Ultra-processed food consumption and quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Iranian women.

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have been associated with a higher intake of added sugars, sodium, and unhealthy fats; however, the relationship between UPFs and quality of life (QoL) is not well understood. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 193 Iranian women aged 18-48 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2. UPFs were identified using the NOVA classification. QoL was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed using an appropriate method. Results: The mean BMI and fat-free mass (FFM) of the subjects were 30.90 kg/m2 and 46.69 kg, respectively. At first, a significant difference was observed in the height of women across tertiles of UPF consumption. The mean score of the total QoL scale was 66.90. Women who were in the tertile 3 of UPFs intake had 23.59 units lower the scale of limitation in physical capabilities and activity (score of role-physical) (ß = -23.59, 95% CI: -37.77-9.40, p = 0.001). Among those with the highest adherence to UPF intake, there was an 8.76 unit reduction in addressing feelings of energy and fatigue (vitality domain) in model 2 (ß = -8.76, 95% CI: -16.42-1.11, p = 0.02). Finally, a reduction of 15.78 units was observed in the mental health scale, specifically in the mental states of anxiety and depression, among participants in the third tertile of UPF intake (ß = -15.78, 95% CI: -24.11-7.45, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Increased UPF consumption was associated with lower QoL in Iranian women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and develop effective strategies to promote healthy food choices.

Adequacy of Fatty Acids Consumption Among Individuals in Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention. / Adequação do Consumo de Ácidos Graxos entre Pacientes em Prevenção Cardiovascular Secundária.

BACKGROUND: Adhering to a diet adequate in macronutrients is crucial for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of adherence to recommendations for the consumption of dietary fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and to estimate whether the presence of certain cardiovascular risk factors would be associated with adherence. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using baseline data from 2,358 participants included in the "Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial". Dietary intake and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed. Adequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was considered as ≥10% of total daily energy intake; for monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 20%; and for saturated fatty acids (SFA), <7% according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. A significance level of 5% was considered in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: No participant adhered to all recommendations simultaneously, and more than half (1,482 [62.9%]) did not adhere to any recommendation. Adherence exclusively to the SFA recommendation was the most prevalent, fulfilled by 659 (28%) participants, followed by adherence exclusively to the PUFA (178 [7.6%]) and MUFA (5 [0.2%]) recommendations. There was no association between the number of comorbidities and adherence to nutritional recommendations (p = 0.269). Participants from the Brazilian Northeast region showed a higher proportion of adherence to SFA consumption recommendations (38.42%) and lower adherence to PUFA intake (3.52%) (p <0.001) compared to other regions. CONCLUSIONS: Among the evaluated sample, there was low adherence to nutritional recommendations for dietary fatty acid consumption.

FUNDAMENTO: A adesão à uma alimentação adequada em macronutrientes é fundamental para a prevenção secundária de doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de adesão às recomendações de consumo de ácidos graxos para prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares, e estimar se a presença de determinados fatores de risco cardiovascular estaria associada à adesão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com os dados de linha de base de 2358 participantes do estudo "Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial". Dados de consumo alimentar, e fatores de risco cardiovascular foram avaliados. Foi considerada, de acordo com a Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, uma ingestão adequada de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) ≥10% do consumo total de energia diária, para ácidos graxos monoinsaturados (AGM), 20% e para ácidos graxos saturados (AGS), <7%. Na análise estatística foi considerando nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Nenhum participante aderiu a todas as recomendações de forma simultânea e mais da metade (1482 [62,9%]) não aderiu a nenhuma recomendação. A adesão exclusivamente à recomendação de AGS foi a mais prevalente, sendo cumprida por 659 (28%) dos participantes, seguida da adesão exclusivamente à recomendação de AGP (178 [7,6%]) e de AGM (5 [0,2%]). Não houve associação entre o número de comorbidades e a adesão às recomendações nutricionais (p =0,269). Os participantes da região Nordeste do país apresentaram maior proporção de adesão às recomendações para consumo de AGS (38,42%), e menor para ingestão de AGPI (3,52%) (p <0,001) em comparação às demais. CONCLUSÕES: Na amostra avaliada, evidenciou-se baixa adesão às recomendações nutricionais para consumo de ácidos graxos.

Risk and protective factors for Long COVID in Brazilian adults (CUME Study).

Background: Most people recover from COVID-19, however, between 5 to 20% have experienced new, recurring, or continuous health problems four or more weeks after being infected, a phenomenon called Long COVID, and whose reasons for its manifestation are incipient. Our objective was to analyse the risk and protective factors for Long COVID in Brazilian adults participating in the CUME Study. Methods: The CUME Study is a prospective cohort conducted with graduates from federal universities in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In this study, 390 participants who answered the baseline questionnaire in 2016 and the third follow-up questionnaire in 2022 (which contained a block of questions about occurrence of COVID-19 and Long COVID) were included. The diagnosis of Long COVID was based on self-reporting of persistence of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 between 30 days and 6 months after remission of the disease. To estimate the risk and protective factors for Long COVID, a hierarchical multivariate statistical analysis was conducted using the Poisson regression technique. Results: Long COVID was observed in 48.9% of the participants. The following characteristics were identified as risk factors for the outcome: female sex (RR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.22-1.99); prior diagnosis of hypertension (RR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.19-1.80); having contracted COVID-19 in the first (RR =1.38; 95% CI = 1.07-1.79) or in the second waves (RR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.07-1.65) of the pandemic period; and having presented three or more signs and symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 (RR = 2.99; 95% CI = 1.08-8.24). On the other hand, having a doctoral/postdoctoral educational level (RR = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.50-0.94) was identified as a protective factor for the outcome. Conclusion: Health system managers and healthcare professionals should be aware of the socioeconomic profile and disease history of patients who have had COVID-19 because women, people with a prior diagnosis of hypertension, and those who manifested multiple signs and symptoms of COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease were at greater risk of developing Long COVID.

Adequação do consumo de ácidos graxos entre pacientes em prevenção cardiovascular secundária / Adequacy of Fatty Acids Consumption Among Individuals in Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention

FUNDAMENTO: A adesão à uma alimentação adequada em macronutrientes é fundamental para a prevenção secundária de doenças cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de adesão às recomendações de consumo de ácidos graxos para prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares, e estimar se a presença de determinados fatores de risco cardiovascular estaria associada à adesão. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com os dados de linha de base de 2358 participantes do estudo "Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial". Dados de consumo alimentar, e fatores de risco cardiovascular foram avaliados. Foi considerada, de acordo com a Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, uma ingestão adequada de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) ≥10% do consumo total de energia diária, para ácidos graxos monoinsaturados (AGM), 20% e para ácidos graxos saturados (AGS), <7%. Na análise estatística foi considerando nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Nenhum participante aderiu a todas as recomendações de forma simultânea e mais da metade (1482 [62,9%]) não aderiu a nenhuma recomendação. A adesão exclusivamente à recomendação de AGS foi a mais prevalente, sendo cumprida por 659 (28%) dos participantes, seguida da adesão exclusivamente à recomendação de AGP (178 [7,6%]) e de AGM (5 [0,2%]). Não houve associação entre o número de comorbidades e a adesão às recomendações nutricionais (p =0,269). Os participantes da região Nordeste do país apresentaram maior proporção de adesão às recomendações para consumo de AGS (38,42%), e menor para ingestão de AGPI (3,52%) (p <0,001) em comparação às demais. CONCLUSÕES: Na amostra avaliada, evidenciou-se baixa adesão às recomendações nutricionais para consumo de ácidos graxos.

Daily Cashew and Brazil Nut Consumption Modifies Intestinal Health in Overweight Women on Energy-Restricted Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Brazilian Nuts Study).

BACKGROUND: Increased intestinal permeability and dysbiosis are related to obesity. Nuts can provide nutrients and bioactive compounds that modulate gut microbiota and inflammation, enhancing the beneficial effects of weight loss. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of consuming cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K) on intestinal permeability and microbiota, fecal SCFAs and pH, inflammation, and weight loss in energy restriction condition. METHODS: In this 8-week randomized controlled trial, 40 women with overweight or obesity were assigned to energy-restricted groups (-500 kcal/d): control group (free of nuts) or Brazilian nuts group (BN: 30 g of cashew nuts and 15 g of Brazil nuts per day). Permeability was analyzed by the lactulose/mannitol test and the microbiota by sequencing the 16S gene in the V3-V4 regions. Plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-10, IL-8, IL-17A) and C-reactive protein were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 25 women completed the intervention. Both groups lost weight without statistical differences. Lactulose excretion increased only in the control group (P < 0.05). The BN consumption increased fecal propionic acid and potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, Roseburia, strains NK4A214 and UCG-002 from the Ruminococcaceae family, but also Lachnospiraceae family, Bacteroides, and Lachnoclostridium, when compared to the control group. Changes in intestinal permeability were correlated to a greater reduction in body fat (kg), and IL-8, and increases in Ruminococcus abundance. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate a positive impact of BN consumption within an energy-restricted context, linked to the augmentation of potentially beneficial bacteria and pathways associated with body fat reduction. Besides, BN consumption mitigated increased intestinal permeability, although its capacity to diminish permeability or enhance weight loss proved limited. This trial was registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials as ReBEC (ID: RBR-3ntxrm).

Mindful eating questionnaire: Validation and reliability in Brazilian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) in Brazilian subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and validate a Brazilian version of the MEQ for adults with T2DM (MEQ-DM). METHODOLOGY: Baseline data from the multicentre Nutritional Strategy for Glycaemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NUGLIC) trial were used. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI) and Tucker‒Lewis index (TLI) fit indices indicated the adequacy of the model. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated considering the different factor loadings. Criterion validity was tested by correlating the MEQ-DM with sociodemographic variables, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity levels. RESULTS: A total of 370 participants were included, who were mostly female (60.8 %) and had a median age of 61 (54-67) years. The EFA results supported the two-factor structure of the 25-item MEQ-DM: disinhibition and awareness. The results of the fit indices (RMSEA = 0.04; CFI = 0.95 and TLI = 0.94) and composite reliability (disinhibition = 0.84 and awareness = 0.81) were consistent. The criterion validity analysis indicated a significant association between MEQ-DM scores and age, sex, civil status, education level, BMI and physical activity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When explored with Brazilian adults with T2DM, the MEQ-DM presented a factorial model with two dimensions: disinhibition and awareness. This model must be confirmed in future studies with Brazilians with T2DM.

The Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional (BALANCE) Program improves diet quality in patients with established cardiovascular disease: Results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Dietary modifications are essential strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention. However, studies are needed to investigate the diet quality of individuals undergoing secondary prevention in cardiology and who received dietary intervention based on cardiovascular disease management. We prospectively evaluated the diet quality in the Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial (BALANCE Program Trial). We hypothesized that the BALANCE Program could improve patients' dietary pattern according to different indices of diet quality such as the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII); the dietary total antioxidant capacity; overall, healthful, and unhealthful Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI, hPDI, and uPDI, respectively); and modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (mAHEI). This multicenter randomized, controlled trial included patients aged ≥45 years randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Data from 2185 participants at baseline and after 12, 24, 36, and 48 months showed that the intervention group (n = 1077) had lower mean values of DII and higher dietary total antioxidant capacity, PDI, hPDI, and mAHEI than the control group. The results also showed differences between the follow-up times for DII, hPDI, and uPDI (48 months vs baseline) and for PDI and mAHEI (24 months vs baseline), regardless of group. The interaction analysis demonstrated that the intervention group showed better results than the control group at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months for the DII and at months 12, 36, and 48 for the mAHEI. Our results provide prospective evidence that the BALANCE Program improved the diet quality in those in secondary cardiovascular prevention according to different indices, with the intervention group showing better results than the control group.

Fatty acid intake and prevalence of depression among Brazilian graduates and postgraduates (CUME Study).

BACKGROUND: Dietary fatty acids are related to the development of several inflammatory-related diseases, which may include depression. So, the association between fatty acids, culinary oils and fat intake and depression in highly educated Brazilians was evaluated. METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais. The diagnosis of depression was self-reported, and the daily intake of fatty acids was assessed using a 144-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS: A total of 7157 participants (68.83 % women) with a median age of 33 years were included. The prevalence of depression was 12.60 % (N = 902). In the adjusted analyses, it was observed that individuals with the highest intake of omega-6 fatty acids (n-6) (OR: 1.36, 95 % CI 1.11-1.67) had a higher prevalence of depression. This increased n-6 intake was identified as a risk factor for depression only among male participants, while among overweight participants, higher n-6 intake was also positively associated with depression. Conversely, a higher ratio of polyunsaturated to monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids (PM/S) was also found to be positively associated with depression, but this association was observed only among non-overweight participants. No associations were found between the consumption of culinary oils or fats and depression. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional design limits the assessment of causality. The use of the FFQ can make estimates more difficult. CONCLUSION: Higher consumption of n-6, and higher PM/S ratios were associated with depression, and individual factors can interfere. The mental health care policies should include specific nutritional strategies.

30-Year High Cardiovascular Risk Incidence and its Determinants: CUME Study.

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the incidence of the 30-year high cardiovascular risk and its determinants among graduates of federal universities in Minas Gerais. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort of 2,854 adults aged 20 to 59. The incidence of the outcome was calculated using the Framingham equation and its determinants were determined through multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: After an average of 2.62 years, the incidence of high cardiovascular risk was 8.09 and 20.1 cases per 1,000 person-years, for females and males respectively. Being male (HR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.58 - 3.46), employment (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.13 - 3.99), high consumption of processed foods (HR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.21 - 4.90), and being physically active (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.41 - 0.98) were associated with high cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: Among highly educated adults, being male, employment, and high consumption of processed foods are predictors of high cardiovascular risk, while being physically active acts as a protective factor.

Obesogenic neighborhood environment is associated with body fat and low-grade inflammation in Brazilian children: could the mother's BMI be a mediating factor?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic neighborhood environments with body fat, and pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in Brazilian children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. The body fat distribution was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured. Four hundred meters (0·25 miles) road network buffer was the neighborhood unit used to assess the environmental characteristics around households. Obesogenic and leptogenic environments were the latent variables obtained from the observed characteristics. The mother's BMI, ultra-processed food consumption, and physical activity before and after school, were tested as mediating variables. A hybrid model of structural equations was used to test the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic environments with body fat, leptin and adiponectin concentrations. SETTING: Urban area of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 8- and 9-years (n 367). RESULTS: Obesogenic environment was directly associated with the mother's BMI (ß: 0·24, P = 0·02) and the child's body fat (ß: 0·19, P = 0·02). The mother's BMI and body fat mediated the association of the obesogenic environment with leptin concentrations (ß: 0·05, P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: Obesogenic neighborhood environment was directly associated with body fat and mother's BMI, and indirectly associated with leptin concentrations in Brazilian children, mediated by the mother's BMI and body fat.

Higher caffeine consumption is associated with insufficient sleep time in Brazilian adults (CUME study).

We aimed to evaluate the association between caffeine intake and sleep time in Brazilian adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 6,356 participants from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME Study). Data was collected through an online self-report questionnaire. Of the total, 31.9% of the participants had insufficient sleep. Women were found to sleep less than men (64.1 vs. 35.9%; p < 0.001), as well as being more likely to consume higher doses of caffeine (55.2%, p < 0.001). Coffee (35.7%), dark chocolate (25.2%), milk chocolate (15.2%), and diet soda (11.0%) were the foods that more contributed to caffeine intake. Individuals in the highest quartile of caffeine intake (87.0 - 572.0 mg/day) had a 19% higher prevalence of insufficient sleep compared with the lowest quartile (PR: 1.19; 95%CI: 1.08 - 1.31). Future studies are needed to investigate the genetic and hormonal factors involved in the interindividual response in this population.

The 30-year cardiovascular risk trajectories and their independently associated factors in participants of a Brazilian cohort (CUME Study).

We aimed to analyze the different trajectories of 30-year cardiovascular risk (CVR) and its independently associated factors in participants of the CUME Study, a prospective study with alumni from federal universities of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. In this study, 1,286 participants who answered the baseline (2016) and follow-up (2018 and 2020) questionnaires were included. Trajectories of CVR, according to the Framingham score, were identified with the latent class growth modelling technique with the use of the censored normal model. Analysis of the factors independently associated with each of the trajectories was conducted with multinomial logistic regression technique. Three CVR trajectories were identified: Low-Low (68.3%), Medium-Medium (26.2%), and High-High (5.5%). Male sex, living in a stable union, and having moderate and high intakes of ultra-processed foods were positively associated with the Medium-Medium and High-High CVR trajectories. Having non-healthcare professional training and working were positively associated with the Medium-Medium CVR trajectory, whereas being physically active was negatively associated with the High-High CVR trajectory. In conclusion, more than one-third of participants had CVR trajectories in the Medium-Medium and High-High categories. Food consumption and physical activity are modifiable factors that were associated with these trajectories; thus, implementing health promotion measures could help prevent the persistence or worsen of CVR. On the other hand, sociodemographic and labor characteristics are non-modifiable factors that were associated with Medium-Medium and High-High trajectories, which could help identify people who should be monitored with more caution by health services.

The Possible Mediatory Role of Inflammatory Markers on the Association of Dietary Insulin Index and Insulin Load with Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased inflammation. Diet plays an important role in the prevention and management of MetS, while some dietary factors can also increase or decrease markers of systemic inflammation. In this study, we aimed to determine the mediated association of inflammatory markers induced by dietary insulin index (DII) and dietary insulin load (DIL) with MetS and its components. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 219 women aged 18-28 years. Dietary intake was assessed by a 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DII and DIL were calculated using the standard formula. The guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III were used to define MetS. Biochemical parameters and anthropometric and blood pressure measures were evaluated by standard protocols. Results: After the adjustment for potential confounders, a marginally significant association was found between DII and MetS (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 0.93-4.82; P = 0.06). However, we did not find a significant association between DIL and MetS. Furthermore, DII was significantly associated with waist circumference (WC) (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.09- 4.03; P = 0.03) and marginally associated with triglyceride (TG) (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 0.92-2.33; P = 0.07) and systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 0.85-3.99; P = 0.07). Moreover, there was a significant association between DIL and SBP/DBP (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.54-5.61; P = 0.04). Also, we found that MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in the association between DII and DIL with MetS and several components of MetS. Hs-CRP did not have mediatory role in the association between DII and MetS. However, hs-CRP had a mediatory role in several MetS components. Furthermore, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association of DIL with MetS and with some of its components. Conclusions: A higher DII score may increase the odds of MetS and its components. DIL was not significantly associated with the odds of MetS, but the association of DIL and SBP/DBP was significant. MCP-1 may have a mediatory role in associations between DII and DIL with MetS. In addition, hs-CRP may have a mediatory role in the association between DIL and MetS.

Preoperative Carbohydrate Quality Index Is Related to Markers of Glucose Metabolism 12 Months After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The role of carbohydrates in weight loss in patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to verify the relationship of the carbohydrate quality index (CQI) with weight loss and cardiometabolic risk markers up to 1 year after BS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 50 patients with obesity undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Data collection was performed preoperatively and 3 and 12 months after surgery. The foods consumed were documented using a 24-h food recall in 3 days. The CQI was calculated considering the following parameters: dietary fiber intake, sugar level; whole grains: proportion of total grains; solid carbohydrate: total carbohydrate ratio. RESULTS: From the total study sample, 58 participants were followed up for 3 months, and eight participants dropped out of the study. The remaining 50 patients were followed up for 12 months. Subjects were classified into tertiles according to the index score. A 1-unit increase in CQI was associated with a -1.02 decrease in insulin concentrations at 12 months and a -1.04 decrease in HOMA-IR. Concerning the total sample, the median of the CQI was 8 points and did not change at 3 and 12 months after surgery, but there was an improvement in some components of the index. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that the quality of carbohydrates can interfere with markers of insulin resistance after BS and the quality of carbohydrates is a point to be guided in patients undergoing BS.

Characteristics of the obesogenic environment around schools are associated with body fat and low-grade inflammation in Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of obesogenic environmental characteristics around schools with body adiposity and adipokine concentrations in Brazilian children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Body adiposity was assessed using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and chemerin were measured. Predominantly ultra-processed food (UPF) stores, public physical activity (PA) facilities, green spaces, walkability, traffic accidents and crime were evaluated. The neighbourhood unit was the 400 m (0·25 miles) road network buffer around schools. The association of environmental characteristics with body adiposity and adipokine concentrations was assessed by linear regression models using generalised estimating equations. SETTING: Urban schools (n 24), Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Children aged 8 and 9 years (n 378). RESULTS: A higher density of predominantly UPF stores and a lower percentage of green space were associated with higher total (ß: 0·12; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·18 and ß: -0·10; 95 % CI -0·16, -0·04, respectively) and android body fat (ß: 0·28; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·43 and ß: -0·18; 95 % CI -0·32, -0·04, respectively). In addition, the densities of PA facilities and crime were inversely associated with leptin concentrations. Traffic accidents density and percentage of green spaces around schools had, respectively, a positive and an inverse association with concentrations of adiponectin and RBP4. CONCLUSIONS: Obesogenic environmental characteristics around schools were associated with total and android body fat, as well as with pro-inflammatory adipokine concentrations in Brazilian children from a medium-sized city.

Effect of carotenoids on gut health and inflammatory status: A systematic review of in vivo animal studies.

Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, being a potential bioactive compound for gut health. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of carotenoids on gut microbiota, gut barrier, and inflammation in healthy animals. The systematic search from PubMed, Scopus, and Lilacs databases were performed up to March 2023. The final screening included thirty studies, with different animal models (mice, rats, pigs, chicks, drosophila, fish, and shrimp), and different carotenoid sources (ß-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin). The results suggested that carotenoids seem to act on gut microbiota by promoting beneficial effects on intestinal bacteria related to both inflammation and SCFA production; increase tight junction proteins expression, important for reducing intestinal permeability; increase the mucins expression, important in protecting against pathogens and toxins; improve morphological parameters important for digestion and absorption of nutrients; and reduce pro-inflammatory and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, different carotenoids had distinct effects on gut health. In addition, there was heterogeneity between studies regarding animal model, duration of intervention, and doses used. This is the first systematic review to address the effects of carotenoids on gut health. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of carotenoids on gut health.

Factors associated with diet quality among Brazilian individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: An individual's dietary pattern contributes in different ways to the prevention and control of recurrent cardiovascular events. However, the quality of the diet is influenced by several factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of the diet of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and determine whether there is an association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with individuals with atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease) recruited from 35 reference centres for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in Brazil. Diet quality was assessed according to the Modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (mAHEI) and stratified into tertiles. For comparing two groups, the Mann-Whitney or Pearson's chi-squared tests were used. However, for comparing three or more groups, analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis was used. For the confounding analysis, a multinomial regression model was used. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In total, 2360 individuals were evaluated: 58.5% male and 64.2% elderly. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the mAHEI was 24.0 (20.0-30.0), ranging from 0.4 to 56.0 points. When comparing the odds ratios (ORs) for the low (first tertile) and medium (second tertile) diet quality groups with the high-quality group (third tertile), it was observed that there was an association between diet quality with a family income of 1.885 (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.302-2.729) and 1.566 (95% CI = 1.097-2.235), as well as physical activity of 1.391 (95% CI = 1.107-1.749) and 1.346 (95% CI = 1.086-1.667), respectively. In addition, associations were observed between diet quality and region of residence. CONCLUSIONS: A low-quality diet was associated with family income, sedentarism and geographical area. These data are extremely relevant to assist in coping with cardiovascular disease because they enable an assessment of the distribution of these factors in different regions of the country.

Position statement on nutrition therapy for overweight and obesity: nutrition department of the Brazilian association for the study of obesity and metabolic syndrome (ABESO-2022).

Obesity is a chronic disease resulting from multifactorial causes mainly related to lifestyle (sedentary lifestyle, inadequate eating habits) and to other conditions such as genetic, hereditary, psychological, cultural, and ethnic factors. The weight loss process is slow and complex, and involves lifestyle changes with an emphasis on nutritional therapy, physical activity practice, psychological interventions, and pharmacological or surgical treatment. Because the management of obesity is a long-term process, it is essential that the nutritional treatment contributes to the maintenance of the individual's global health. The main diet-related causes associated with excess weight are the high consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which are high in fats, sugars, and have high energy density; increased portion sizes; and low intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains. In addition, some situations negatively interfere with the weight loss process, such as fad diets that involve the belief in superfoods, the use of teas and phytotherapics, or even the avoidance of certain food groups, as has currently been the case for foods that are sources of carbohydrates. Individuals with obesity are often exposed to fad diets and, on a recurring basis, adhere to proposals with promises of quick solutions, which are not supported by the scientific literature. The adoption of a dietary pattern combining foods such as grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, associated with an energy deficit, is the nutritional treatment recommended by the main international guidelines. Moreover, an emphasis on behavioral aspects including motivational interviewing and the encouragement for the individual to develop skills will contribute to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Therefore, this Position Statement was prepared based on the analysis of the main randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses that tested different nutrition interventions for weight loss. Topics in the frontier of knowledge such as gut microbiota, inflammation, and nutritional genomics, as well as the processes involved in weight regain, were included in this document. This Position Statement was prepared by the Nutrition Department of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (ABESO), with the collaboration of dietitians from research and clinical fields with an emphasis on strategies for weight loss.

Acute effect of a beverage containing Brazil and cashew nuts on oxidative stress, lipemia, and blood pressure of women with cardiometabolic risk (Brazilian Nuts Study): a randomized clinical trial.

Nuts are important sources of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and improve lipid profile as well as vascular function. However, the intake of typical Brazilian nuts and its acute effect on cardiovascular health needs to be better understood. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a beverage containing cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) on postprandial oxidative stress, lipemia, and blood pressure of adult women aged 20 to 55 years with cardiometabolic risk. This was an acute, randomized, parallel arm, controlled clinical trial. The participants received either a beverage containing nuts (30 g Brazil nuts + 15 g cashew nuts) or a beverage without nuts with similar macronutrient composition. Oxidative stress markers and lipid profiles were evaluated at fasting and 4 h after beverage consumption. Blood pressure was measured during fasting and after beverage intake (1, 2, 3, and 4 h). In the postprandial state, there was a greater reduction in malondialdehyde levels in the intervention group compared to the control group (-12.3 ± 0.59 vs. -10.7 ± 0.43 µmol/mL; p < 0.05), which was positively correlated with the concentrations of TG (r = 0.399; p < 0.05), VLDL (r = 0.399; p < 0.05), TG/HDL (r = 0.380; p < 0.05), and blood pressure (iAUC SBP r = 0.391; p < 0.05, iAUC DBP r = 0.409; p < 0.05). The remaining oxidative stress markers showed similar postprandial changes between groups. In women with cardiometabolic risk, a beverage containing Brazilian nuts promoted a significant acute reduction on postprandial malondialdehyde levels. The study was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry-ReBEC (protocol: RBR-3ntxrm).

Factors associated with diet quality among Brazilian individuals with cardiovascular diseases

BACKGROUND: An individual's dietary pattern contributes in different ways to the prevention and control of recurrent cardiovascular events. However, the quality of the diet is influenced by several factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of the diet of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and determine whether there is an association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with individuals with atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral arterial disease) recruited from 35 reference centres for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in Brazil. Diet quality was assessed according to the Modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (mAHEI) and stratified into tertiles. For comparing two groups, the Mann-Whitney or Pearson's chi-squared tests were used. However, for comparing three or more groups, analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis was used. For the confounding analysis, a multinomial regression model was used. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In total, 2360 individuals were evaluated: 58.5% male and 64.2% elderly. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of the mAHEI was 24.0 (20.0-30.0), ranging from 0.4 to 56.0 points. When comparing the odds ratios (ORs) for the low (first tertile) and medium (second tertile) diet quality groups with the high-quality group (third tertile), it was observed that there was an association between diet quality with a family income of 1.885 (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.302-2.729) and 1.566 (95% CI = 1.097-2.235), as well as physical activity of 1.391 (95% CI = 1.107-1.749) and 1.346 (95% CI = 1.086-1.667), respectively. In addition, associations were observed between diet quality and region of residence. CONCLUSIONS: A low-quality diet was associated with family income, sedentarism and geographical area. These data are extremely relevant to assist in coping with cardiovascular disease because they enable an assessment of the distribution of these factors in different regions of the country.