Social, clinical, and policy implications of ultra-processed food addiction

Key messages Ultra-processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and added fats are highly rewarding, appealing, and consumed compulsively and may be addictive Behaviours around ultra-processed food may meet the criteria for diagnosis of substance use disorder in some people •   Ultra-processed food addiction is estimated to occur in 14% of adults and 12% of children and is associated with biopsychological mechanisms of addiction and clinically significant problems Understanding of these foods as addictive could lead to novel approaches in the realm of social justice, clinical care, and policy approache

Dietary Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols versus Long-Chain Triacylglycerols for Body Composition in Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: To assess the effect of replacing dietary long-chain triacylglycerols (LCTs) with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) on body composition in adults.Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to determine whether individuals assigned to replace at least 5g of dietary LCTs with MCTs for a minimum of 4 weeks show positive modifications on body composition. We systematically searched, through July 2013, the CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, and MEDLINE databases for RCTs that investigated the effects of MCT intake on body composition in adults. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated for net changes in the outcomes. We assessed heterogeneity by the Cochran Q test and I-2 statistic and publication bias with the Egger's test. Prespecified sensitivity analyses were performed.Results: in total, 11 trials were included, from which 5 presented low risk of bias. in the overall analysis, including all studies, individuals who replaced dietary LCT with MCT showed significantly reduced body weight (WMD, -0.69kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.1 to -0.28; p = 0.001); body fat (-0.89kg; 95% CI, -1.27 to -0.51; p < 0.001), and WC (-1.78cm; 95% CI, -2.4 to -1.1; p < 0.001). the overall quality of the evidence was low to moderate. Trials with a crossover design were responsible for the heterogeneity.Conclusion: Despite statistically significant results, the recommendation to replace dietary LCTs with MCTs must be cautiously taken, because the available evidence is not of the highest quality.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Lab Fisiol Nutr, BR-04023060 São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas, Inst Quim & Biotecnol, Lab Pesquisa Recursos Nat, Maceio, BrazilUniv Fed Alagoas, Ctr Recuperacao & Educ Nutr, Fac Nutr, Maceio, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Lab Fisiol Nutr, BR-04023060 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Effectiveness of a stunting recovery program for children treated in a specialized center

BACKGROUND: Stunting is still very prevalent in many poor and developing regions in the world. This study assessed the effectiveness of a stunting recovery program in children and its associated factor. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted in a center of stunting recovery. There, children stayed in a day hospital system (9h per day5 days per week), and received five meals per day, pioviding 80% of their energetic daily needs. The main outcome was the stunting recovery rate (i.e., the child present a height for age index (HAZ) > - 1.0 at the time of data collection). A total of 75 children treated for at least 24 months, aged between 6 and 48 months and with an HAZ 24 months" (prevalence rate (PR) = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.15-0.99P = 0.04) and the variable "Household crowding index" (PR = 0.65, 95% Cl: 0.44-0.95, P = 0.03) were associated with the success of the treatment. CONCLUSION: The environmental conditions in which the children live in their households and late admission to the center negatively influenced the success of stunting recovery, even with an intensive treatment.Univ Fed Alagoas, Fac Nutr, Ctr Recuperacao & Educ Nutr, Cidade Univ, Maceio, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Effectiveness of a stunting recovery program for children treated in a specialized center

BACKGROUND: Stunting is still very prevalent in many poor and developing regions in the world. This study assessed the effectiveness of a stunting recovery program in children and its associated factor. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted in a center of stunting recovery. There, children stayed in a day hospital system (9h per day5 days per week), and received five meals per day, pioviding 80% of their energetic daily needs. The main outcome was the stunting recovery rate (i.e., the child present a height for age index (HAZ) > - 1.0 at the time of data collection). A total of 75 children treated for at least 24 months, aged between 6 and 48 months and with an HAZ 24 months" (prevalence rate (PR) = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.15-0.99P = 0.04) and the variable "Household crowding index" (PR = 0.65, 95% Cl: 0.44-0.95, P = 0.03) were associated with the success of the treatment. CONCLUSION: The environmental conditions in which the children live in their households and late admission to the center negatively influenced the success of stunting recovery, even with an intensive treatment.Univ Fed Alagoas, Fac Nutr, Ctr Recuperacao & Educ Nutr, Cidade Univ, Maceio, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Fisiol, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc