Maternal mental health and nutritional status of six-month-old infants

OBJECTIVE To analyze if maternal mental health is associated with infant nutritional status at six month of age. METHODS A cross-sectional study with 228 six-month-old infants who used primary health care units of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Mean weight-for-length and mean weight-for-age were expressed in z-scores considering the 2006 World Health Organization reference curves. Maternal mental health was measured by the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The following cutoff points were used: ≥ 3 for common mental disorders, ≥ 5 for more severe mental disorders, and ≥ 9 for depression. The statistical analysis employed adjusted linear regression models. RESULTS The prevalence of common mental disorders, more severe mental disorders and depression was 39.9%, 23.7%, and 8.3%, respectively. Children of women with more severe mental disorders had, on average, a weight-for-length 0.37 z-scores lower than children of women without this health harm (p = 0.026). We also observed that the weight-for-length indicator of children of depressed mothers was, on average, 0.67 z-scores lower than that of children of nondepressed women (p = 0.010). Maternal depression was associated with lower mean values of weight-for-age z-scores (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS Maternal mental health is positively related to the inadequacy of the nutritional status of infants at six months.OBJETIVO Analisar se saúde mental materna associa-se ao estado nutricional infantil no sexto mês de vida. MÉTODOS Estudo seccional com 228 crianças aos seis meses atendidas em unidades básicas de saúde do município do Rio de Janeiro. Médias de peso-para-comprimento e peso-para-idade foram expressas em escores z considerando as curvas de referência do World Health Organization 2006. A saúde mental materna foi aferida pelo General Health Questionnaire com 12 itens. Foram empregados os pontos de corte ≥ 3 para transtornos mentais comuns, ≥ 5 para transtornos mentais mais graves e ≥ 9 para depressão. Na análise estatística empregaram-se modelos de regressão linear ajustados. RESULTADOS As prevalências de transtornos mentais comuns, transtornos mentais mais graves e depressão foram de 39,9%, 23,7% e 8,3%, respectivamente. Para peso-para-comprimento, filhos de mulheres com transtornos mentais mais graves tinham, em média, 0,37 escores z mais baixos do que filhos de mulheres sem este agravo (p = 0,026). Também para o indicador peso-para-comprimento observou-se que, em relação aos filhos de mulheres não deprimidas, crianças de mães deprimidas apresentaram, em média, 0,67 escores z mais baixos (p = 0,010). Depressão materna esteve associada com valores médios mais baixos de escore z de peso-para-idade (p = 0,041). CONCLUSÕES A saúde mental materna está positivamente relacionada à inadequação do estado nutricional de crianças aos seis meses

Consumo alimentar segundo os dias da semana – Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação, 2008-2009

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the variations in energy, nutrients, and food groups intake between days of the week and weekend days in the Brazilian population. METHODS: We used data from the first National Food Survey (2008-2009) of a one-day food log of a representative sample of the Brazilian population aged 10 years or older (n = 34,003). For the analyses, we considered the sample weights and the effect of the study design. The mean (and standard deviations) and frequencies (%) of energy, nutrients, and food groups consumption were estimated for weekdays (Monday to Friday) and weekend (Saturday and Sunday), we then estimated the differences according to the days of the week for the population strata analyzed. RESULTS: The average daily energy intake for the weekend was 8% higher than the one observed for weekdays. The average percentage contribution of carbohydrate to the daily energy intake was higher during the week compared to Saturday and Sunday (56.3% versus 54.1%, p < 0.01). The inverse was observed for averages of the contribution to the daily intake of energy from total fat (26.8% versus 28.4%), saturated fat (9.1% versus 9.9%) and trans fat (1.4% versus 1.6%). The most significant changes between weekdays and weekend days were observed for eggs, sugar-added beverages, puff snacks and chips, beans, and pasta. During weekends, the frequency of beverage with added sugar consumption increased by 34%, the amount consumed increased by 42%, and the contribution to energy intake increased by 62% when compared to weekdays. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian population increases energy intake and unhealthy food markers on weekends compared to weekdaysOBJETIVO: Avaliar as variações na ingestão de energia, nutrientes e grupos de alimentos entre dias da semana e dias de fim de semana na população brasileira. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados obtidos no primeiro Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação (2008-2009) de um dia de registro alimentar de amostra representativa da população brasileira com 10 ou mais anos de idade (n = 34.003). Para as análises, foram considerados os pesos amostrais e o efeito do desenho de estudo. Foram estimadas as médias (e desvios-padrões) e frequências (%) da ingestão de energia, nutrientes e grupos de alimentos para dias de semana (de segunda a sexta-feira) e de final de semana (sábado e domingo), sendo estimadas as diferenças segundo os dias da semana para os estratos populacionais analisados. RESULTADOS: A ingestão diária média de energia do fim de semana foi 8% maior que a observada para dias de semana. A contribuição percentual média de carboidrato para a ingestão diária de energia foi maior durante a semana em comparação com sábado e domingo (56,3% versus 54,1%; p < 0,01). O inverso foi observado para as médias da contribuição para a ingestão diária de energia de gordura total (26,8% versus 28,4%), gordura saturada (9,1% versus 9,9%) e gordura trans (1,4% versus 1,6%). As mudanças mais importantes entre os dias de semana e de fim de semana foram observadas para ovos, bebidas com adição de açúcar, salgadinhos e chips, feijão e massas. Nos finais de semana, a frequência de consumo de bebidas com adição de açúcar aumentou em 34%, a quantidade consumida sofreu incremento de 42% e a contribuição para a ingestão de energia se elevou em 62%, quando comparados aos dias de semana. CONCLUSÕES: A população brasileira aumenta a ingestão de energia e de marcadores de alimentação pouco saudável nos finais de semana em comparação aos dias de seman

Use of Table Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners in Brazil: National Dietary Survey 2008–2009

The study aimed to describe the use of table sugar and artificial sweeteners (AS) in Brazil. A representative sample (n = 32,749) of individuals aged > 10 years was examined from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey (2008–2009). Participants reported whether they use table sugar, AS, both, or none as sweeteners for their foods and beverages. Energy intake and the contribution of selected food groups to energy intake were evaluated according to the type of sweetener reported. Sample weights and design effects were considered in the analysis. The majority of the population (85.7%) used sugar to sweeten foods and beverages, 7.6% used AS, and 5.1% utilized both products. The use of AS was more frequent among the elderly (20%), women (10% versus 5.5%), overweight individuals (10% versus 6%), those who live in urban areas (8.5% versus 3%), and those who belong to the highest income quartile (14% versus 1.6%), compared with men, normal weight individuals, those who live in rural areas, and those who belong to the first income quartile, respectively. Overall, the mean daily energy intake of individuals using only sugar was approximately 16% higher than those who used AS exclusively. The contribution of staple foods to daily energy intake was higher in individuals who used sugar than those who used AS

Changes in breakfast frequency and composition during adolescence: The Adolescent Nutritional Assessment Longitudinal Study, a cohort from Brazil

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To estimate changes over time of breakfast frequency and foods/food groups consumed at breakfast.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Cohort of 809 students aged 10–16 years old from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, enrolled in 2010, and followed for three years. Breakfast skippers were those not eating breakfast. Those with breakfast frequency of 4 or less times per week were considered irregular breakfast eaters. Changes over time of breakfast frequency and breakfast foods/food groups were analyzed by generalized estimating equations.</p><p>Results</p><p>At baseline, overweight/obese girls had higher prevalence of irregular breakfast than those non-overweight/obese (40% vs. 26%; p = 0.005); among boys, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of irregular breakfast according to weight status. After three years, among girls there was an increase in the risk of irregular breakfast consumption (RR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.08; 1.54) and breakfast skipping (RR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.12; 2.38). Also, overweight/obese boys (RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.89) and non-overweight/obese girls (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.17, 2.04) had higher risk of irregular breakfast in three years, compared to baseline. After three years, boys changed the consumption of foods/food groups at breakfast and presented higher risk of decreased intake of fruits (RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.13), sandwiches and snacks (RR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.22), chips (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.13), and ham (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.07), and lower risk of cheese intake (RR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.00). Girls had higher risk of decreased intake of fruits (RR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.47, 2.95), milk (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.08), chocolate powder (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.14) and ham (RR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.36).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Changes in breakfast patterns are different according to sex. Also, different changes in breakfast frequency according to BMI category were found. Consumption patterns of some foods/food groups have a tendency to become changed from initial to middle adolescence.</p></div

Relative risks (RR) of skipping breakfast change after three years of follow-up.

<p>Relative risks (RR) of skipping breakfast change after three years of follow-up.</p