Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis Provides No Evidence of Intervention Response Variation in Individuals Supplementing With Beta-Alanine.

Currently, little is known about the extent of interindividual variability in response to beta-alanine (BA) supplementation, nor what proportion of said variability can be attributed to external factors or to the intervention itself (intervention response). To investigate this, individual participant data on the effect of BA supplementation on a high-intensity cycling capacity test (CCT110%) were meta-analyzed. Changes in time to exhaustion (TTE) and muscle carnosine were the primary and secondary outcomes. Multilevel distributional Bayesian models were used to estimate the mean and SD of BA and placebo group change scores. The relative sizes of group SDs were used to infer whether observed variation in change scores were due to intervention or non-intervention-related effects. Six eligible studies were identified, and individual data were obtained from four of these. Analyses showed a group effect of BA supplementation on TTE (7.7, 95% credible interval [CrI] [1.3, 14.3] s) and muscle carnosine (18.1, 95% CrI [14.5, 21.9] mmol/kg DM). A large intervention response variation was identified for muscle carnosine (σIR = 5.8, 95% CrI [4.2, 7.4] mmol/kg DM) while equivalent change score SDs were shown for TTE in both the placebo (16.1, 95% CrI [13.0, 21.3] s) and BA (15.9, 95% CrI [13.0, 20.0] s) conditions, with the probability that SD was greater in placebo being 0.64. In conclusion, the similarity in observed change score SDs between groups for TTE indicates the source of variation is common to both groups, and therefore unrelated to the supplement itself, likely originating instead from external factors such as nutritional intake, sleep patterns, or training status.

Patients living with HIV have quantitatively inadequate food consumption.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to estimate energy expenditure and compare it with the usual food consumption of PLWH, and to determine whether duration of high-potency antiretroviral therapy (HAART) influenced nutritional intake and adequacy. Materials and methods: Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provided data for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) using Melchior's equations. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and 24-Hour Recall were used to verify if reported food intake aligned with energy, macro and micronutrient recommendations. Results: Sixty one patients with a mean age of 52 ± 9.4 years and who had a high frequency of diabetes mellitus (24.5%), hypertension (54%), and dyslipidemia (90.1%) were evaluated. Estimated REE of female and male patients with less than 10 years of HAART was 1791 (1717.5; 1887.2) and 1941 (1808; 2335.6), and their estimated energy intake was 900.5 (847;1221.9) and 2095.4 (1297.5; 2496.4), respectively. The estimated REE for female and male patients with more than 10 years of HAART was 1796.20 (1598.9;1820.7) and 2105 (1913.4; 2308), and their estimated energy intake was 1566 (1353.1; 1764.3) and 1999.7 (1706.5; 2508.1), respectively. Being on HAART for more than 10 years was associated with increased energy intake (533 (95% CI 3; 1063) kcals), but not with meeting energy requirements. Conclusion: Patients had an atherogenic metabolic profile, inadequate dietary pattern, and a similar REE, regardless of HAART duration, contributing even more to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Performing moderate to severe activity is safe and tolerable for healthy youth while wearing a cloth facemask.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if a cloth facemask could affect physiological and perceptual responses to exercise at distinct exercise intensities in healthy young individuals. METHODS: Nine participants (sex, female/male: 6/3; age: 13±1 years; VO2peak: 44.5±5.5 mL/kg/min) underwent a progressive square-wave test at four intensities: (1) 80% of ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT), (2) VAT, and (3) 40% between VAT and [Formula: see text] wearing a triple-layered cloth facemask or not. Participants then completed a final stage to exhaustion at a running speed equivalent to the maximum achieved during the cardio-respiratory exercise test (Peak). Physiological, metabolic, and perceptual measures were measured. RESULTS: Mask did not affect spirometry (forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume; all p≥0.27), respiratory (inspiratory capacity, end-expiratory volume [EELV] to functional vital capacity ratio, EELV, respiratory frequency [Rf], tidal volume [VT], Rf/VT, end-tidal carbo dioxide pressure, ventilatory equivalent to carbon dioxide ratio; all p≥0.196), hemodynamic (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure; all p>0.41), ratings of perceived exertion (p = 0.04) or metabolic measures (lactate; p = 0.78) at rest or at any exercise intensity. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that performing moderate to severe activity is safe and tolerable for healthy youth while wearing a cloth facemask. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04887714.

Nutritional Inadequacies Among Post-bariatric Patients During COVID-19 Quarantine in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Post bariatric control of food intake is influenced by psychological and behavioral factors. We investigated dietary habits and food intake during COVID-19 quarantine among recently operated patients. Patients were assessed for total and per meal energy and macronutrient intake as well as frequency of food consumption per processing level. Patients were also classified according to adherence to nutritional recommendations from our outpatient clinic. Main results are indicative of inappropriate nutritional intake during COVID-19 quarantine in postoperative bariatric patients. We observed that many patients failed to meet the recommended protein intake (89.2%) along a relatively high intake of ultra-processed foods (~1/4 of the diet). Our data suggest the need for the implementation of strategies to extend nutritional care to at-risk patients during social distancing.

Influence of Body Mass Index on Eating Habits and Food Choice Determinants Among Brazilian Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Changes in emotional state due to the COVID-19 pandemic may potentially modify eating habits, which may differ as a function of body mass index (BMI). Using a self-reported, questionnaire-based survey we evaluated Brazilian women during the pandemic for: (i) the influence of BMI on changes in eating habits, food choice determinants, and psychological symptoms; (ii) associations between eating habits, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms. General characteristics, anthropometric data, eating habits before and during the pandemic, food choice determinants and psychological symptoms during the pandemic were collected between June and September, 2020. Participants (n = 1,183) were normal weight (60.4%), overweight (26.2%) and obese (13.4%). A higher frequency of "cooking" (72.3-77.6%, p = 0.004) and "use of delivery service" (29.8-48.8%, p < 0.001) was reported during, in comparison to before the pandemic. Additionally, a higher prevalence of "snacking" (57.1-63.8%, p = 0.005) and "eating at table" (78.5-82.7%, p < 0.001) was reported during the pandemic, while the number of participants reporting "dieting" decreased (28.7-20.4%, p < 0.001). "Health", "natural concerns" and "need and hunger" were less important determinants for participants with overweight/obesity compared to normal weight. Regression analysis indicated that (i) "health", "natural concerns" and "affect regulation"; (ii) "health", "pleasure", "convenience", and "natural concerns"; and (iii) "visual appeal" and "pleasure" were the food choice determinants more associated with eating habits among women with normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively. In conclusion, eating habits were modified during the pandemic despite BMI, whereas food choice determinants differed between overweight/obesity and normal weight women.

Poor Eating Habits and Selected Determinants of Food Choice Were Associated With Ultraprocessed Food Consumption in Brazilian Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between food consumption and eating habits and food choice determinants in women during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted in Brazil between June and September, 2020, during which time social distancing measures were in place. Results: Participants (n = 629) were aged 34.0 years and mostly within normal weight according to BMI (60.4%). "Snacking" and "liking" associated with increased energy (ß = 164.27 and ß = 110.24) and carbohydrate intake (ß = 1.97 and ß = 1.80), and with reduced protein intake (ß = -1.54 and ß = -1.18). In contrast, "dieting" and "weight control" associated with reduced energy (ß = -162.57 and ß = -111.49) and carbohydrate intake (ß = -2.78 and ß = -2.07), and with increased protein intake (ß = 3.78 and ß = 1.65). "Dieting" (ß = 7.27), "need and hunger" (ß = 3.34), and "health" (ß = 4.94) associated with an increased consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods, whereas "replacing main meals with snacks" (ß = -8.98), "snacking" (ß = -6.92) and binge eating symptoms (ß = -0.34) associated with reduced consumption of foods within this processing level. In contrast, "use of delivery services" (ß = 3.39), "replacing main meals with snacks" (ß = 5.49), "visual appeal" (ß = 2.17), "social norms" (ß = 2.19) and "affect regulation" (ß = 2.01) associated with increased ultraprocessed food consumption. Overall, associations were more frequent and pronounced when analyzing food consumption by processing level rather than by macronutrient intake. Conclusion: Some eating habits and food choice determinants ("snacking," "replacing meals with snacks," "use of delivery services") observed during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with an unhealthy diet (high energy and carbohydrate consumption, increased ultraprocessed food consumption and reduced unprocessed/minimally processed foods consumption) in Brazilian women.

Patients living with HIV have quantitatively inadequate food consumption

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the current study was to estimate energy expenditure and compare it with the usual food consumption of PLWH, and to determine whether duration of high-potency antiretroviral therapy (HAART) influenced nutritional intake and adequacy. Materials and methods: Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provided data for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) using Melchior's equations. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and 24-Hour Recall were used to verify if reported food intake aligned with energy, macro and micronutrient recommendations. Results: Sixty one patients with a mean age of 52 ± 9.4 years and who had a high frequency of diabetes mellitus (24.5%), hypertension (54%), and dyslipidemia (90.1%) were evaluated. Estimated REE of female and male patients with less than 10 years of HAART was 1791 (1717.5; 1887.2) and 1941 (1808; 2335.6), and their estimated energy intake was 900.5 (847;1221.9) and 2095.4 (1297.5; 2496.4), respectively. The estimated REE for female and male patients with more than 10 years of HAART was 1796.20 (1598.9;1820.7) and 2105 (1913.4; 2308), and their estimated energy intake was 1566 (1353.1; 1764.3) and 1999.7 (1706.5; 2508.1), respectively. Being on HAART for more than 10 years was associated with increased energy intake (533 (95% CI 3; 1063) kcals), but not with meeting energy requirements. Conclusion: Patients had an atherogenic metabolic profile, inadequate dietary pattern, and a similar REE, regardless of HAART duration, contributing even more to the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.