Reproducibility, relative validity and calibration of a food frequency questionnaire for adults

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility and relative validity and calibrate the dietary intake assessment of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using a random sample of 195 adults aged 20 to 50 years from the Central-West Region of Brazil. The reference method used by the study was two 24-hour recalls (24hR) that provided energy-adjusted deattenuated food intake data for comparison purposes. With respect to reproducibility, the average weighted kappa was 0.43 and exact agreement was 41.5%. With regard to relative validity, correlation coefficients ranged from 0.32 (thiamin) to 0.51 (carbohydrates), with a mean of 0.41. Deattenuation and adjustment for energy intake decreased most correlation coefficients in relation to crude values. The food frequency questionnaire showed good reliability and moderate validity for most nutrients based on classification into quartiles of energy and nutrient intake. The calibrated means of the FFQ were more similar to the means estimated from the 24hR and showed lower standard deviation

Errores en las referencias bibliográficas de la producción académica: un estudio de caso

Analysis of the error rate of bibliographic citations in the dissertations presented for a master degree in bioengineering at University of São Paulo from 1999 to 2000. A random sample of 280 references was verified in MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Literature (LILACS), excluding non-indexed materials. The accuracy of the authors names, title and source items was determined. The errors founded were classified as minor when they did not delay the retrieval of the document and major when they did. From the 163 references verified 27.6% had at least one citation error. 60 errors in total were found: 70% major and 30% minor. The error rate was low (27.6%), but the majority of them can delay the document retrieval and so compromising their quality as a source of information. More attention is required from reviewers of the texts. The librarians must contribute with the authors by improving the citations accuracy through technological information sources. According to a recent paper, the length of reference list is a risk factor for citation errors. It is necessary to consider this factor in order to improve the accuracy of the referencesAnálisis de los errores en las citas bibliográficas de las tesis de maestría presentadas en 1999 y 2000 en el curso de postgrado interunidades de bioingenieria de la USP. Se realizó la selección aleatoria de una muestra de 280 referencias. Los datos fueron examinados en MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science y Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS), y se excluyeron de la muestra las referencias de documentos no catalogados. El 27,6% de las referencias examinadas contenían al menos un error. De los errores que se encontraron se clasificaron como mayores aquéllos susceptibles de retrasar la localización de los documentos (70%) y como menores el resto (30%). El indice de referencias incorrectas fue bajo, aunque la mayor parte de los errores encontrados compromete la función del documento como fuente de información, reflejando la necesidad de que se cuide mejor el proceso de revisión de las disertaciones. (A

Effect of the exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy and childhood on the body mass index until adolescence

OBJETIVO Analisar se a exposição ao tabagismo materno durante a gravidez e no início da infância afeta as mudanças no índice de massa corporal entre o nascimento e a adolescência. MÉTODOS Realizado estudo de coorte de base populacional com 2.405 crianças (0 a 5 anos) nascidas em Cuiabá, Brasil, e avaliadas de 1999 a 2000. De 2009 a 2011, esse grupo foi reavaliado. Peso ao nascer foi obtido a partir de registros médicos e a exposição ao tabagismo durante a gravidez e infância foi avaliada na primeira entrevista. Modelos lineares de efeitos mistos foram utilizados para estimar a associação entre a exposição ao tabagismo materno, durante a gravidez e a fase pré-escolar, e o índice de massa corporal das crianças ao nascer e durante a infância e adolescência. RESULTADOS Apenas 11,3% das mães relataram fumar durante a gravidez, sendo que a maioria delas (78,2%) também fumou durante a fase pré-escolar da criança. Entre as mães que fumaram exclusivamente durante a gravidez (n = 59), 97,7% fumaram somente no primeiro trimestre. As mudanças de índice de massa corporal entre o nascimento e a infância foram semelhantes entre as crianças expostas e não expostas ao tabagismo materno. Entretanto, entre a infância e a adolescência, a taxa de variação do índice de massa corporal foi maior entre os expostos ao tabagismo materno apenas durante a gravidez quando comparado aos não expostos. CONCLUSÕES A exposição ao fumo apenas durante a gravidez, especialmente no primeiro trimestre, pode afetar as mudanças no índice de massa corporal até a adolescência, apoiando a recomendação de cessação do tabagismo entre as mulheres em idade fértil.OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effect of exposure to smoking during pregnancy and early childhood on changes in the body mass index (BMI) from birth to adolescence. METHODS: A population-based cohort of children (0-5 years old) from Cuiabá, Midwest Brazil, was assessed in 1999-2000 (n = 2,405). Between 2009 and 2011, the cohort was re-evaluated. Information about birth weight was obtained from medical records, and exposure to smoking during pregnancy and childhood was assessed at the first interview. Linear mixed effects models were used to estimate the association between exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy and preschool age, and the body mass index of children at birth, childhood and adolescence. RESULTS: Only 11.3% of the mothers reported smoking during pregnancy, but most of them (78.2%) also smoked during early childhood. Among mothers who smoked only during pregnancy (n = 59), 97.7% had smoked only in the first trimester. The changes in body mass index at birth and in childhood were similar for children exposed and those not exposed to maternal smoking. However, from childhood to adolescence the rate of change in the body mass index was higher among those exposed only during pregnancy than among those who were not exposed. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to smoking only during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, seems to affect changes in the body mass index until adolescence, supporting guidelines that recommend women of childbearing age to stop smokin

Da dialogicidade entre universidade e comunidade: um estudo de caso da extensão universitária a partir do exercício da democracia dialógica na pesquisa-ação

Tem-se o objetivo com este artigo de relatar a importância de um projeto de extensão universitária e sua articulação com a comunidade, o qual buscou mudanças na realidade local por meio da democracia dialógica. Para tanto, utiliza-se como arcabouço teórico Freire (1979, 1981, 1986, 2000), Giddens (1991, 1994, 2005), Thiollent (2005) e Zaoual (2003). A metodologia desenvolveu-se a partir do estudo de caso sobre o projeto de extensão “Cultura e Identidade: elementos necessários para a prática pedagógica e fortalecimento do local”. O estudo expõe práticas inovadoras no processo de pesquisa, reflexão e ação para o empoderamento da comunidade foco e acadêmica. O alcance dos objetivos decorreu a partir da construção de vínculos entre extensionistas e comunidade que possibilitaram o exercício dialógico. A principal contribuição é a interlocução entre teoria e prática a partir da reflexão, da vivência e do diálogo. Desse modo, rompe-se a visão reducionista da intervençã

Station Rotation: An Experience Report of a Teaching-Learning Proposal in Youth and Adult Education

Objective. The objective of this investigation was to verify the possibilities and potentialities of the use of active methodologies (AM), with a focus on rotation by stations, in Youth and Adult Education (YAE). The study also aimed to suggest AM as a proposal that collaborates with quality in teaching-learning and can contribute to students becoming autonomous subjects. Since it is an audience that needs more attention from researchers in the area of education, from this the practice in question was carried out in a six-class municipal school with 112 students in the center-west of Goiás. The class chosen for the practice has 28 students enrolled, and two are from Inclusive Education. Methodology. In the data collection, we used questionnaires, and the data collected were analyzed in a discursive way. For this research, we used a qualitative approach of the descriptive type and documental analysis of public policies. Conclusions. It is concluded that the applied practice must gradually be inserted into the education of young people and adults, collaborating with the student to facilitate learning and with the teacher, who is always looking for new ways to meet your student

Chitosan as flocculant agent for clarification of stevia extract

Stevia is used as a sweetener due to its low calorific value and its taste, which is very similar to that of sucrose. After extraction from dried leaves, stevia extract is dark in colour, and therefore needs to be whitened to increase acceptance by consumers. In this study we tested chitosan, a cationic polyelectrolyte, as flocculant agent for the whitening of the Stevia extract. Positive charges of chitosan can interact electrostatically with a counter-ion, sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), and then chitosan precipitates. A factorial design was used to study the whitening process, in which Glycosides Removal, Colour Removal, Turbidity Removal and Soluble Solids Removal were evaluated. The studied factors were Chitosan Mass and pH of the TPP solution. The results showed that chitosan is a good flocculant agent, being able to flocculate both the glycosides and the pigments that make the extract coloured.UNIOESTE Centro de Engenharias e Ciências ExatasUNIFESP Centro de Ciências Exatas e da TerraUNIFESP, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da TerraSciEL

O passado como imagem dialética: reflexões sobre as narrativas da italianidade em Santa Teresa/ES

Este artigo analisa construções simbólicas em torno da italianidade, expressas tanto nas práticas culturais de Santa Teresa/ES quanto na Lei nº 13.617/2018, que a reconhece como pioneira da imigração italiana no Brasil. Aproximando-se do conceito benjaminiano de imagem dialética, cuja formulação aborda relações do presente com o passado e aponta a linguagem como lugar de sua expressão, problematizamos a constituição de uma narrativa histórica que destaca apenas integrantes e valores da comunidade desejada. Compreendendo a cultura como um campo plural e dinâmico, tomamos a lei na acepção de mônada. O percurso metodológico escolhido nos instiga a refletir sobre a italianidade como uma construção social produtora de visões de mundo, sociabilidades e sensibilidades. Outrossim, fornece subsídios para realizarmos uma análise da cultura como espaço constituído por tensões, conflitos e negociações, ora ocorrendo de forma sutil, alegórica, consentida, ora de maneira impositiva e excludente

Consumo de bebida alcohólica y adiposidad abdominal en donadores de sangre

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and abdominal fat. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of male blood donors (n=1,235), aged 20-59 years, in the city of Cuiabá, Central-West Brazil, between August 1999 and January 2000. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were indicators of abdominal fat, adjusted for total adiposity. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Alcohol consumption was evaluated using a questionnaire collecting information on type, frequency, and amount of consumption. The association between alcohol consumption and abdominal fat was assessed through multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, physical activity, smoking, and percent of body fat. RESULTS: After adjustment, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were positively associated with beer (p = 0.02) and total alcohol consumption (p=0.01; p=0.03, respectively). Waist circumference was positively associated with spirit consumption (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol intake, particularly beer, was positively associated to abdominal fat.OBJETIVO: Analizar la asociación entre el consumo de bebidas alcohólica y adiposidad abdominal. MÉTODOS: Se efectuó estudio transversal con una muestra de hombres donadores de sangre (N= 1.235), de 20 a 59 años, en Cuiabá (Centro-Oeste de Brasil), realizado de agosto/1999 a enero/2000. Los indicadores de adiposidad abdominal fueron circunferencia de la cintura y relación cintura/cuadril, ajustadas por la adiposidad total. Las medidas verificables fueron: peso, estatura, circunferencias de la cintura y del cuadril. El consumo de alcohol fue evaluado utilizándose un cuestionario sobre tipo, frecuencia y cantidad de la bebida consumida. La asociación entre el consumo de alcohol y adiposidad abdominal fue analizada por regresión lineal múltiple, con los modelos ajustados para la edad, actividad física, tabaquismo y adiposidad total. RESULTADOS: Posterior al ajuste, la circunferencia de la cintura y la relación cintura/cuadril se mantuvieron asociados positivamente al consumo de cerveza (p=0,02) y al total de alcohol consumido (p=0,01 y 0,03, respectivamente). El consumo de aguardiente mostró asociación solamente con la circunferencia de la cintura (p=0,04). CONCLUSIONES: El consumo de alcohol, particularmente de cerveza, se asoció con la localización abdominal de gordura.OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e adiposidade abdominal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com uma amostra de homens doadores de sangue (N=1.235), de 20 a 59 anos, em Cuiabá (MT), realizado de agosto/1999 a janeiro/2000. Os indicadores de adiposidade abdominal foram circunferência da cintura e relação cintura/quadril, ajustados pela adiposidade total. As medidas aferidas foram: peso, estatura, circunferências da cintura e do quadril. O consumo de álcool foi avaliado utilizando-se um questionário sobre tipo, freqüência e quantidade da bebida consumida. A associação entre o consumo de álcool e adiposidade abdominal foi analisada por regressão linear múltipla, com os modelos ajustados para idade, atividade física, tabagismo e adiposidade total. RESULTADOS: Após ajuste, a circunferência da cintura e a relação cintura quadril mantiveram-se associadas positivamente ao consumo de cerveja (p=0,02) e ao total de álcool consumido (p=0,01 e 0,03, respectivamente). O consumo de aguardente mostrou associação somente com a circunferência da cintura (p=0,04). CONCLUSÕES: O consumo de álcool, particularmente de cerveja, associou-se com a localização abdominal de gordura

Dietary counseling on long-term weight loss in overweight hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate long-term weight loss in overweight hypertensive patients receiving dietary counseling. METHODS: Longitudinal study included overweight hypertensive patients who had an initial individual consultation with a nutritionist between January 2002 and December 2005 and were followed for four years in a hypertension clinic. Patients who had at least four consultations during the follow-up period were included in the dietary counseling group. Those who scheduled their first consultation but missed that appointment or had fewer than four consultations during the follow-up period were allocated to the control group. Target Energy intake was calculated at 20-25 kcal/kg actual body weight/day. RESULTS: The study included 102 patients aged 55 + 1 years old (58 in the dietary counseling group). As compared with the control group, patients in the dietary counseling group showed a significantly greater reduction in body weight (-3.6 + 0.8 vs. 0.8 + 0.7 kg), which remained significant after controlling for age, gender, baseline body mass index, and the use of different antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs. Weight loss between 5.0% and 9.9% was observed in a significantly higher percentage of patients in the dietary counseling group (28% vs. 11%). A weight loss of at least 10% was only observed in dietary counseling group patients, who had a significantly lower odds ratio for increasing the number and/or dosage of antihypertensive agents, even after controlling for age, gender, and baseline body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary counseling may be associated with long-term weight loss in overweight hypertensive patients

Instruments for assessing back pain in athletes: A systematic review

Back pain in athletes varies with sport, age, and sex, which can impair athletic performance, thereby contributing to retirement. Studies on back pain in this population use questionnaires to assess components, such as pain intensity and location and factors associated with pain, among others. This study aimed to review validated questionnaires that have assessed back pain in athletes. This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) by searching the databases Embase, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and Scopus. The articles were selected regardless of language and date of publication. Titles and abstracts were independently selected by two reviewers; disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. All the steps were conducted using the software Rayyan. The methodological quality of the questionnaire validation articles was assessed using a critical appraisal tool checklist proposed by Brink and Louw. The search returned 4748 articles, of which 60 were selected for this review, including 5 questionnaire validation studies. These articles were published between 2004 and 2022, which were performed in more than 20 countries, particularly Germany (14) and Sweden (5). Thirteen different instruments were identified, of which 46.1% were developed in Europe. The most commonly used questionnaires were the Oswestry Disability Index and Nordic Standardized Questionnaire. In addition, five questionnaire validation studies were selected for methodological quality assessment, with only two studies demonstrating high methodological quality. The following three instruments were identified for assessing back pain specifically in athletes: Micheli Functional Scale, Persian Functional Rating Index, and Athlete Disability Index. This review confirmed that all three instruments were specifically designed to assess this condition