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Background: Developmental models suggest that the phenotypes may arise from an immediate or mediated adaptive metabolic response of the perinatal growth. Evidence on the cumulative effects of growth and factors associated with risk of insulin resistance in adolescents is lacking. Objective: To investigate the association between birthweight, weight gain during infancy, childhood and adolescence and the triglyceride-glucose index in adolescents. Methods: This is a cohort of 217 children born at term, followed for the first six months, and reassessed at 8 and 18 years of age. The variables of interest were birthweight, postnatal growth defined as rapid postnatal growth when the weight gain from birth to six months of age was greater than 0.67 z-score, and the same criterion was used for high BMI gain from ages 6 months to 8 years, and from 8 to 18 years. Socioeconomic condition, nutritional status, practice of physical exercises and consumption of ultra-processed foods were verified. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to verify the effect of the variables on the triglyceride-glucose index. Results: Birthweight was not associated with triglyceride-glucose index in adolescence. Rapid postnatal growth during the first 6 months, higher BMI gain from 8 to 18 years and higher waist circumference contributed significantly to explain higher triglyceride-glucose index. Conclusion for Practice: Our findings suggest that rapid postnatal growth may be one of the first signs of a higher triglyceride-glucose index in adolescence and that attention should be paid to the greater gain in body mass between childhood and adolescence for the risk of a higher triglyceride-glucose index. Significance: What is Already Known on this Subject?: Metabolic disorders are associated with excess weight and body fat in adolescence, however, growth deviations in phases of rapid human development, for example, perinatal period, childhood and adolescence, may be the first signs of future metabolic changes. Less is known about the relationship between growth gains during infancy, childhood and adolescence and the risk of insulin resistance. What this Study Adds?: From longitudinal data, it was observed that higher TyG index levels were observed in adolescents who showed rapid weight gain in the first six months after birth and greater body mass gain between childhood and adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood cell biomarkers, such as the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have been recently used as prognostic markers in tumors. In this study, we investigated the association between NLR and PLR with sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, and quality of life factors of hospitalized women with non-metastatic breast cancer. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a reference center for oncological treatment in Southeast Brazil. Female participants aged over 18 years, with a histopathological diagnosis of stage I, II or III breast cancer, in any phase of antineoplastic treatment, were included. Our study revealed a high risk for participants, with high mean values of NLR and PLR, indicating low antitumor activity and worse prognosis. The binary logistic regression model showed that there was a significant association of the NLR marker and marital status (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.06-8.57; p = 0.03) and, in relation to PLR, a trend was shown for a higher chance in women of black ethnicity to have increased PLR compared to white women (OR = 4.13; 95%CI = 0.96-17.70; p = 0.05). However, the inflammatory markers (NLR and PLR) did not show any significant association with nutritional factors. NLR and PLR are inflammatory biomarkers that can be easily obtained and measured in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is the fruit most exported by Brazil, with a significant increase in cultivated area in recent years. However, the orchards have been made up of seedlings produced by the grafting process, but without identifying the most suitable rootstock for each cultivar, which affects the competitiveness of mango farming, since the rootstock affects, among other factors, the growth and nutrient absorption from the canopy cultivar. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and mineral nutrition of 'Palmer,' 'Tommy Atkins,' 'Kent' and 'Keitt' mango seedlings grafted onto the polyembryonic rootstocks Capucho, Coquinho and Espada. The experiment was carried out between October 2019 and May 2020 at the Fruit Growing Nursery of the Agricultural Sciences Campus of the Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), in Petrolina-PE, in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to three polyembryonic rootstocks (Espada, Capucho and Coquinho) and four crown cultivars ('Palmer,' 'Keitt,' 'Kent' and 'Tommy Atkins'), with five replications of ten plants each. Leaf contents of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca), micronutrients (Cu and Fe) and silicon depend on the scion (Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt and Kent) x rootstock (Espada, Capucho and Conquinho) combination. The leaf contents of S, Mg, B, Mn and Mo in the scion are affected by the rootstock adopted for mango propagation In general, for macro and micronutrient absorption purposes, the sword rootstock and the 'Keitt' cultivar are the best combination for most of the variables analyzed in the research. The effect of rootstock on the nutritional status of scion cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt and Kent) must be taken into consideration when interpreting crop nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the association between nutritional risk and functionality of children and adolescents hospitalized with COVID-19 at admission and discharge. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study with patients under 19 years old, positive for SARS-COV-2 by RT-PCR test, from February 2020 to May 2022. The STRONGKids screening (Screening Tool Risk On Nutritional Status and Growth) was used to assess nutritional risk on hospital admission and the Functional Status Scale (FSS-Brazil) to determine the functionality of patients on admission and discharge. Data was collected from hospital medical records. Poisson regressions with crude robust variance were used to test the association between nutritional risk and functional status at admission, with adjustments for the age, length of stay, and presence of complex chronic conditions. Results: Of the 217 patients, 55.7% (n = 121) were boys with a median age of 6 years (IQ 0–12), 58.5% (n = 127) had at least one complex chronic condition, 64% (n = 139) had medium/high nutritional risk, and 23.9% (n = 52) had some degree of dysfunctionality upon admission and 14.6% (n = 31) upon discharge. By associating STRONGKids and the FSS-Brasil of hospital admission, it was observed that children with low nutritional risk had a mean global FSS lower (6.4 ± 0.7) than children with medium/high nutritional risk (7. 7 ± 2.8; p < 0.001). Children with low nutritional risk on admission also had a lower mean (6.1 ± 0.59) on the FSS at hospital discharge than children with medium/high nutritional risk (7.1 ± 2.5; p < 0.001). After adjustments, it was identified that the addition of one STRONGKids point increases by 36% (PR 1.36; 95%CI 1.15–1.62) the probability of the patient presenting some degree of functional impairment on admission. Conclusion: The study found a positive association between nutritional risk and functional impairment in hospitalized children and adolescents with COVID-19 on admission, even after adjusting for age, length of stay, and complex chronic conditions. Furthermore, patients with medium/high nutritional risk at admission also had worse functionality, both on admission and at discharge. What is Known: • Children and adolescents infected with COVID-19 tend to exhibit milder symptoms and lower hospitalization rates compared to adults, although severe cases and complications can occur. • A paucity of targeted investigations exists regarding the correlation between nutritional risk and functionality in children and adolescents with COVID-19. What is New: • Children and adolescents with COVID-19 who presented with medium to high nutritional risk upon hospital admission demonstrated functional impairments, both at admission and hospital discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Understanding self‐rated health in young people can help orient global health actions, especially in regions of social vulnerability. The present study analysed individual and contextual factors associated with self‐rated health in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. Design and Methods: Cross‐sectional data from 1272 adolescents (aged 11–17; 48.5% of girls) in low human development index (HDI) neighbourhoods were analysed (HDI from 0.170 to 0.491). The outcome variable was self‐rated health. Independent variables relating to individual factors (biological sex, age and economic class) and lifestyle (physical activity, alcohol, tobacco consumption and nutritional state) were measured using standardised instruments. The socio‐environmental variables were measured using neighbourhood registered data where the adolescents studied. Multilevel regression was used to estimate the regression coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Good self‐rated health prevalence was of 72.2%. Being male (B: −0.165; CI: −0.250 to −0.081), age (B: −0.040; CI: −0.073 to −0.007), weekly duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity (B: 0.074; CI: 0.048–0.099), body mass index (B: −0.025; CI: −0.036 to −0.015), number of family healthcare teams in the neighbourhood (B: 0.019; CI: 0.006–0.033) and dengue incidence (B: −0.001; CI: −0.002; −0.000) were factors associated with self‐rated health among students from vulnerable areas. Conclusions/Practical Implications: Approximately three in every 10 adolescents in areas of social vulnerability presented poor self‐rated health. This fact was associated with biological sex and age (individual factors), physical activity levels and BMI (lifestyle) and the number of family healthcare teams in the neighbourhood (contextual). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diet based on ultra-processed food (UPF) does not meet nutritional needs, especially during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to assess the change in UPF consumption from preconception to pregnancy and associated factors. Our hypothesis is that women tend to adopt a healthier eating pattern during pregnancy, decreasing the intake of UPF and increasing the intake of unprocessed/minimally processed foods. A prospective cohort study with 326 participants was carried out from 2016 to 2019 in 2 health units in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pregestational food consumption assessed using the food frequency questionnaire in the prenatal interview in women up to 20 gestational weeks and gestational consumption in the interview 2 months after delivery. Food items classified according to the NOVA system. For the mean variation from preconception to gestational UPF consumption, we used the generalized estimating equations model with linear distribution. Control of confounding variables was based on the literature on factors associated with UPF consumption, using a 3-level hierarchical model. The proportion of UPF energy consumption was 28.9% in preconception and 33% during pregnancy. Older and more educated women had a lower mean variation in the consumption of UPF during the pregnancy. A higher average consumption of UPF observed among women physically inactive before pregnancy, who smoked during pregnancy, were multiparous, and with had a low pregestational weight. These results reflect similar behavior to that of the general population, aggravated by a significant increase during pregnancy. However, older and more educated women and those with healthy behaviors showed lower UPF intake in pregnancy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nitrogen is the nutrient most required by maize, doses of N lower than those recommended are applied to maize grown in semiarid environments, which limits the achievement of profitable yields. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in soil fertility, nutritional status and dry matter production of maize plants fertilized with organic and mineral fertilizers in a semiarid region. A factorial experiment was carried out in Sobral, Ceará state, Brazil, in a randomized block design. The factors were two N sources (organic compost and urea), and four N rates: 27.5, 55, 110 and 165 kg ha−1, with three replications. We assessed variables associated with soil fertility, plant nutritional status, chlorophyll content, grain yield and total dry matter production. The highest rates of organic compost resulted in the highest levels of P (17.7 mg dm−3) and K (102.2 mg dm−3) in soil when compared to the control (7.7 and 69.0 mg dm−3, respectively). However, organic compost rates below 110 kg ha−1 of N-equivalent fertilizer were not enough to supply the plants' demand for P and K. Low N rates promoted a decrease in soil inorganic N in the second year of application. Applying urea to maize plants led to greater dry matter production than organic compost in the second consecutive crop season. The use of organic compost at rates lower than 110 kg ha−1 of N-equivalent fertilizer decreases soil fertility and has no impact on maize dry matter production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin E is an important nutrient from the earliest stages of life. It plays key roles as an antioxidant and in the maintenance of the immune system, among others. Vitamin E deficiency (VED), which occurs more frequently in children, is rarely addressed in the literature. This narrative review aims to summarise the chemistry, biology, serum indicators and clinical trials that have evaluated the impact of fortification and other relevant aspects of vitamin E, in addition to the prevalence of its deficiency, in children worldwide. Vitamin E intake in recommended amounts is essential for this nutrient to perform its functions in the body. Serum α-tocopherol is the most widely used biochemical indicator to assess the prevalence of VED. VED has been associated with symptoms secondary to fat malabsorption and may lead to peripheral neuropathy and increased erythrocyte haemolysis. Reduced concentrations of α-tocopherol may be caused by the combination of diets with low amounts of vitamin E and inadequate consumption of fats, proteins and calories. The lowest prevalence of VED was found in Asia and the highest in North America and Brazil. High proportions of VED provide evidence that this nutritional deficiency is a public health problem in children and still little addressed in the international scientific literature. The planning, evaluation and implementation of health policies aimed at combatting VED in the paediatric population are extremely important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The decrease in physical activity after adolescence seems to be more related to biological age than to chronological age. The sexual maturation may explain this decline in physical activity in adolescents. Aims: This study aimed to verify the interaction of sexual maturation with sex, nutritional status, and socioeconomic condition in association with insufficient physical activity of 3979 students, of both sexes, aged between 11 and 19 years of public schools from two cities in southern Brazil adolescents. Methods: Measurements of body mass, height, sexual maturation, socioeconomic condition, and level of physical activity were collected. Poisson regression analyzed the association and interaction with insufficient physical activity providing prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals and p < 0.05. Results: Girls regardless of the pubertal stage and students of middle and low economic classes were more likely to be insufficiently active. The likelihood of girls being insufficiently active increases with the pubertal stage. Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to girls and students of intermediate and low economic classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is used to assess habitual food and nutrient intake. The choice of a FFQ should consider the study objectives, instrument particularities, target population, and geographic region. Over the past few years, FFQs have been constructed and validated in Brazil for children, adolescents, adults, athletes, and individuals with specific clinical conditions. The aim of this scoping review is to map the food frequency questionnaires developed and validated in Brazil. The Population-Concept-Context (PCC) framework was used for search strategy and defined as P—not applicable (open), C—food frequency questionnaire, and C—Brazil. FFQ validation studies performed with healthy or sick people will be included, regardless of clinical condition, age, sex, or region in the country. Studies with populations from other countries will be excluded. The review will be conducted in accordance with JBI (formerly known as Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology for scoping reviews. Search databases will include PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, Embase, Web of Science (ISI), Scopus, and Google Scholar. Data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies resolved by a third reviewer. In order to improve the understanding and contextualization of the studies, a description of the results and presentation in tables and figures will be provided. Applications and implications for future research, practices, and policies will be discussed. Our protocol is registered through the Open Science Framework (doi 10.17605/OSF.IO/G5J3K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to investigate the monocyte count and its association with nutritional status in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: a cross-sectional study carried out at a Neurodevelopmental Center in the south of Brazil, with 68 ASD patients aged 3 to 18 years. The number of monocytes (per mm3 ) was determined in blood samples. Nutritional status was defined as BMI-for-age according to WHO standards. The Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and a standard questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were administered to caregivers. Comparisons between sociodemographic, clinical, and eating behavior variables were performed with parametric tests. Linear regression was used to test the association between nutritional status and monocyte count. Results: mean age was 8.6 ± 3.3 years, 79 % were males and 66 % were overweight. In the unadjusted regression overweight was associated with higher monocyte counts compared to those non-overweight (B: 64.0; 95 % CI, 13.9 to 114.1; β: 0.30, p = 0.01). This association remained significant after adjustment for the subscale of “emotional overeating” (B: 37.0; 95 % CI, 17.1 to 91.3; β: 0.29; p = 0.02). The variability in monocyte count attributed to overweight was 14 %. Conclusions: overweight is associated with a higher monocyte count in children and adolescents with ASD. Nutritional intervention to control overweight is essential to mitigate the negative impact on inflammatory activity and immune dysfunction in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis is a rare and autosomal dominant disorder associated with mutations in the transthyretin gene. Patients present with diverse symptoms related to sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy, as well as gastrointestinal, ocular, cardiac, renal and orthopedic symptoms, resulting from the deposition of transthyretin amyloid fibrils in multiple organs. The progressive nature of ATTRv amyloidosis necessitates pre- and post-onset monitoring of the disease. This review article is primarily based on a collation of discussions from a medical advisory board meeting in August 2021. In this article, we summarize the best practices in amyloidosis centers in three major endemic countries for ATTRv amyloidosis (Japan, Brazil, and Portugal), where most patients carry the Val30Met mutation in the transthyretin gene and the patients' genetic background was proven to be the same. The discussions highlighted the similarities and differences in the management of asymptomatic gene mutation carriers among the three countries in terms of the use of noninvasive tests and tissue biopsies and timing of starting the investigations. In addition, this article discusses a set of practical tests and examinations for monitoring disease progression applicable to neurologists working in diverse medical settings and generalizable in non-endemic countries and areas. This set of assessments consists of periodic (every 6 to 12 months) evaluations of patients' nutritional status and autonomic, renal, cardiac, ophthalmologic, and neurological functions. Physical examinations and patient-reported outcome assessments should be also scheduled every 6 to 12 months. Programs for monitoring gene mutation carriers and robust referral networks can aid in appropriate patient management in pre- to post-onset stages. For pre- and post-symptom onset testing for ATTRv amyloidosis, various noninvasive techniques are available; however, their applicability differs depending on the medical setting in each country and region, and the optimal option should be selected in view of the clinical settings, medical environment, and available healthcare resources in each region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low level of physical activity as well as overweight/obesity are associated with chronic diseases, which are the predominant causes of mortality, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and the physical activity level of administrative collaborators in a private high education institution. A cross-sectional study was performed in 2023 in administrative collaborators of an university located in Niteroi, RJ. Collected data: personal information and health data (questionnaire), weight and height for nutrition status ("adequate body weight or overweight/obese" according to body mass index) and physical activity level ("low or adequate") according to international questionnaire (IPAQ, short version). Statistical analysis: SPSS, v.21. Results: A total of 54 administrative collaborators (female 70.4%), with means: 37.7 (10.9) years old, body weight 78.0 (22.3) kg, body mass index 28.2 (6.4) Kg/m², with no statistical difference in age by sex (p=0.78) and higher body mass index in men (p=0.012) compared to women. Overweight/obesity was observed in 61,1% (n=33) (CI: 46.9; 764.1%) of the sample. Low physical activity level in 37% (n=20) (CI: 24.3; 51.3%) and adequate in 63% (n=34) (CI: 48.7; 75.7%) of the administrative collaborators, with no statistical difference by nutritional status (p=0.89) nor by sex (p=0.96). It is necessary the development of actions to promote regular physical activity practices among administrative collaborators, including institutional programs for this purpose. These actions can minimize the risk of obesity/overweight, in addition to other complications associated with low level of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with SARS-CoV generally require noninvasive treatments including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and appropriate nutritional therapy. Our hypothesis was that a higher body mass index (BMI) would result in greater respiratory difficulties during CPAP treatment and lead to a reduction in energy and protein intake. The study was conducted prospectively and retrospectively in a Brazilian public hospital. The sample comprised all patients (n = 70) hospitalized in COVID-19 wards and using the Elmo System (ELMO) helmet. To ensure proper nutritional support, the hospital established a standard ELMO diet and questionnaire for estimating dietary adherence. The median length of stay was 11 days (interquartile range, 9-20), and 84.3% of the patients received hospital discharge. The median duration of helmet use was 1.5 days (interquartile range, 1-4). From mid-upper arm circumference adequacy measurements, 35 patients (50%) were classified as being overweight or living with obesity and 36 adult patients (66.7%) were considered living with obesity based on their BMI. The prevalence of overweight elderly patients was 81.3%. The median energy and protein intake adequacy percentages were 65% and 72.5%, respectively. Patients with higher BMIs exhibited lower oxygen flows while wearing the ELMO helmet. Younger age and lower energy and protein intake characterized the obesity group. A correlation between oxygen therapy and food intake in COVID-19 patients undergoing CPAP treatment was observed. Patients with higher BMIs and/or mid-upper arm circumference adequacies were more susceptible to energy and protein intake declines, and patients with obesity presented the lowest intake values. This study analyzed how continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment affected COVID-19 patients' nutritional status and energy-protein intake. A standard Elmo System (ELMO) diet and monitoring protocol were used to ensure adequate nutritional support. Patients with higher body mass indexes (BMIs) used less oxygen and those living with obesity presented significantly decreased energy and protein intake. The median ELMO helmet time usage was 1.5 days. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preferable N source for tropical grasses and its effects on the nutritional status are still matters of priority investigation. This study aimed to explore the effects of N sources and N deprivation on growth and uptake of elements in a newly-released ruzigrass cultivar, BRS Integra. Plants were grown under controlled conditions in vermiculite and were supplied with nutrient solution containing either NH4+, NH4++NO3-, NO3- or no N added in solution making. Plant biomass, chlorophyll content, transpiration, N status, and levels of selected elements were evaluated. NH4+ improved biomass production and aboveground N contents. Other elements exhibited high (N, K and Na), medium (Mn), low (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni and Zn) or non-detected (Al and Fe) translocation. Cd was included in the study because of its hazardous concentrations in agricultural soils in Brazil and its influence on N uptake and translocation in the genus Urochloa. All N sources increased the uptake of whole plant Cu and K and Al, and root Fe and Mg. Other favorable relations prevailed in the roots, specifically of NO3- on Ca and Ni, NH4+ and NH4++NO3- on Cr, and NH4+ on Cd. Removal of N supply caused increases on Mn and Na aboveground and Zn in roots. Overall, the more evident N source-induced uptakes were, in order of decrease, of NO3- on Ca, NH4++NO3- on Ni, and NH4+ on Cr, Cu and Mn. It is concluded that NH4+ is more efficient for fertilizing ruzigrass by improving growth and N uptake compared to NH4++NO3- or NO3-. In addition, the diverse effects of varying N sources on the uptake of 12 elements indicate such interactions should be taken into account to further improve fertilizer formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy assistance occurs in the public and private spheres. In this care, there is a greater nutritional demand during pregnancy, for the mother and the fetus. Among the causes of infant mortality, the following stand out: low birth weight, prematurity, and inadequate prenatal care. In the low-income social setting, nutrition fails. Thus, food supplements are extremely important in prenatal care. The objective is to describe the most appropriate food supplementation for pregnant women, whether in the public or private sector, highlighting the national policy, after a bibliographic review, carried out from May to August 2022. In Brazil, more than 70% of pregnant women have gained weight, however with poor nutritional status. In public prenatal care in Brazil, folic acid and iron are offered. Maternal multivitamin supplementation, with nutrients other than iron and folate, such as vitamins D, A, E, C, zinc, magnesium, and others, is important. The public maternal nutritional problem encompasses socioeconomic factors, as well as failures in care. The divergence with private care, prevalent in developed countries, is notorious when observing maternal mortality. In peripheral countries, maternal death is 50 to 100 times higher than in central countries. In these, more than 90% of pregnant women receive multivitamin supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In socially vulnerable populations, evidence is needed regarding the role of maternal nutritional status on child weight during the first 2 years of life. Objectives: We aimed to assess the association of pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with offspring BMI‐for‐age z‐scores (BAZs) during the first 2 years of life. Methods: A population‐based birth cohort study was conducted with 900 mother–child pairs. Pre‐pregnancy weight and weight at delivery were collected from medical records, and anthropometric data were measured at birth and at 6‐month, 1‐year and 2‐year follow‐up visits. Linear regression and linear mixed‐effect models assessed associations with pre‐pregnancy BMI, GWG and BAZ during the first 2 years of life. Results: Pre‐pregnancy overweight and obesity and excessive GWG were positively associated with BAZ at birth and at 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up visits. There were no significant additional BAZ changes per year based on the exposures up to age 2 years. Conclusions: Elevated maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and GWG were associated with a child's higher BAZ at birth, and these differences remained constant throughout the first 2 years of life in Amazonian children. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adequate maternal weight before pregnancy and during prenatal care also in socially vulnerable populations. Key points: Pre‐pregnancy overweight and obesity and excessive gestational weight gain were associated with child's higher BMI‐for‐age z at birth, and these differences remained constant throughout the first 2 years of life in Amazonian children.Strategies that promote adequate maternal weight before and during pregnancy are necessary in socially vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Changes in nutritional status are recognised as predictors of unfavourable outcomes in children and adolescents with cancer, particularly in developing countries. There have been no studies on children and adolescents with cancer from every region of Brazil or on the impact of nutritional status on clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the association between the nutritional status of children and adolescents with cancer and the prediction of clinical outcomes. Methods: This was a longitudinal, multicentre, hospital‐based study. An anthropometric nutritional assessment was performed, and the Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA) was administered within 48 h of admission. Seven hundred and twenty‐three patients (aged 2–18 years) were included in the sample, undergoing cancer treatment. They were recruited in 13 reference centres in the five macro‐regions of Brazil between March 2018 and August 2019. The outcomes evaluated were readmission within 30 days and death within 60 days of admission. To identify predictors of 60‐day survival, Cox regression and log‐rank statistics were used to compare Kaplan–Meier curves between the strata. Results: About 36.2% (n = 262) of the samples were malnourished according to the SGNA. Severe malnutrition by the SGNA (relative risk [RR] = 8.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.35–21.3, P = 0.001) and living in the North region (RR = 11.9, 95% CI: 3.34–42.7, P = 0.001) were associated with the poorest survival. The North (RR = 5.77, 95% CI: 1.29–25.8, P = 0.021), Northeast (RR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.11, P = 0.041), Midwest (RR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.095, P = 0.036), age group 10–18 years (RR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45– 0.94, P = 0.022) and haematologic malignancy (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.10–2.10, P = 0.011) were predictors of readmission within 30 days. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition was high and related to death. These results highlight the need to use the SGNA in clinical practice alongside classic anthropometric methods for the diagnosis of malnutrition, and the need to standardise care across all Brazilian regions, which should include nutritional care for children and adolescents with cancer. Key points: Malnutrition, according to Subjective Global Nutritional Assessment (SGNA), was high and related to death in Brazilian children and adolescent with cancer.Patients from more economically disadvantaged regions of Brazil, aged 10–18 years and in haematological treatment, had higher readmission rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. 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). 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). 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate disordered eating and associated factors in university students in the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This is an analytical cross-sectional observational study, and data collection took place between May and June 2020, using an online semi-structured questionnaire. In total, 936 students were evaluated. Present signs/symptoms of the flu syndrome (OR = 1.605), negative mood changes (OR = 1.628), weight gain (OR = 1.739), obesity (OR = 3.089), follow fitness/health profile on social media (OR = 2.050), having inadequate body perception (OR = 2.416), and body dissatisfaction (OR = 2.612) increased the chances of presenting a higher score on the disordered eating scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Eucalyptus can be grown in different soils worldwide, although it is not always ready to fulfill plants' nutrient demands. Whenever such nutrient shortage happens, it is necessary applying the nutrients missing, which can be established based on the critical levels and sufficiency ranges (SRs) of nutrients in leaves or by multivariate mathematical models, such as the composition nutrient diagnosis (CND). This study aimed to investigate the nutritional status of Eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, based on the CND method. A total of 119 12-month-old Eucalyptus saligna (E. saligna) plantations were sampled in the Rio Grande do Sul State (RS), Southern Brazil. Nutrient concentration in leaves and the diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured. The E. saligna nutritional status was calculated through the CND method. High- and low-yield populations were set based on DBH of 4.2 cm. The SRs proposed by the CND method were narrower than the ones proposed by official recommendations for Eucalyptus, especially for magnesium (Mg), boron (B), and iron (Fe). The CND-r2 index recorded for each nutrient generated a limitation order for nutrients. The greater accuracy of the recommendations proposed by the CND method, compared with univariate and bivariate methods, contribute to reducing the use of fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the usual food intake of para‐athletes enables knowledge and description of nutrient intakes, providing insight into the potential nutritional status of para‐athletes and may help tailor dietary intake to their specific training needs. This study aimed to evaluate the usual intake of macronutrients and food groups and meal food patterns of athletes with a disability. We also compared dietary intake data between team and individual sport para‐athletes. One hundred and one athletes with a disability from 13 Paralympic disciplines living in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil were included. Food intake was estimated from two or four non‐consecutive 24‐h food recalls in which para‐athletes reported all food, beverages, and supplements consumed in the previous 24‐h. Dietary intake analysis was performed by implementing the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to calculate the macronutrient and food group usual intake. Macronutrient intakes were compared to Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges for the general population and food group intakes were compared to the 2008 Brazilian National Dietary Guidelines. Para‐athletes consumed a low‐carbohydrate, adequate protein, high‐fat diet. There was no significant difference in macronutrient intake distribution between team sport and individual sport para‐athletes. Most para‐athletes had three main meals during the day. The prevalence of inadequate fruit servings in the middle and highest energy intake tertiles was significantly higher in team sport para‐athletes (92.5% and 98.4%) than in individual sport para‐athletes (90.8% and 65.5%), respectively. The prevalence of inadequate vegetable servings was significantly higher between team and individual para‐athletes for the middle energy intake tertiles. Para‐athletes generally consumed an imbalanced diet, which is a cause for concern given their additional physiological demands and specific training needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding of the association between nutritional risk and clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients with overweight is still at an early stage. Given the lack of specific tools for the patient with overweight, the objective of this study was to compare two of the main general screening instruments for assessing nutritional risk in predicting clinical outcomes in a population of hospitalised patients with overweight. A retrospective study was carried out in a medium‐sized hospital in Brazil, with patients ≥20 years old admitted between July 2017 and December 2019. Patients who were overweight and had records of Nutritional Risk Screening‐2002 (NRS‐2002) and Mini‐Nutritional Assessment‐Short Form (MNA‐SF) in their medical files were included in the study. Clinical outcomes data (longer length of stay, readmission during the study period and mortality before the end of study or during hospitalisation) were obtained. The Kappa coefficient assessed agreement between both tools, and their performance for predicting outcomes was analysed using characteristic receiver operating curves (ROC). Data were collected from 643 patients. The prevalence of nutritional risk was 17.7% and 36.1% according to the NRS‐2002 and MNA‐SF (k = 0.390; p < 0.001), respectively. According to both tools, all clinical outcomes were significantly more common among individuals at nutritional risk (p < 0.05). Only the MNA‐SF showed a significant percentage of predictions for readmission (57.2%) and death during hospitalisation (65.7%). For mortality until the end of the study, the area under the ROC curve was similar for MNA‐SF (60.5%) and NRS‐2002 (60.7%; p = 0.057). The MNA‐SF detected a greater proportion of nutritional risk among hospitalised patients with overweight and better predicted all clinical outcomes compared to the NRS‐2002 and should be used to screen patients with overweight for nutritional risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Race and gender inequities in the incidence of hypertension (HTN) are well documented; however, few empirical investigations looked into these associations, considering the synergies and heterogeneous experiences of intersectional gender and race/skin colour groups. This study investigated the association of intersectional identities defined by gender and race/skin colour with HTN incidence, and verified whether they are affected by educational level in adulthood. We used the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) data to estimate the incidence of HTN between visits 1 (2008–2010) and 2 (2012–2014), in 8528 participants without hypertension at visit 1. HTN was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive drugs. Generalized linear models with Poisson distribution and log link function were used to assess the associations. The incidence of HTN was 43.4/1000 person-years, ranging from 30.5/1000 in White women to 59.4/1000 in Black men. After adjusting by age and family history of HTN, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) was higher in Black men (2.25; 95%CI: 1.65–3.08), Brown (Pardo) men (1.89; 95%CI: 1.59–2.25), Black women (1.85; 95%CI: 1.50–2.30), Brown (Parda) women (1.47; 95%CI: 1.31–1.67) and White men (1.76; 95%CI: 1.49–2.08), compared to White women. These associations were maintained even after considering socioeconomic, behavioural and health mediators in the model. No interaction was found between education level and intersectional identities in the IRRs observed. By using an intersectional approach, we showed the complex relations between race/skin colour and gender inequities in the incidence of HTN, pointing not only that Black men have the highest risk of developing HTN, but also that the risk of HTN is greater in Black women than in White men, when compared to White women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phytonematode Aphelenchoides besseyi gained prominence in Brazil following its identification as the etiological agent of leaf and green stem retention in soybean plants. Thus, this study evaluated the effects of nutrient omission on the phytotechnical characteristics of soybean in the presence and absence of A. besseyi. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized 2 × 11 factorial arrangement, with 11 treatments: control (no nutrients), complete nutrition, and individual -N, -P, -K, -S, -B, -Cu, -Fe, -Mn, and -Zn omission were applied to inoculated and uninoculated plants, and six replicates. The presence of A. besseyi adversely affected the growth characteristics, except when -P, -S, -B, -Mn, and -Zn were omitted. The nematode reduced the root length in treatments omitting -K, -S, -B, -Cu, -Fe, -Mn, and -Zn and root fresh weight when -N, -P, -K, and -Cu were omitted. In the absence of the pathogen, N assimilation did not differ significantly between the treatments; however, it was negatively influenced by the presence of the pathogen in the control and complete nutrition treatment. The leaf area index values were the lowest in inoculated plants with no nutrition, with complete nutrition, and with -N, -P, -K, and -Cu omissions. The micro- and macronutrients concentration and the shoot dry weight (SDW) were high in the presence of the nematode, except in treatments where -N, -S, and -Mn were omitted. The nutritional status does not affect infection by the nematode A. besseyi, but the application of nutrients is necessary for soybean development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast neoplasms have a high incidence and mortality rate in Brazil and worldwide. As a result, there are several important scenarios, such as the anthropometric profile, food consumption and analysis of nutritional status, which become allies to better understand this population and outline more individual measures and strategies that minimize the effects of breast cancer. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile, body composition and food consumption among patients with breast cancer. Materials and methods: This is an integrative literature review. The results were obtained by direct online access through the databases: PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct, using the combination of the following descriptors in English: Breast Neoplasms, Nutritional Status, Food Consumption and Anthropometry. The PICOS strategy was used to define the research question, and PRISMA for material selection. Results and Discussion: A total of eight studies were selected. Patients with breast cancer have a high Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and WHR, indicating cardiovascular risk and mortality. Regarding food consumption, it was possible to observe the intake of industrialized products (processed and ultra-processed), which contain higher levels of sodium, fats and sugars. The consumption of these foods is justified by the patients' loss of appetite, and consequently these industrialized foods bring greater palatability. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients were overweight and obese, with low intake of fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, highprotein diets can improve symptoms caused by chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high incidence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the period of 2015–2016 in Brazil may have affected linear height growth velocity (GV) in children exposed in utero to ZIKV. This study describes the growth velocity and nutritional status based on the World Organization (WHO) standards of children exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy and followed up in a tertiary unit, a reference for tropical and infectious diseases in the Amazon. Seventy-one children born between March 2016 and June 2018 were monitored for anthropometric indices: z-score for body mass index (BMI/A); weight (W/A); height (H/A) and head circumference (HC/A); and growth velocity. The mean age at the last assessment was 21.1 months (SD ± 8.93). Four children had congenital microcephaly and severe neurological impairment. The other 67 were non-microcephalic children (60 normocephalic and 7 macrocephalic); of these; 24.2% (16 children) had neurological alterations, and 28.8% (19 children) had altered neuropsychomotor development. Seventeen (24.2%) children had inadequate GV (low growth velocity). The frequencies of low growth among microcephalic and non-microcephalic patients are 25% (1 of 4 children) and 23.9% (16 of 67 children); respectively. Most children had normal BMI/A values during follow-up. Microcephalic patients showed low H/A and HC/A throughout the follow-up, with a significant reduction in the HC/A z-score. Non-microcephalic individuals are within the regular ranges for H/A; HC/A; and W/A, except for the H/A score for boys. This study showed low growth velocity in children with and without microcephaly, highlighting the need for continuous evaluation of all children born to mothers exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancer (HNC) significantly impacts nutritional status because the tumor limits swallowing function. In this sense, it is important to monitor the nutritional status throughout the life of any individual. A multicenter case-control study was carried out to analyze the BMI at 30 years of age, two years before diagnosis and at the time of diagnosis of individuals with oral cavity, oropharynx, and larynx cancers. It was observed that a 5% reduction in BMI during the two years before enrollment was associated with an increased risk of the oral cavity (OR = 3.73), oropharyngeal OR = 5.25), and laryngeal (OR = 5.22). Reduced BMI of more than 5% over two years before diagnosis was associated with HNC. Weight loss remained significant at diagnosis, but it is not possible to exclude reverse causality since most cases are at an advanced stage. BMI monitoring of individuals at potential risk for HNC can promote early diagnosis and nutritional interventions for HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to analyze the nutritional status and temporal trend of the coverage of Brazilian adolescents monitored in the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System in the period 2008-2019. Methods: ecological study of temporal series with SISVAN data collected from 2008 to 2019 with 45,869.266 registration. Body mass index data were collected and the registration coverage of adolescents monitored by the system was calculated. The percentage of annual variation in coverage and nutritional status was estimated using Prais-Winsten regression, with a significance level of 5%. Results: an increase in the prevalence of obesity was observed between 2008 and 2019, during this period thinness remained stable in Brazil. National coverage evolved from 9.3% in 2008 to 19.6% in 2019, with an annual variation of 9% and a statistically significant increase trend. In Brazil, obesity in this age group increased between 2008 and 2019, with an annual variation of 8.7% (CI95% = 7.8-9.6). Conclusion: modifications were observed in nutritional status suggest the occurrence of nutritional transition in the adolescents' population. The percentage of coverage available in the system has growth potential, however, the current scenario impacts on a possible insufficient analysis to support the elaboration and reorientation of public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of overweight/obesity and analyze the associated factors in pregnant women assisted by family health teams. Methods: epidemiological observational study of populational, cross-sectional, and analytical base carried out with pregnant women at the Estratégia de Saúde da Família (Family Health Strategy) in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, between October 2018 and November 2019. Socioeconomic and demographic, obstetric characteristics, social and family support, emotional aspects and comorbidities. The presence of overweight/obesity was estimated by the initial Body Mass Index (up to the 13th gestational week) acquired from the pregnant woman's health booklet. Hierarchized Poisson regression with robust variance was carried out. Results: a total of 1,279 pregnant women participated in this study. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 45.3% and was associated with the following factors: having a partner (PR=1.52; CI95% =1.24-1.86), higher family income (PR=1.23; CI95% =1.04-1.46), presence of previous pregnancies (PR=1.65; CI95% =1.39-1.95%), higher age group (PR=2.26; CI95% =1.70-3.01), gestational diabetes mellitus (PR=1.43; CI95% =1.21-1.69) and systemic arterial hypertension (PR=1.29; CI95% =1.04-1.61). Conclusion: there was a high prevalence of overweight/obesity in the evaluated pregnant women and its association with sociodemographic and obstetric factors and chronic comorbidities. There is a necessity for monitoring and carrying out nutritional education in prenatal care provided by family health teams, with emphasis on strengthening multidisciplinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to verify the prevalence of breastfeeding and the children's nutritional status of indigenous origin up to two years of age in the triple frontier region: Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Methods: data from the Sistema de Vigilância Nutricional e Alimentar Indígena (Indigenous Food and Nutrition Surveillance System) were analyzed, being a cross-sectional and descriptive study. The survey was carried out in 2018, with data referring to 2017. Registrations of indigenous children of both sexes, aged zero to two years old were included. Data were extracted from the indigenous children's follow-up map. The prevalence of breastfeeding and complementary feeding was evaluated. Results: the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under six months of age was 93.4% and complementary breastfeeding was 6.5%. The prevalence of complementary breastfeeding after six months was 71.6% and exclusive breastfeeding after six months was 28.3%. Regarding social benefits, 30.3% of the families accumulated two types of social benefits. Conclusions: the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was high and surpassed the national prevalence in the first semester of life, there was no early weaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ADS) is a group of highly complex disorders. Over the years, there has been a growing number of ADS-diagnosed persons. In Brazil, there are few studies on the nutritional profile of this population. Objective: To describe the socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric characteristics and food consumption of children with ADS from a social movement in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, quantitative, primary research was carried out between March and June 2020, with 92 children aged 2 to 9 years and their respective mothers, members of the social movement in Macaé. Two questionnaires were used: the first was semi-structured containing socioeconomic, demographic clinical and anthropometric variables; the second, a structured questionnaire about foods consumption. The continuous variables were described as means, standard deviation, and the categorical variables as proportion (%). To determine the significance of the differences found in the responses by groups and categories, the chi-square test was used. P-value <0.05 was used for statistical significance. Results: Most children were male (81.5%) and illiterate (75.0%). It was found that 53.5% of the children were overweight, according to the BMI for age, and 91.1% had adequate height for age. Out of 59 children assessed for foods intake, 78.0% ate beans the day before the interview; 57.6% ate fresh fruits, and 54.2% vegetables; 59.3% consumed sweetened drinks and 37.3%, sweets. Conclusion: Overweight and markers of unhealthy eating habits were high for he assessed group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify overweight women's sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and describe the association between quality of life and nutritional status. Method: a cross-sectional study with 82 women from a public outpatient clinic in Bahia. We used sociodemographic and clinical forms, the SF-36, descriptive statistics, the Kruskal Wallis test, and a statistical significance of 5%. Results: The majority were black (92.7%), had 40 to 59 years (85.4%), had a partner (51.2%), up to high school (61.0%), paid work (52.4%) and had monthly income 3 minimum wages (86.6%). She had obesity grade I 34.1%, III 31.7%, and two comorbidities 32.9%. The domains of pain, general health status, and vitality were more compromised, with medians of 51, 52, and 55, respectively. Women with obesity III had worse quality of life in the functional capacity, physical aspects and pain domains (p 0.05). Conclusion: Overweight affects quality of life, especially in women with obesity III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low level of physical activity and poor nutritional quality are related to metabolic alterations related to chronic diseases. Objective: To evaluate the level of physical activity and eating habits of university professors from a private educational institution, RJ, Brazil. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted in university professors at the Anhanguera University Center of Niterói, RJ. Data collected online (Microsoft forms): weight and height for nutritional status (low weight, normal weight, overweight and obesity and "excessive weight or no excessive weight"), international physical activity questionnaire IPAQ and "How is your diet?", a national questionnaire. Classification of physical activity level: low, moderate or high and classification of diet: poor, regular and excellent. Statistical analysis: SPSS, v.25. Results: 101 professors (female 51.4%), with means: 45.4 years, weight 79.2 kg, body mass index 27.4 kg/m2; 1% (n=1), 28.7% (n=29), 40.6% (n=41), 29.7% (n=30) were low weight, normal weight, overweight and obesity, respectively. Overweight in 70.3% of the sample (83.7% male). Poor, regular and excellent eating habits, 19.8% (n=20), 25.7% (n=26), 54.5 (n=55), with no significant difference by sex (p=0.31) and nutritional status (p=0.58). Low level of physical activity 31.7% (n=32), moderate level 34.7% (n=35), and high level 33.7% (n=34), more prevalent in men (p=0.048). Conclusion: High prevalence of overweight, approximately half of the sample with inadequate eating habits and one third with low level of physical activity. Professor's awareness about regular physical exercise and eating habits in health promotion is necessary, including institutional programs for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between the consumption of NOVA food groups (classification based on the nature, extent and purpose of food processing) and the intake of energy, macro and micronutrients among school children. Design: Cross-sectional study. Food consumption was assessed by two 24-h dietary recalls on non-consecutive days. Energy from each NOVA food groups – ultra-processed foods, unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients and processed foods – was estimated. For analysis, the percentage of energy from ultra-processed foods and unprocessed or minimally processed foods were categorised into tertiles and associated with intake of energy, macro and micronutrients using analysis of covariance and linear regression. Setting: Public schools in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants: School children aged 8–12 years (n 797; 406 girls; 391 boys). Results: Mean energy intake was 2050·18 ± 966·83 kcal/d, 25·8 % was from ultra-processed foods, 56·7 % from unprocessed or minimally processed foods, 8·9 % from processed culinary ingredients and 8·6 % from processed foods. A higher energy contribution from ultra-processed foods was negatively associated with the intake of protein, fibre, vitamin A, Fe and Zn (P < 0·001) and positively associated with total energy, lipid and Na intake (P < 0·001). Concurrently, a higher energy contribution from unprocessed or minimally processed foods was positively associated with the consumption of protein, fibre, Fe and Zn (P < 0·001) and negatively associated with total energy (P = 0·002), lipid and Na intake (P < 0·001). Conclusions: In conclusion, higher ultra-processed food consumption presented a negative association with the nutrient intake profile of school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was a transversal analytical study. Exercise capacity is usually decreased in cystic fibrosis, impacting the disease prognosis. As well, peripheral muscle strength and nutritional status seem to be related to exercise capacity (EC). To verify the relationship between peripheral muscle strength, pulmonary function and body composition with EC in children and adolescents with CF. The study included CF children/adolescents that were clinically stable. The disease's severity was classified according to the Schwachman-Doerschuk score. Initially the subjects underwent bioimpedance and spirometry tests. Quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) and handgrip strength (HG) were evaluated by dynamometry. The Modified Shuttle Walk Test (MSWT) was conducted along with gas analysis in order to measure EC. Twenty-five children/adolescents (10.30 ± 2.33 years old) participated in the survey. 72% were eutrophic, with a mean FEV1 of 68.55%, predicted percentage of the MSWT walked distance (%WD) was 70.91%, and QMS 65.80%. QMS presented significant correlations with absolute WD (r = 0.54), oxygen peak consumption (r = 0.72), lean body mass (LM) (r = 0.83), and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.69). HG was related with BMI (r = 0.45) and LM (r = 0.65). There was a difference in the %WD between the groups with higher/lower strength (p =.02). There was no correlation between HG and EC in this studied sample. Early involvement of QMS was observed even in individuals with low disease severity. This finding reinforces the importance of including this QMS assessment in CF reference centers to monitor, prevent and prescribe adequate exercise training for these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of different agricultural succession systems can influence the availability, dynamics, and accumulation of nutrients. This study aimed to analyze the impact of succession systems on the nutritional characteristics of soybean in succession. The study was conducted in the Midwest region of Paraná, Brazil. The experiment was carried in randomized block design, with eight species in the autumn/winter season (spontaneous, black oat, brachiaria ruziziensis, oilseed radish, corn, wheat, black oat intercropped with radish, and corn intercropped with brachiaria ruziziensis) and four replications, with soybean cultivation in succession. The content of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and micronutrients (B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) in soybean leaves during the flowering period were analyzed. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance. The means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test, with a 5% probability. The data were also compared with the reference levels for soybean and with the Integrated System of Diagnosis and Recommendation (DRIS), obtaining the Nutritional Balance Index (NBI). The succession system had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the contents of N, P, S, and Cu. Ca, Mg, and Mn had contents above the reference range, while B values were lower; there was variation according to the system for other nutrients. P was the nutrient with the most significant limitation in soybean cultivation after spontaneous species. In contrast, for the other systems, the limiting nutrient was S. Concerning NBI, the best result was obtained with black oat and soybean succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the nutritional, food and biochemical profile of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) treated at a reference center in southern Brazil. Methods: Crosssectional study including patients with CF at a pediatric center in Florianópolis, from 2019 to 2020. Questionnaires with questions on sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical, 24- hour dietary recall, and anthropometric measurements were applied. Participants were stratified into age groups, infants (under 2 years); preschoolers (2-5 years), schoolchildren (5-10 years), and adolescents (≥ 10 years). Discussion: Periodic monitoring of nutritional status should be part of the routine of patients with CF, being essential to prevent the decline of the clinical picture. Results: Of the 102 patients included in the study, 52.9% were male, mostly white (87.3%), with a mean age of 6.11±4.63 years. Most patients (84.3%) were classified as eutrophic. When comparing the age groups, 81% of the infants had an excellent clinical score, the nutritional supplement was more used in the school group (90.9%); adolescents were diagnosed later (11.55±26.40 months), and 19.4% of them had CF-related diabetes. n infants, the serum albumin level had a lower mean and the serum phosphorus level showed a slight increase in relation to the reference value. Conclusion: In the present study, a decline in clinical score scores, the prevalence of CF-related diabetes, and higher food intake among adolescents were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) is one of the promising nutrients for lawn growth and is required for the lawn's proper growth and development, but it also increases mowing frequency. Glyphosate herbicide application in sub-doses, as a growth regulator, can reduce the maintenance costs without any adverse reduction in the density and nutritional status of grasses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influences of nitrogen and glyphosate doses on the growth, aesthetic quality and nutritional status of emerald grass (Zoysia japonica Steud.). The experiment was conducted at the Research and Extension Education Farm of São Paulo State University (UNESP), Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil, in an Ultisol. The experiment was designed as a randomized block with 12 treatments arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial scheme with 4 replications, comprised of a control (without N), 15 and 30 g N m−2 of urea, applied in five splits annually, and glyphosate doses (0, 200, 400 and 600 g ha−1 of the active ingredient, a.i.). The split N fertilization at the rate of 15 g m−2 and glyphosate at the dose of 400 g ha−1 maintained nutritional status of emerald grass. Nitrogen at the rate 15 g N m−2 (in five splits per year) was observed to produce lower growth traits, an adequate aesthetic quality and longer stability of the nutrients in emerald grasses through lower exportation, with removal of "clipping" after mowing. In addition, glyphosate, at the dose of 400 g a.i. ha−1, was efficient in reducing the leaf area, plant height, shoot dry matter and total dry matter by 18.3, 14.7, 6.8 and 8.1%, respectively, as compared to the control. However, this dose did not impair the coloration and resulted in a lower exportation of nutrients by reducing the need to replenish by fertilization. Therefore, fertilization with 15 g N m−2, associated with application of 400 g a.i. ha−1 of glyphosate, is recommended for emerald grass in the tropical savannah of Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant feeding practices impact children's nutritional and health status, influencing growth and development. This study aimed to analyse the evolution of infant feeding practices from 9 to 24 months of age, considering infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and food processing. The infant feeding practices in children from the Brazilian site of the MAL‐ED study were evaluated at 9 (n = 193), 15 (n = 182) and 24 months (n = 164) using 24‐h dietary recalls. IYCF indicators were evaluated, and the extent of food processing was evaluated, using the NOVA classification. Breastfeeding declined significantly over time, from 77.6% at 9 months to 45.1% at 24 months. Although dietary diversity did not significantly change during the study period (80.5% at 24 months), the minimum acceptable diet significantly increased from 67.9% to 76.1% at 24 months (p < 0.0005). All the studied children consumed sweetened beverages from 9 months. Unhealthy food consumption and zero vegetable or fruit consumption significantly increased over time (p < 0.0005). Unprocessed food consumption decreased from 9 to 24 months of age (p < 0.0005), while ultra‐processed food consumption increased (p < 0.0005) during the study period. Logistic regressions showed that, at 9 months, breastfed children presented a lower risk for ultra‐processed food consumption (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.13–0.77); and children reaching the minimum acceptable diet presented more risk for ultra‐processed food consumption (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.01–5.27). In conclusion, data showed a reduction in the quality of infant feeding practices over the first 2 years of life, with a decrease in breastfeeding and an increase in the consumption of unhealthy and ultra‐processed foods. Key messages: Data showed a reduction in the quality of infant feeding practices over the first 2 years of life.Breastfeeding decreased over the studied period. There was an increase in the consumption of ultra‐processed and unhealthy foods, which occurred concomitantly to the increase of no consumption of fruits/vegetables.Breastfeeding was an important protective factor against a greater consumption of ultra‐processed food.National nutrition policy should consider promoting breastfeeding and increasing fresh and minimally processed food consumption in children under 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The dosage and safety of nutritional supplements for patients with venous ulcers are still not well established. Aim: To evaluate the effects of a high calorie, high protein, arginine-, zinc-, and vitamins A, C, and E-enriched nutritional supplement on the biochemical profile, dietary intake, anthropometry, muscle strength, and characteristics of lesions of patients with venous ulcers. Methods: A controlled before–after clinical trial with a four-week follow-up involved 27 patients with venous ulcers under outpatient treatment in Brazil. It was administered in two to three doses per day (200 mL each) of a high-calorie and high-protein supplement enriched with arginine, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E. Patients were assessed for anthropometric parameters, dietary intake, biochemical tests, and healing conditions according to the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). Results: It was observed that an increase in energy and protein supply led to an adequate intake of immunonutrients (zinc and vitamins A, C, and E), increased body weight, increased body mass index, and stronger handgrip strength. The injury area and the score on the PUSH notably decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The administered supplement, at the tested dosage, improved the nutritional status and characteristics of lesions in patients with venous ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Weaned lambs raised on pasture-based systems in Brazil are often subjected to periods of forage shortage, limiting their nutrient and energy intake and, hence, their growth. Fast recovery of lamb body weight is important to the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of these sheep production systems. Aim: We evaluated the effects of refeeding on growth performance, blood metabolites and physiological parameters of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs after low and moderate feed restriction, to determine whether there was a compensatory growth response. Methods: Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs were assigned to a completely randomised design with three treatments and eight replicates. The trial was conducted in a feedlot and divided into two phases: (1) feed restriction for 64 days, and (2) refeeding for 42 days. In Phase 1, the respective treatments provided energy supplies of 0.481, 0.841 and 1.205 MJ metabolisable energy per kg metabolic weight daily, corresponding to 60% (PR60, moderate) and 30% (PR30, low) feed restriction levels and ad libitum intake. In Phase 2, the lambs in PR60 and PR30 treatments were refed ad libitum. Performance and blood measurements were taken in Phase 1 for the ad libitum treatment, and Phase 2 for PR60 and PR30 treatments. Key results: Highest initial and final bodyweights of 32.7 and 41.2 kg were recorded in the PR30 treatment during Phase 2, compared with 23.0 and 36.7 kg averaged over PR60 and ad libitum treatments. Average daily gain did not differ among treatments (276 g/day, on average). Dry matter intake was significantly higher in PR30 than the ad libitum treatment (1406 vs 1158 g/day), with PR60 intermediate (1267 g/day). Serum levels of albumin, urea and creatinine indicated that protein metabolism was strongly affected by the PR60 treatment. High metabolic rate and subsequent rapid growth determined high respiratory rate and rectal temperature in the lambs from PR60 and PR30 treatments. Conclusions: Moderate feed restriction relative to maintenance level followed by an ad libitum refeeding period in the feedlot leads to a strong compensatory growth response in Dorper × Santa Ines lambs. Implications: In periods of low feed availability, keeping weaned lambs under moderate feed restriction is a good strategy to induce an efficient compensatory growth response in the feedlot during the finishing phase. After a period of low feed availability and limited growth rate, fast recovery of lamb bodyweight makes sheep production systems more efficient, sustainable and profitable. Compensatory growth is followed by several adaptations at metabolic and physiological levels, including accelerated protein metabolism, high respiratory rate and high body temperature. After lambs are subjected to moderate feed restriction relative to the maintenance requirements, an efficient compensatory growth response is obtained under feedlot conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research focusing on the relationship between interpersonal violence and nutritional status in adolescence is scarce and has distinct results. The objective of this study is to investigate the association of family physical and sexual violence with inadequate nutritional status in Brazilian adolescents. We used data from the 2015 Brazilian National Survey of School Health. This study includes 11.850 students, older than 13 years, attending from sixth to ninth grade of elementary school and from the 1st to the 3rd year of high school. The exposures were family physical violence and rape. The outcome was nutritional status, assessed through body mass index. The association between exposures and outcome were investigated using a multinomial logistic regression model. These analyses were adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic, and family variables. The prevalence of family physical violence victimization was approximately 14% among adolescents for both sexes. The prevalence of rape was 4.6% and 5.7% among male and female adolescents, respectively. Family physical violence was not associated with being underweight, overweight, or obese, in either crude or adjusted models for both sexes. Sexual violence was inversely associated with being underweight only for male adolescents (OR: 0.21, CI 95%: 0.06–0.75). In female adolescents, sexual violence was associated with overweight/obesity (OR: 1.64, CI 95%:1.15–2.33). In this study, rape, but not family physical violence victimization, was associated with nutritional status in adolescents of both sexes. Nonetheless, this association was different between boys and girls. Rape was inversely associated with being underweight in male adolescents, whereas, in female adolescents, it was associated with excess body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several published studies have reported an association between participation in a food assistance program and greater prevalence of overweight/obesity. Our aim was to compare nutritional status and nutrient consumption between workers from manufacturing companies participant and non-participant in the Brazilian Workers' Food Program (WFP).Design: Cross-sectional survey, based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in Brazil obtained by stratified two-stage sampling, comparative between WFP and non-WFP participating companies. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and nutrient consumption (24-hour recall) were collected by trained nutritionists. Statistical analysis was done separately in each sex with mixed effects multilevel linear regression model including sampling weights and covariate adjustment.Results: Thirty-three companies were randomly selected from all companies in three different economic activity sectors (food and beverages, non-metallic minerals, and textiles) in North-eastern Brazil, with stratification by company size, and a random sample of 929 workers (484 from non-WFP and 445 from WFP companies) was obtained from those companies. In males, the WFP group had higher BMI (+ 1.08 kg/m2, p < 0.001), greater WC (+ 3.27 cm, p < 0.001) and greater prevalence of obesity (OR 1.67, p < 0.001). In females, no statistical significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters, but the WFP group had lower prevalence of obesity (OR 0.49, p = 0.05). Among workers in companies that provide lunch, males from WFP companies have greater consumption of carbohydrates (+ 39.5 kcal, p = 0.02) and protein (+ 11.1 kcal, p = 0.08), while females have lower protein consumption (- 14.2 kcal, p = 0.04) and also lower total daily consumption of carbohydrates (- 59.3 Kcal, p = 0.05) and total lipids (- 14.2 Kcal, p = 0.04).Conclusions: Participation in the WFP is associated with increased BMI and WC among male workers; however, this association was not found in females. Compared to the non-WFP group, in the WFP group, males have greater consumption of carbohydrates and protein at lunch, while women have lower protein intake. These results indicate the need that proposals for public policies aimed to the improvement of the nutritional status of populations take into consideration the different effects of food assistance programs in males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the relationship between cesarean Delivery (CD) and overweight in preschool children, considering the presence of birth aspects and demographic characteristics that have been associated with the risk of excess weight. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional analysis used representative data of children from 2 to 6 years of age at municipal daycare centers in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample included 752 preschoolers. Weight and height were collected in daycare centers, and the nutritional status classification was performed using z scores of Body Mass Index (zBMI). Data analysis was performed in the bivariate and multivariate manner, the latter with the inclusion of another possible risk factor. Adjustments were made for daycare centers time, sex, birth length and weight and maternal schooling. Results: The mean age of preschool children was 4.7 years, and 53.8% were boys. The prevalence of overweight children was 21.7%. The median zBMI of the children born by CD was higher than that of vaginal Delivery (p = 0.0194). The prevalence of overweight showed association with CD (p = 0.0196; PR = 1.397 with 95% CI of 1065–1831). Logistic binary multivariate regression analysis confirmed the association, even in the presence of other possible risk factors (CR: 1.580, 95% CI: 1.072–2.330). Conclusion for Practice: Birth by CD is one of the factors that are associated with the early development of overweight in preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This research tested the effects of adding babassu oil (450 g/kg C12:0 of total fatty acids—FA) or buriti oil (750 g/kg C18:f total FA) to the diet of lambs on intake, nutrient digestibility, FA profile of abomasal digesta content and biohydrogenation patterns in digestive content. Both are widely available in the Northeast of Brazil and Amazon region. Our results provide evidence that the babassu supplemented diet promotes greater stress to the ruminal bacteria (due to the high concentration of C12:0), changing the normal biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) in the rumen, and the FA concentration that flows to the abomasum, compared to the buriti oil supplemented diet, which provided similar results to the non-supplemented diet. Our current understanding of the effect of medium-chain FA (MCFA) rich vegetable oils on ruminant nutrition is limited. We assessed the effects of babassu or buriti oil addition to the diet of lambs on intake, nutrient digestibility, FA profile of abomasal digesta content and biohydrogenation (BH) patterns in digestion. The experimental diets were defined by the addition of babassu oil or buriti oil to the diet, as follows: (1) non-supplemented diet (CON); (2) 40 g/kg of babassu oil (BAO, rich in C12:0); and (3) 40 g/kg of buriti oil (BUO, rich in c9 18:1), on a dry matter (DM) basis. During the last five days of the feedlot, samples of orts and feces were individually collected to determine the nutrient and FA digestibility. At the end of the experiment, animals were slaughtered, and the abomasal digesta was collected, freeze-dried and used for FA determinations conducted by gas chromatography. The BAO diet decreased the DM (p = 0.014) and nutrient intake. The lambs fed BUO had the greatest FA intake, followed by the BAO and CON diets. However, BAO increased total FA digestibility, compared with CON, but did not differ from BUO. The BAO diet extensively changed the FA composition of abomasal digesta when compared with both the CON and BUO diets. The BAO diet also increased C12:0 and C14:0, the sum of PUFA and the BH intermediates FA, including the t-10-18:1 but decreased the C18:0 in abomasal digesta. The BUO addition had the greatest total-FA and C18:0 and the lowest biohydrogenation intermediate content in abomasal digesta. The BH was less complete with the BAO diet and a large increase in t10-18:1 and of t10-/t11-18:1 ratio was observed, which indicates the occurrence of t10 possibly shifted rumen BH pathways, probably as a response to bacterial membrane stress induced by the greater C12:0 concentration in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture influences food consumption and nutrient intake. In this paper we present a new approach in research, examining how knowledge and understanding of food is encoded in cultural models. The degree to which individuals match these shared models in their own consumption patterns is then measured, using the concept of cultural consonance. In research conducted in urban Brazil, the configuration of cultural models of food, and the association of cultural consonance in food with nutrient intake, are moderated by socioeconomic status. The theory and method employed here offers a new approach to the study of culture, food, and nutrient intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition is an important prognostic indicator of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Retrospective study with head and neck cancer patients who underwent total laryngectomy. 243 patients of both sex were evaluated. The univariate analyses demonstrated an increased risk of death for the patients with greater weight loss, hypoalbuminemia, radiotherapy as an initial treatment, salvage surgery, and radical neck dissection. In a Multivariate Cox regression, older age (p = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.003–1.06, hazard ratio [HR] 1.029), Nutritional Risk Index ≤100 (p = 0.008, 95% CI 1.18–3.12, HR 1.921) and adjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.029, 95% CI 0.31–3.12, HR 0.544) demonstrated prognostic significance in survival. Nutritional status is a modifiable variable and these findings highlight the need to adoption of simple nutritional assessment methods routinely during the treatment of head and neck cancer patients, in order to help improve prognosis after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the body image is constituted by psychic and cultural aspects elaborated by the subject. It results in satisfaction or dissatisfaction, which can be promoted or intensified by peer pressure on ideals of body image. Objective: to compare the prevalence rates of body dissatisfaction between Brazilians and Portuguese underweight, and to analyze the association of this variable with the social context, nutritional status and participation in bullying situations. Methods: 720 students from both countries (377 girls; M = 10 years old), from five public schools and three private schools participated in this research. Participants answered the following instruments: Sociodemographic Questionnaire; Body Silhouettes Scale and Bullying Questionnaire. Body mass and height were also measured. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: in relation to dissatisfaction with thinness, the participants in the private education network presented 0.43 (95% CI = 0.25-0.72) times less likely to manifest this condition when compared to the participants in the public education network. Boys were 1.64 (95% CI = 1.08-2.50) times more likely to present the outcome of dissatisfaction than girls. Among the bully-victim, 3.67 (95% CI = 1.41-9.53) times more chances were observed when compared with those who did not participate in bullying situations. The data revealed that body satisfaction was similar among students from both countries, but differed in some aspects of context. It was found that children and adolescents with low weight also need attention in relation to body dissatisfaction, mainly due to the identification of this variable as a possible risk factor associated with bullyvictims. Conclusion: interventional actions can be subsidized by the results presented to prevent and combat both body dissatisfaction and school bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is one of major risk factor for endometrial cancer, which is the eighth most incident cancer among women in Brazil. The present study aimed to assess any possible associations between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and clinical or sociodemographic characteristics of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer. This is a cross-sectional study with women newly diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC). The study was conducted between December 2016 and January 2020, at a reference center for gynecological cancer treatment. The nutritional status was assessed by measuring anthropometric parameters and food consumption by the food frequency questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was performed for the dependent variables overweight and obesity. The analyses were considered statistically significant when p < 0,05. The study population consisted of 318 women, with a mean age of 59.1 ± 6.9 years. The average daily energy intake was 2365.13 kcal/day, with 70.48% of energy consumption from fresh or minimally processed foods and 16.95% from UPF. Women above the highest tertile of UPF intake (19.27%) were more likely to be obese (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.12; 3.41, p < 0.01). Having a partner and systemic arterial hypertension was associated with the outcome. The high intake of UPF was associated with obesity, which indicates the need for nutritional intervention in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]