Prevalence of childhood anaemia in Brazil: still a serious health problem: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of anaemia in Brazilian children up to 83·9 months old. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis, using databases PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, Lilacs, Google Scholar, Periódicos Capes, Arca, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde, Microsoft Academic Search and Cochrane Library using search terms: anaemia, prevalence, child and Brazil. PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42020208818. SETTING: Cross-sectional, cohort, case-control and intervention studies published between 2007 and 2020 were searched, excluding those who assessed children with an illness or chronic condition. The main outcome was anaemia prevalence. Random effects models based on the inverse variance method were used to estimate pooled prevalence measures. Sensitivity analyses removed studies with high contribution to overall heterogeneity. PARTICIPANTS: From 6790 first screened, 134 eligible studies were included, totalling 46 978 children aged zero to 83·9 months analysed, with adequate regions representativeness. RESULTS: Pooled prevalence of anaemia was 33 % (95 % CI 30, 35). Sensitivity analyses showed that withdrawal of studies that contributed to high heterogeneity did not influence national average prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood anaemia is still a serious public health problem in Brazil, exposing 33 % of Brazilian children to the anaemia repercussions. The main limitation of the study is the estimation of national prevalence based on local surveys, but a large number of studies were included, with representation in all regions of the country, giving strength to the results. In Brazil, more public policies are needed to promote supplementation, fortification and access to healthy eating to reduce the high level of anaemia among children.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the common carotid intima-media complex in healthy and overweight/obese children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a global epidemic, including among children. It is therefore necessary to identify cardiovascular changes in overweight/obese children as early as possible. Mode B ultrasonography of the common carotids can be used to precisely evaluate in real time early changes in the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMC), which can detect onset of the atherosclerosis process. OBJECTIVES: This study compared IMC thickness between schoolchildren with and without overweight/obesity. METHODS: A sample of 59 children of both sexes, aged 7 to 10 years, were recruited from health centers in São Paulo, Brazil. Children were classified by z scores for body mass index (BMI) into two groups, with or without overweight/obesity. These groups were then compared in terms of IMC thickness. RESULTS: The groups were homogenous for age and sex. The mean IMC measurement in the group with overweight/obesity was 0.49 (± 0.07) mm, whereas in the group free from overweight/obesity it was 0.41 (± 0.05) mm (p < 0.01). These differences were maintained when groups with and without overweight/obesity were compared separately by sex and for right and left sides. The coefficient for the correlation between IMC measurement and BMI z score was 0.61 (95% confidence interval = 0.42-0.75). Within the same nutritional status group, there were no differences between sexes or between right and left sides. CONCLUSIONS: Intima-media thickness was greater among children with overweight/obesity and was directly proportional to BMI z score, denoting increased cardiovascular risk in this group.

Obesity as a Presentation of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.

Objective: To describe a case of an obese child whose weight gain was related to the Munchausen Syndrome by proxy (MSP). Methods: This is a case report including information regarding the child's clinical history and the mother's behavior. The common features of the syndrome are confronted with the description of the case, seeking to demonstrate the similarities. Results: The description ratifies the diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms presented by the child (<5 years old, frequent contacts with health system, symptoms witnessed only by the mother, confusing findings, not helped by treatments, emotionally distant father) and the attitude of the mother (concerned, interested in procedures, comfortable in the medical setting, higher medical knowledge, hostile when thwarted). Conclusion: The case presented points to a new etiology, the MSP, to be considered within the set of factors currently known to cause and maintain obesity in childhood.

Intake of Table Sugar and Their Corresponding Food Sources in Adults from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey.

Excessive intake of free sugars is associated with adverse health outcomes. Table sugar is one of the main dietary sources of free sugars; however, the amount added by Brazilian consumers in their culinary preparations is unknown. The aims were to estimate the daily intake of table sugar (g/day), its contribution to total energy intake (E%) and the main food groups that contribute to the intake of this sugar in a nationwide multi-ethnic sample of Brazilian adults (2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey). Based on two 24-h recalls adjusted for the within-person variation, the overall median table sugar intake was 14.3 g/day, corresponding to 3.2 E%. Males, individuals living in rural areas, with low income, low education and experiencing food insecurity had a higher intake of table sugar. The main food sources of table sugar were coffee (55.8%), juice (33.9%), milk-based preparations and smoothies (3.1%), powdered and processed juice (2.7%), whole milk (1.9%), and tea (1.6%). There are no recommendations regarding the limit of table sugar intake, but considering that the WHO limits the intake of free sugars to <10 E%, it is concluded that table sugar intake by Brazilians corresponds to about 30% of the upper recommended daily intake of free sugars.

What causes obesity in children and adolescents?

OBJECTIVE: To present the different aspects that may be involved in the genesis and maintenance of obesity in children and adolescents. DATA SOURCE: Narrative review of articles published in the PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms: overweight, obesity, pre-conception, prenatal, infants, schoolchildren, children, and adolescents. The search was conducted in studies written in Portuguese, English and Spanish, including narrative, integrative or systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, published between 2003 and 2023. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 598 studies were initially screened and 60 of them, which showed the main biopsychosocial aspects related to greater risks of excessive adiposity in the pediatric age, were included in the review. The data were presented taking into account the incidence of risk factors and their consequences in six periods: pre-conception, pre-natal, infant, preschool, school age, and adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: The causal factors described in the scientific literature that have been shown to be related to obesity in childhood and adolescence are presented.

Prospective Meta-analysis of Weight Loss Regained and Success Rate of Argon Plasma Coagulation to Suture and Surgery Procedures Post-bariatric Surgery: Status of the Art of Endoscopic Treatment.

BACKGROUND: This study performed a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) concerning suture (SUT) and surgery (SUR). METHODS: The One-Way tests were applied, with p <0.05 significant. The value of R2 was analyzed (heterogeneity), and the risk of bias of articles was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were found, eight about APC, twenty about SUT, and six about SUR. For the percentage of Weight Loss Regained (%WLR), the means for APC, SUT, and SUR were 19.39 ± 10.94, 26.06 ± 16.71, and 17.05 ± 9.85, and for success rate (%SR), the means were 89.75 ± 16.75, 86.80 ± 11.44, and 76.00 ± 21.57, respectively with p >0.05, with R2 ≥ 50%. CONCLUSION: The APC proved to be efficient and safe like the other techniques.

Neuronutrients and Central Nervous System: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, with a high and constant demand for inputs. Adequate nutrition is essential for the complete functioning of the brain, not only due to the energy supply, mainly from carbohydrates, but also due to the adequate supply of other macronutrients and micronutrients for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and protein components. Vitamins, minerals, and other components of the diet also constitute the so-called "neuro-nutrients". OBJECTIVE: It was to develop a systematic review to highlight key neuro-nutrients and clinical studies that direct strategies for adequate nutritional status. METHODS: The rules of the Systematic Review-PRISMA Platform were followed. The research was carried out from October 2021 to February 2022 and developed based on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Scielo, and Google Scholar. The quality of the studies was based on the GRADE instrument and the risk of bias was analyzed according to the Cochrane instrument. RESULTS: A total of 234 articles were found and 167 articles were evaluated in full, and 118 were included and evaluated in the present study. According to the GRADE instrument, most studies (>50%) followed a controlled clinical study model and had a good methodological design. The overall assessment resulted in 54 studies with a high risk of bias to the small sample size. The most important macronutrients in neuro-nutrition are phosphatidylserine and tryptophan. Micronutrients are methyl folate, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium, arginine, choline, and niacin. CONCLUSION: The areas of neurology and psychiatry have shown great advances regarding the deepening of knowledge in prophylaxis and pathophysiology, as well as in the treatment of established diseases. The recognition of the role of nutrition as an adjunct to these processes is currently growing. The search in scientific bases for neuro nutrients reveals a great growth of publications related to this theme. In the present text, some of these nutrients were explored to verify the current state of knowledge.

The triglyceride-glucose index as an indicator of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents.

Objective: To set cutoff points for the triglyceride and glucose index (TyG) as a marker of insulin resistance (IR) for the pediatric population. Subjects and methods: This was a cross-sectional study with schoolchildren population-based data using data of 377 schoolchildren age 10 to 17 years of both sexes. We studied metabolic variables associated with IR indicators, such as fasting insulin and blood glucose, to calculate the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and we studied triglycerides (TG) to determine the TyG index. We obtained TyG cutoff values for IR using the receiver operation characteristic (ROC), with definitions of sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), and area under the ROC curve (AUC), with the HOMA-IR as reference. Results: The cutoff points of the TyG index for IR in adolescents are 7.94 for both sexes, 7.91 for boys, and 7.94 for girls, indicating moderate discriminatory power. When we also considered anthropometric variables of excess weight [TyG-BMI (body mass index)] and visceral fat [TyG-WC (waist circumference)], these indexes reached AUC values higher than 0.72, enhancing their potential use for a good diagnosis. Conclusion: TyG has proven to be a useful instrument for identifying IR in adolescent health screening, with high discrimination capacity when added to anthropometric variables, making it a feasible and inexpensive option.

Low bioavailability of dietary iron among Brazilian children: Study in a representative sample from the Northeast, Southeast, and South regions.

Background: Despite all efforts, iron deficiency anemia remains a serious public health problem among Brazilian children. Objective: To evaluate dietary iron intake and dietary practices that interfere with the absorption of this nutrient from three regions of Brazil. Methods: Brazil Kids Nutrition and Health Study is a cross-sectional dietary intake study in children aged 4-13.9 years old designed to investigate nutrient intakes and gaps of Brazilian children in a representative sample of households from Northeast, Southeast and South regions. Nutrient intake was assessed based on multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall and U.S. National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual micronutrients intakes and compliance with Dietary Reference Intakes. Results: Five hundred sixteen individuals participated in the study (52.3% male). The top three most consumed food sources of iron were products of plant origin. Food sources of animal origin contributed with <20% of the total iron intake. Vitamin C intake was adequate, but the concomitant consumption of food sources of vitamin C with plant food sources of iron was not common. On the other hand, the concomitant intake of plant food sources of iron with food sources of iron chelators (e.g., coffee and teas) was frequent. Conclusions: Adequate iron intake was observed in all three regions in Brazil. Children's diet showed low iron bioavailability and insufficient consumption of food sources of iron absorption stimulants. Frequent presence of iron chelators and inhibitors of iron absorption might help to explain the high prevalence of iron deficiency in the country.

Clinical Evolution of Preschool Picky Eater Children Receiving Oral Nutritional Supplementation during Six Months: A Prospective Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if oral nutritional supplementation of picky eater children has a beneficial effect in addition to nutritional guidance on anthropometric parameters, nutrient intake, appetite, physical activity, and health complications. METHODS: This is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial that included Brazilian picky eater children aged 24 to 60 months. The individuals were randomized into a control group (CG) (n = 17) and an intervention group (IG) (n = 18), and were followed up in seven meetings for 180 days (baseline plus one meeting every 30 days). The CG received nutritional guidance for food selectivity, while the IG received the same guidance plus oral nutritional supplementation. Anthropometric and nutrient intake assessments were carried out, and appetite, physical activity and health complications were investigated. RESULTS: In the IG, the z-score of weight and height increased significantly over time (p < 0.05), while the body fat percentage (BFP) and BMI z-score remained unchanged. The percentage of inadequate intake of vitamins D, C and folate reduced in the IG over time compared to the CG (p < 0.05). In the IG, the score assigned by parents to the appetite scale increased over time (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in the scores on the physical activity and global health scales, and in the number of health complications. CONCLUSIONS: Picky eater children that were supplemented increased their weight not by gaining fat, but due to an increase in stature, as shown by BMI z-score and BFP, that remained unchanged. Furthermore, they showed a decrease in inadequate micronutrient intake during the intervention. An improvement in appetite was also observed over time, attesting to the benefit of supplementation.

Food Insecurity Reduces the Chance of Following a Nutrient-Dense Dietary Pattern by Brazilian Adults: Insights from a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Dietary patterns derived by data-driven techniques are still scarce in the food security context and may be a useful tool to inform policymakers to promote adequate and healthy diets for vulnerable populations. We investigated the association between food security status and dietary patterns among 28,127 Brazilian adults using data from the 2017-2018 Household Budget Survey. Food security status was measured by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Food items reported in two 24 h dietary recalls were combined into food groups. Dietary patterns were derived from exploratory factor analysis, and participants were grouped according to their factor scores by K-means cluster analysis. Multiple logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the association between food security status and clusters of adherence to dietary patterns. Four dietary patterns were derived: 'Brazilian breakfast style' (cluster 3), 'Brazilian Traditional staple foods' (cluster 2), 'Beverages, ready-to-eat and convenience foods' (cluster 4), and 'Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains' (cluster 1). After adjustments, food insecurity was inversely associated with adherence to the 'Fruits vegetables, and whole grains' pattern (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.63-0.89). Findings suggest food insecurity negatively impact the adoption of a nutrient-dense dietary pattern and highlight the critical role of policy actions in a scenario of increasing food insecurity.

Prevalence of Excess Sodium Intake and Their Corresponding Food Sources in Adults from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey.

Excessive sodium intake has been related to high blood pressure, a central risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the present work, updated estimates of sodium intake, the main food sources, and the prevalence of excessive intakes in a nationwide multi-ethnic sample of Brazilian adults (2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey) were presented. Based on two 24-h recalls adjusted for the within-person variation, the overall median of sodium intake was 2432 mg. The prevalence of adults exceeding the recommended limits (tolerable upper limit, UL, and the chronic disease risk reduction cut-off point, CDRR) was 61% and 56%, respectively. The median sodium intake and proportion of individuals above the limits varied according to the subgroups evaluated. Males and adults (20-29 years) presented the highest excessive sodium intakes, and consequently, lowest adherence rates to UL and CDRR recommendations. The top food sources of sodium were white bread and toast (12.3%), beans (11.6%), white rice (10.6%), beef (7.7%), and poultry meat (5.5%). Given the health benefits of dietary sodium reduction, it would be advisable to enhance the current national initiatives of awareness and educational campaigns' combined efforts to reduce sodium in processed foods to effectively decrease this micronutrient intake across the Brazilian population.

Vitamin A deficiency and association between serum retinol and IGF-1 concentrations in Brazilian children with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and serum concentrations of retinol, correlating them with IGF-1 concentrations in preschoolers with DS. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 47 children with DS aged 24 to 72 months, in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. VAD was determined by the relative dose-response (RDR) test. Retinol serum concentration ≤ 0.70 µmol/L and IGF-1 serum concentration below the 3rd percentile for sex and age were considered to represent deficiency. C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined at the beginning of the study. Weight, height, and information about fever and/or diarrhea were obtained at the beginning of the study. RESULTS: VAD prevalence was 25.5% (12/47), and 74.5% (35/47) of the children had deficient retinol before the intervention. CRP was not associated with VAD. Mean IGF-1 were 103.5 ng/mL (SD = 913) for the group with VAD and 116.3 ng/mL (SD = 54.9) for the group with no VAD (p-value = 0.85); 8.5% (4/47) of the children showed deficient IGF-1, but without VAD. No association was observed between VAD and IGF-1 deficiency. A moderate positive correlation was observed between pre-intervention retinol and IGF-1 (ρ = 0.37; p-value = 0.01). CONCLUSION: a high prevalence of VAD and deficient retinol was observed and there was a positive correlation between serum retinol and IGF-1.

Anthropometric Indicators of Body Composition Associated With Lipid and Glycemic Profiles in Overweight Brazilian Children and Adolescents From 2008 to 2020.

Background: Anthropometric indicators have been used to predict health problems. The objective was to determine which indicators present better correlation with dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and peripheral insulin resistance, as well as the cutoff points capable of predicting lipid and glycemic alterations in Brazilian children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted with 568 overweight individuals, aged between 5 and 18 years, living in Southeast and South Brazilian regions, submitted to anthropometric and body composition evaluation by bioimpedance, in addition to fasting laboratory tests [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting glycemia, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)]. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the association between anthropometric indicators and serum biomarkers. The ROC curve with Youden's J index was used to suggest anthropometric cutoff points with better ability to predict or rule out lipid and glycemic changes. Results: Cutoff points obtained for the z-score of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist circumference for height (WC/H) showed high specificity (52 to 87%) and low sensitivity (23 to 59%), indicating greater ability to exclude changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR levels. Cutoff points suggested for BMI ranged from +1.86 to +2.20 z-score. WC cutoff points ranged from +1.29 to +1.72, and, for the WC/H index, from +1.21 to +1.25. It was suggested the use of the following cutoff points to rule out changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR values in clinical practice: BMI < z-score +2 and WC/H < z-score +1.29. In body fat percentage (BFP) analyses, the cutoff point < of 34% may be able to rule out changes in HDL-c (specificity of 70%), while the cutoff point > 36.6% may be able to predict changes in the HOMA-IR index (sensitivity of 76%). Conclusion: It is not yet possible to state which anthropometric parameter has the best correlation with lipid and glycemic alterations in overweight children and adolescents. We suggest considering BMI, WC, and WC/H cutoff points together to rule out changes in HDL-c, TG, and HOMA-IR, and use the BFP cutoff point to predict changes in HOMA-IR.

Integrative Strategies for Preventing Nutritional Problems in the Development of Children in Brazil.

Child healthcare has been a priority subject in several programs and public policies developed over the decades. However, initiatives implemented seem insufficient to overcome the challenges regarding the integral development and improvement of the nutritional status of children in Brazil. The initial developmental stages of a child include pregnancy, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding, which are determinants in future aspects of health and nutritional status. Therefore, the strategies addressing problems during these three periods of life have the potential to positively impact the promotion of healthy eating habits and food security throughout life. Developing countries with huge dimensions and vast inequalities, like Brazil, are marked by differences in regional, cultural, and social contexts that may hinder the implementation of programs and policies with a broad scope. Extensive operational and professional costs, in addition to time-consuming activities that are necessary to apply, monitor, and evaluate interventions may jeopardize the proper assessment of programs and policy goals, generating the inefficiency and waste of resources in the health system. Thus, programs and policies aimed at creating and modifying habits should consider an intersectoral action within local contexts, involving health professionals, universities, policy managers, and the community. Therefore, this article aimed to discuss the preliminary conception of an integrated approach of decentralized strategies to promote healthy eating habits and food security of children in Brazil.

Pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19: urgent attention required.

OBJECTIVE: To identify epidemiological and clinical characteristics of multisystemic inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus infection as one of the severe forms of COVID-19 involvement in children and adolescents. METHODS: review was based on articles published in 2020 in the PubMed, Medline, Scopus, SciELO and Cochrane databases. SUMMARY: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome is a serious clinical disorder that affects children and adolescents and is associated with the detection of previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. It is characterized by the installation of a shock picture, with a significant increase in inflammatory markers such as presentations of Kawasaki Disease or shock syndrome related to Kawasaki Disease, or even toxic shock syndrome, with the clinical picture being characterized by fever of difficult control, rash, conjunctivitis, peripheral edema, generalized pain in the extremities and gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although the vast majority of children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, it is necessary to consider that some have a hyperinflammatory response. It is essential that health professionals receive information that can assist in the recognition of this clinical condition, differentiating it from other diagnoses, so that early and appropriate treatment is instituted.

COVID-19 and obesity in childhood and adolescence: a clinical review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that contribute to the increased susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 in obese children and adolescents, and its health consequences. SOURCES: Studies published between 2000 and 2020 in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, and Cochrane databases. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: Obesity is a highly prevalent comorbidity in severe cases of COVID-19 in children and adolescents; social isolation may lead to increase fat accumulation. Excessive adipose tissue, deficit in lean mass, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and low intake of essential nutrients are factors that compromise the functioning of organs and systems in obese individuals. These factors are associated with damage to immune, cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary systems, along with modification of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). In severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, these organic changes from obesity may increase the need for ventilatory assistance, risk of thromboembolism, reduced glomerular filtration rate, changes in the innate and adaptive immune response, and perpetuation of the chronic inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: The need for social isolation can have the effect of causing or worsening obesity and its comorbidities, and pediatricians need to be aware of this issue. Facing children with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, health professionals should 1) diagnose excess weight; 2) advise on health care in times of isolation; 3) screen for comorbidities, ensuring that treatment is not interrupted; 4) measure levels of immunonutrients; 5) guide the family in understanding the specifics of the situation; and 6) refer to units qualified to care for obese children and adolescents when necessary.

What causes obesity in children and adolescents?

Abstract Objective To present the different aspects that may be involved in the genesis and maintenance of obesity in children and adolescents. Data source Narrative review of articles published in the PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, using the search terms: overweight, obesity, pre-conception, prenatal, infants, schoolchildren, children, and adolescents. The search was conducted in studies written in Portuguese, English and Spanish, including narrative, integrative or systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies, published between 2003 and 2023. Data synthesis A total of 598 studies were initially screened and 60 of them, which showed the main biopsychosocial aspects related to greater risks of excessive adiposity in the pediatric age, were included in the review. The data were presented taking into account the incidence of risk factors and their consequences in six periods: pre-conception, pre-natal, infant, preschool, school age, and adolescence. Conclusions The causal factors described in the scientific literature that have been shown to be related to obesity in childhood and adolescence are presented.

Different Criteria for the Definition of Insulin Resistance and Its Relation with Dyslipidemia in Overweight and Obese Children and Adolescents.

PURPOSE: to compare cut off points corrected for age and gender (COOP) with fixed cut off points (FCOP) for fasting plasma insulin and Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for the diagnosis of IR in obese children and adolescents and their correlation with dyslipidemia. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional study including 383 subjects aged 7 to 18 years, evaluating fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, and lipid profile. Subjects with high insulin levels and/or HOMA-IR were considered as having IR, based on two defining criteria: FCOP or CCOP. The frequency of metabolic abnormalities, the presence of IR, and the presence of dyslipidemia in relation to FCOP or CCOP were analyzed using Fisher and Mann-Whitney exact tests. RESULTS: Using HOMA-IR, IR was diagnosed in 155 (40.5%) and 215 (56.1%) patients and, using fasting insulin, 150 (39.2%) and 221 (57.7%), respectively applying FCOP and CCOP. The use of CCOP resulted in lower insulin and HOMA-IR values than FCOP. Dyslipidemia was not related to FCOP or CCOP. Blood glucose remained within normal limits in all patients with IR. There was no difference in the frequency of IR identified by plasma insulin or HOMA-IR, both for FCOP and CCOP. CONCLUSION: The CCOP of plasma insulin or of HOMA-IR detected more cases of IR as compared to the FCOP, but were not associated with the frequency of dyslipidemia. As blood glucose has almost no fluctuation in this age group, even in the presence of IR, fasting plasma insulin detected the same cases of IR that would be detected by HOMA-IR.

Correlation of body mass index Z-scores with glucose and lipid profiles among overweight and obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormalities in plasma lipid and glucose profiles among overweight and obese children and adolescents, and to assess the presence of a correlation between body mass index Z-scores and indicators of comorbidities related to both profiles. METHODS: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted at two outpatient clinics. The study included all 417 comers for the first visit from 2008 to 2012, aged between 7 and 18 years, with BMI above the Z-score +1. Anthropometry and blood sampling were obtained. The prevalence of dyslipidemias, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance were evaluated, together with the correlations of these variables with the increase of Z-BMI. RESULTS: Dyslipidemia was observed in 43.4% of the boys and 66.1% of the girls, with no difference between genders. High glucose levels were detected in 6.2% of the individuals. Insulin resistance was present in 32.3% and 41.7% of the cases, with no statistical significance between boys and girls. Correlations between the Z-BMI were noted for triglycerides in the entire group and among girls; for HDL-c, only among girls; for glucose, a correlation was observed for the entire group, but not when stratified by gender. The indicators of insulin resistance were all correlated with Z-BMI, even when corrected for age. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity give origin to a high prevalence of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. BMI Z-scores showed a weak positive correlation with glucose and triglyceride, and negative with HDL-c. In turn, the strongest positive correlation was found with insulin resistance indicators.