Phase angle and anthropometric indicators of cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.

RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE: The phase angle (PhA) is a measurement obtained from the resistance and reactance found in the bioelectrical impedance examination and is useful in assessing nutritional status and in assessing cardiometabolic diseases. Therefore, the objective was to correlate the phase angle to the anthropometric variables of cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and neck circumference (NC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and PhA of 1231 children and adolescents aged between 5 and 18 years were assessed. PhA was assessed in tertiles and CMR was identified using the anthropometric variables BMI, WC, NC, and WHtR. Linear regression models were used to verify the association between PhA tertiles and CMR anthropometric variables, stratified by sex. RESULTS: No relationship was found between PhA and CMR variables in children. In adolescents, lower values of NC (ß = -0.019, p = 0.005) and BMI (ß = -0.025, p = 0.023) were found in boys, WC (ß = -0.017, p = 0.020), WHtR (ß = -0.017, p = 0.020), NC (ß = -0.011, p = 0.027) and BMI (ß = -0.026, p = 0.009) in girls when they were in tertile 1 when compared to tertile 3 of the PhA, even after adjusting for age. CONCLUSION: The PhA was directly associated with CMR in the assessed adolescents.

Cardiometabolic risk assessment: A school-based study in Brazilian adolescent.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, new indices combining routine and low-cost anthropometric and biochemical measurements have emerged. Among them, the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are being investigated for the prediction of altered blood pressure (BP) and insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether visceral adiposity index (VAI) and height-corrected lipid accumulation product (HLAP) are predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were obtained from the Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) study, a cross-sectional, national, multicenter, school-based survey conducted between 2013 and 2014 in Brazil. The sample consisted of 37,815 adolescents aged 12-17 years of both genders attending the last 3 years of elementary or secondary school from public and private schools located in 273 municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. A Poisson regression was performed to verify associations between VAI and HLAP indices and the presence of altered BP and IR according to sex. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was applied to compare the predictive ability and determine the cut-off points of the VAI and HLAP indices in identifying cardiometabolic risk obtained by altered BP and IR. The prevalences of altered BP and IR were 24.49 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 23.14-25.87) and 24.22 % (95 % CI: 22.70-25.80), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The VAI and HLAP indices are good predictors of cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents. HLAP showed better performance in identifying insulin resistance in males.

Relationship Between Zinc, Selenium, and Magnesium Status and Markers of Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Obesity Phenotypes.

Our objective was to investigate the relationship between zinc, selenium, and magnesium status and markers of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes. This was a cross-sectional study with 140 women: metabolically healthy obese women (n = 35), metabolically unhealthy obese women (n = 28), and normal-weight women (n = 77). We have calculated the body mass index, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio and some adiposity indices. Additionally, we evaluated endocrine-metabolic parameters and estimated the dietary intake of energy, macronutrients, zinc, selenium, and magnesium. The mineral concentrations in plasma, erythrocytes, and urine were assessed. In obese patients, there was a significant decrease in dietary zinc, selenium, and magnesium intake per kilogram of body weight, as well as lower mineral concentrations in both plasma and erythrocytes. Additionally, these patients exhibited higher urinary mineral levels compared to the control group, regardless of whether they had healthy or unhealthy phenotypes. We observed a significant correlation between deficiencies in zinc, selenium, and magnesium and obesity-associated metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemias and redox status disturbances. This study highlights a connection between deficiencies in zinc, selenium, and magnesium and metabolic disorders linked to obesity, including dyslipidemias, alterations in redox status, and thyroid hormonal dysfunction.

Evaluation of the relationship between nutritional status, levels of physical activity and physical strength in adolescents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The study aimed at evaluating the relationship among anthropometric measurements, levels of physical activity and physical fitness in schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in public schools, with 173 adolescents from 10 to 17 years of age. Socioeconomic data were obtained by a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were assessed and classified according to Body Mass Index (BMI)/age and Waist Circumference (WC). The long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity, while the physical fitness level was assessed using the Projeto Esporte Brasil (PROESP) test protocol. RESULTS: 72,3% of the adolescents were eutrophic and 24.3% were overweight and 22.6% were at high risk for cardiovascular disease, with no statistical difference between the sexes (p > 0.05). 53.8% were physically inactive, regardless of sex and nutritional status. 86.1% of the adolescents showed low physical fitness, more significantly for sit-and-reach andsquare tests of females. BMI was directly correlated with physical fitness in the assessment ofupper limb power and agility (medicine ball throw and square test) and indirectly with aerobic capacity and lower limb power (abdominal resistance, horizontal jump and general resistance). The opposite was observed in the correlation of endurance (abdominal and general) and medicine ball throw with WC. Also, there was a likely visceral obesity and consequent cardiovascular risk in females more than in males. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the connection between physical activity and the presence of overweight and obesity in adolescents and also the need to effectively intervene in this groupin order to ensure the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases in adulthood.

Nutritional status and eating habits of patients with hereditary ataxias: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary Ataxias (HAs) comprise a wide spectrum of genetically determined neurodegenerative diseases with progressive ataxia as the main symptom. Few studies have evaluated nutritional profile in HA patients and most of these focused on specific ataxia subtypes. The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate whether hereditary ataxias were associated with changes in energy expenditure, body composition and dietary intake; (2) to verify differences in these variables according to ataxia subtype, sex, age, and disease severity. METHODS: Thirty-eight hereditary ataxia patients from two neurology centers in Northeastern Brazil and 38 controls were evaluated. Body composition was assessed with bio-impedance analysis and dietary intake was estimated with a validated questionnaire (24-hour dietary recall). RESULTS: Mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in HA compared to controls (p = 0.032). Hereditary ataxia patients showed lower protein intake, higher frequency of dysphagia and higher incidence of nausea and diarrhea. The difference in average estimated caloric intake did not reach statistical significance (2359kcal ± 622 in patients × 2713kcal ± 804 in controls, p = 0.08). Disease severity measured by the SARA scale was not associated with BMI, nor was ataxia subtype (autosomal dominant × non-autosomal dominant ataxias). CONCLUSION: Hereditary ataxia patients have lower BMI compared to healthy controls. There was no difference in this cohort between dominant or non-dominant ataxia regarding BMI. Weight loss may be a common finding among hereditary ataxias and may affect the quality of life in these patients.

Power of mortality prediction in patients awaiting liver transplantation according to the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria and Subjective Global Assessment and Royal Free Hospital Global Assessment scores.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the performance of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and Royal Free Hospital Global Assessment (RFH-GA) scores in predicting 12-mo mortality in patients awaiting liver transplantation. METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study, carried out between March 2019 and November 2021. Clinical data were collected and nutritional assessment was performed through anthropometry and application of validated instruments, such as the SGA, GLIM criteria, and RFH-GA. A Cox regression model was carried out, in which the dependent variable was mortality in 1 y, and the independent variables were the classifications of nutritional status by the different methods. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 126 patients, most of them male (56.35%). Malnutrition was diagnosed in 85.71% of the patients according to the RFH-GA, 62.70% according to the SGA, and 56.31% according to the GLIM criteria. Malnutrition assessed by GLIM was related to a 3.79-fold increase in the chance of mortality over time in patients awaiting liver transplantation. Moreover, the GLIM criteria had good discriminatory power in identifying mortality in patients awaiting liver transplantation, compared with the initial and final SGA and RFH-GA scores and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) index. CONCLUSIONS: The GLIM criteria were a good predictor of increased risk of mortality in malnourished patients with chronic liver disease awaiting liver transplantation, compared with the SGA and RFH-GA scores and the MELD-Na index.

The contribution of prenatal care in the dietary patterns of high-risk pregnant women / A contribuição do acompanhamento pré-natal nos padrões alimentares de gestantes de alto risco

Abstract Objectives: investigate whether prenatal characteristics were associated with dietary pattern of pregnant women. Methods: we studied 200 high-risk pregnant women in Fortaleza, Ceará. The identification of dietary patterns was performed through principal component analysis with the orthogonal Varimax rotation. Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and respective confidence intervals (CI95%). Results: three major dietary patterns were identified: 'common Brazilian', 'healthy' and 'energy-dense'. After adjustments conducted with multivariate analysis, pregnant women who had not received dietary guidance in prenatal consultations (34%) were less likely to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern (PR = 0,81; CI95%= 0,67-0,95). Pregnant women who attended an appropriate number of consultations (≥ 6 consultations) (41%) showed greater adherence to the 'healthy' pattern (PR = 1,15; CI95%= 1,01-1,32) and lower adherence to the 'energy-dense' pattern (PR = 0,85; CI95%= 0,74-0,99). Conclusion: it was observed that the high-risk pregnant women who attended an adequate number of consultations during the prenatal care had a higher chance to adhere to the 'healthy' pattern and a lower chance to adhere to the 'energy-dense' pattern. Not receiving guidelines on prenatal nutrition was inversely associated with the healthy pattern. Thus, the importance of high-risk pregnant women undergoing an appropriate prenatal care is reinforced.

Resumo Objetivos: investigar o efeito potencial das características de acompanhamento do pré-natal em padrões alimentares identificados em gestantes de alto risco. Métodos: foram estudadas 200 gestantes de alto-risco de Fortaleza, Ceará. Os padrões alimentares foram identificados pela análise de componentes principais seguida de rotação ortogonal Varimax. Utilizou-se Regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência (RP) e os intervalos de confança (IC95%). Resultados: três padrões alimentares foram identificados: 'comum brasileiro', 'saudável' e 'denso em energia'. Após a realização de ajuste com análise multivariada, as gestantes que não receberam orientação sobre alimentação nas consultas do pré-natal (34%) apresentaram menores chances de adesão ao padrão 'saudável' (RP = 0.81, IC95%= 0.67-0.95). Aquelas que realizaram um número de consultas adequado (≥ 6 consultas) (41%) apresentaram maior adesão ao padrão 'saudável' (RP = 1.15, IC95%= 1.01-1.32) e menor adesão ao padrão 'denso em energia' (RP = 0.85, IC95%= 0.74-0.99). Conclusão: observou-se que as gestantes de alto risco que compareceram a um número adequado de consultas no pré-natal tiveram maior chance de aderir ao padrão 'saudável' e menor chance de aderir ao padrão 'denso em energia'. Não receber orientações sobre nutrição durante o pré-natal foi inversamente associado ao padrão 'saudável'. Reforçando a importância das gestantes de alto risco realizarem um pré-natal adequado.

Relationship between zinc-related nutritional status and the progression of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To investigate plasma and erythrocyte zinc status and its relationship to MS. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, including 98 participants, distributed in groups: case (MS, n = 49), diagnosed with MS and control (n = 49), matched by age and sex with the case group. Zinc was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Mean plasma zinc was 94.6 (22.1) µg/dL for MS patients and 81.5 (31.3) µg/dL for control group, with statistical difference (p = 0.023). The mean erythrocyte zinc was 83.6 (41.6) µg/gHb for case group and 72.6 (31.5) µg/gHb for control. Erythrocyte SOD activity was above reference values, significantly different for MS patients (p = 0.003). There was a significant direct correlation between erythrocyte zinc and SOD (r = 0.835; p < 0.001). SOD showed inverse correlation with MS outbreaks (r = -0.317; p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Patients with MS have normal plasma and elevated erythrocyte zinc. Erythrocyte zinc showed positive correlation with SOD, which correlated inversely to outbreaks.

Improvement of 2,2'-Azobis(2-Methylpropionamidine) Dihydrochloride-Induced Hepatic Redox Imbalance in Swiss Mice and HepG2 Cells by Rutin.

Redox imbalance can lead to irreversible damages to biological functions. In this context, rutin stands out for its antioxidant potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effect of rutin on the hepatic redox imbalance. The study was performed according to three different protocols. First, healthy male Swiss mice were divided into two groups: control and rutin, the second of which received chronic oral supplementation of rutin (10 mg/kg). The second involved evaluation of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by HepG2 cells, incubated or not with rutin (20 and 40 µg/mL) for 3 h. The final protocol involved assessment of the acute effect of rutin (10 mg/kg) in mice with oxidative stress induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (ABAP). After the in vivo treatments, the livers were collected to analyze the oxidative damage by thiol, and the antioxidant defense by catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. In the HepG2 cells, the following probes were employed to assess the ROS production: dichlorofluorescein, MitoSOX, dihydroethidium, and Amplex Red. Rutin administered chronically improved the antioxidant defense in healthy animals, and when administered acutely both inhibited the increased production of ROS in HepG2 cells and improved the redox imbalance parameters in mice with induced oxidative stress. This study suggests rutin as a protective agent for restoration of hepatic redox homeostasis in redox injury induced by ABAP in Swiss mice and HelpG2 cells.

Evaluation of ultrasound measurements of abdominal fat for the prediction of gestational diabetes in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ultrasound abdominal fat measurements in the first and second trimesters can predict adverse gestational outcomes, particularly gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and identify early patients at higher risk for complications. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 126 pregnant women at 11-14 and 20-24 weeks of gestation with normal fasting glucose levels during early pregnancy. From 126 participants with complete data, 13.5% were diagnosed with GDM, based on the cutoffs established for the peripherical blood glucose. Subcutaneous, visceral, and maximum preperitoneal abdominal fat were measured using ultrasound techniques. GDM status was determined by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with 75 g glucose overload, and the following values were considered abnormal: fasting glucose ≥92 mg/dl and/or 1 h after overload ≥180 mg/dl and/or 2 h after overload ≥153 mg/dl. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal threshold to predict GDM. RESULTS: Maximum preperitoneal fat measurement was predictive of GDM, and subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements did not show significant differences in the prediction of GDM. According to the ROC curve, a threshold of 45.25 mm of preperitoneal fat was identified as the optimal cutoff point, with 87% sensitivity and 41% specificity to predict GDM. The raw and adjusted odds ratios for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index were 0.730 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.561-0.900) and 0.777 (95% CI, 0.623-0.931), respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of a 45.25 mm threshold for maximum preperitoneal fat, measured by ultrasound to predict the risk of GDM, appears to be a feasible, inexpensive, and practical alternative to incorporate into clinical practice during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Ultrasound evaluation of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat thickness evaluated by ultrasound as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been published, but the best technique and standardization are unknown. To identify, critically evaluate, and analyze studies using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat as a model for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and evaluate their methodological quality. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from May to July 2019. We included studies of any sample size performed for any duration and in any configuration. Model development and validation studies were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently performed the eligibility assessment of the studies by reviewing the titles and abstracts. Data on study design, gestational age, diagnostic criteria for GDM, device, ultrasound fat measurement technique, and cutoff point for GDM prediction were extracted. RESULTS: The electronic search resulted in 1331 articles, of which 14 were eligible for systematic review. Different criteria for diagnosing GDM and fat measurement techniques were used. The cutoff point for subcutaneous, visceral, and total abdominal fat for predicting GDM in the first and second trimesters varied between the studies. CONCLUSION: No study validated the model for predicting GDM using subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat measurements. External validation studies are recommended to improve the generalization of this GDM predictor in clinical practice.

Food Intake of Patients with Thyroid Nodules: a Brazilian Food Guides-Based Analysis / Consumo Alimentar de Pacientes com Nódulos Tireoidianos: uma Análise Baseada em Guias Alimentares Brasileiros / Consumo de Alimentos de Pacientes con Nódulos Tiroideos: un Análisis Basado en las Guías Alimentarias Brasileña

Introduction: The thyroid gland has the function of secreting hormones that play an important role in metabolism. Alterations in this function may bring complications to individuals, among them thyroid nodules. The prevalence of thyroid nodules is higher in white people, older adults, women, smokers, with accumulated body fat and larger waist circumference. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake of patients with benign (BN) and malignant (MN) thyroid nodules. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 62 patients. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall, according to the 2006 and 2014 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. Mean consumption of each food group was compared between patients with BN and MN by Student's t-test. Results: The sample consisted mostly of females with mean age of 43 years old. Based in the 2006 Guide, patients with BN and MN presented low consumption of fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and high consumption of meat. Total caloric intake (p=0.03) and of the group of sugars and sweets (p=0.03) were higher among individuals with MN compared with BN. Considering the 2014 Guide, the highest caloric contribution for the diet was from minimally processed foods group. Conclusion: Patients with MN had higher energy intake of sugars and sweets. For all other food groups investigated, no significant difference between individuals with MN and BN was encountered

Introdução: A glândula tireoide tem a função de secretar hormônios que desempenham importante papel no metabolismo. Alterações nessa função podem trazer complicações aos indivíduos, entre elas, os nódulos tireoidianos. A prevalência desses nódulos é maior em pessoas brancas, idosas, mulheres, fumantes, com gordura corporal acumulada e maior circunferência da cintura. Objetivo: Comparar o consumo alimentar de pacientes com nódulos benignos (NB) ou malignos (NM) da tireoide. Método: Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 62 pacientes. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado utilizando recordatório alimentar de 24 horas, segundo as diretrizes das versões de 2006 e 2014 do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. As médias de consumo de cada grupo alimentar foram comparadas entre os pacientes com NB e NM pelo teste t de Student. Resultados: A amostra foi composta predominantemente por mulheres com idade média de 43 anos. Considerando a versão de 2006 do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira, tanto os pacientes com NB quanto com NM apresentaram baixo consumo dos grupos das frutas, verduras e hortaliças, leite e derivados, e elevado consumo do grupo das carnes. O consumo calórico total (p=0,03) e do grupo de açúcares e doces (p=0,03) foi maior entre indivíduos com NM comparados com indivíduos com NB. Considerando a versão de 2014 do Guia, a maior contribuição calórica da dieta foi proveniente do grupo de alimentos minimamente processados. Conclusão: Pacientes com NM apresentam maior consumo calórico e de açúcares e doces. Para todos os outros grupos alimentares estudados, não houve diferença significativa entre os indivíduos com NM e NB

Introducción: La glándula tiroidea se encarga de segregar hormonas que desempeñan un papel importante en el metabolismo. Los cambios en esta función pueden traer complicaciones a los individuos, entre ellas los nódulos tiroideos. La prevalencia de los nódulos tiroideos es mayor en personas de raza blanca, de edad avanzada, mujeres, fumadores, con grasa corporal acumulada y mayor perímetro de cintura. Objetivo: Comparar la ingesta dietética de pacientes con nódulos tiroideos benignos (NB) y malignos (NM). Método: Estudio transversal con 62 pacientes. La ingesta dietética se evaluó mediante el recuerdo dietético de 24 horas, de acuerdo con las directrices de las versiones de 2006 y 2014 de la Guía Alimentaria para la Población Brasileña. Se comparó el consumo medio de cada grupo de alimentos entre los pacientes con NB y NM mediante la prueba t de Student. Resultados: La muestra estuvo compuesta predominantemente por mujeres, y la edad media fue de 43 años. Teniendo en cuenta la Guía 2006, tanto los pacientes con NB como los que tenían NM tenían un bajo consumo de frutas, verduras, leche y productos lácteos, y un alto consumo de carne. La ingesta calórica total (p=0,03) y del grupo de azúcares y dulces (p=0,03) fue mayor entre los individuos con NM en comparación con los de NB. Teniendo en cuenta la Guía 2014, el mayor aporte calórico de la dieta procedía de los alimentos mínimamente procesados en los grupos. Conclusión: Los pacientes con NM tuvieron una mayor ingesta energética y consumo de azúcares y dulces. Para el resto de grupos de alimentos estudiados, no hubo diferencias significativas entre los individuos con NM y NB

Cardiovascular risk estimated in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) had a 1.5-fold increase in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) mortality, compared with those without MS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the CVD risk in MS patients by multiple cardiometabolic indexes and to investigate associated factors. METHODS: The MS group included 57 patients matched for age and sex to 57 healthy controls. They were evaluated for physical activity, smoking, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and plasma biomarkers. Framingham risk score (FRS) and multiple cardiovascular risk indexes were calculated. Clinical course of disease, age at onset, disease duration, disease-modifying therapy, relapse rate, EDSS, physical and functional impairment were investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.6 years old. The majority (89.5%) in the MS group had a RRMS clinical course and a mild level of disability (EDSS=1.0). WC (p = 0.022) and FM% (p = 0.007) were different between the MS and control groups. The FRS was higher in the MS group (10% versus 0%) and this was related with high prevalence of dyslipidemia (43.8% versus 36.8%). The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) (0.013) and Castelli risk indexes I (CRI-I) (p = 0.017) and II (CRI-II) (p = 0.008) and non-HDL-C (p = 0.044) were higher in the MS group. CONCLUSION: MS patients, with controlled disease course, have a higher cardiovascular risk than comparable healthy individuals. We emphasize that the use of FRS, and the monitoring of CRI-I and II, as well as AIP, are important lipid markers to manage CVD risk in individuals with MS.

Association between Eating Patterns and Excess Body Weight in Adolescents.

Background: Excess body weight is a risk factor for the development of diseases. Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable age group that suffers due to influences on food intake. We aimed to identify the main dietary patterns of adolescents to investigate their association with excess body weight. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were collected to calculate the BMI. Nutritional statuses were classified according to World Health Organization classification. Food consumption data were obtained through a 24-hour recall and food patterns were identified through factor analyses of the main components. The patterns were categorized into quintiles and dichotomized into greater (fourth and fifth quintile) and lower (first to third quintile) adherences. Binomial regression was used to assess the association between food patterns and excess body weight. The study was conducted in a capital city in Northeast Brazil from adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years in 826 public schools. Results: Three main food patterns were identified in women and men: coffee with bread (white bread, coffee, fat, and eggs), common Brazilian (white rice, beans, meat, pasta, with negative factor load for regional foods), and mixed pattern (sweets, fruits, biscuits and cakes, vegetables, and dairy products). Adolescents with a greater adherence to the coffee and bread pattern [odds ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.50-0.93] and the common Brazilian pattern (OR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.53-0.99) had a lower chance of being excess body weight than those with lower adherence. Conclusions: Three main eating patterns were identified among adolescents, and greater adherence to the coffee with bread and common Brazilian patterns implied a lower chance of excess body weight.

Qualidade da dieta e risco cardiometabólico em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso / Diet quality and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with excess weight / Calidad de la dieta y el riesgo cardiometabolico de niños y adolescentes con exceso de peso

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade da dieta de crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso e determinar a relação com fatores de risco cardiometabólico. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, transversal e analítico, realizado entre dezembro de 2016 e agosto de 2018, com crianças e adolescentes. Coletaram-se variáveis comportamentais (prática de atividade física e tempo de tela), antropométricas (peso, altura, índice de massa corporal, circunferência abdominal e do pescoço) e dietéticas (recordatório de 24 horas) e os dados bioquímicos foram consultados nos prontuários. Avaliou-se a resistência à insulina (RI), usando Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), e a qualidade da dieta, por meio do Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado (IQD-R). Análises realizadas pelos testes de Spearman e Mann-Whitney U, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 100 crianças e adolescentes, sendo 71 (71%) do sexo feminino, média de idade de 9,42 ± 2,89 anos. IQD-R apresentou valor médio de 61,16 (IC 95%: 59,14 ­ 63,19) e nenhum participante apresentou dieta de boa qualidade. Não foram encontradas associações entre o escore do IQD-R e marcadores cardiometabólicos. Observaram-se associações negativas entre os componentes "vegetais totais e leguminosas" e HOMA-IR (r= -0,290), "vegetais verde-escuros, alaranjados e leguminosas" e HOMA-IR (r= -0,333) e "vegetais verde-escuros, alaranjados e leguminosas" com insulina de jejum (r= -0,291). Participantes com mais de três fatores de risco cardiometabólico tiveram pontuação significativamente maior do componente "gordura sólida e açúcar de adição". Conclusão: Nenhum participante investigado apresentou dieta qualitativamente adequada. A baixa ingestão de vegetais e leguminosas foi associada com marcadores de RI. Descritores: Promoção da Saúde, Obesidade Pediátrica; Consumo de Alimentos; Resistência à Insulina; Doenças Cardiovasculares.

Objective: To assess the quality of the diet of children and adolescents with excess weight and determine its relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2016 to August 2018 with children and adolescents. Behavioral (regular physical activity, screen time), anthropometric (weight, height, Body Mass Index, abdominal circumference, neck circumferences) and dietary (24-hour recalls) data were collected, and biochemical data were retrieved from medical records. Insulin resistance (IR) was measured using the Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and diet quality was assessed using the Revised Diet Quality Index (Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado ­ IQD-R). Analyses using Spearman's and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed with a significance threshold set at 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 100 children and adolescents, 71 (71%) of whom were girls, and the mean age was 9.42±2.89 years. The mean IQD-R was 61.16 (95%CI: 59.14 ­ 63.19) and none of the participants presented a good quality diet. No associations were found between the IQD-R score and cardiometabolic markers. However, negative associations were observed between "total vegetables and legumes" and HOMA-IR (r=-0.290), "dark green and orange vegetables and legumes" and HOMA-IR (r=-0.333) and "dark green and orange vegetables and legumes" and fasting insulin (r=-0.291). The participants who presented more than three cardiometabolic risk factors had a significantly higher score on the "solid fat and added sugar" component. Conclusion: None of the participants had a qualitatively adequate diet. The low intake of vegetables and legumes was associated with IR markers. Descriptors: Health Promotion, Pediatric Obesity; Food Intake; Insulin Resistance; Cardiovascular Diseases.

Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la dieta de niños y adolescentes con exceso de peso y determinar la relación con los factores de riesgo cardiometabolico. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal y analítico realizado entre diciembre de 2016 y agosto de 2018 con niños y adolescentes. Se recogieron las variables de conducta (práctica de actividad física y tiempo de pantalla), antropométricas (peso, altura, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia abdominal y del cuello) y dietéticas (recordatorio de 24 horas) y los datos bioquímicos han sido consultados de los historiales clínicos. Se evaluó la resistencia a la insulina (RI) usando el Homeostasis Model Assessment ­ Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) y la calidad de la dieta a través del Índice de Calidad de la Dieta Revisado (ICD-R). Los análisis han sido realizados por las pruebas de Spearman y Mann-Whitney U con el nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: La muestra ha sido de 100 niños y adolescentes de los cuales 71 (71%) era del sexo femenino con la media de edad de 9,42 ± 2,89 años. El ICD-R presentó el valor medio de 61,16 (IC 95%: 59,14 - 63,19) y ningún participante presentó dieta de buena calidad. No se ha encontrado asociaciones entre la puntuación del ICD-R y los marcadores cardiometabolicos. Se ha observado asociaciones negativas entre los componentes "vegetales totales y leguminosas" y el HOMA-IR (r= -0,290), "vegetales verde-oscuros, anaranjados y leguminosas" y el HOMA-IR (r= -0,333) y "vegetales verde-oscuros, anaranjados y leguminosas" y la insulina de ayuno (r= - 0,291). Los participantes con más de tres factores de riesgo cardiometabolico tuvieron la puntuación significativamente mayor en el componente "grasa sólida y azúcar de adición". Conclusión: Ningún participante investigado presentó la dieta cualitativamente adecuada. La baja ingesta de vegetales y leguminosas se ha asociado con los marcadores de RI Descriptores: Promoción de la Salud, Obesidad Pediátrica; Consumo de Alimentos; Resistencia a la Insulina; Enfermedades Cardiovasculares.

Selenium Nutritional Status and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Its Relationship with Hemodialysis Time in Individuals Living in a Brazilian Region with Selenium-Rich Soil.

Suboptimal selenium status may impair the antioxidant defense system in patients undergoing hemodialysis, compromising the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase activity. To evaluate the association between the duration of hemodialysis, nutritional selenium status, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis in a region of selenium-rich soils (Ceará, Northeast Brazil). The case-control study of 75 individuals aged 18 to 88 years was allocated between two groups: hemodialysis (n = 41) and control (n = 34). Plasma and erythrocytes selenium levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The GPx activity and TBARS levels were also evaluated. In addition, the hemodialysis group was stratified according to the duration of treatment (≤ 59 months and ≥ 60 months). The Mann-Whitney test, Student's t test, and Pearson's or Spearman's correlation were applied according to the data distribution. Moreover, a quantile regression was performed. The significance level (p) was < 0.05. The hemodialysis group had lower selenium levels in their plasma and erythrocytes than the control group (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the GPx activity between the groups. Furthermore, an association between the hemodialysis group and selenium levels in plasma (coefficient - 16,343, p < 0.001) and erythrocytes (coefficient - 7839, p = 0.003) was observed by quantile regression, independent of age, sex, and body-mass index. In individuals who had undergone treatment for 60 months or more, GPx activity was lower (p = 0.026) and TBARS levels higher (p = 0.011) than in those who had undergone treatment for less than 60 months. The status of selenium was reduced in the hemodialysis group compared to the control group. The lower GPx activity and higher levels of TBARS in individuals who had undergone treatment for 60 months or more correlated with greater oxidative stress.

Unbalance of Se and nutritional status in male infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the selenium status and oxidative stress in male infertility cases selected from a private human reproduction center in the state of Ceará, Brazil. METHODS: The present study had a cross-sectional quantitative approach, carried out between January and October 2013 at a Human Reproduction Center. The studied population was composed of 49 male individuals seen at the clinic, aged between 18 and 60 years. Blood samples were collected to measure serum selenium concentrations, erythrocyte activity and glutathione peroxidase. After medical diagnosis, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups. Blood samples were collected for establishing Se concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes, and measurements of the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase in the erythrocytes. RESULT: it resulted in 53.1% of fertile men and 46.9% of infertile men. The average age of the fertile group was 34.1 years and the infertile group was 37.3 years. Regarding the assessment of nutritional status, the scatter diagram of the infertility group showed a higher body mass index and waist circumference, showing that this group has a higher risk of global and abdominal obesity compared to the fertile group (p<0.0001, respectively). There were similarities between the groups regarding caloric intake, macronutrient and selenium intake. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the serum values of selenium, in excess and in deficiency, can be harmful to male fertility.

As repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher / The Repercussions of Pregnancy in a Woman's Everyday

Objetivo: Descrever as repercussões da gravidez no cotidiano de uma mulher. Métodos: Estudo exploratório-descritivo com abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistadas 25 gestantes entre 20 e 24 semanas de gestação, atendidas em uma instituição na cidade de Fortaleza (CE). A coleta de dados foi por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, submetidas à técnica de análise de conteúdo. Foram criadas nuvens de palavras para as categorias, utilizando-se o software NVivo 11. Resultados: A análise comparativa constante permitiu a construção de duas categorias: "impacto da gravidez nas atividades diárias" e "peso corporal da gestação na moda feminina". A primeira categoria demonstrou o impacto do aumento do tamanho corporal da gestante diante das atividades comuns do dia a dia, a dificuldade para realizar certas atividades, a sobrecarga das articulações e o cansaço relacionado ao aumento do volume corporal na gestação. Os resultados da segunda categoria mostraram que as mudanças gestacionais impactam nas escolhas de vestimenta das mulheres, sendo relatadas as dificuldades para aquisição de um novo vestuário durante esta fase, a procura por lojas especializadas em moda gestante e o reaproveitamento de peças existentes com necessidade de possíveis ajustes. Conclusão: Neste estudo, possibilitou-se a análise dos sentidos atribuídos às mudanças corporais pelas gestantes e observou-se que as transformações gestacionais repercutem diretamente na realização de atividades cotidianas e nas escolhas de vestimenta de mulheres grávidas, demonstrando inúmeras dificuldades a serem compreendidas e enfrentadas durante este período.

Objective: To describe the repercussions of pregnancy on a woman's daily life. Methods: Exploratory-descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Twenty-five pregnant women were interviewed between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, attended at an institution in the city of Fortaleza (CE). Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews that were submitted to the content analysis technique. Word clouds were created for the categories, using the software NVivo 11. Results: The constant comparative analysis allowed the construction of two categories: "impact of pregnancy on daily activities" and "body weight of pregnancy on women's fashion". The first category demonstrated the impact of the increase in body size of the pregnant woman facing common daily activities, the difficulty to perform certain activities, the overload of the joints and the tiredness related to the increase in body volume in pregnancy. The results of the second category showed that gestational changes impact women's clothing choices, with difficulties reported for the acquisition of new clothing during this phase, the search for stores specializing in pregnant fashion and the reuse of existing pieces in need of possible adjustments. Conclusion: The study made it possible to analyze the meanings attributed to the body changes by pregnant women and it was observed that gestational changes have a direct impact on the performance of daily activities and on the clothing choices of pregnant women, demonstrating numerous difficulties to be understood and faced during this period.

The omission of meals is associated with excess weight in adolescents

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the association between skipping meals and excess weight in adolescents. This study used a secondary database based on cross-sectional research. Weight and height were measured for the classification of nutritional status and the omission of meals was determined from the 24-hour food record. Statistical analyses were performed on a sample stratified by age from 10 to 13 years and 14 to 19 years. There was a high prevalence of excess weight (overweight and obesity) in the sample and a high frequency of meal omission among adolescents. The omission of lunch and dinner among adolescents between 14 and 19 years and those between 10 to 13 years, respectively, was directly associated with excess weight.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la asociación entre omisión de comidas y condición de exceso de peso en adolescentes. Este es un estudio con datos secundarios de una investigación transversal. El peso y la altura se midieron para clasificar el estado nutricional y la omisión de las comidas se determinó a partir del registro de alimentos de 24 horas. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron en una muestra estratificada por edad de 10 a 13 años y de 14 a 19 años. Hubo una alta prevalencia de exceso de peso en la muestra y una alta frecuencia de omisión de comidas entre los adolescentes. La omisión del almuerzo y la cena, en los rangos de 14 a 19 años y de 10 a 13 años, respectivamente, se asoció directamente con el exceso de peso.

Determination of water-soluble vitamins and carotenoids in Brazilian tropical fruits by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Vitamins are organic compounds essential for normal physiological functioning and they need to be provided in adequate amounts by the diet. They are nutrients mainly associated to fruit consumption, playing an important role in the cellular function, growth and development of individuals. The present study aimed to analyze levels of vitamins B, C and carotenoids of fruits from the agrobiodiversity of Northeastern Brazil, among them cajuí (Anacardium spp), murici (Byrsonima crassifolia (L.) Kunth), pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.), jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), mangaba (Hancornia speciosa Gomes), bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.), cajá (Spondias mombin L.), umbu-cajá (Spondias bahiensis P. Carvalho, Van den Berg & M. Machado), umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arruda), pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.), araçá (Psidium sobralianum Landrum & Proença). The vitamins were quantified using the analytical method High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Vitamin B complex levels varied from 0.003 ± 0.01 mg/100 g to 6.107 ± 0.06 mg/100 g. Vitamin C ranged from 0.36 ± 0.06 mg/100 g to 253.92 ± 9.02 mg/100 g. Carotenoid values ranged from 0.12 ± 0.02 µg/100 g to 395.63 ± 113.69 µg/100 g. Thus, the profile of water-soluble vitamins and carotenoids of the fruits analyzed was quantified. Therefore, these fruits can provide varied amounts of vitamins important to human health. However, it is interesting for the individual to consume fruits in a diversified manner, avoiding monotony and thus guaranteeing the daily intake of more nutrients.