra-processed food consumption, underlies weight gain and the development of type 2 diabetes. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.com as NCT02320461.

Sleep problems and their association with weight and waist gain - The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of sleep problems with weight and waist size gain during four years of follow-up. METHODS: We investigated 13,030 participants (35-74 years) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicentric cohort conducted with civil servants from six academic institutions recruited between 2008 and 2010. Sleep problems were assessed at baseline by the Clinical Interview Schedule - Revised (CIS-R), designed to detect common mental disorders based on somatic, depressive and anxiety symptoms. Weight and waist size were measured at baseline and at follow-up (2012-2014). Large weight and waist size gain were defined as ≥ 90th percentile (≥1.65 kg/year and ≥2.41 cm/year, respectively). RESULTS: Sleep problems were associated with higher risk of a large weight gain (RR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.01-1.24) and large waist size gain (RR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.07-1.32), adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, income, educational level, investigation center, smoking, alcohol intake, dietary energy intake, leisure-time physical activity and body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference at baseline. After additional adjustment for common mental disorders the associations became non-significant (RR = 0.99; 95% CI 0.88-1.12; RR = 1.08; 95% CI 0.97-1.22, respectively). CONCLUSION: Sleep problems are associated with increased risk of developing large weight and waist size gain, but are not independently associated with common mental disorders.

Influence of internal migration on body mass index: Results of the ELSA-Brasil study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between internal migration and body mass index (BMI) in the adult population with data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) and to determine whether the association differs by the urban hierarchical levels (or influence regions) of Brazilian municipalities. METHODS: Baseline data from 13 084 participants aged 35 to 74 (2008-2010) in the ELSA-Brasil were analyzed. A migrant was defined as an individual whose municipality of residence at the beginning of schooling (origin) was different from the municipality of residence at the study baseline (destination). The origin and destination municipalities were classified by urban hierarchical levels, or influence regions, and migration was categorized as nonmigrant, stable migrant, downward migrant, or upward migrant. RESULTS: Of the ELSA-Brasil participants, 51% were migrants. Using gamma regression models, it was observed that for women and men, upward migration was associated with lower mean BMI after adjusting for age, mother's education level, participant's education level, and income. Downward migration, on the other hand, was associated with the highest mean BMI, but this result was statistically significant only for women. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the role of environmental factors on nutritional status, noting that the effects on BMI may be positive or negative, depending on the trajectory of displacements between origin and destination.

Total and Full-Fat, but Not Low-Fat, Dairy Product Intakes are Inversely Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Adults.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that dairy products may have beneficial cardiometabolic effects. The current guidelines, however, limit the intake of full-fat dairy products. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of dairy consumption, types of dairy products, and dairy fat content with metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). METHODS: We analyzed baseline data of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 adults aged 35-74 y. We excluded participants with known diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or other chronic diseases, and those who had extreme values of energy intake, leaving 9835 for analysis. Dairy consumption was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. We computed servings per day for total and subgroups of dairy intake. We computed a metabolic risk score (MetScore) as the mean z score of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol (negative z score), fasting triglycerides, and fasting glucose. We performed multivariable linear regression to test the association of servings per day of dairy products with MetScore. RESULTS: In analyses that adjusted for demographics, menopausal status, family history of diabetes, dietary intake, nondietary lifestyle factors, and body mass index, we observed a graded inverse association for MetScore with total dairy (-0.044 ± 0.01, P = 0.009 for each additional dairy servings per day) and full-fat dairy (-0.126 ± 0.03, P < 0.001) but not with low-fat dairy intake. Associations were no longer present after additional adjustments for dairy-derived saturated fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: Total and especially full-fat dairy food intakes are inversely and independently associated with metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and older adults, associations that seem to be mediated by dairy saturated fatty acids. Dietary recommendations to avoid full-fat dairy intake are not supported by our findings.

Glucose and triglyceride excursions following a standardized meal in individuals with diabetes: ELSA-Brasil study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess glucose and triglyceride excursions 2 hours after the ingestion of a standardized meal and their associations with clinical characteristics and cardiovascular complications in individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples of 898 subjects with diabetes were collected at fasting and 2 hours after a meal containing 455 kcal, 14 g of saturated fat and 47 g of carbohydrates. Self-reported morbidity, socio-demographic characteristics and clinical measures were obtained by interview and exams performed at the baseline visit of the ELSA-Brasil cohort study. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range, IQR) for fasting glucose was 150.5 (123-198) mg/dL and for fasting triglycerides 140 (103-199) mg/dL. The median excursion for glucose was 45 (15-76) mg/dL and for triglycerides 26 (11-45) mg/dL. In multiple linear regression, a greater glucose excursion was associated with higher glycated hemoglobin (10.7, 95% CI 9.1-12.3 mg/dL), duration of diabetes (4.5; 2.6-6.4 mg/dL, per 5 year increase), insulin use (44.4; 31.7-57.1 mg/dL), and age (6.1; 2.5-9.6 mg/dL, per 10 year increase); and with lower body mass index (-5.6; -8.4- -2.8 mg/dL, per 5 kg/m2 increase). In adjusted logistic regression models, a greater glucose excursion was marginally associated with the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities (coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and angina) in those with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: A greater postprandial glycemic response to a small meal was positively associated with indicators of a decreased capacity for insulin secretion and negatively associated with obesity. No pattern of response was observed with a greater postprandial triglyceride excursion.

Retinol binding protein 4 and incident diabetes--the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC Study).

BACKGROUND: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been described as a link between impaired glucose uptake in adipocytes and systemic insulin sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether RBP4 fasting levels predict the development of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Using a case-cohort design, we followed 543 middle-aged individuals who developed diabetes and 537 who did not over ~9 years within the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Weighted Cox proportional hazards analyses permitted statistical inference of the RBP4 - incident diabetes associations to the entire cohort. RESULTS: Women in the highest tertile of RBP4 presented greater risk of developing diabetes (HR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.03 - 2.94) in analyses adjusted for age, ethnicity, study center, parental history of diabetes, hypertension, glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, nonesterified fatty acids, adiponectin, leptin, triglycerides and HDL-C. When additionally adjusted for fasting insulin, this association's significance became borderline (HR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.82). No association between RBP4 levels and incident diabetes was found in men. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that RBP4 levels may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in women.

Chronic inflammation role in the obesity-diabetes association: a case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation is related to both obesity and diabetes. Our aim was to investigate to what extent this inflammation contributes to the association between obesity and diabetes. METHODS: Using a case-cohort design, we followed 567 middle-aged individuals who developed diabetes and 554 who did not over 9 years within the ARIC Study. Weighted Cox proportional hazards analyses permitted statistical inference to the entire cohort. RESULTS: Obese individuals (BMI≥30 kg/m2), compared to those with BMI<25 kg/m2, presented a large increased risk of developing diabetes (HR[obesity]=6.4, 95%CI 4.5-9.2), as did those in the highest (compared to the lowest) quartile of waist circumference (HR[waist]=8.3, 95%CI 5.6-12.3), in analyses adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, study center, and parental history of diabetes. Notably, further adjustment for adiponectin and inflammation markers halved the magnitude of these associations (HR[obesity]=3.2, 95%CI 2.1-4.7; and HR[waist]=4.2, 95%CI 2.8-6.5). In similar modeling, attenuation obtained by adding fasting insulin, instead of these markers, was only slightly more pronounced HR[obesity]=2.7, 95%CI 1.7-4.1; and HR[waist]=3.6, 95%CI 2.3-5.8). CONCLUSIONS: The marked decrease in the obesity-diabetes association after taking into account inflammation markers and adipokines indicates their major role in the pathways leading to adult onset of diabetes in obese individuals.

Retinol binding protein 4 and incident diabetes the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC Study) / Proteina carreadora de retinol 4 e diabetes incidente Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC Study)

Background: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) has been described as a link between impaired glucose uptake in adipocytes and systemic insulin sensitivity. Objective: To determine whether RBP4 fasting levels predict the development of type 2 diabetes. Methods: Using a case-cohort design, we followed 543 middle-aged individuals who developed diabetes and 537 who did not over ~9 years within the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Weighted Cox proportional hazards analyses permitted statistical inference of the RBP4 – incident diabetes associations to the entire cohort. Results: Women in the highest tertile of RBP4 presented greater risk of developing diabetes (HR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.03 – 2.94) in analyses adjusted for age, ethnicity, study center, parental history of diabetes, hypertension, glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, nonesterified fatty acids, adiponectin, leptin, triglycerides and HDL-C. When additionally adjusted for fasting insulin, this association's significance became borderline (HR = 1.68; 95%CI 1.00 – 2.82). No association between RBP4 levels and incident diabetes was found in men. Conclusion: These findings suggest that RBP4 levels may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in women. .

Introdução: A proteína carreadora de retinol 4 (RBP4) tem sido descrita como elo entre uma menor captura de glicose pelos adipócitos e sensibilidade sistêmica à insulina. Objetivo: Determinar se os níveis de RBP4 em jejum predizem diabetes tipo 2. Método: Em um delineamento de caso-coorte, foram acompanhados 543 indivíduos de meia-idade que desenvolveram diabetes e 537 que não desenvolveram diabetes ao longo de 9 anos no estudo Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Foi realizada análise ponderada de riscos proporcionais de Cox para inferência estatística da associação entre os níveis de RBP4 e diabetes incidente na coorte. Resultados: Mulheres com níveis de RBP4 no terceiro tercil apresentaram maior risco de desenvolver diabetes (HR = 1,74; 95% CI 1,03 – 2,94) em análises ajustadas para idade, etnia, centro, história familiar de diabetes, hipertensão, taxa de filtração glomerular, índice de massa corporal, razão cintura-quadril, níveis de ácidos graxos não esterificados, adiponectina, leptina, triglicerídeos e HDL-C. Quando adicionalmente ajustado para os níveis de insulina de jejum, a significância dessa associação se tornou limítrofe (HR = 1,68; 95% CI 1,00 – 2,82). Nenhuma associação foi observada entre RBP4 e diabetes incidente em homens. Conclusão: Esses achados sugerem que os níveis de RBP4 possam estar diretamente envolvidos na patogênese do diabetes tipo 2 em mulheres. .

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV and incident diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

OBJECTIVE: Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is not only important in beta-cell function but also has proinflammatory actions. We aimed to investigate whether it could act as a link between low-grade chronic inflammation and diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using a case-cohort design, we followed 546 middle-aged individuals who developed diabetes and 538 who did not over approximately 9 years within the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. RESULTS: In weighted analyses, the correlation between DPP-IV levels and anthropometric, inflammatory, or metabolic variables was minimal (Spearman correlations <0.11). Those who developed diabetes had mean DPP-IV values similar to those who did not (P = 0.18). Individuals in the highest quartile of DPP-IV were not at greater risk of diabetes (hazard ratio 0.88 [95% CI 0.62-1.24]) in Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age, sex, race, study center, and multiple additional diabetes risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Fasting DPP-IV levels do not appear to predict incident diabetes.

Validation of a new method developed to measure the height of adult patients in bed.

UNLABELLED: We present the performance of a new instrument developed to measure the height of patients in bed (Luft Ruler). METHODS: Standing height was the gold standard measured in 116 hospitalized adults with a stadiometer, compared with measurements from the Luft Ruler and calculated estimates. RESULTS: Using the Luft Ruler in women, men, <60 years old, and >60 years old, the mean difference from the gold standard was, respectively, 1.5 cm (P= .02), 1.3 cm (P= .06), 1.2 cm (P= .07), and 1.6 cm (P= .02); total arm span: 6.7 cm, 7.7 cm, 5.4 cm, and 9.0 cm (P< .01 for all strata); 2x half arm span: 7.8 cm, 10.2 cm, 7.7 cm, and 10.3 cm (P< .01 for all); World Health Organization (WHO) equation: 5.5 cm, 6.2 cm, 4.7 cm, and 6.9 cm (P< .01 for all); and the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre equation: 1.9 cm (P< .01), 2.5 cm (P< .01), 1.1 cm (P= .12), and 3.3 cm (P< .01). The proportion of differences >5 cm was 0.9% (n=1) using the Luft Ruler, 62.9% using total arm span, 71.6% using 2x half arm span, 64.7% using the WHO equation, and 27.6% using the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre equation. CONCLUSIONS: The Luft Ruler was the only method that presented minor mean differences in relation to the gold standard in both gender and age strata. The other estimates are not recommended because of high frequency of relevant errors.

[Individual outpatient care versus group education programs. Which leads to greater change in dietary and physical activity habits for obese children?]. / Atendimento ambulatorial individualizado versus programa de educação em grupo: qual oferece mais mudança de hábitos alimentares e de atividade física em crianças obesas?

OBJECTIVE: To compare two strategies for childhood obesity management: ambulatory assistance (individual) and educational program (in group). METHOD: Children and adolescents from 7 to 13 years of age were selected at random. They were divided into two groups: individually assisted or assisted in groups. An educational program about childhood obesity was created, with monthly meetings that consisted of lectures with parents' participation and group work. Simultaneously, children and teenagers of the other group received individual ambulatory assistance. The program took place for six months. Body composition, eating habits and physical activities were assessed before and after interventions. RESULTS: The sample comprised 38 children and adolescents whose mean age was 9.9 years. The program was more effective in increasing physical activity (p = 0.003), specially walking (p = 0.003), as well as in reducing total cholesterol (p = 0.038). Reduction of body mass index, obesity index and caloric intake was similar in both groups. As for food habits, ambulatory assistance increased the intake of fruits (p = 0.033) and vegetables (p = 0.002) and reduced the amount of French fries and crisps (p = 0.041), while children participating in the program reduced the intake of soft drinks (p = 0.022), sandwiches, pizza and fast food (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Both strategies for handling childhood obesity were favorable to changes in food and physical activity habits. Group assistance was as effective as individual assistance, consolidating it as an alternative for obesity treatment.

Atendimento ambulatorial individualizado versus programa de educação em grupo: qual oferece mais mudança de hábitos alimentares e de atividade física em crianças obesas? / Individual outpatient care versus group education programs: which leads to greater change in dietary and physical activity habits for obese children?

OBJETIVO: Comparar duas estratégias de manejo da obesidade infantil: atendimento ambulatorial (individual) e programa de educação (em grupo). MÉTODO: Foram recrutados aleatoriamente crianças e adolescentes de 7 a 13 anos de idade, divididos em dois grupos: atendimento individual e atendimento em grupo. Foi criado um programa de educação em obesidade infantil, com encontros mensais que consistiam em aulas expositivas com a participação dos pais e trabalhos em grupos. Simultaneamente, o outro grupo era acompanhado individualmente em ambulatório. O acompanhamento ocorreu por 6 meses, sendo avaliados composição corporal, hábitos alimentares e atividade física, antes e depois das intervenções. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi constituída por 38 crianças e adolescentes com média de idade de 9,9 anos. O programa foi mais efetivo no aumento da atividade física (p = 0,003), especialmente caminhadas (p = 0,003), e na redução do colesterol total (p = 0,038). A redução do índice de massa corporal, do índice de obesidade e do consumo energético foi semelhante para os dois grupos. Quanto aos hábitos alimentares, o grupo acompanhado em ambulatório aumentou o consumo de frutas (p = 0,033) e hortaliças (p = 0,002) e reduziu o de salgadinho e batata frita (p = 0,041), enquanto o grupo que participou do programa reduziu o consumo de refrigerantes (p = 0,022), sanduíches, pizza e fast food (p = 0,006). CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as estratégias de manejo da obesidade infantil foram favoráveis a mudanças de hábitos alimentares e de atividade física. O atendimento em grupo, em um programa de educação em nutrição e saúde, foi tão ou mais efetivo que o atendimento individualizado em um ambulatório de referência, firmando-se como alternativa de tratamento à obesidade.

[Childhood obesity--towards effectiveness]. / Obesidade infantil: como podemos ser eficazes?

OBJECTIVE: To review therapeutic approaches to childhood obesity and also its diagnosis and prevention. SOURCES OF DATA: Searches were performed of scientific papers held on the MEDLINE, Ovid, Highwire and Scielo databases. Keywords utilized were: "childhood", "obesity" and a variety of combinations of this term with "treatment", "prevention" and "consequence". The search returned papers including review articles, observational studies, clinical trials and consensus statements. Bibliographical references in these articles were also investigated if it was perceived that they were relevant. Data was collected from 1998 to 2003. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: While a number of different Brazilian prevalence studies were found, few gave details of the results of educational programs in our country. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity must be prevented through prescriptive diets from birth throughout childhood. Educational programs that might be applicable to primary health care or schools should receive further study.

Obesidade infantil: como podemos ser eficazes? / Childhood obesity: towards effectiveness

OBJETIVO: Revisar a abordagem terapêutica da obesidade infantil, bem como aspectos de seu diagnóstico e prevenção. FONTES DOS DADOS: Foi realizada busca de artigos científicos através das bases de dados MEDLINE, Ovid, Highwire e Scielo. As palavras-chave utilizadas foram: "childhood obesity" e também combinações junto a "treatment", "prevention" e "consequence". Dentre os artigos provenientes da busca incluíam-se artigos de revisão, estudos observacionais, ensaios clínicos e posições de consenso. Percebida a relevância, também se buscou diretamente referências indicadas. O período de coleta de dados foi de 1998 a 2003. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Foram encontrados vários trabalhos de prevalência no Brasil. No entanto, poucos trazem resultados de programas educativos aplicáveis em nosso meio. CONCLUSÕES: Deve-se prevenir a obesidade infantil com medidas adequadas de prescrição de dieta na infância desde o nascimento, além de se estudar mais sobre programas de educação que possam ser aplicados no nível primário de saúde e nas escolas.