Improved metabolic response after 16 weeks of calorie-restricted low-glycaemic index diet and metformin in impaired glucose tolerance subjects.

AIM: This study analyzed the metabolic effects of dietary advice to follow calorie-restricted low-glycaemic index diet with metformin in overweight / obese impaired glucose tolerance subjects. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with body mass index between 27-38 kg/m² were followed monthly for 16 weeks and treated with metformin (1 g/day) and dietary prescription for low-glycaemic index diet with energy reduction of 25-30% their total energy expenditure. Glucose metabolism, lipid profile, anthropometric and body composition, and food intake parameters were measured before and after the treatment. Paired t-tests/Wilcoxon tests were used to compare differences from baseline, with a statistical significance criterion of p ≤0.05. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in anthropometric and body composition parameters, decrease in HOMA2-%betaand triglycerides concentrations, and increase in Cederholm index. These results show enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity and preservation of pan - creatic beta-cell function. CONCLUSION: Calorie-restricted low-glycaemic index diet and metformin was benefit to metabolic and anthropometric parameters in overweight/obese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Objetivo: Este estudio analizaba los efectos metabólicos del consejo dietético de seguir una dieta con restricción calórica y un índice glucémico bajo junto con Metformina en individuos con sobrepeso / obesidad y tolerancia alterada a la glucosa. Métodos: Se siguió mensualmente durante 16 semanas a 16 individuos con un índice de masa corporal entre 27-38 kg/m² y se les trató con Metformina (1 g/día) y una prescripción dietética con un índice glucémico bajo y una reducción del energía del 25-30 ¡% de su gasto energético total. Se midieron el metabolismo de la glucosa, el perfil lipídico, la composición antropométrica y corporal y los parámetros de consumo de alimentos antes y después del tratamiento. Se emplearon las pruebas t pareadas y de Wilcoxon para comparar las diferencias con respecto al basal, con un criterio de significación estadística de p ≤0,05. Resultados: Hubo reducciones significativas en los parámetros de composición corporal y antropométricos, una disminución en las concentraciones de HOMA2-% y e triglicéridos y un aumento del índice de Cederholm. Estos resultados muestran una mejora de la sensibilidad periférica a la insulina y una conservación de la función de las células beta pancreáticas. Conclusión: la dieta con restricción calórica y un índice glucémico bajo junto con Metformina fueron beneficiosas para los parámetros metabólicos y antropométricos en individuos con sobrepeso/obesidad y una tolerancia a la glucosa alterada.

Barreiras e facilitadores do consumo de frutas e hortaliças em adultos de Brasília / Fruit and vegetable intake barriers and facilitators among adults from Brasilia, Brazil

Objetivos: Avaliar as características e as barreiras e motivadores do consumo de frutas e hortaliças em adultos de Brasília.Métodos: Por meio de um roteiro de entrevista foram obtidos dados sociodemográficos, antropométricos, de frequência e porção da ingestão de frutas e hortaliças e razões do padrão atual de consumo. Foram incluídos indivíduos com 20 anos ou mais, a partir de uma amostra pré-selecionada que participou de uma pesquisa sobre atividade física de adultos. Foram empregados frequência, proporções de respostas e análise de conteúdo.Resultados: Foram entrevistados 98 sujeitos. A maioria dos indivíduos consumia menos que três porções diárias de frutas (68%) e hortaliças (77%), entretanto uma proporção elevada apresentava ingestão desses alimentos em cinco ou mais dias da semana (69,5% e 81,5%, respectivamente). As principais razões que motivavam os entrevistados a consumirem frutas e hortaliças eram o fato destas serem saudáveis, de sabor agradável e auxiliarem na manutenção ou perda de peso. As barreiras mais citadas foram sabor desagradável, falta de hábito, comer pouco e achar o consumo suficiente, pouco tempo disponível e perecibilidade elevada.Conclusões: A maioria dos indivíduos apresentava consumo de frutas e hortaliças abaixo do recomendado segundo o guia alimentar da população brasileira, principalmente em função do número reduzido de porções consumidas. A motivação para o consumo de frutas e hortaliças foi vinculada a saúde e sabor. O sabor desagradável e a falta de hábito foram as principais barreiras mencionadas para o consumo de frutas e hortaliças.

Aims: To evaluate characteristics of, barriers to and motivators for consumption of fruit and vegetables among adults in Brasília.Methods: By means of a scripted interview the following data were collected: socio-demographic and anthropometric details, frequency and portion size of fruit and vegetable intake, and reasons for current consumption pattern. Individuals aged 20 years or more, from a pre-selected sample who participated in a survey on physical activity in adults, were selected. Frequency and proportions of responses and content analysis were used.Results: Ninety-eight subjects were interviewed. Most individuals consumed fewer than 3 daily portions of fruit (68%) and vegetables (77%), while a large proportion of them presented intake on 5 or more days of the week (69.5% and 81.5%, respectively). The main reasons that motivated the interviewees to consume fruit and vegetables were: to be healthy, because of the pleasant taste, and because they help lose or maintain weight. Most cited barriers were unpleasant taste, lack of habit, eating little and thinking it is enough, limited time available and high perishability.Conclusions: The majority of subjects presented fruit and vegetable intake below the recommended level indicated by the Brazilian food guide, mainly due to the reduced number of consumed portions. Fruit and vegetable intake were motivated by health and taste. The unpleasant taste and lack of habit were cited as the main barriers for intake.

Avaliação do consumo alimentar de pré-escolares do Distrito Federal, Brasil / Dietary assessment of pre-school children from Federal District Brazil

O objetivo foi avaliar o consumo alimentar de crianças freqüentadoras de creches filantrópicas do Distrito Federal (DF). A amostra foi representativa e estratificada por grupos de renda, totalizando 678 crianças de 4 a 82 meses de nove creches. O recordatório-24hs e a pesagem direta de alimentos foram empregados na avaliação do consumo alimentar. Na análise utilizou-se a metodologia proposta pelas DRIs (Dietary Reference Intakes) com correção da variabilidade intra-pessoal pelo método de S-Nusser. Nas crianças menores de 13 meses, houve consumo acima da AI entre 93,6 e 100% para carboidratos, proteína, vitaminas B1, B2, B12, B6, e zinco. Na faixa etária de 7 a 12 meses, 56,5% das crianças consumiram ferro abaixo da EAR. Para os maiores de 1 ano, o consumo de cálcio em 35,4% das crianças foi acima da AI. Para as vitaminas com EAR, a prevalência de inadequação do consumo foi 53,2% para vitamina E e 90% para folato. Ferro e zinco foram consumidos acima do UL por 6,4% e 32,5% dos menores de 1 ano, e por 1,5% e 5,3% das outras crianças, respectivamente. A distribuição percentual de lipídios da dieta das crianças de 13 a 47 meses estava dentro da faixa aceitável apenas para 16,2%. No entanto as crianças de 36 a 82 meses, para ambos os gêneros, foram as que apresentaram ingestões médias inferiores à necessidade energética. Conclui-se que a presença de inadequação do consumo para alguns nutrientes indica a necessidade de melhorias no padrão da alimentação e na assistência nutricional das crianças freqüentadoras de creches filantrópicas do DF.

The objective was to assess food consumption among children attending non-profit nurseries in the Federal District, Brazil.A representative sample was obtained and stratified by income. Food intake among 678 children, between 4 and 82 months old, was analyzed in nine nurseries using the 24-h dietary recall and direct food weighing methods. In children under 13 months old mean intake was above AI between 93.6 to 100% for carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins B1, B2, B12, B6, and zinc. In children from 7-12 months 56.5% presented iron consumption below EAR. Calcium intake was above AI for 35.4% of children over 1 year old. For vitamins with EAR values, the prevalence of inadequate consumption was 53.2% for vitamin E, and 90% for folate for children over 12 months old. Iron and zinc intake was above UL for 6.4% and 32.5% of children under 1 year old, and 1.5% and 5.3% for the remaining children, respectively. Lipid percentage distribution range among children between 13 and 47 months old was within the acceptable range for only 16.2%. Nonetheless, children between 36 and 82 months of both genders presented mean intake below energy requirements. Inadequate consumption observed for some nutrients points to the need for improvements in the standard of meals and nutritional assistance offered to children enrolled in charitably run nurseries in the Federal District.

Gender differences in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and their relation to body composition in active Brazilian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Body weight and composition are determined by genotype, environment, and energy balance. Physical activity or sedentary behavior have different associations with body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass, a relationship that is not clear in adolescents. The aim of this study was to test the associations between gender, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and body composition in physically active adolescents. METHODS: Weight, height, and skinfold thickness were measured in 326 physically active boys and girls age 11 to 15 years. All subjects answered a questionnaire assessing their usual daily activities for the last month. Time spent on each activity was used to estimate the physical activity level (PAL). RESULTS: PAL was associated with body composition after adjustment for age and maturation, with differences between genders. For boys, PAL was positively and significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (beta=0.14 and 0.15, respectively). For girls, PAL was negatively and significantly associated with BMI and fat mass index (beta=-0.11 and -0.75, respectively). Sedentary behavior, expressed by hours of TV, videogame, and computer use, was not associated with any body-composition outcome for either gender. CONCLUSION: The accumulated amount of physical activity, but not of sedentary behavior, was related to body composition in active adolescents.

Influences of maternal dietary intake and suckling on breast milk lipid and fatty acid composition in low-income women from Brasilia, Brazil.

Diet has a strong effect, while suckling stimulus is believed not to influence breast milk fatty acids. The effect of dietary pattern and suckling on the fatty acid composition of Brazilian women's breast milk was studied. A cross-sectional study was conducted with low-income women living in the central region of Brazil, where dietary DHA is not readily available. Fore and hind milk fatty acids were collected from 77 women on day 15+/-1 postpartum, and information on maternal characteristics and dietary habit was taken. The effect of suckling stimulus was measured by the changes between fore and hind milk. The mean body mass index (BMI) of volunteers was 23.7+/-3.2 kg/m(2), and the milk lipid concentration was 4.8+/-1.2 g/dl. A mixture of traditional and western type of dietary habit, high in fat and sugar was observed. The fatty acids of the subject's milk were 41.93+/-1.42% saturated, 33.31+/-1.67% monounsaturated and 25.03+/-5.23% polyunsaturated (wt/wt). The DHA level in the milk was 0.34+/-0.19%, similar to the values found in milk of many western societies. DHA and 18:3n-3 levels increased from fore to hind milk (p<0.05). Correlation existed mostly between dietary components and milk 16:0 and oleic acid (18:0). An analysis of classes of fatty acids in milk showed oleic acid (18:0) to present a negative correlation with all milk fatty acid classes. The results suggest that breast milk fatty acids of Brazilian women reflect a western maternal dietary pattern and are influenced by the suckling.