Ana Carolina Almada Colucci

Avaliação do consumo alimentar e da ingestão de nutrientes na prática clínica

The assessment of food consumption in clinical practice is often carried out to develop and implement nutritional advice. Factors as the patient health conditions, the evolution of his/her clinical condition as well as the reasons that motivated the search for advice will guide the selection of the best method of assessment of food consumption or nutrient intake to employ. The chosen method might drive the professional to offer a food plan that aims to promote health, to prevent illness, and to alter the nutritional state of the patient. Despite the easily available national literature on methods and techniques to estimate food consumption, it is not uncommon that professionals still have doubts about what methods are the most appropriated in daily practice. This study aimed to present a critical analysis, taking into account the clinical applicability, of the food assessment methods and its characteristics.

Questionário de freqüência alimentar para adultos com base em estudo populacional

The objective of the study was to develop a food frequency questionnaire for each of the following groups: female adults, male adults and male and female adults, based on dietary data obtained in a population-based study comprising individuals from different income levels. Dietary data was obtained from a 24-hour Dietary Recall applied to a probabilistic sample of 1,477 subjects in the city of Sao Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) in 2003. Food items accounting for at least 90% of total daily calorie intake and nutrients were selected. The reference time frame was the year preceding the interview and subjects had the choice of four serving sizes.

Desenvolvimento de um questionário de freqüência alimentar para avaliação do consumo alimentar de crianças de 2 a 5 anos de idade

Devido ao crescente interesse sobre a possivel relacao entre a alimentacao de criancas e adolescentes e doencas na idade adulta, a dieta de individuos jovens tem sido pesquisada. Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver um questionario de frequencia alimentar para avaliar a dieta habitual de criancas de 2 a 5 anos de idade (QFAC). Foram identificados os alimentos mais representativos para o consumo de energia - carboidrato, proteina, lipidio, retinol, vitamina C, calcio e ferro - a partir de recordatorios de 24h de criancas de 2 a 5 anos do municipio de Sao Paulo. No QFAC foram definidas porcoes medias ou medianas, o tempo precedente foi estipulado em 6 meses e a frequencia de consumo apresentada em 7 categorias. O QFAC apresentou-se como um instrumento adequado para a avaliacao da dieta habitual de criancas de 2 a 5 anos de idade, possibilitando a investigacao das caracteristicas da alimentacao habitual deste grupo e o estabelecimento das possiveis relacoes entre a dieta e o estado nutricional.This study was conducted to design a food frequency questionnaire for assessing the regular diets of children aged 2 to 5 years. It identified the most important sources of total calories, carbohydrate, proteins, total fat, retinol, vitamin C, calcium and iron from 24h dietary recalls applied to a random population sample aged 2 to 5 years in the city of Sao Paulo. Average or median portions were defined. The FFQ investigated the frequency of childrens consumption of 57 items over the previous six months. Seven categories of food frequency were defined. The FFQ proved to be useful in epidemiological studies of childrens intake over extended periods, making it possible to identify the dietary habits of this group and to evaluate the association between diet and nutritional status.

Factors Associated with Added Sugars Intake among Adolescents Living in São Paulo, Brazil

Objective: To measure added sugars intake among adolescents and describe its demographic, socioeconomic, and nutritional status determinants. Design: The study was conducted based on a household survey carried out between March and December 2003. Food intake was assessed through 24-hour food recalls, and an adjustment approach was applied using external variance estimates derived from 195 adolescents of the same age in 2007. Setting: Population-based cross-sectional study, city of São Paulo, Brazil. Subjects: Seven hundred and ninety-three male (n = 410) and female (n = 383) adolescents aged 10–19 years. Measure of outcome: Foods with greater contributions toward the added sugars intake were identified. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed, with calories from added sugars as the dependent continuous variable and the remaining factors (socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle, household condition, and food intake) as independent variables. Results: The average contribution of added sugars to total energy value was 12.28% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.87–12.70) with no statistically significant sex difference (p > 0.05). Soft drinks were a major source of added sugars among the adolescents (34.2% among males and 32.0% among females), followed by sugars (sucrose and honey) and chocolate powder (around 11%). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the head of households education level and calories from protein, fats, and carbohydrates other than sugars had an independent effect on added sugars intake. Conclusions: This study showed that the percentage contribution of added sugars to energy intake among adolescents in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, was above the current recommended levels. Socioeconomic condition (represented by the head of the households education level) and macronutrient intake were shown to be determinants of sugars intake.

Relação entre o consumo de açúcares de adição e a adequação da dieta de adolescentes residentes no município de São Paulo

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relationship between intake of added sugars and intake adequacy of nutrients and food groups in adolescents from Sao Paulo. METHODS: The study sample comprised 793 adolescents selected from a population-based cross-sectional study conducted in 2003. Food intake was assessed by 24-hour food recalls and an adjustment approach was subsequently administered using a subsample of 195 subjects. Sugar intake was considered appropriate or inappropriate when it represented ≤10% or >10% of total energy intake, respectively. Acceptable distribution ranges were used to assess macronutrient intake adequacy. The prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy was estimated using the Estimated Average Requirements as cutoffs. Median food intake and the 25th and 75th percentiles were estimated. The chi-square, Wald and median tests were used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: A larger proportion of adolescents with adequate carbohydrate intake were seen among those with higher added sugar intake. Protein intake by all adolescents was within the recommended ranges. A statistically significant association was found between adequacy of fat intake and added sugar intake among male adolescents. A higher median percent intake of milk, meat, fruit, processed juice, soft drink and chocolate milk was seen among adolescents with excess sugar intake. CONCLUSION: Excessive consumption of added sugars was associated with lower adequacy of nutrient intake and lower intake of nutrient-dense foods.