Evaluation of the association between the TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 variants and food intake and nutritional status in children

Abstract Taste perception plays a key role in determining individual food preferences and dietary habits and may influence nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the association of TAS1R2 (Ile191Val - rs35874116) and TAS1R3 (-1266 C/T - rs35744813) variants with food intake and nutritional status in children followed from birth until 7.7 years old. The nutritional status and food intake data of 312 children were collected at three developmental stages (1, 3.9 and 7.7 years old). DNA was extracted from blood samples and the polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) using hydrolysis probes as the detection method. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes. At 3.9 years old, children homozygous (Val/Val) for the TAS1R2 Ile191Val polymorphism ingested less sugar and sugar-dense foods than children who were *Ile carriers. This finding demonstrated that a genetic variant of the T1R2 taste receptor is associated with the intake of different amounts of high sugar-content foods in childhood. This association may provide new perspectives for studying dietary patterns and nutritional status in childhood.

Alguns fatores associados a excesso de peso, baixa estatura e déficit de peso em menores de 5 anos / Some risk factors associated with overweight, stunting and wasting among children under 5 years old

OBJETIVO: Examinar fatores socioeconômicos e outras condições de vida familiar associadas a excesso de peso, baixa estatura e baixo peso para a estatura em menores de 5 anos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal avaliou 3.957 crianças entre 1 mês e 5 anos de idade durante campanha nacional de imunização no município de São Leopoldo (RS) em 2002. As condições socioeconômicas e de saneamento das áreas de abrangência das unidades de saúde foram agrupadas por análise de cluster dos setores do censo populacional de 2001. RESULTADOS: Déficit de peso para estatura ocorreu em 2,6 por cento das crianças, baixa estatura em 9,1 por cento e excesso de peso em 9,8 por cento. A regressão logística multivariada sugere que os fatores associados à chance de excesso de peso foram: área de condições socioeconômicas alta (RC = 1,47; IC95 por cento 1,09-1,96), filhos únicos (RC = 1,44; IC95 por cento 1,00-2,07) e peso ao nascer ≥ 2.500 g (RC = 2,21; IC95 por cento1,27-3,83). A chance de déficit de peso associou-se ao baixo peso ao nascer (RC = 3,46; IC95 por cento 2,06-5,80) e idade da mãe < 20 anos (RC = 1,99; IC95 por cento 1,09-3,62). A baixa estatura associou-se à área de condições socioeconômicas baixas (RC = 2,36; IC95 por cento 1,51-3,69), três ou mais irmãos (RC = 3,12; IC95 por cento 2,18-4,47), peso ao nascer < 2.500 g (RC = 3,49; IC95 por cento 2,53-4,80), idade < 36 meses (RC = 1,77; IC95 por cento 1,37-2,29) e idade materna < 20 anos (RC = 1,60; IC95 por cento1,09-2,35). CONCLUSÕES: Excesso de peso e baixa estatura foram os principais desvios antropométricos observados neste estudo, constituindo prioridades que devem ser consideradas nas políticas públicas atuais.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether socioeconomic and sanitary conditions, maternal and child factors are associated with overweight, stunting, and wasting in children under five year old in the city of São Leopoldo, southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 3,957 children aged 1 month to 5 years conducted in all primary care services of the city during the National Children's Vaccination Day in 2002. Maternal and child factors were assessed by a questionnaire. Children's height and weight were measured. Cluster analysis was used to group the areas served by the primary care services according to socioeconomic and sanitary conditions of the census tracts assessed by the 2001 National Census. RESULTS: Wasting was observed in 2.6 percent of children, stunting in 9.1 percent and overweight in 9.8 percent. The multivariable logistic regression model suggests that overweight was associated with higher socioeconomic status and better sanitation of the area (OR = 1.47; 95 percentCI 1.09-1.96), single child (OR = 1.44; 95 percentCI 1.00-2.07) and birth weight ≥ 2,500 g (OR = 2.21; 95 percentCI 1.27-3.83). Wasting was associated with low birth weight (OR = 3.46; 95 percentCI 2.06-5.80) and mother's age < 20 years (OR = 1.99; 95 percentCI 1.09-3.62). Stunting was associated with low socioeconomic status and poor sanitation of the area (OR = 2.36; 95 percentCI 1.51-3.69), three or more siblings (OR = 3.12; 95 percentCI 2.18-4.47), low birth weight < 2,500 g (OR = 3.49; 95 percentCI 2.53-4.80), child age < 36 months (OR = 1.77; 95 percentCI 1.37-2.29) and mother's age < 20 years (OR = 1.60; 95 percentCI 1.09-2.35). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and stunting were the major anthropometric problems and therefore should be a priority for public policies.

Fatores associados ao risco de consumo insuficiente de fibra alimentar entre adolescentes / Factors associated with risk of low dietary fiber intake in adolescents

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o consumo de fibra alimentar entre adolescentes e analisar os fatores associados ao risco de consumo insuficiente desse nutriente. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 722 adolescentes da cidade de São Leopoldo. O processo amostral deu-se por conglomerados por meio de sorteio sistemático de 40 setores censitários e domicílios, incluindo todos os indivíduos entre 10 e 19 anos. Foram obtidos peso e estatura dos adolescentes e dados sociodemográficos da família. Os métodos utilizados para avaliar o consumo alimentar foram o inquérito recordatório de 24 horas e o inquérito de freqüência. Para o cálculo da quantidade de fibra alimentar da dieta, foi utilizado o Programa de Apoio à Nutrição (Nutwin) do Departamento de Informática da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). A análise estatística foi realizada por meio de regressão logística, utilizando modelo hierárquico. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de consumo insuficiente de fibras foi de 69 por cento nas meninas e 49,7 por cento nos meninos (p < 0,001). Entre os meninos, os fatores que determinaram essa condição foram: consumo não habitual de feijão (OR 2,65; IC95 por cento 1,05-6,68) e excessivo de lipídeo (OR 2,67; IC95 por cento 11,23-5,83). Para as meninas, maior faixa etária (OR 5,33; IC95 por cento 2,33-12,2), consumo não habitual de feijão (OR 3,01; IC95 por cento 1,44-6,53), consumo excessivo de lipídeo (OR 1,85; IC95 por cento 1,01-3,37), fazer dieta para perder peso (OR 2,50; IC95 por cento 1,10-5,70) e presença de excesso de peso (OR 2,06; IC95 por cento 1,04-4,07). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados permitem concluir que a ingestão excessiva de gordura e o consumo não habitual de feijão estão fortemente associados ao risco de consumo insuficiente de fibra alimentar em ambos os sexos e que o sexo feminino apresenta mais fatores de risco para esse desfecho.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dietary fiber intake among adolescents and to analyze factors associated with the risk of insufficient consumption of this nutrient. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 722 adolescents from the town of São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil. Sampling was by clusters, with a systematic randomization of 40 census sectors and residences, including all individuals aged 10 to 19 years. The adolescents' weight and height were measured and sociodemographic data on their families recorded. A 24-hour dietary recall and a frequency survey were used to assess dietary intakes. The quantity of dietary fiber in diets was calculated using Nutwin nutrition support software (Programa de Apoio à Nutrição), developed by the IT Department at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Statistical analysis was by means of logistic regression, employing a hierarchical model. RESULTS: The prevalence of insufficient dietary fiber intake was 69 percent among girls and 49.7 percent for boys (p < 0.001). The determinant factors of this condition among boys were non-habitual consumption of beans (OR 2.65; 95 percentCI 1.05-6.68) and excessive fat intake (OR 2.67; 95 percentCI 11.23-5.83). For girls factors were increased age (OR 5.33; 95 percentCI 2.33-12.2), non-habitual consumption of beans (OR 3.01; 95 percentCI 1.44-6.53), excessive fat intake (OR 1.85; 95 percentCI 1.01-3.37), dieting for weight loss (OR 2.50; 95 percentCI 1.10-5.70) and presence of overweight (OR 2.06; 95 percentCI 1.04-4.07). CONCLUSIONS: These results admit of the conclusion that excessive fat consumption and non-habitual consumption of beans are strongly linked with the risk of insufficient dietary fiber intake in both sexes and that females exhibit a greater number of risk factors for this outcome.

Factors associated with risk of low folate intake among adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with the risk of low folate intake among adolescents.METHODS: We employed cluster sampling, using a random selection of 40 representative census sectors and households within those sectors, including all individuals between 10 and 19 years of age. The weight, height and skin folds of subjects were measured and socioeconomic data on their families were collected. A 24-hour dietary recall and frequency questionnaire were used to estimate the quantity and frequency of folate intake. Folate consumption was quantified using Nutwin software. Risk of low folate intake was defined as Folate consumption below the estimated average requirement. The statistical analysis employed hierarchical logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 722 adolescents were investigated and their mean folate intake was 145±117 µg. The frequency of subjects at risk of having a lower than recommended folate intake was 89%. Adolescents had a greater risk of inadequate folate intake if their body mass index was at or above the 85th percentile, their waist circumference was at or above the 80th percentile or they had a family history of cardiovascular disease. Adolescents who ate beans and dark green vegetables less than four times a week also exhibited an increased chance of having folate intake below recommended levels.CONCLUSIONS: These adolescents present a high risk of low folate intake and this risk is linked with increasing age, waist circumference above the 80th percentile and low frequency of beans and dark green vegetables consumption.