Serum Zinc Concentrations by Inflammation Status, Time of Day, and Fasting Status for Estimating Zinc Deficiency in 6-59-Mo-Old Children: Results from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

BACKGROUND: Serum zinc concentration (SZC) is considered the best biomarker of zinc status in population-level evaluations. However, zinc deficiency (ZD) estimations can be biased if they do not consider blood collection timing, inflammation, and fasting status. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine SZC without and with adjustment for inflammation, according to blood collection timing and fasting status, estimate ZD prevalence, and evaluate the associated factors with ZD in a representative sample of Brazilian children aged <5 y. METHODS: Population-based study with 7597 children aged 6-59 mo surveyed by the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition. SZC was adjusted for inflammation using the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia regression correction approach, with high-sensitive C-reactive protein, assessed according to blood collection timing (morning/afternoon) and fasting status (<8 and ≥8 h). SZC <65 µg/dL (morning collection) or SZC <57 µg/dL (afternoon collection) were classified as ZD. The analysis between associated factors and ZD used the adjusted prevalence ratio (PR). RESULTS: After adjusting for inflammation, SZC was higher in all percentiles and varied according to collection timing and fasting status. Children who had blood collected in the morning without fasting or in the afternoon had lower SZC than those assessed in the morning with fasting. The differences in adjusted SZC according to the timing of collection and fasting status were greater in the higher percentiles of the distribution, with the greatest absolute difference observed when comparing the 95th percentile of morning fasting compared with nonfasting (20.3 µg/dL). The prevalence of ZD estimated without and with adjusting SZC for inflammation was 17.8% and 13.8%, respectively. The occurrence of diarrhea, fever, or respiratory symptoms in the 15 d before blood collection was associated with a higher prevalence of ZD (PR: 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.04, 1.94). CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting SZC for inflammation and considering fasting status is important to avoid overestimating the prevalence of ZD.

Prevalence and predictors of vitamin D insufficiency in Brazilian children under 5 years of age: Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

To analyse the association of socio-demographic and health factors with vitamin D insufficiency and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration in Brazilian children aged 6-59 months. Data from 8145 children from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) were analysed. The serum concentration of 25(OHD)D was measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l) and 95 % CI was calculated. Logistic and linear regression models were used to identify the variables associated with vitamin D insufficiency and serum 25(OH)D concentrations, respectively. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 98·6 ± 36·0 nmol/l, and 4·3 % of the children presented vitamin D insufficiency. Children aged 6-23 months (OR = 2·23; 95 % CI 1·52, 3·26); belonging to Southeast (OR = 5·55; 95 % CI 2·34, 13·17) and South (OR = 4·57; 95 % CI 1·77, 11·84) regions; the second tertile of the National Wealth Score (OR = 2·14; 95 % CI 1·16, 3·91) and winter (OR = 5·82; 95 % CI 2·67, 12·71) and spring (OR = 4·84; 95 % CI 2·17, 10·80) seasons of blood collection were associated with a higher chance of vitamin D insufficiency. Female sex (ß = -5·66, 95 % CI - 7·81, -3·51), urban location (ß = -14·19, 95 % CI -21·0, -7·22) and no vitamin D supplement use (ß = -6·01, 95 % CI -9·64, -2·39) were inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D concentration. The age of children and the Brazilian geographical region of household location were the main predictors of vitamin D insufficiency. In Brazil, vitamin D insufficiency among children aged 6-59 months is low and is not a relevant public health problem.

High Serum Folate Concentration, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, and Anthropometric Nutritional Status in Brazilian Children Aged 6-59 Months: Data from the Brazilian National Survey of Child Nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 and folate are key nutrients that help children reach their full potential in growth and development; however, little is known about the status of these vitamins in Brazilian children. OBJECTIVES: To describe the serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate, to investigate the association between high folate concentration (HFC) and vitamin B12 deficiency, and to evaluate the association between vitamin B12 and stunting/underweight in Brazilian children aged 6-59 mo. METHODS: Data from 7417 children aged 6-59 mo collected during the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition were used. Serum concentrations of vitamin B12 of <150 pmol/L and folate of <10 nmol/L were classified as deficient, and folate concentrations of >45.3 nmol/L were classified as HFC. Children with length/height-for-age z-score of less than -2 were considered stunted, and those with weight-for-age z-score of less than -2 were underweight. Logistic regression models were performed. RESULTS: In Brazil, 14.2% (95% CI: 12.2, 16.1) of children aged 6-59 mo had vitamin B12 deficiency, 1.1% (95% CI: 0.5, 1.6) had folate deficiency, and 36.9% (95% CI: 33.4, 40.3) had HFC. Vitamin B12 deficiency was higher in children from the northern region of Brazil (28.5%), between 6 and 24 mo (25.3%), whose mothers had lower formal education (0-7 y; 18.7%). Children with HFC had 62% lower odds (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.54) of vitamin B12 deficiency than those with normal/deficient folate. Children with vitamin B12 deficiency and normal/deficient folate had higher odds of stunting (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.43) than children without vitamin B12 deficiency and normal/deficient folate. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 deficiency is a public health problem among Brazilian children aged <2 y with vulnerable socioeconomic status. HFC was inversely associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, and lower odds of stunting were observed in children with HFC and vitamin B12 deficiency than in those with vitamin B12 deficiency and normal/deficient folate.

Prepregnancy Body Mass Index and Lipoprotein Fractions are Associated with Changes in Women's Serum Metabolome from Late Pregnancy to the First Months of Postpartum.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and postpartum are periods of intense changes in women's metabolism. The knowledge of the metabolites and maternal factors underlying these changes is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the maternal factors that could influence serum metabolome changes from late pregnancy to the first months of postpartum. METHODS: Sixty-eight healthy women from a Brazilian prospective cohort were included. Maternal blood and general characteristics were collected during pregnancy (28-35 wk) and postpartum (27-45 d). A targeted metabolomics approach was applied to quantify 132 serum metabolites, including amino acids, biogenic amines, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), diacyl phosphatidylcholines (PC), alkyl:acyl phosphatidylcholines (PC-O), sphingomyelins with (SM) and without hydroxylation [SM(OH)], and hexoses. Metabolome changes from pregnancy to postpartum were measured as log2 fold change (log2FC), and simple linear regressions were employed to evaluate associations between maternal variables and metabolite log2FC. Multiple comparison-adjusted P values of < 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Of 132 metabolites quantified in serum, 90 changed from pregnancy to postpartum. Most metabolites belonging to PC and PC-O classes decreased, whereas most LPC, acylcarnitines, biogenic amines, and a few amino acids increased in postpartum. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) showed positive associations with leucine and proline. A clear opposite change pattern was observed for most metabolites across ppBMI categories. Few phosphatidylcholines were decreased in women with normal ppBMI, while an increase was observed in women with obesity. Similarly, women with high postpartum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol showed increased sphingomyelins, whereas a decrease was observed for women with lower levels of those lipoproteins. CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed several maternal serum metabolomic changes from pregnancy to postpartum, and the maternal ppBMI and plasma lipoproteins were associated with these changes. We highlight the importance of the nutritional care of women prepregnancy to improve their metabolic risk profile.

Maternal serum amino acids and hydroxylated sphingomyelins at pregnancy are associated with anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and throughout the first year after delivery.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest an interplay between maternal metabolome and mental health. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of maternal serum metabolome at pregnancy with anxiety scores during pregnancy and throughout the first year postpartum. METHODS: A prospective cohort of Brazilian women collected 119 serum metabolome at pregnancy (28-38 weeks) and anxiety scores measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at pregnancy (n = 118), 1 (n = 83), 6 (n = 68), and 12 (n = 57) months postpartum. Targeted metabolomics quantified metabolites belonging to amino acids (AA), biogenic amines/amino acid-related compounds, acylcarnitines, lysophosphatidylcholines, diacyl phosphatidylcholines, alkyl:acyl phosphatidylcholines, non-hydroxylated and hydroxylated sphingomyelins [SM(OH)], and hexoses classes. Linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the association of metabolites and STAI scores. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analyses were employed to identify clusters and metabolites, which drove their main differences. Multiple comparison-adjusted p-values (q-value) ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: AA (ß = -1.44) and SM(OH) (ß = -1.49) classes showed an association with STAI scores trajectory (q-value = 0.047). Two clusters were identified based on these classes. Women in cluster 2 had decreased AA and SM(OH) concentrations and higher STAI scores (worse symptoms) trajectory (ß = 2.28; p-value = 0.041). Isoleucine, leucine, valine, SM(OH) 22:1, 22:2, and 24:1 drove the main differences between the clusters. LIMITATIONS: The target semiquantitative metabolome analysis and small sample size limited our conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that AA and SM(OH) during pregnancy play a role in anxiety symptoms throughout the first year postpartum.

Characterization of micronutrient supplements use by Brazilian children 6-59 months of age: Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

This study aimed to characterize micronutrient supplements use among Brazilian children 6-59 months of age included in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019; n = 12,598). Micronutrient supplements use at the time of the interview and the 6 months prior to it was evaluated using a structured questionnaire. The following indicators were included: micronutrient supplement use; supplements containing a single micronutrient; supplements of the Brazilian National Iron Supplementation Program (PNSF); multivitamin supplements with or without minerals; multivitamin supplements with minerals; multivitamin supplements without minerals. The estimates and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for Brazil and according to macroregion, educational level of the mother or caregiver, and type of health care service used, considering the sampling plan, weights, and calibration. In Brazil, the prevalence of micronutrient supplements use was 54.2% (95%CI: 50.5; 57.8), with the highest prevalence in the North Region (80.2%; 95%CI: 74.9; 85.6) and among children 6-23 months of age (69.5%; 95%CI: 65.7; 73.3). The prevalence of the use of supplements containing exclusively iron and exclusively vitamin A in Brazil was 14.6% (95%CI: 13.1; 16.1) and 23.3% (95%CI: 19.4; 27.1), respectively. The prevalence of the use of multivitamin with or without minerals in Brazilian children 6-59 months of age was 24.3% (95%CI: 21.4; 27.2). These results may help to understand the practice of supplements use among Brazilian children and support the proposal of national public policies for the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies.

Association of development quotient with nutritional status of vitamins B6, B12, and folate in 6-59-month-old children: Results from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

BACKGROUND: Vitamins B6, B12, and folate are essential for the formation and maintenance of the human brain, but studies evaluating these vitamins with early childhood development (ECD) in children under 5 y are limited and controversial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between vitamins B6, B12, and folate concentrations/status and ECD. METHODS: Data regarding 6520 children aged 6-59 mo from the ENANI-2019 (the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition) were analyzed. ECD was assessed using the Survey of Well-being of Young Children's milestones questionnaire. Vitamin B6 concentration (nmol/L) was classified according to the tertile of the distribution and with the cutoff <20 nmol/L. Folate concentrations >45.3 nmol/L were classified as high, and vitamin B12 <150 pmol/L was deficient. The graded response model was used to estimate developmental age, and the developmental quotient (DQ) was calculated as the developmental age divided by chronological age. Multiple linear regression models were adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: The DQ mean (95% confidence interval) for Brazilian children was 0.99 (0.97-1.01). Children aged 6-23 mo [1.13 (1.10-1.16)] had a higher DQ mean than those aged 24-35 [0.99 (0.95-1.03)] and 36-59 mo [0.89 (0.86-0.92)]. Child age was inversely associated with DQ (ß = -0.007; P < 0.001). An interaction between child age and vitamin B12 deficiency in the DQ (ß = -0.005; P < 0.001) indicated that, in children aged 36-59 mo, the DQ was markedly lower in children with vitamin B12 deficiency than in those without vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B6 concentrations were directly associated with the DQ (ß = 0.0004; P = 0.031) among children aged 24-59 mo in the adjusted model. No association was observed between folate status and DQ. CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, the DQ is lower among older children and those with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B6 status was directly associated with the DQ in children aged 24-59 mo.

The National Wealth Score in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

The National Wealth Score (IEN) is a synthetic household index that assesses socioeconomic conditions. This study aims to present the methods used to update the IEN using data from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019). The following items were included: the education level of the mother or caregiver of the child; the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, TV sets, and cars in the household; and the presence of a radio, refrigerator or freezer, washing machine, microwave oven, telephone line, computers, air conditioner, media player devices, cable or satellite TV, cell phone ownership and type of service, cell phone internet, and internet at the household. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to estimate the IEN with and without incorporating the complex sampling design (CSD). Thus, the IEN validation considered proxy indicators of socioeconomic status and living conditions. The first component of the PCA explained 31% and 71% of the variation with and without incorporating the CSD, respectively. The coefficients of variation of the IEN were 53.4% and 2.6% with and without incorporating the CSD, respectively. The mean IEN score was lower in households without access to a sewage system, those that received benefits from Brazilian Income Transfer Program, those with some degree of food insecurity, and those with stunted children. Adding ENANI-2019 items to the calculation of IEN to capture technological advances resulted in a better fit of the model. Incorporating the CSD increased PCA performance and the IEN precision. The new IEN has an adequate performance in determining the socioeconomic status of households with children aged under five years.

Minimum dietary diversity and consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian children 6-23 months of age.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and consumption of ultra-processed foods in children 6-23 months of age according to sociodemographic variables. Three indicators of complementary feeding of 4,354 children from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) were built based on a questionnaire about food consumption on the day before the interview: MDD, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and MDD without the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The prevalence and 95%CI were calculated, stratified by macroregion; race/skin color, education and work status of the mother or caregiver; enrollment in the Brazilian Income Transfer Program; household food security; sanitation; and child enrollment in daycare/school. The overall prevalence of MDD was 63.4%, with lower prevalences among children who lived in the North Region (54.8%), whose mothers or caregivers had 0-7 years of education (50.6%), and lived under moderate or severe food insecurity (52.6%). Ultra-processed foods were consumed by 80.5% of the children, with the highest prevalence in the North Region (84.5%). The prevalence of MDD without ultra-processed foods was 8.4% and less prevalent among children with black mothers or caregivers (3.6%) and among those whose mother or caregiver had 8-10 years of education (3.6%). The most frequently consumed food groups from the MDD indicator were grains, roots and tubers (90.2%), dairy products (81%) and those from ultra-processed food were sweet or salty cookies/crackers (51.3%) and instant flours (41.4%). The ubiquitous presence of ultra-processed foods in the diets of Brazilian children and the low frequency of diversified foods, especially among the most vulnerable populations, indicate the need to strengthen policies and programs to ensure adequate and healthy infant nutrition.

Nutrition transition in Brazilian children under 5 years old from 2006 to 2019.

This manuscript aims to report the nutrition transition in Brazilian children under 5 years old from 2006 to 2019. Microdata from the Brazilian National Survey on Demography and Health of Women and Children (PNDS 2006) and the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) were analyzed. The indicators considered were: micronutrient status (anemia and vitamin A deficiency), anthropometric status (stunting and excessive weight), and breastfeeding practice (exclusive breastfeeding among children < 6 months and continued breastfeeding among children 12-23 months). We also analyzed minimum dietary diversity (MDD), consumption of ultra-processed foods, consumption of meat or eggs, and not consuming fruits or vegetables in children 6-59 months of age only for ENANI-2019. Equiplot charts were generated according to geographic region, maternal schooling level, and maternal race/skin color. From 2006 to 2019, the prevalence rates of anemia and vitamin A deficiency decreased from 20.5% to 10.1% and 17.2% to 6%, respectively. The prevalence of stunting remained at 7%, and excessive weight rates increased from 6% to 10.1%. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among children < 6 months increased from 38.6% to 45.8%, and of continued breastfeeding among children 12-23 months from 34.6% to 43.6%. In 2019, 61.5% of children achieved the MDD, 88.8% consumed ultra-processed foods, 83.1% consumed meat or egg, and 25.7% did not consume fruits or vegetables the day before the survey. Trends of decreased micronutrient deficiencies, increased breastfeeding, and excessive weight rates, as well as reductions in disparities related to geographic region, maternal schooling level, and maternal race/skin color, were observed for most of the indicators.

Cross-breastfeeding and milk donation in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to describe the frequency of cross-breastfeeding, human milk donation to human milk banks and reception of human milk from human milk banks, and to investigate the intersection between cross-breastfeeding and breast milk donation practices. This study used data from the national household-based survey Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019), which collected information from 14,558 children < 5 years old between February 2019 and March 2020. The present study included data from 5,831 biological mothers who reported having breastfed their child < 2 years old at least once and replied questions about cross-breastfeeding, donation and recaption of human milk to human milk banks. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated for each stratifier, considering the study complex sample design. Among mothers of children < 2 years old who breastfed their child at least once, 21.1% practiced cross-breastfeeding; breastfeeding another child was more frequent (15.6%) than allowing a child to be breastfed by another woman (11.2%). Among this population, 4.8% of women donated human milk to a human milk bank, and 3.6% reported that their children had received donated human milk. The donation of human milk is a practice recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and has the potential to save thousands of newborns throughout Brazil. In contrast, cross-breastfeeding is contraindicated due to the potential risk of transmitting HIV. There is a need for a broad debate on these practices in Brazil and worldwide.

Malnutrition in mother-child dyads in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

Malnutrition affects billions of individuals worldwide and represents a global health challenge. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition or overweight) among mother-child dyads in children under 5 years old in Brazil in 2019 and to estimate changes in this prevalence from 2006 to 2019. Individual-level data from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) and the Brazilian National Survey of Demography and Health of Women and Children carried out in 2006 (PNDS 2006) were analyzed. Malnutrition outcomes in mother-child dyads included overweight mother and child, undernourished mother and child, and the double burden of malnutrition, i.e., overweight mother and child having any form of undernourishment (stunting, wasting, or underweight). Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated. Most women (58.2%) and 9.7% of the children were overweight, 6.9% were stunted, and 3.1% of mothers and 2.9% of the children were underweight. The prevalence of overweight in the mother-child dyad was 7.8% and was statistically higher in Southern Brazil (9.7%; 95%CI: 7.5; 11.9) than in the Central-West (5.4%; 95%CI: 4.3; 6.6). The prevalence of overweight mother and stunted child was 3.5%, with statistically significant difference between the extremes of the mother's education [0-7 vs. ≥ 12 years, 4.8% (95%CI: 3.2; 6.5) and 2.1%, (95%CI: 1.2; 3.0), respectively]. Overweight in the dyad increased from 5.2% to 7.8%, and the double burden of malnutrition increased from 2.7% to 5.2% since 2006. Malnutrition in Brazilian mother-child dyads seems to be a growing problem, and dyads with lower formal education, higher maternal age, and from the South Region of Brazil were more vulnerable.

Factors associated with anemia and vitamin A deficiency in Brazilian children under 5 years old: Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).

Factors associated with anemia and vitamin A deficiency were investigated in 7,716 children 6-59 months of age studied in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019). We adopted a hierarchical approach based on a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) theoretical model with three levels, stratifying by age (6-23; 24-59 months). Prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were estimated. Enabling determinants: a higher prevalence of anemia was observed in children 6-23 months whose mothers had ≤ 7 years of schooling (PR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.10; 3.34), < 20 years old (PR = 2.47; 95%CI: 1.34; 4.56) or 20-30 years old (PR = 1.95; 95%CI: 1.11; 3.44), mixed-race (PR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.06; 2.23); and in children 24-59 months in the North Region (PR = 3.11; 95%CI: 1.58; 6.13). A higher prevalence for vitamin A deficiency was observed in children 6-23 months from Central-West (PR = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.33; 4.05), and in children 24-59 months living in the North (PR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.16; 3.30), South (PR = 3.07; 95%CI: 1.89; 5.01), and Central-West (PR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.12; 3.25) and whose mothers were 20-34 years (PR = 1.62; 95%CI: 1.11; 2.35). Underlying determinants: the presence of more than one child < 5 years old in the household was associated with a higher prevalence of anemia (PR = 1.61; 95%CI: 1.15; 2.25) and vitamin A deficiency (PR = 1.82; 95%CI: 1.09; 3.05) in children 6-23 months. Immediate determinants: consumption of 1-2 groups of ultra-processed foods in children 24-59 months (PR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.25; 0.81) and lack of breastfeeding in the day before in children 6-23 months (PR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.36; 0.95) were associated with lower prevalence of anemia and vitamin A deficiency. Public policies focused on geographically and socially vulnerable groups are needed to promote equity.

Genetic, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in Brazilian adults: the Pró-Saúde Study.

This study aims to investigate factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in Brazilian adults considering sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, as well as vitamin D-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This is a cross-sectional study (n = 491; 34-79y; 251 women), nested within a prospective cohort (Pró-Saúde Study). Associations between serum 25(OH)D and sociodemographic characteristics, diet, use of supplement, physical activity, season of blood collection, body fat, skin type, sun exposure index, and SNPs CYP2R1-rs10741657 and GC-rs2282679 were explored by multiple linear regression. The prevalence of serum 25(OH)D < 50nmol/L was 55%. Serum 25(OH)D was lower among women (ß = -4.38; 95%CI: -8.02; -0.74), those with higher visceral fat (ß = -4.02; 95%CI: -5.92; -2.12), and those with AC and CC genotypes for GC-rs2282679 (ß = -6.84; 95%CI: -10.09; -3.59; ß = -10.63; 95%CI: -17.52; -3.74, respectively). Factors directly associated with serum 25(OH)D included summer (ß = 20.14; 95%CI: 14.38; 25.90), intermediate skin type (ß = 6.16; 95%CI: 2.52; 9.80), higher sun exposure (ß = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.22; 0.75), vitamin D intake (ß = 0.48; 95%CI: 0.03; 0.93), and physical activity (ß = 4.65; 95%CI: 1.54; 7.76). Besides physical activity, diet, and sun exposure, non-modifiable factors, such as GC genotypes must be considered when evaluating vitamin D insufficiency in mixed-race populations. Moreover, high visceral fat in association with poorer vitamin D status deserve attention given that both conditions are unfavorably related with chronic and acute health outcomes.

General methodological aspects in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019): a population-based household survey.

This article aims to present general methodological aspects of the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019), from the conception of the study design to details of the data collection. This is a household-based population survey with a sample calculated at 15,000 households to identify children under five years of age, conducted in 123 municipalities in Brazil's 26 states and the Federal District. ENANI-2019 includes data on breastfeeding and dietary intake; anthropometric nutritional status of all children and their biological mothers; and nutritional status concerning the following micronutrients: iron (hemoglobin and ferritin), zinc, selenium, and vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, D, E, and folic acid of children from 6 to 59 months of age. A total of 193,212 households were visited, of which 19,951 were eligible, and 12,524 were included in the study. A total of 14,558 children were studied, of whom 13,990 (96.1%) and 13,921 (95.6%) had their body mass and length/stature measured, respectively, and 14,541 (99.9%) underwent 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR). Of the 12,598 children eligible for blood sample collection, 8,739 (69.3%) had at least one laboratory parameter measured. Data were collected from February 2019 to March 2020, when the survey was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The evidence produced by the ENANI-2019 survey can back the formulation, follow-up, and/or reorientation of food and nutrition policies such as the promotion of breastfeeding and healthy eating and the prevention and control of different forms of malnutrition.

Methodological aspects of the micronutrient assessment in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019): a population-based household survey.

This article aims to present methodological aspects on the collection, analyses, coverage, challenges, and the lessons learned from laboratory assessment of micronutrients on the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019). This is a household survey on a probability sample of children under five years of age from 123 Brazilian municipalities in all 26 states and the Federal District. Blood samples were drawn by venipuncture at the homes of children 6 to 59 months of age. This procedure was performed by experienced phlebotomists from the laboratories located in the selected municipalities and scheduled in advance. Blood and serum levels were measured for biomarkers of nutritional status, using the services of a clinical test laboratory with nationwide coverage, for the following micronutrients: iron (hemoglobin and ferritin), zinc, selenium, folic acid, and vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, D, and E. C-reactive protein was analyzed as a marker of inflammation. A barcode identifier was used to track the blood samples and to link the biochemical test results to the other data collected in the survey. A total of 14,558 children were studied. Of the 12,598 eligible children, 8,829 (70.1%) had blood samples drawn. Of the total number of children who had samples drawn, 91.8% (n = 8,025) have results for at least nine of the 12 analyses performed. Coverage of the analysis varied from 95% (for vitamins A and E) to 84.2% (for folic acid). Aliquots of whole blood and serum were stored in a biorepository for future analyses. The results of this pioneering study in the country will back the formulation and, when necessary, the reorientation of public policies in food and nutrition.

Variants in gene encoding for vitamin D binding protein were associated with leukocyte telomere length: The Pró-Saúde Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin D metabolic pathway genes, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in Brazilian adults. METHODS: The study population comprised 461 participants (33-79 y of age; 51% women) from the Pró-Saúde Study, a cohort of civil servants at a university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. LTL, genotypes of vitamin D-related SNPs (rs12785878, rs10741657, rs6013897, and rs2282679), and serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined cross-sectionally. Differences in age- and sex-adjusted LTL means by categories of genotypes and 25(OH)D serum concentrations were evaluated. LTL associations with genotypes and 25(OH)D were investigated using multiple linear regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and markers of health behavior. RESULTS: Participants with CC genotype (rs2282679) had shorter age- and sex-adjusted mean LTL than those with AC and AA genotypes (mean ± SE: 0.51 ± 0.03, 0.58 ± 0.01 and 0.5 ± 0.01, respectively, P < 0.05). In adjusted analyses, the CC genotype (rs2282679) was inversely associated with LTL (ß = -0.061; 95% confidence interval, -0.120 to -0.001). Other vitamin D-related SNPs and serum 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with LTL. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variations in the gene encoding vitamin D binding protein (GC - rs2282679) were associated with LTL, suggesting an influence of vitamin D status on telomere length that may start early in life.

Characterization of micronutrient supplements use by Brazilian children 6-59 months of age: Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) / Caracterização do uso de suplementos de micronutrientes por crianças brasileiras de 6-59 meses de idade: Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI-2019) / Caracterización del uso de suplementos de micronutrientes por niños brasileños de 6-59 meses de edad: Estudio Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición Infantil (ENANI-2019)

This study aimed to characterize micronutrient supplements use among Brazilian children 6-59 months of age included in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019; n = 12,598). Micronutrient supplements use at the time of the interview and the 6 months prior to it was evaluated using a structured questionnaire. The following indicators were included: micronutrient supplement use; supplements containing a single micronutrient; supplements of the Brazilian National Iron Supplementation Program (PNSF); multivitamin supplements with or without minerals; multivitamin supplements with minerals; multivitamin supplements without minerals. The estimates and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for Brazil and according to macroregion, educational level of the mother or caregiver, and type of health care service used, considering the sampling plan, weights, and calibration. In Brazil, the prevalence of micronutrient supplements use was 54.2% (95%CI: 50.5; 57.8), with the highest prevalence in the North Region (80.2%; 95%CI: 74.9; 85.6) and among children 6-23 months of age (69.5%; 95%CI: 65.7; 73.3). The prevalence of the use of supplements containing exclusively iron and exclusively vitamin A in Brazil was 14.6% (95%CI: 13.1; 16.1) and 23.3% (95%CI: 19.4; 27.1), respectively. The prevalence of the use of multivitamin with or without minerals in Brazilian children 6-59 months of age was 24.3% (95%CI: 21.4; 27.2). These results may help to understand the practice of supplements use among Brazilian children and support the proposal of national public policies for the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o uso de suplementos de micronutrientes entre crianças brasileiras de 6-59 meses de idade incluídas no Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI-2019; n = 12.598). O uso de suplementos de micronutrientes no momento da entrevista e nos seis meses anteriores foi avaliado por meio de um questionário estruturado. Foram incluídos os seguintes indicadores: uso de suplemento de micronutrientes; suplementos contendo um único micronutriente; suplemento do Programa Nacional de Suplementação de Ferro (PNSF); suplementos multivitamínicos com ou sem minerais; suplementos multivitamínicos com minerais; suplementos multivitamínicos sem minerais. As estimativas pontuais e seus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) foram calculados para o Brasil e de acordo com a macrorregião, a escolaridade da mãe ou cuidadora e o tipo de serviço de saúde utilizado, considerando o plano, os pesos e a calibração amostral. No Brasil, a prevalência de uso de suplemento de micronutrientes foi de 54,2% (IC95%: 50,5; 57,8), com maior prevalência na Região Norte (80,2%; IC95%: 74,9; 85,6) e entre crianças de 6-23 meses de idade (69,5%; IC95%: 65,7; 73,3). A prevalência do uso de suplementos contendo apenas ferro e apenas vitamina A no Brasil foi de 14,6% (IC95%: 13,1; 16,1) e 23,3% (IC95%: 19,4; 27,1), respectivamente. A prevalência de uso de multivitamínicos com ou sem minerais em crianças brasileiras de 6-59 meses de idade foi de 24,3% (IC95%: 21,4; 27,2). Esses resultados podem auxiliar na compreensão da prática do uso de suplementos entre crianças brasileiras e apoiar a proposta de políticas públicas nacionais de prevenção e controle de deficiências de micronutrientes.

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el uso de suplementos de micronutrientes entre niños brasileños con edades entre 6-59 meses incluidos en el Estudio Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición Infantil (ENANI-2019; n = 12.598). El uso de suplementos de micronutrientes en el momento de la entrevista y en los seis meses anteriores se evaluó mediante un cuestionario estructurado. Se incluyeron los siguientes indicadores: uso de suplementos de micronutrientes; suplementos que contienen un solo micronutriente; suplemento del Programa Nacional de Suplementación con Hierro (PNSF); suplementos multivitamínicos con o sin minerales; suplementos multivitamínicos con minerales; suplementos multivitamínicos libres de minerales. Se calcularon las estimaciones puntuales para Brasil y sus respectivos intervalos del 95% de confianza (IC95%) de acuerdo con la macrorregión, el nivel educativo de la madre/cuidador y el tipo de servicio de salud utilizado, considerando el plan, los pesos y la calibración de la muestra. En Brasil, la prevalencia del uso de suplementos de micronutrientes fue del 54,2% (IC95%: 50,5; 57,8), con mayor prevalencia en la Región Norte (80,2%; IC95%: 74,9; 85,6) y entre niños con edades entre 6-23 meses (69,5%; IC95%: 65,7; 73,3). Las prevalencias del uso de suplementos que contienen solo hierro o solo vitamina A en Brasil fueron del 14,6% (IC95%: 13,1; 16,1) y del 23,3% (IC95%: 19,4; 27,1), respectivamente. La prevalencia de uso de multivitamínicos con o sin minerales en niños brasileños de 6-59 meses de edad fue del 24,3% (IC95%: 21,4; 27,2). Estos resultados pueden ayudar a comprender la práctica de uso de suplementos entre los niños brasileños y apoyar la propuesta de políticas públicas para la prevención y control de la carencia de micronutrientes.

The National Wealth Score in the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019) / O Indicador Econômico Nacional no Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI-2019) / El Indicador Económico Nacional en el Estudio Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición Infantil (ENANI-2019)

The National Wealth Score (IEN) is a synthetic household index that assesses socioeconomic conditions. This study aims to present the methods used to update the IEN using data from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019). The following items were included: the education level of the mother or caregiver of the child; the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, TV sets, and cars in the household; and the presence of a radio, refrigerator or freezer, washing machine, microwave oven, telephone line, computers, air conditioner, media player devices, cable or satellite TV, cell phone ownership and type of service, cell phone internet, and internet at the household. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to estimate the IEN with and without incorporating the complex sampling design (CSD). Thus, the IEN validation considered proxy indicators of socioeconomic status and living conditions. The first component of the PCA explained 31% and 71% of the variation with and without incorporating the CSD, respectively. The coefficients of variation of the IEN were 53.4% and 2.6% with and without incorporating the CSD, respectively. The mean IEN score was lower in households without access to a sewage system, those that received benefits from Brazilian Income Transfer Program, those with some degree of food insecurity, and those with stunted children. Adding ENANI-2019 items to the calculation of IEN to capture technological advances resulted in a better fit of the model. Incorporating the CSD increased PCA performance and the IEN precision. The new IEN has an adequate performance in determining the socioeconomic status of households with children aged under five years.

O Indicador Econômico Nacional (IEN) é um índice domiciliar sintético que avalia condições socioeconômicas. Este estudo tem como objetivo apresentar os métodos utilizados para atualização do IEN a partir de dados do Estudo Nacional de Alimentação e Nutrição Infantil (ENANI-2019). Foram incluídos os seguintes itens: escolaridade da mãe/cuidador da criança; o número de quartos e banheiros, aparelhos de TV e carros no domicílio; a presença de rádio, geladeira ou freezer, máquina de lavar, forno micro-ondas, linha telefônica, computadores, ar-condicionado, aparelhos multimídia, TV a cabo ou via satélite, propriedade e tipo de serviço de telefone celular, rede de dados de telefone celular e internet no domicílio. A análise de componentes principais (ACP) foi utilizada para estimar o IEN com e sem a incorporação da amostragem complexa. Assim, a validação do IEN considerou indicadores proxy de nível socioeconômico e condições de vida. O primeiro componente da ACP explicou 31% e 71% da variação com e sem a incorporação da amostragem complexa, respectivamente. Os coeficientes de variação do IEN foram de 53,4% e 2,6% com e sem a incorporação da amostragem complexa, respectivamente. O escore médio do IEN foi menor em domicílios sem acesso a esgoto, naqueles que receberam benefícios do Programa Bolsa Família, naqueles com algum grau de insegurança alimentar e naqueles com crianças com déficit de crescimento. A adição de itens do ENANI-2019 ao cálculo do IEN, a fim de capturar os avanços tecnológicos, resultou em um melhor ajuste do modelo. A incorporação da amostragem complexa aumentou o desempenho da ACP e a precisão do IEN. O novo IEN tem um desempenho adequado na determinação do nível socioeconômico de domicílios com crianças menores de cinco anos.

El Indicador Económico Nacional (IEN) es un índice domiciliar que evalúa las condiciones socioeconómicas. Este estudio tiene como objetivo presentar los métodos utilizados en la actualización del IEN con base en datos del Estudio Nacional de Alimentación y Nutrición Infantil (ENANI-2019). Se incluyeron los siguientes ítems: nivel educativo de la madre/cuidador del niño; la cantidad de dormitorios y baños, televisores y autos en el hogar; la tenencia de radio, heladera o freezer, lavadora, horno de microondas, línea telefónica, computadoras, aire acondicionado, equipo multimedia, televisión por cable o satélite, titularidad y tipo de servicio de telefonía celular, red de datos celular e internet en el hogar. Se utilizó el análisis de componentes principales (ACP) para estimar el IEN con y sin la incorporación de muestreo complejo. Así, la validación del IEN consideró indicadores proxy de nivel socioeconómico y condiciones de vida. El primer componente ACP explicó el 31% y el 71% de la variación con y sin la incorporación de muestreo complejo, respectivamente. Los coeficientes de variación del IEN fueron el 53,4% y el 2,6% con y sin incorporación de muestreo complejo, respectivamente. El puntaje medio del IEN fue menor en los hogares sin acceso a alcantarillado, en aquellos que recibieron beneficios del Programa Bolsa Família, en aquellos con algún grado de inseguridad alimentaria y en aquellos con niños con retraso en el crecimiento. La incorporación de los ítems del ENANI-2019 en el cálculo del IEN, con el fin de capturar los avances tecnológicos, dio como resultado un mejor ajuste del modelo. La incorporación de muestreo complejo incrementó el desempeño de la ACP y la precisión del IEN. El nuevo IEN tiene un desempeño adecuado para estimar el nivel socioeconómico de los hogares con niños menores de cinco años.