Vitamin D deficiency aggravates COVID-19: discussion of the evidence.

We discuss the quality of the article evidence on the association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19, as well as updating the statistics in response to the letter to the editor regarding the same paper. Our review included 22 studies with data available in 23 articles. Using crude OR data, we observed that the chance of hospitalization was 2.16 (CI 95% = 1.42 - 2.89;) for vitamin-deficient individuals compared to non-deficient ones. However, when using the adjusted OR, it was possible to obtain a chance of 1.78 (CI 95% = 1.36-2.20). For the outcome vitamin D deficiency and death in patients with COVID-19 infection the crude association value was 1.38 (OR =1.38; CI 95% = 1.08 - 1.68) and the adjusted OR with the two studies was 1.08 (CI 95% = 0.82- 1.34). This new analyzes don't substantially alter our results. Vitamin D remains associated with severity COVID-19.

Bolsa Familia Program and Perinatal Outcomes: NISAMI Cohort.

This study aimed to assess the impact of the Bolsa Familia Program on perinatal outcomes of pregnant women. A cohort study was conducted with pregnant women supported by prenatal services at 17 Family Health Units in Bahia, Brazil. A previously tested structured questionnaire, which has sociodemographic, economic, prenatal care, lifestyle, and nutritional variables, has been used to collect data. The outcomes included premature birth and low birth weight. A hierarchical conceptual model was constructed, and logistic regression analysis was performed. From a total of 1173 pregnant women, the identified average age was 25.44 years and 34.10% had pre-gestational overweight. The non-beneficiary pregnant women presented a 1.54 (95% CI = 0.46-5.09) times higher chance of giving birth to children with low weight and a 1.03 (95% CI = 95% CI = 0.53-2.00) times chance of premature birth when compared to the beneficiary group. In the multilevel model, some variables were statistically significant, such as age between 18 and 24 years (p = 0.003), age greater than or equal to 35 years (p = 0.025), family income (p = 0.008), employment status (p = 0.010), and maternal height (p = 0.009). The Bolsa Familia Program, as an integrated strategy of social inclusion and economic development, is suggested to exert a protective effect on the health of mother-concept binomial.

Non-specific effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on autistic spectrum disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: We searched seven databases and found 13 eligible controlled trials that use omega-3 supplementation in children and adolescents with ASD.Data extraction: We collected details on study design, intervention time, supplement dosage, and the autism assessment scale. Meta-analyses and subgroup analysis were conducted according to the autism symptoms. RESULTS: Omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation improved ASD symptoms according to the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (standard mean difference - SMD = -0.13; CI 95% = -0.34, -0.02). However, using subgroup analysis, we observed no efficacy in terms of improvements in hyperactivity (SMD = -0.03; CI 95%: -0.43, 0.36), irritability (SMD = -0.18; CI 95%: -0.51, 0.15), stereotypy (SMD = -0.03; CI 95%: -0.43, 0.36), inappropriate speech (SMD = -0.68; CI 95%: -1.49, 0.14), lethargy (SMD = -0.22; CI 95%: -0.58, 0.14), and social function (SMD = -0.71; IC 95%: -1.56, 0.14). W-3 and w-6 supplementation also showed no efficacy according to the Social Responsiveness Scale (SMD = 0.08; CI 95%: -0.23, 0.39). The adverse effects were classified as mild and equally distributed between the placebo and intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite w-3 and w-6 supplementation showing minimal beneficial effects in the treatment of autism, the subgroup analyses indicated that there is a lack of evidence on the beneficial role of w-3 and w-6 in treating ASD.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO number CRD42020146116.

Vitamin D deficiency aggravates COVID-19: systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is still limited evidence regarding the influence of vitamin D in people with COVID-19. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we analyze the association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity, via an analysis of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in people with the disease. Five online databases-Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and pre-print Medrevix were searched. The inclusion criteria were observational studies measuring serum vitamin D in adult and elderly subjects with COVID-19. The main outcome was the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in severe cases of COVID-19. We carried out a meta-analysis with random effect measures. We identified 1542 articles and selected 27. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with a higher chance of infection by COVID-19 (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 0.80-1.88), but we identified that severe cases of COVID-19 present 64% (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.30-2.09) more vitamin D deficiency compared with mild cases. A vitamin D concentration insufficiency increased hospitalization (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.41-2.21) and mortality from COVID-19 (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.06-2.58). We observed a positive association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of the disease.

Associations between Maternal Dietary Patterns and Infant Birth Weight in the NISAMI Cohort: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

The mother's diet during pregnancy is associated with maternal and child health. However, there are few studies with moderation analysis on maternal dietary patterns and infant birth weight. We aim to analyse the association between dietary patterns during pregnancy and birth weight. A prospective cohort study was performed with pregnant women registered with the prenatal service (Bahia, Brazil). A food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intake. Birth weight was measured by a prenatal service team. Statistical analyses were performed using factor analysis with a principal component extraction technique and structural equation modelling. The mean age of the pregnant women was 27 years old (SD: 5.5) and the mean birth weight was 3341.18 g. It was observed that alcohol consumption (p = 0.05) and weight-gain during pregnancy (p = 0.05) were associated with birth weight. Four patterns of dietary consumption were identified for each trimester of the pregnancy evaluated. Adherence to the "Meat, Eggs, Fried Snacks and Processed foods" dietary pattern (pattern 1) and the "Sugars and Sweets" dietary pattern (pattern 4) in the third trimester directly reduced birth weight, by 98.42 g (Confidence interval (CI) 95%: 24.26, 172.59) and 92.03 g (CI 95%: 39.88, 165.30), respectively. It was also observed that insufficient dietary consumption in the third trimester increases maternal complications during pregnancy, indirectly reducing birth weight by 145 g (CI 95%: -21.39, -211.45). Inadequate dietary intake in the third trimester appears to have negative results on birth weight, directly and indirectly, but more studies are needed to clarify these causal paths, especially investigations of the influence of the maternal dietary pattern on the infant gut microbiota and the impacts on perinatal outcomes.

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrations and Association with Weight Gain in Pregnancy.

Lower concentrations of omega-3 (ω-3) and higher concentrations of omega-6 (ω-6) have been associated with excess weight in adults; however, the information on this relationship in pregnancy remains in its infancy. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma levels of ω-3 and ω-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and weight gain during the gestational period. This is a prospective cohort study involving 185 pregnant women registered with the prenatal services of a municipality in the northeast of Brazil. The dosage of the serum concentration of fatty acids and the anthropometric measurements were carried out at the baseline, and the women's weight information in the first, second, and third trimesters was collected from their pregnancy cards. Serum fatty acids were determined with the help of gas chromatography. The response variable of this study is the latent variable weight gain in pregnancy, derived from three variables: gestational weight in the first, second, and third trimesters. The main exposure was the plasma concentrations of PUFAs. Structural equation modeling was used for the data analysis. The mean age of the pregnant women was 26.74 years old (SD: 5.96 years). Most of the women had not completed high school (84%) and had a low income (70.86%). It was observed that the ω-3 PUFAs, represented by ALA plasm (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and the EPA/ALA ratio (eicosapentaenoic acid to alpha-linolenic acid ratio), were negatively associated with the weight gain during pregnancy construct (-0.20, -0.12, and -0.14, respectively). Meanwhile, the PUFAs represented by the ratio between the ω-6 category acids ARA and LA (arachidonic acid and linoleic acid) had a direct and positive association (0.22) with that construct. Excess maternal weight gain was associated with ω-3 and ω-6 plasma levels. The women with the greatest gestational weight gain were the ones that presented the highest ARA/LA ratio (ω-6) and the lowest plasma concentrations of ALA, DHA, and EPA/ALA ratio (ω-3).

Obesity and overweight decreases the effect of vitamin D supplementation in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Overweight and obesity are associated with vitamin D deficiency (VitD), which are both important health problems. Reduced serum vitamin D levels has been registered in all phases of life and is commonly associated with the genesis of overweight and obesity. Thus, the objective of this review with meta-analysis was to investigate and evidence the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D. Interventional studies were searched for in 5 databases, without restriction of publication date or language. The absolute mean difference was used as a summary measure of the selected studies. A total of 2370 studies were identified, of which 18 descriptive articles were eligible - based on criteria and variables of selection and exclusion. Then the data were synthesized and submitted to meta-analysis. The results evidence that after supplementation individuals with obesity presented increased serum vitamin D 39.83 nmol/L (95% CI: 34.06-45.61) in relation to the control/placebo group. However, the obese state decreased serum vitamin D concentration by -38.17 nmol/L (95% CI: -59.90/-16.44) compared to the normal weight group. In addition, increasing the dose of VitD supplementation does not appear to contribute significantly to increased serum VitD levels. The study observed that obesity in adults reduced the effect of vitamin D supplementation. Therefore, research should be developed on the optimal dose of vitamin D supplementation for people with obesity.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO number CRD42018091.

Dietary patterns among nutrition students at a public university in Brazil / Patrón alimentario de estudiantes de nutrición de una universidad pública de Brazil

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the dietary patterns of 125 nutrition students in 2011, from public university in Bahia State, Brazil. The students answered a structured and validated questionnaire for this specific group that addressed socioeconomic and health aspects, family Information, and food consumption. Dietary patterns were determined using factor analysis by principal components analysis. The mean age was 22.3 (SD: 3.75) years old. The majority (88%) of students were female. In relation to the dietary patterns of the students, 4 groups were identified and these patterns explained 59.8% of the total dietary variability. The pattern number 1, entitled "Traditional", consisted ofroots/tubers, legumes, dairyproducts, meat and eggs, fruit/natural juice and vegetables, and explained 21.53% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 2, labeled "Exam Days" was made up of breads/cereals, sausages and artificial beverage accounted for 13.85% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 3, entitled "End of Semester" was characterized predo-minantly by candy/sugar and snacks and represented 13.39% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 4, labeled "Anxiety" which was made up of coffee/tea and fats, explained 11.08% of the variation of food consumption. It was observed that 38.1% of the students have inadequate food consumption because they are monotonous, and poor sources of fiber and vitamins.

Estudio transversal que tuvo por objetivo identificar los patrones alimentarios de 125 estudiantes de nutrición de una universidad pública del estado de Bahía, Brasil en el 2011. Los estudiantes respondieron un cuestionario validado para frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. Se empleo análisis factoriales para los componentes principales con el fin de identificar los principales patrones alimentarios de esos estudiantes. La media de edad fue de 22,3 años (DP=3,75). En relación a los patrones alimentarios fueron identificados cuatro patrones de consumo alimentario que explican 59,8% de la variabilidad total de la dieta. El patrón 1, nombrado "tradicional", compuesto por tubérculos, leguminosas, derivados lácteos, carnes e huevos, frutas en jugo/natural y hortalizas explicó 21,53% de la variabilidad; el patrón 2, nombrado "Días de prueba" integrado por panes/cereales, bebidas artificiales y embutidos respondió 13,85% de la variabilidad; el patrón 3, "Final de Semestre" fueron predominantes los dulces/azúcar y aperitivos este representó 13,39% de la variabilidad del consumo de alimentos: y el patrón 4 "Ansiedad" compuesto por café/te y grasas explicó 11,08% de la variación. Se observó que 38,1% de la variación del consumo de alimentos es representado por patrones de consumo de alimentos considerados inadecuados, pues son monótonos y pobres en fibra y vitaminas.

FOOD CONSUMPTION PATTERNS DURING PREGNANCY: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY IN A REGION OF THE NORTH EAST OF BRAZIL.

INTRODUCTION: the nutritional panorama in Brazil indicates that the dietary patterns of the population is characterized by the increasing inclusion of saturated and trans fats, sodium, sugars, soft drinks. This epidemiological and nutritional challenges reflects in the patterns of illness and death. OBJECTIVE: this study aims to identify patterns of food consumption and dietary changes in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. METHODOLOGY: this is a prospective cohort study involving 185 pregnant women in the State of Bahia, from 2012 to 2013. We used a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes. To identify the dietary pattern, the principal components factor analysis was adopted. We used the Pearson correlation test to identify the correlation between the patterns extracted in each trimester. RESULTS: four patterns of food consumption during pregnancy were identified. We observed changes in the eating patterns over the trimesters evaluated, especially for the food groups of fruit, coffee, fats, fried snacks, sugar and sweets. DISCUSSION: these dietary changes throughout the pregnancy accompany the physiological changes of each period of the pregnancy. In the first trimester, symptoms of nausea and vomiting are common, whereas in the same period cravings is reported, which may justify the consumption of a larger quantity of food deemed unhealthy. CONCLUSION: it was observed that there were changes in the adoption of dietary pattern throughout the evaluated trimesters of pregnancy, especially for the groups of fruit, coffee, fats, fried snacks and sugar and sweets.

Introducción: las perspectivas de crecimiento en Brasil indican que los patrones dietéticos de la población se caracterizan por el aumento del consumo de grasas saturadas y trans, sodio, azúcares y refrescos. Este punto de vista epidemiológico y nutricional refleja el cambio en el patrón de la enfermedad y la muerte. Objetivo: este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar los patrones de consumo de alimentos y los cambios en la dieta en el primer y tercer trimestres del embarazo. Metodología: se trata de un estudio de cohorte prospectivo de 185 mujeres embarazadas del Estado de Bahía, a partir de 2012 a 2013. Se utilizó el cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos para evaluar la ingesta alimentaria. Para identificar la norma alimentaria se adoptó el análisis factorial de componentes principales. Se utilizó la prueba de correlación de Pearson para identificar la correlación entre los patrones extraídos en cada trimestre. Resultados: se identificaron cuatro patrones de consumo de alimentos durante el embarazo. Hemos observado cambios en los patrones de alimentación durante los trimestres evaluados, especialmente para los grupos de frutas, café, grasas, frituras, azúcar y dulces. Discusión: estos cambios en la dieta durante el embarazo acompañan a los cambios fisiológicos de cada embarazo. En el primer trimestre son síntomas comunes las náuseas y los vómitos; por otro lado, también se manifiesta antojos en el mismo periodo, lo cual puede justificar el consumo de mayor cantidad de alimentos considerados saludables. Conclusión: se observaron cambios en el patrón alimentario a lo largo de los diversos trimestres del embarazo examinados, especialmente para los grupos de frutas, café, grasas, frituras, azúcar y dulces.