Rosana Salles da Costa

Meal consumption patterns and anthropometric measurements in adolescents from a low socioeconomic neighborhood in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

We investigated the association between meal consumption and anthropometric measurements in a probabilistic sample of 528 12-18-year-old adolescents assessed in a population-based cross-sectional study developed in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area, Brazil. A score ranging from zero to nine according to the frequency of meal consumption (breakfast, lunch and dinner) assessed meal patterns which were defined as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Nutritional status was defined by the sex- and age-specific body mass index cut-offs. Underweight was observed in 5.7% of the adolescents (8.6% boys, 2.5% girls) and overweight in 20.9%. The omission of breakfast was observed in 4.5% of the boys and 12.4% of the girls. Unsatisfactory meal consumption pattern was more frequent among girls (38.7% vs. 29.2%), and among teenagers over 15 years of age (40.0% vs. 25.4%). Boys with unsatisfactory patterns of meal consumption presented higher means of BMI and of waist and hip circumferences than the ones with satisfactory patterns. The higher values of anthropometric measurement observed among adolescents with an unsatisfactory meal pattern indicate that they may be at risk for overweight or obesity.

Inadequação do consumo de nutrientes entre adolescentes brasileiros

OBJETIVO: Estimar o consumo de energia e nutrientes e a prevalencia de inadequacao da ingestao de micronutrientes entre adolescentes brasileiros. METODOS: Amostra probabilistica composta por 6.797 adolescentes (49,7% do sexo feminino) entre dez e 18 anos de idade foi avaliada no Inquerito Nacional de Alimentacao, 2008-2009. Os fatores de expansao, a complexidade do desenho da amostra e a correcao da variabilidade intrapessoal do consumo foram considerados. A prevalencia de inadequacao de consumo de micronutrientes foi estimada pela proporcao de adolescentes com ingestao abaixo da necessidade media estimada. Para o sodio, estimou-se a prevalencia de consumo acima do valor de ingestao maxima toleravel. RESULTADOS: A media de consumo de energia variou de 1.869 kcal, observada nas adolescentes de 10 a 13 anos, a 2.198 kcal, estimada para os adolescentes de 14 a 18 anos. Os carboidratos forneceram 57% da energia total, os lipidios, 27% e as proteinas, 16%. As maiores prevalencias de inadequacao foram observadas para calcio (> 95%), fosforo (entre 54% e 69%) e vitaminas A (entre 66% e 85%), E (100%) e C (entre 27% e 49%). Mais de 70% dos adolescentes apresentaram consumo de sodio superior a ingestao maxima toleravel. CONCLUSOES: As medias de consumo energetico e a distribuicao de macronutrientes eram adequadas, mas foram observadas elevadas prevalencias de inadequacao no consumo de vitaminas e minerais, destacando-se consumo de sodio muito acima do recomendado, consumo de calcio reduzido e nas adolescentes de 14 a 18 anos foi observada importante inadequacao na ingestao de ferro.

Relação entre sobrepeso, adiposidade e distribuição de gordura com a pressão arterial de adolescentes no município do Rio de Janeiro

This study investigated if overweight, obesity and fat distribution would explain the relationship between growth and blood pressure increase. A representative sample of 2040 households from the city of Rio de Janeiro was assessed. Of 857 adolescents, with ages between 12 and 19 years, 86% were included in this study. Of these, 646 adolescents were evaluated for measurements such as weight, height, triceps and subescapular skinfolds, arm circumference, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure. The hypertension prevalence was higher in males, than females, according to the 95th percentile of the Second Task Force. Overweight prevalence was higher among males (22,9 ± 2,3) than among females (12,5 ± 1,9), considering the 90th percentile of the Body Mass Index (BMI - Kg/m2), from the Brazilian population. Anthropometric measurements were more correlated with systolic blood pressure than diastolic blood pressure, in both genders. After adjusting by age, BMI, and arm muscular area, the arm fat area remained significantly correlated with blood pressure. The overweight indicator variables were associated with blood pressure, especially in females, suggesting that weight control in youths is an important predictor of hypertension prevalence in adult life.

Inadequate nutrient intake in Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVE To assess energy and nutrient consumption and the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake among Brazilian adolescents. METHODS A random sample composed of 6,797 adolescents (49.7% girls), between 10 and 18 years old, was evaluated in the first National Dietary Survey, part of the Household Budget Survey carried out in 2008-2009. Expansion factors, sample complexity design and correction of intraindividual variability were considered. The prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake was based on the proportion of adolescents with intake below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). The prevalence of intake above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) was estimated for sodium. RESULTS The mean energy intake ranged between 1,869 kcal (10 to 13 year old females) and 2,198 kcal (14 to 18 year old males). Of the total energy intake, 57% came from carbohydrates, 27% from lipids and about 16% from proteins. Inadequacies were higher for calcium (> 95%), phosphorous (54% to 69%) and vitamins A (66% to 85%), E (100%) and C (27% to 49%). More than 70% of adolescents reported sodium intake above the UL. CONCLUSIONS Mean energy consumption and distribution of macro-nutrients were adequate, but prevalence of inadequate vitamin and mineral intake were high and notable consumption of sodium above the recommended levels, low levels of calcium consumption and, in 14 to 18 year old females, important inadequacies in iron intake were found.

Comparison between the nutritional status of eutrophic and overweight adolescents living in Brazil

Abstract The present study aimed to compare the nutritional status of normal and overweight adolescents. Sixty-four girls (36 normal-weight and 28 overweight) aged between 12 and 18 years were evaluated. Weight, height, body mass index and abdominal circumference were determined. Values of glucose, red blood cells, cholesterol and cholesterol fractions were analyzed. The diet history method and a food frequency questionnaire were used in order to obtain the quantitative and qualitative profiles of each participant’s diet. The amount of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were increased in the group of overweight adolescents as compared with the normal group, although no statistically significant differences could be found. The diet history showed that there was no difference between the groups regarding ingestion of energy and nutrients. Both groups presented high protein diets and calcium and folic acid ingestion below recommended values. The food frequency questionnaire showed an increased ingestion of fatty foods by the overweight adolescents when compared with the normal group. Thus there is a need for nutritional intervention in these adolescents in order to prevent chronic diseases.

Proposta metodológica para o módulo de consumo alimentar pessoal na pesquisa brasileira de orçamentos familiares

The changes that have been happening in the Brazilian epidemiological scenario in the last decades result from deep social and economic modifications that include, among other things, changes in dietary habits. In Brazil, the only study that investigated family food consumption nationally was the National Family Expenditure Study done from 1974 to 1975. Although useful, national food consumption studies are expensive and only a few countries can conduct them regularly. Nonetheless, household budget surveys are important sources of data on the availability of food at home determined by records of foods purchased. Recent changes in consumption habits, particularly eating out, limit the use of data from household budget surveys to estimate food intake. Thus, the Brazilian government suggested that the next household budget survey to be done in 2008-2009 include a module on individual food consumption. Information on individual food intake will be used to supplement the data regarding food purchases. The objective of this study is to report the development of the methodology to be used in the module of individual food consumption of the household budget survey of 2008-2009. Budget data will be combined with intake data to estimate the usual individual food consumption.

Disordered eating behaviors in adolescents and adults living in the same household in metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among adolescents and adults living in the same household. METHODS We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study developed with a probabilistic sample of 511 adolescents and 1254 adults living in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The frequency of binge eating, purging, and strict dieting or fasting over the previous 6 months was ascertained using a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS Binge eating (20.0% vs. 8.4%), strict dieting or fasting (18.9% vs. 2.4%), and purging (3.3% vs. 2.2%) were more frequent among adolescents than adults. There was a significant association between frequency of binge eating and strict dieting or fasting in adults and in adolescents living in the same household. CONCLUSION The presence of disordered eating behaviors in adults may be a risk factor for the development of eating disorders in adolescents living in the same household. Thus, the development and implementation of eating disorder interventions should consider incorporating a family component.

Temporal changes in the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among adolescents living in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To investigate temporal changes in the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors among adolescents, and their association with socio demographic factors and overweight. Using probability sampling, two population-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted: one in 2005 (n=511) and the other in 2010 (n=314). The frequency of disordered eating behaviors (binge eating, strict dieting or fasting and compensatory behaviors) was investigated using a self-administered questionnaire. The presence of binge eating increased by 18.4% in the 5 years between the two surveys. In 2005, girls were 1.95 times more likely to engage in strict dieting or fasting than boys, and this difference increased to 7.02 times in 2010. Overweight adolescents were 2.29 times more likely to undertake strict dieting than non-overweight adolescents in 2005 and 3.65 times more likely to do so in 2010. No significant associations were found for compensatory behaviors. A pronounced increase in the prevalence of binge eating was observed, and girls and overweight adolescents were more likely to engage in strict dieting or fasting.

SOUTH POL: Revealing the Polarized Southern Sky

SOUTH POL will be a survey of the Southern sky in optical polarized light. It will use a newly designed polarimetric module at an 80cm Robotic Telescope. Telescope and polarimeter will be installed at CTIO, Chile, in late 2012. The initial goal is to cover the sky south of declination −15° in two years of observing time, aiming at a polarimetric accuracy ≲ 0.1% down to V=15, with a camera covering a field of about 2.0 square degrees. SOUTH POL will impact areas such as Cosmology, Extragalactic Astronomy, Interstellar Medium of the Galaxy and Magellanic Clouds, Star Formation, Stellar Envelopes, Stellar explosions and Solar System, among others.