Food environment and fruit and vegetable intake in a urban population: A multilevel analysis

Environmental, social and individual factors influence eating patterns, which in turn affect the risk of many chronic diseases. This study aimed to estimate associations between environmental factors and the consumption of fruit and vegetables among adults in a Brazilian urban context. Data from the surveillance system for risk factors for chronic diseases (VIGITEL) of Brazilian Ministry of Health were used. A cross-sectional telephone survey (VIGITEL – 2008–2010) was carried out with 5826 adults in the urban area of Belo Horizonte. Individual variables were collected. The frequency of fruit and vegetables consumption was assessed from number of servings, weekly frequency and an intake score was calculated. Georeferenced variables were used to characterize the food environment. The density of healthy food outlets (stores specialized in selling fruit and vegetables), unhealthy food outlets (bars, snack bars and food trucks/trailers) and the neighborhood family income were investigated and associated with fruit and vegetables intake score. Weighted multilevel linear regression was used to evaluate the associations between the environment variables and the fruit and vegetables intake score. Higher fruit and vegetables intake scores were observed in neighborhoods with higher density of healthy food outlets and higher income. Lower scores were observed in neighborhood with higher density of unhealthy food outlets. These associations were adjusted by individual variables such as gender, age, physical activity, sugar sweetened beverages consumption, education level and smoking.Higher fruit and vegetables intake scores were observed in neighborhoods with higher density of healthy food outlets and higher income. Lower scores were observed in neighborhood with higher density of unhealthy food outlets. These associations were adjusted by individual variables such as gender, age, physical activity, sugar sweetened beverages consumption, education level and smoking. The food environment might explain some of the socioeconomic disparities with respect to healthy food intake and health outcomes. Healthy food stores are less common in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods, and therefore, healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables are less available or are of a lower quality in lower income areas. Food environment characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic level had significant associations with fruit and vegetable intake score. These are initial findings that require further investigation within the middle income world populations and the role of the environment with respect to both healthy and unhealthy food acquisition and intake

Association between the perceived environment and overweight in adults and elderly: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Overweight is a global issue of epidemic proportions, and its negative influence on individual health is clear. However, the relation between environment and overweight is not thoroughly clear, especially concerning to the perceived environment and the physical and social aspects. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze potential associations between the perceived environment and overweight in adults and elderly in a medium-sized city. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 808 adult and elderly individuals. Overweight was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 based on the World Health Organization criteria. The Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale was used evaluating the perceived environment. Poisson regression was performed evaluating the relationships between the perceived environment and overweight. Results The frequency of overweight was 50.4 %. Adjusted models showed association between overweight and the variable of surrounding neighborhood as follows: “1- to 3-story apartments or condos” (most category; PR = 0.30; CI 0.12–0.76) and “4- to 6-story apartments or condos” (all categories) (PR ranged 0.40 to 0.46; p &lt; 0.05), and also, “land-use mix-diversity” was associated with overweight in this population (PR 0.81; CI 0.66–0.99). Conclusions In addition to individual characteristics, the environmental aspects are relevant to the occurrence of overweight in this population. Population-based studies using primary data on overweight remain scarce in Brazil. Finally, this study contributes to improve the understanding of the complex relationship between perceived environment and overweight, and we believe that our findings provide further justification for the development of future interventions and health promotion strategies. </jats:sec

Ensino remoto emergencial durante a pandemia de covid-19

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o ensino remoto emergencial implementado no curso de graduação em Nutrição da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Para isso, foi realizada pesquisa por meio de formulários eletrônicos aplicados aos alunos, professores e gestores educacionais, em dois momentos, num espaço de seis meses. Os dados foram analisados à luz de métodos estatísticos. A satisfação com o ensino remoto, a percepção de aprendizado e a efetiva comunicação apresentaram importante declínio entre todos os atores envolvidos no processo. Observou-se um aumento do número de trancamentos totais de matrículas, além da não oferta de práticas presenciais consideradas essenciais, as quais precisarão ser ofertadas e ressignificadas posteriormente. As principais barreiras para o estudo remoto pelo discente não estavam centradas na ausência de equipamentos e acesso à internet, e sim em questões familiares, condições inadequadas de estudo, falta de tempo e a não adaptação ao novo regime de ensino

Behavioral patterns that increase or decrease risk of abdominal adiposity in adults

The identification of risk or protective behavioral patterns associated with abdominal adiposity may aid in prevention and health promotion measures. To identify and to associate behavioral patterns of risk and protection to abdominal adiposity in adults in a Brazilian city. Material and methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Viçosa, Brazil, with 1,226 adults of both sexes. Information on social-demographic characteristics, food intake, level of physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking were collected by using a questionnaire. The anthropometric measurement of waist circumference and anthropometric indices waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio were indicators of abdominal adiposity. To identify behavioral patterns, exploratory factor analysis was applied for the variables considered as risk or protective factors. The association of the identified patterns with abdominal adiposity was estimated by multiple linear regression, adjusted for gender, age and social economical class. Two patterns were obtained, “healthy” and “risk”. The “healthy” pattern, comprised of the clustering of the variables food consumption, fruits, fresh fruit juices, raw and cooked vegetables and the appropriate level of physical activity, was negatively associated with abdominal adiposity identified by waist circumference (p = 0.048), waist/hip (p = 0.013) and waist/height (p = 0.018) indices. The “risk” pattern, composed of smoking, alcohol beverage abuse and habit of consuming visible fat in fat-rich red meat or poultry skin, was positively associated with abdominal adiposity identified by waist circumference (p = 0.002) and waist/hip (p = 0.007) and waist/height indices (p = 0.006). Two behavioral patterns were identified, a risk pattern and a protective pattern for abdominal adiposity in the assessed population. The study shows the importance of conducting clustering of multiple risk and protective factors to better explain the health conditions of a group.la identificación de los riesgos o los patrones de comportamiento de protección asociados con la adiposidad abdominal puede ayudar en las medidas de prevención y promoción de la salud. identificar y establecer la asociación entre los patrones de comportamiento de riesgo y de protección y la adiposidad abdominal en adultos en una ciudad brasileña. Material y métodos: se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal basado en la población en Viçosa, Brasil, con 1.226 adultos de ambos sexos. Se recogió información sobre las características sociodemográficas, la ingesta de alimentos, el nivel de actividad física, el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y el hábito tabáquico mediante un cuestionario. La medición antropométrica de la circunferencia de la cintura y de los índices antropométricos cintura/cadera y cintura/altura fueron los indicadores de adiposidad abdominal. Para identificar los patrones de comportamiento, se aplicó un análisis factorial exploratorio de las variables de riesgo o factores de protección considerados. La asociación de los patrones identificados con la adiposidad abdominal se estimó por regresión lineal múltiple, ajustada por género, edad y nivel socioeconómico. Se establecieron dos patrones, “sano” y “riesgo”. El patrón “sano”, compuesto por la agrupación de las variables consumo de alimentos, frutas, zumos de fruta fresca, verdura cruda y cocida y el nivel apropiado de actividad física, se asoció negativamente con la adiposidad abdominal identificada por la circunferencia de la cintura (p = 0,048) y los índices cintura/cadera (p = 0,013) y cintura/altura (p = 0,018). El patrón de “riesgo”, compuesto por hábito tabáquico, abuso de alcohol y consumo de grasa visible en carnes rojas ricas en grasa o piel de las aves, se asoció positivamente con la adiposidad abdominal identificada por la circunferencia de la cintura (p = 0,002) y las ratios intura/cadera (p = 0,007) y cintura/altura (p = 0,006). Fueron identificados dos patrones de comportamiento, el patrón de riesgo y el patrón de protección, relacionados con la adiposidad abdominal en la población estudiada. El estudio muestra la importancia de agrupar múltiples factores de riesgo y de protección para explicar mejor las condiciones de salud de un grupo

Condições hospitalares adquiridas e tempo de permanência no ciclo gravídico-puerperal

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) in women in the puerperal and pregnancy cycle during length of stay. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 113,456 women, between July 2012 and July 2017, in Brazil’s national hospitals of the supplementary healthcare networks and philanthropists accredited to the Unified Health System (SUS). Data on hospital discharges were collected using the Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG Brasil) system. All DRGs of the major diagnostic category 14 (MDC14), including pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, were included. The impact of HAC on length of stay was estimated by Student’s t-test, and the effect size by Cohen’s d, which allows to assess clinical relevance. RESULTS: The most prevalent diagnostic categories related to MDC14 were vaginal and cesarean deliveries without complicating diagnoses, both at institutions accredited to SUS and those for supplementary health care. The prevalence of HAC was 3.8% in supplementary health and 2.5% in SUS. Hospitals providing services to supplementary health care providers had a longer length of stay considering HAC for patients classified as DRG: cesarean section with complications or comorbidities at admission (p &lt; 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.74), cesarean section without complications or comorbidities at admission (p &lt; 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.31), postpartum and post abortion without listed procedure (p &lt; 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.05), and other antepartum diagnoses with medical complications (p &lt; 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of HAC was low both in the institutions accredited to attend by SUS and in those of supplementary health; however, its presence contributes to increasing the length of stay in cases of cesarean sections without complications or comorbidities in supplementary health institutions.OBJETIVO: Analisar o impacto das condições hospitalares adquiridas em mulheres no ciclo gravídico puerperal no tempo de permanência. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal foi conduzido com 113.456 mulheres, entre julho de 2012 e julho de 2017, em hospitais nacionais da rede suplementar de saúde e filantrópicos credenciados para atendimento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os dados das altas hospitalares foram coletados utilizando o sistema Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG Brasil). Foram incluídos todos os DRG que compõem a grande categoria diagnóstica 14 (MDC14), abrangendo gestação, parto e puerpério. O impacto das condições hospitalares adquiridas no tempo de permanência foi estimado por meio do teste t de Student, e o tamanho do efeito pelo d de Cohen, que permite avaliar a relevância clínica. RESULTADOS: As categorias diagnósticas relacionadas à MDC14 mais prevalentes foram partos vaginais sem diagnósticos complicadores e cesáreas, tanto nas instituições credenciadas para atendimento pelo SUS quanto nas de saúde suplementar. A prevalência de condições hospitalares adquiridas foi de 3,8% na saúde suplementar e 2,5% no SUS. Observou-se maior tempo de permanência nos hospitais que prestam serviços a operadoras da saúde suplementar do Brasil na presença de CHA para as pacientes categorizadas nos DRG: cesariana com complicações ou comorbidades presentes à admissão (p &lt; 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,74), cesariana sem complicações ou comorbidades presentes à admissão (p &lt; 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,31), doenças puerperais e pós-aborto sem cirurgia (p &lt; 0,001; d de Cohen = 1,05) e outras doenças da gravidez com complicações clínicas (p &lt; 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,77). CONCLUSÕES: O presente estudo revelou que a prevalência de condições adquiridas foi baixa tanto nas instituições credenciadas para atendimento pelo SUS quanto nas de saúde suplementar; entretanto, sua presença contribui para o aumento do tempo de permanência hospitalar em casos de cesáreas sem complicações ou comorbidades nas instituições de saúde suplementar

Fatores associados ao tempo de permanência hospitalar de mulheres submetidas à cesariana

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether age group, complications or comorbidities are associated with the length of hospitalization of women undergoing cesarean section. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out between June 2012 and July 2017, with 64,437 women undergoing cesarean section and who did not acquire conditions during their hospital stay. Hospital discharge data were collected from national health institutions, using the Diagnosis-Related Groups system (DRG Brasil). The DRG referring to cesarean section with additional complications or comorbidities (DRG 765) and cesarean section without complications or associated comorbidities (DRG 766) were included in the initial diagnosis. The influence of age group and comorbidities or complications present at admission on the length of hospital stay was assessed based on the means of the analysis of variance. The size of the effect was verified by Cohen’s D, which allows evaluating clinical relevance. The criticality levels were identified using the Duncan test. RESULTS: The longest length of hospital stay was observed in the age group from 15 to 17 years old and among those aged 45 years old or more. The hospital stay of women with complications or comorbidities at the time of admission was also longer. Moreover, it was noted that the increase in criticality level was associated with an increase in the mean length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The length of hospital stay of women is higher among those belonging to the age group ranging from 15 to 17 years old and for those aged 45 years old or more. The presence of associated comorbidities, such as eclampsia, pre-existing hypertensive disorder with superimposed proteinuria and gestational hypertension (induced by pregnancy) with significant proteinuria increase the length of hospital stay. This study enabled the construction of distinct criticality level profiles based on the combination of age groups and the main comorbidities, which were directly related to the length of hospital stay.OBJETIVO: Avaliar se grupo etário, complicações ou comorbidades estão associados ao tempo de internação de mulheres submetidas à cesariana. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado entre junho de 2012 e julho de 2017, com 64.437 mulheres submetidas à cesariana e que não apresentaram condições adquiridas durante o tempo de permanência hospitalar. Os dados foram coletados a partir da alta hospitalar nas instituições nacionais de saúde, utilizando o sistema Diagnosis-Related Groups [Grupos de Diagnósticos Relacionados] (DRG Brasil). Foram incluídos os DRG referentes à cesariana com complicações ou comorbidades adicionais ao diagnóstico inicial (DRG 765) e cesariana sem complicações ou comorbidades associadas (DRG 766). A influência do grupo etário e comorbidades ou complicações presentes na admissão sobre o tempo de permanência hospitalar foi avaliada por meio da análise de variância. O tamanho do efeito foi verificado pelo d de Cohen, que permite avaliar a relevância clínica. Os níveis de criticidade foram identificados utilizando o teste de Duncan. RESULTADOS: O maior tempo de permanência hospitalar foi observado nos grupos etários de 15 a 17 anos e 45 anos ou mais. Mulheres que apresentaram complicações ou comorbidades presentes à admissão também apresentaram maior tempo de permanência hospitalar. Quantos aos níveis de criticidade, notou-se que seu aumento estava associado ao aumento na média do tempo de permanência hospitalar. CONCLUSÕES: O tempo de permanência hospitalar de mulheres é maior entre aquelas pertencentes aos grupos etários de 15 a 17 anos e 45 anos ou mais. A presença de comorbidades associadas, como a eclâmpsia, o distúrbio hipertensivo pré-existente com proteinúria superposta e a hipertensão gestacional (induzida pela gravidez) com proteinúria significativa aumentam o tempo de permanência hospitalar. Este estudo possibilitou a construção de perfis distintos de níveis de criticidade a partir da combinação de grupos etários e das principais comorbidades, os quais se apresentaram diretamente relacionados ao tempo de permanência hospitalar

Determinants of the mean growth rate of children under the age of six months: a cohort study

This study aimed to investigate some factors that contributed to higher or lower growth rate of children up to the sixth month of life. This is a cohort study with 240 children evaluated in four stages. Variables of birth, eating habits of the child, mothers’ breast-feeding difficulty and pacifier use were investigated. Children’s weight gain rate (grams/day) and size gain (cm/month) were measured in all assessments and compared according to the variables of interest. In the first month, weight gain rate of children born by cesarean section was smaller. By the second month, the growth rate (weight and size gain) was higher among children who were exclusively or predominantly breastfed and lower among those who consumed infant formula. Children of mothers who reported difficulty to breastfeed showed a lower growth rate until the second month. Children age four months who consumed porridge had lower weight and size gain rate. Pacifier use was associated with lower weight gain rates up the first, second and fourth month

Trends in frequency of consumption of beans assessed by means of a telephone survey in Brazilian state capitals between 2006 and 2009

Analisar a tendência da frequência do consumo do feijão nos anos de 2006 a 2009 nas capitais brasileiras. Trata-se de uma série histórica utilizando a base de dados do Vigitel de todas as capitais brasileiras. O consumo de feijão foi descrito por meio da frequência relativa e a tendência foi avaliada utilizando-se regressão de Poisson. O consumo de feijão cinco ou mais vezes por semana variou de 71,85% (2006) a 65,79 (2009). Na maior faixa de frequência de consumo ao longo de todo o período estudado estão incluídas as capitais Goiânia, Belo Horizonte, Palmas, Cuiabá e Brasília. As pessoas com IMC na categoria adequado/baixo peso apresentaram as maiores frequências de consumo em relação aos indivíduos com sobrepeso e obesidade. Foi observada tendência significativa de redução do consumo regular de feijão segundo ano de realização da pesquisa, exceto para a categoria de idade entre os 45 e 54 anos. Ocorreu redução significativa da frequência do consumo do feijão pela população brasileira e a adoção de políticas de monitoramento e incentivo do consumo é necessária em função dos benefícios apresentados pela leguminosa

Consumo de bebidas açucaradas e fatores associados em adultos

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o consumo regular de bebidas açucaradas e sua associação com aspectos sociodemográficos e comportamentais de adultos de uma cidade do sudoeste brasileiro. Trata-se de um estudo de base populacional com 1226 adultos de 20 a 59 anos, residentes na zona urbana do município de Viçosa-MG. Foi aplicado um questionário estruturado para medir as condições sociodemográficas e com- portamentais. O consumo de bebidas açucaradas foi classificado como regular quando a frequência de ingestão foi igual ou superior a cinco vezes por semana. O consumo regular de bebidas açucaradas foi superior em homens e mulheres com idade entre 20 e 29 anos (p < 0,01). Homens com hábito de realizar refeições em frente à televisão (p = 0,03) e mulheres insatisfeitas com seu peso (p = 0,03) apresentaram maior consumo regular de bebidas açucaradas. Conclui-se que os indivíduos de maior idade apresentaram menor consumo re- gular de bebidas açucaradas e este consumo esteve associado a comportamentos obesogênicos, como o hábito em realizar refeições em frente à televisão, e em indivíduos insatisfeitos com o peso corporal.The aim of this study was to evaluate the regular consumption of sweetened beverages and its association with sociodemographic and behavioral aspects in a city in the southwest of Brazil. It involves is a population-based study of 1,226 adults aged 20 to 59 living in the urban area of the municipality of Viçosa in the state of Minas Gerais. A structured questionnaire to measure sociodemographic and behavioral conditions was applied. The consumption of sweetened beverages was considered regular when the frequency of con- sumption was five or more times a week. Regular consumption of sweetened beverages was higher in men and women aged between 20 and 29 years (p < 0.01). Men with the habit of eating meals in front of the television (p = 0.03) and women dissatisfied with their weight (p = 0.03) consumed greater regular amounts of sweetened beverages. The conclusion reached is that older individuals showed less regular consumption of sweetened beverages and that the consumption of same was associated with obesogenic behaviors, such as the habit of eating meals in front of the television and among individuals dissatisfied with their body weight

Associação das concentrações séricas de zinco com hipercolesterolemia e resistência à insulina em crianças brasileiras

The objective of the study was to assess the association between serum zinc level and cardiometabolic factors in prepubertal Brazilian children. This was a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of schoolchildren 8 to 9 years of age in public and private urban schools in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Body composition was assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The study measured serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A (Apo A) and B, uric acid, leptin, homocysteine, ultrasenstive C-reactive protein, and serum zinc. Arterial pressure was measured with automatic inflation equipment. Zinc deficiency was observed in 1.3% of the children. Girls showed the worst cardiometabolic profile, with higher prevalence of increased android fat, triglycerides, insulin resistance, leptin, zinc, and Apo A. In the first tertile of serum zinc concentration, prevalence of insulin resistance was 96% higher (PR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.04-3.66) and hypercholesterolemia was 23% lower (PR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.61-0.96) than in the reference category (grouped 2nd and 3rd tertiles of serum zinc concentration). Despite the low prevalence of zinc deficiency, insulin resistance was more prevalent in children in the lowest third of serum zinc concentration. It is important to prevent cardiometabolic alterations in childhood, especially insulin resistance, with an emphasis on serum zinc level.O objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre a concentração sérica de zinco e os fatores cardiometabólicos em crianças pré-púberes brasileiras. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com amostra representativa de escolares na faixa etária de 8 e 9 anos, matriculados em escolas urbanas públicas e privadas em Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A composição corporal foi avaliada pela técnica de absortometria de raios-x de dupla energia. Foram avaliadas as concentrações séricas de glicose, insulina, colesterol total, lipoproteínas de alta e de baixa densidade de colesterol, triglicerídeos, apolipoproteínas A (Apo A) e B, ácido úrico, leptina, homocisteína, proteína C reativa-ultrassensível e zinco sérico. A pressão arterial foi aferida por equipamento de insuflação automática. A deficiência de zinco foi observada em 1,3% das crianças. As meninas apresentaram o pior perfil cardiometabólico, com maiores prevalências de valores aumentados para gordura androide, triglicerídeos, resistência à insulina, leptina, zinco e Apo A. No 1º terço de concentração sérica de zinco, a prevalência de resistência à insulina foi 96% maior (RP = 1,96; IC95%: 1,04-3,66) e a de hipercolesterolemia foi 23% menor (RP = 0,77; IC95%: 0,61-0,96) em relação à categoria de referência (2º e 3º terços de concentração sérica de zinco agrupado). Apesar da baixa prevalência da deficiência de zinco, a resistência à insulina foi mais prevalente entre crianças localizadas no menor terço da concentração sérica de zinco. Torna-se importante a prevenção das alterações cardiometabólicas na infância, principalmente da resistência à insulina, com ênfase na avaliação sérica do zinco