Rita de Cássia Ribeiro-Silva

Prevalence of asthma symptoms among adolescents in Brazil: National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012)

OBJECTIVEnThis study aims to describe the prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in Brazil, its Regions and State capitals, according to data from the National Adolescent School-based Health Survey, 2012. Furthermore, it aims to compare the prevalence of asthma in the capitals evaluated by PeNSE 2012 with previous results of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).nnnMETHODSnCross sectional study of 9th grade students at public and private schools of all Brazilian states and the Federal District (Brasília). A self reported questionnaire containing items from the ISAAC was applied in order to identify the presence of asthma symptoms.nnnRESULTSnThe results of PeNSE indicate a high prevalence of asthma symptoms (23.2%) and of reports of a previous medical diagnosis of asthma (12.4%). Of the five state capitals in which the PeNSE results were compared to the ISAAC, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre presented an increase in the prevalence of asthma symptoms. In Salvador, there was a reduction.nnnCONCLUSIONnBrazil is among the countries with the highest prevalence of asthma in the world, and the prevalence is still growing.

Food and nutrition insecurity: a marker of vulnerability to asthma symptoms.

OBJECTIVEnTo evaluate the association between food and nutrition insecurity and asthma in children from Latin America.nnnDESIGNnCross-sectional study.nnnSETTINGnSão Francisco do Conde, Bahia, north-eastern Brazil.nnnSUBJECTSnThe study included 1307 children aged 6-12 years from public elementary schools. Asthma symptoms were collected using a questionnaire that was translated and adapted from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, phase III. The diagnosis of asthma was determined based on reports of wheezing in the previous 12 months. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was used to identify food insecurity. We also obtained demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric information for each participant. We used multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the associations of interest.nnnRESULTSnOf the children surveyed, 10·4% had a history of wheezing and 64·5% had some degree of food and nutrition insecurity. We found a positive dose-response relationship and statistically significant associations of asthma with moderate (OR = 1·71, 95% CI 1·01, 2·89) and severe (OR = 2·51, 95% CI 1·28, 4·93) food and nutrition insecurity.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe results show that moderate and severe food and nutrition insecurity are markers of vulnerability to wheezing. It is important to note that the results of studies in this field have potential implications for social policies that promote food security. Further studies to identify the mechanisms involved in the relationship between food and nutrition insecurity and asthma are needed.

Prevalence and factors associated with vitamin A deficiency in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVEnTo identify the prevalence and factors associated with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in children and adolescents.nnnMETHODSnThis was a cross-sectional study involving 546 schoolchildren, aged between 7 and 14 years, of both genders, enrolled in public elementary schools. Blood was collected for measurement of serum retinol. The retinol concentration in the samples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were collected on anthropometrics, dietary, demographic, and socioeconomic factors. Polytomous logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations of interest.nnnRESULTSnApproximately 27.5% of the students had retinol values<30 μg/dL. The multivariate analysis showed, after the appropriate adjustments, a positive and statistically significant association of moderate/severe VAD (OR=2.19; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.10) and marginal VAD (OR=2.34; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.73) with age<10 years. There was also association of VAD moderate/severe (OR=2.01; 95% CI 1.01 to 5.05) and borderline VAD (OR=2.14; 95% CI: 1.08 to 4.21) with the anthropometric status of underweight. Lower intake of retinol was detected among those with severe VAD.nnnCONCLUSIONnVAD is a health concern among children and adolescents. Lower weight and younger schoolchildren had greater vulnerability to VAD.

Indicadores antropométricos na predição de síndrome metabólica em crianças e adolescentes: um estudo de base populacional

Objectives: to assess the capacity of anthropometric indicators to predict metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents and to establish cut-off points. Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out with a probabilistic sample of 879 children and adolescents of both sexes. Metabolic, anthropometric and socio-demographic data were gathered. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was carried out using the modified definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program s Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII). The capacity of anthropometric indicators to predict metabolic syndrome was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 6.6%. For prediction of metabolic syndrome, the area under the ROC curve was 0. 79 (0. 72; 0.85) for body mass index, 0. 79 (0.73; 0.85) for waist circumference and 0.83 (0.78; 0.89) for waist circumference corrected for height. The cut-off point identified for waist circumference corrected for height for prediction of metabolic syndrome was 0.448 (for both sexes). Conclusions: all anthropometric indicators used were good predictors of metabolic syndrome, with slightly better results for waist circumference corrected for height. The cut-off point identified for waist circumference corrected for height for prediction of metabolic syndrome was similar to the standard proposed by other authors. It is suggested that this indicator be used in clinical and epidemiological studies as a predictor of metabolic syndrome, since it is simple to measure.

The association between intimate partner domestic violence and the food security status of poor families in Brazil

OBJECTIVEnTo assess the association between physical intimate partner violence and household food security within households with schoolchildren.nnnDESIGNnCross-sectional study.nnnSETTINGnSalvador, Bahia, north-eastern Brazil.nnnSUBJECTSnThe study was conducted in 1019 households with students. Violence between couples was evaluated using the Portuguese version of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2), previously adapted and validated for use in Brazil. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (BFIS) was used to identify food insecurity. We also obtained socio-economic information for each participant. We used multivariate Poisson regression to assess the associations of interest.nnnRESULTSnAccording to the results of the BFIS, 62·5% of the households were found to experience food insecurity, including 19·5% moderate food insecurity and 6·5% severe food insecurity. The prevalence of minor physical violence was 9·6% (95% CI 7·8, 11·4%) and of severe physical violence was 4·7% (95% CI 3·4, 6·0%) among the couples. In the final multivariate model, it was found that couples reporting minor (prevalence ratio=1·23; 95% CI 1·12, 1·35) and severe (prevalence ratio=1·16; 95% CI 1·00, 1·34) physical violence were more likely to be experiencing household food insecurity, compared with those not reporting physical violence.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPhysical intimate partner violence was associated with food insecurity of households. The present study brings new data to the subject of the role of violence in the context of food insecurity.

The prevalence of wheezing and its association with serum zinc concentration in children and adolescents in Brazil

OBJECTIVEnTo assess the influence of zinc serum status on the prevalence of wheezing in a sample of children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil.nnnRESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURESnThis is a cross-sectional study which included 592 students of 6-12 years old, from the public elementary schools of São Francisco do Conde, Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Report of wheezing in the past 12 months was collected using a questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Program (ISAAC) phase III, adapted to Portuguese. The determination of serum Zn levels was performed using a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Data on anthropometric status, level of physical activity, pubertal development and socioeconomic information, for each participant were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of interest.nnnRESULTSnOf the students, 8.6% (95% CI 6.30-10.9) reported having wheezing. The mean (SD) serum zinc level was 114 (22.9 μg/dL). The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed, after adjustments, positive and significant association between low serum zinc levels and wheezing. Students categorized as being below the median for serum Zn concentration presented an almost 1.9-fold increase in the wheezing prevalence ratio (OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.03-3.53).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe main findings of this study suggest that the level of zinc may influence the risk of wheezing in late childhood on the study population.

Body image dissatisfaction and dietary patterns according to nutritional status in adolescents

OBJECTIVEnThere is a lack of data on the association between body self-perception and eating patterns in Brazil. Thus, this study aimed to explore the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and eating patterns by the anthropometric status in adolescents.nnnMETHODSnA cross-sectional study of 1496 adolescents was conducted. The participants completed the Body Shape Questionnaire. Demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic data were collected, as well as information regarding the pubertal development and dietary intake. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations of interest.nnnRESULTSnBody image dissatisfaction was identified in 19.5% of the adolescents. Three dietary patterns were identified: (1) the Western pattern was composed of sweets and sugars, soft drinks, typical dishes, pastries, fast food, beef, milk, and dairy products; (2) the Traditional pattern was composed of oils, chicken, fish, eggs, processed meat products, cereals (rice, cassava flour, pasta, etc.), baked beans, and bread; and (3) the Restrictive pattern was composed of granola, roots, vegetables, and fruit. Among overweight/obese adolescents, the data indicated a negative association of slight body image dissatisfaction (OR: 0.240 [0.100; 0.576]) and moderate body image dissatisfaction (OR: 0.235 [0.086; 0.645]) with the Western dietary pattern. Additionally, in this group, there was a positive association between high body image dissatisfaction and the Restrictive pattern (OR: 2.794 [1.178; 6.630]).nnnCONCLUSIONnAmongst overweight/obese adolescents, those with slight and moderate body image dissatisfaction were less likely to follow a Western-like dietary pattern when compared with those satisfied with their body image. Additionally, in this group, adolescents with high body image dissatisfaction was more likely to follow a restrictive pattern.

Effect of actions promoting healthy eating on students' lipid profile: A controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To assess the effect of nutrition intervention actions on the lipid profile of children and adolescents enrolled in public elementary schools.METHODS:This nine-month, controlled, intervention study included 202 students aged 7 to 14 years attending two schools (intervention/control) located in a poor neighborhood of the municipality of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Actions were implemented in the intervention school to promote healthy eating habits, presented as Ten steps to healthy eating. The effect of these actions was assessed by subjecting the students at baseline and end of the follow-up to biochemical, maturation, and anthropometric measurements and a produce intake survey. The dependent variables were the changes in the study biochemical parameters: total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides. Analysis of covariance assessed the changes that occurred over the study period.RESULTS:The mean total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglycerides of the intervention students decreased 13.18 mg/dL (p=0.001), 7.41 mg/dL (p=0.038), and 12.37 mg/dL (p=0.029), respectively, compared with the control students.CONCLUSION:Actions of this nature have a positive impact on lipid profile. This study adds to those that use effective and viable public health strategies implementable at the primary care level.

Genome-wide burden and association analyses implicate copy number variations in asthma risk among children and young adults from Latin America

The genetic architecture of asthma was relatively well explored. However, some work remains in the field to improve our understanding on asthma genetics, especially in non-Caucasian populations and with regards to commonly neglected genetic variants, such as Copy Number Variations (CNVs). In the present study, we investigated the contribution of CNVs on asthma risk among Latin Americans. CNVs were inferred from SNP genotyping data. Genome wide burden and association analyses were conducted to evaluate the impact of CNVs on asthma outcome. We found no significant difference in the numbers of CNVs between asthmatics and non-asthmatics. Nevertheless, we found that CNVs are larger in patients then in healthy controls and that CNVs from cases intersect significantly more genes and regulatory elements. We also found that a deletion at 6p22.1 is associated with asthma symptoms in children from Salvador (Brazil) and in young adults from Pelotas (Brazil). To support our results, we conducted an in silico functional analysis and found that this deletion spans several regulatory elements, including two promoter elements active in lung cells. In conclusion, we found robust evidence that CNVs could contribute for asthma susceptibility. These results uncover a new perspective on the influence of genetic factors modulating asthma risk.

Food Consumption as a Modifier of the Association between LEPR Gene Variants and Excess Body Weight in Children and Adolescents: A Study of the SCAALA Cohort

No studies showing that food consumption is a modifier of the association of variants of the leptin receptor gene (LEPR) with body weight have involved a Brazilian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modifying effect of dietary intake on the association between the LEPR gene and excess weight. In this study, 1211 children and adolescents aged 4–11 years were assessed. Participants were genotyped for 112 single-nucleotide variants of the LEPR gene. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and dietary data were obtained. Logistic regressions were used to study the associations of interest. Of the participants, 13.4% were overweight/obese. The risk allele (G) of the rs1137100 variant was associated with excess weight in individuals with fat consumption below the median (odds ratio OR = 1.92; 95% confidence interval CI = 1.18–3.14), with daily frequency of consumption of drink/artificial juice (OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.26–3.68) and refined cereals (OR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.31–3.62) above the median. The risk allele (G) of variant rs1177681 was also associated with excess weight (OR = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.65–4.57) in subjects with a daily frequency of refined cereal consumption above the median. The association between LEPR and excess weight can be modulated by the type and distribution of dietary fatty acids, sugary drinks, and refined cereals.