Is brand visibility on snacks packages affecting their consumption in children? Results from an experimental ad-libitum study

The aims of the study were to assess the effects of the brand when snacking in children 6-11 years old and to evaluate the effect of different levels of brand awareness on children's intake. A 3x2 factorial design was adopted, and 96 children were randomized based on their brand awareness scores, assessed using the IBAI instrument and the study was conducted over two experimental sessions. First, 11 snacks were presented to the half of children laying on their own branded packages, whilst to the other half unbranded. In a second afternoon break, on a different day, the condition of branded/unbranded was crossed-over. Children were randomized in three groups based on combinations of concomitant TV and advertising exposure. Caloric intake (Kcal) of snacks eaten during sessions was taken as the main study outcome. No significant differences in energy intake were recorded according to brand visibility, both in children with high and low brand awareness. Exposure to TV and advertising showed no significant association with energy intake in the different groups and with the likelihood of being a high consumer. The present study suggested that brand visibility did not promote a higher caloric intake in 6-11 years old children during a snacking occasion(AU)

Los objetivos del estudio fueron el evaluar los efectos de las marcas comerciales durante una merienda en niños de entre 6 y 11 años de edad, así como analizar el efecto de diferentes niveles de conciencia de marca en el consumo de los niños. Se utilizó un diseño factorial 3x2, y se asignó al azar a 96 niños según sus puntuaciones de conciencia de marca, que fueron evaluados mediante el instrumento IBAI. El estudio se realizó en dos sesiones experimentales. En primer lugar, se presentaron 11 bocadillos (alimentos), a la mitad de los niños colocando en sus propios paquetes de marca, mientras que a la otra mitad sin marca. En un segundo recreo de la tarde, otro día, se realizó un cruce en la condición de bocadillos de marca y sin marca. Los niños fueron asignados al azar en tres grupos, según combinaciones concomitantes de exposición a la televisión y a pautas publicitarias. La ingesta calórica (Kcal) de bocadillos consumidos durante las sesiones se adoptó como principal resultado del estudio. No se registraron diferencias significativas en el consumo de energía dependiendo de la visibilidad de la marca, ni en los niños con un alto o bajo reconocimiento de marcas. La exposición a la televisión y a la publicidad no mostró una asociación significativa con el consumo de energía en los diferentes grupos y ni con la probabilidad de ser un gran consumidor. El presente estudio sugiere que la visibilidad de las marcas no promueve una mayor ingesta calórica en niños de entre 6 y 11 años de edad en el contexto de una merienda(AU)

Alimentación con fórmula de inicio a libre demanda contra capacidad gástrica durante el periodo de transición / On demand infant formula vs. gastric capacity during the neonatal transition period

Introducción: La indicación del aporte por fórmula al recién nacido puede ser a libre demanda (LD) o por capacidad gástrica calculada (CGC). El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si la técnica de alimentación (LD vs. CGC) influye en el volumen ingerido, la tolerancia a la fórmula y el riesgo de hipoglucemia. Métodos: Se diseñó un ensayo clínico abierto no aleatorizado en neonatos a término, sanos, vigilados durante 24 h. Se determinó el volumen total ingerido (ml/kg), la tolerancia oral (vómitos-regurgitaciones, perímetro abdominal), la repercusión en el peso y datos de hipoglucemia. Resultados: Se analizaron en total 154 neonatos (CGC = 90 y LD = 64). Los neonatos en LD consumieron una mayor cantidad de fórmula (8 ml/kg; IC 95% 5-11) con mayor variación entre toma. No hubo diferencias en el porcentaje de pérdida ponderal (2.1% vs. 2%, p = 0.80). Los neonatos en LD mostraron más vómito (17.2% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.02) y mayor distención abdominal (43.8% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.007). Solo un neonato del grupo CGC mostró hipoglucemia (p = 1). Conclusiones: La alimentación por CGC permite una ingesta constante con menor riesgo de intolerancia, sin aumentar la posibilidad de hipoglucemia o pérdida de peso.

Background: Newborn formula feeding can be given ad libitum (AL) or as calculated gastric capacity (CGC). The objective of the study was to determine if the technique used to offer the newborn formula (AL vs. CGC) modifies volume intake, tolerance and risk for hypoglycemia. Methods: The study design was an open, nonrandomized clinical trial. Patients were healthy term newborns. All newborns were followed for 24 h. We determined the total volume ingested (ml/kg), oral tolerance (vomiting, regurgitation, abdominal circumference), impact on weight and hypoglycemic events. Results: One hundred fifty four infants were included (CGC = 90 and AL = 64). The AL group consumed slightly more formula (8 ml/kg, 95% CI 5-11) with greater variation between intakes. There was no difference in the percentage of weight loss (2.1% vs. 2%, P = 0.78). AL group also showed more vomiting (17.2% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.02) and increased abdominal distension (43.8% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.007). Only one newborn in the CGC group had hypoglycemia (P = 1.00). Conclusions: CGC feedings allows constant intake with less risk for intolerance without increasing the possibility of hypoglycemia or weight loss.

Efecto de dos Tipos de Material de Cama sobre la Carga Parasitaria de Cerdos en Crecimiento y Engorde Alojados en Cama Profunda / Characterization of two Types of Bed Material and their Impact on The Parasitic Burden of Growing and Fattening Pigs Housed in Deep Litter

Para determinar el efecto de dos tipos de material de cama sobre la carga parasitaria de cerdos en crecimiento y engorde alojados en cama profunda, se realizó un ensayo utilizando 92 cerdos machos inmunocastrados, con peso inicial promedio de 30 kg y 70 d de edad, hasta peso de finalización. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar, con dos tratamientos basados en el material de cama, heno de gramíneas (HG) y concha de arroz (CA), con seis réplicas y 46 animales/tratamiento distribuidos según una densidad de 1,37 cerdos/m². Se administró ad libitum un alimento comercial. Durante 90 d se evaluó la cantidad de material de cama requerido por animal (CCA), la humedad de la cama (HC), emisión de amonio (EAC), composición química de la cama, zonas de uso (% área limpia y sucia), presencia de ectoparásitos (PE), carga parasitaria en la cama (CPC) y heces de los cerdos (CPH). Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados utilizando el método PROC GENMOD del paquete estadístico SAS. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P< 0,05) entre HG y CA, para las variables CCA (107,32 y 84,157 kg/animal/ciclo), EAC (9,462 y 3,3274 ppm), PE (14,04 y 4,34 moscas/animal/d), zonas de uso y composición química de la cama en sus fracciones de nitrógeno, proteína, fibra, grasa cruda, ceniza y fósforo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas para CPC, pero si para CPH. La CA presentó características de HC, EAC, CPH y zonas de uso más favorables que la HG. La presencia de ectoparásitos fue mayor en los cerdos alojados en cama con HG. Además, se requirió menor cantidad de material de cama por animal en CA comparado con HG.

To determine the effect of two types of bedding material on parasitic burden in growing and fattening pigs housed in deep litter, an assay was conducted using 92 immune castrated males, with an average initial weight of 30.00 kg and 70 days old until finalization weight. A completely randomized design was used, with two treatments based on bedding material, as follows: grass hay (GH) and rice husk (RH), with six replicates/treatment and 46 animals/treatment, according to a density of 1.37 pigs/m². A commercial feed was given ad libitum. During the course of 90 days was evaluated: amount of bedding material required per animal (ABA), bedding moisture (BM) ammonia emission (AE), chemical composition of the bed, areas of use (% of clean and dirty area), presence of ectoparasites (PE), parasite burden in bed (PBB) and feces of pigs (PBF). The data obtained were analyzed using the PROC GENMOD methodology, of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Statistically significant (P<0.05) differences were found between GH and RH for the variables ABA (107.32 and 84.157 kg/animal/cycle), AE (9.462 and 3.3274 ppm), PE (14.04, and 4.34 flies/animal/day), areas of use and chemical composition of the bed in their nitrogen, protein, fiber, crude fat, ash and phosphorus fractions:. No significant differences between treatments were found for PBB. In contrast, significant differences were shown for PBF. The presence of ectoparasites in pigs housed in deep litter with HG was greater. Additionally, a less amount of bed material was required per animal with RH, in comparison with HG.

Digestibilidade das dietas e metabolismo de suínos alimentados com dietas contendo bentonita sódica em diferentes programas alimentares / Digestibility of diets and metabolism of pigs fed with diets containing sodium bentonite in different feeding programs

Foi realizado um experimento para avaliar a digestibilidade aparente de dietas e o metabolismo de suínos alimentados com dietas contendo bentonita sódica submetidos a diferentes programas alimentares. Foram utilizados 24 suínos machos castrados, meio irmãos paternos, com peso vivo médio inicial de 42,2kg, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com três níveis de bentonita sódica (0,0; 0,3 e 0,5 por cento) e dois programas alimentares (restrito e à vontade), com oito repetições cada. A adição de bentonita sódica não alterou (P>0,05) o consumo de ração e os balanços da energia e do nitrogênio. O consumo de ração diferiu (P<0,01) entre a alimentação restrita e à vontade (1,17 vs. 2,19kg d-1). O programa alimentar alterou (P<0,05) o balanço do N, mas não afetou (P>0,05) a retenção de N pelos animais. A alimentação à vontade alterou (P<0,05) o balanço da energia, sobretudo a energia retida (3.825 vs. 3.013kcal d-1). A adição de 0,5 por cento de bentonita sódica nas dietas reduziu em 9 por cento (P<0,01) a excreção fecal de fósforo. A adição de bentonita sódica nas dietas de suínos não altera os balanços da energia e do N nem as digestibilidades aparentes do Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu e Mn. A adição de bentonita sódica reduz a excreção fecal de fósforo. Não há interação entre o programa alimentar e a adição de bentonita sódica nas dietas.

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the digestibility of diets and metabolism of pigs fed diets containing sodium bentonite subjected to different feeding programs. Twenty-four barrows were used, littermates, 42.2kg initial live weight, housed in metabolic cages. Experimental design was completely randomized with three sodium bentonite levels (0.0; 0.3 and 0.5 percent) and two feeding programs (restricted and ad libitum), with eight replications each. Addition of sodium bentonite didn't affect (P>0.05) the feed intake, the energy and N balance. The feed intake differ (P<0.01) between restricted and ad libitum feeding (1.17 vs. 2.19kg d-1). The feeding program alter (P<0.05) the N balance, but don't affected (P>0.05) the N retention in pigs. Ad libitum feeding alter (P<0.05) the energy balance, mainly the retained energy (3,825 vs. 3,013kcal d-1). Addition of 0.5 percent of sodium bentonite in diets reduced in 9 percent (P<0.01) the fecal phosphorus excretion. Sodium bentonite in diets doesn't alter the energy and N balance neither apparent digestibility of Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu and Mn. Sodium bentonite in diets reduce the fecal phosphorus excretion. There is no interaction between the feeding program and the addition of sodium bentonite in diets.

Dietary restriction prevents diabetogenic effect of streptozotocin in mice.

The beneficial role of dietary restriction (DR) was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice. The DR mice exhibited the lower blood glucose (mg/dl) level as compared to ad libitum (AL) fed ones. After 3 months’ DR, STZ treatment to both AL and DR mice showed significant (p<0.001) elevation of the blood glucose level in AL-fed mice, while a lower level of glucose was maintained in DR-fed mice. The ability of maintaining a low blood glucose level in STZ-treated DR mice indicated that STZ might have been ineffective from its action on beta cells of pancreas by long-term DR. Thus, these findings suggested that DR may be an important tool for preventing the diabetic conditions. However, further studies are required to know the mechanism(s) of DR protection against diabetogenic action of STZ in experimental animals.

Efectos de la ingesta ad libitum de bebidas hidratantes sobre el peso corporal, la frecuencia cardíaca y el volumen plasmático durante una actividad física de alta intensidad y larga duración: informe preliminar / Body weight, the heart rate, and the plasma volume during a high-intesity, long-duration run

Objetivo: determinar la magnitud de la ingesta ad libitum de tres bebidas hidratantes de diferente osmolaridad y establecer sus efectos sobre el porcentaje de pérdida del peso corporal (PC), el aumento de la frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y la reducción porcentual del volumen plasmático (VP) en nueve deportistas, con entrenamiento aeróbico, sometidos, bajo condiciones ambientales neutras, a una actividad física de alta intensidad, ?80 por ciento de la FC de reserva (FCR80)? y larga duración ?88 minutos?.Metodología: el protocolo experimental se realizó en banda rodante, luego de nueve minutos de calentamiento, a una velocidad equivalente al 50 por ciento de la FCR y con una pendiente del 1 por ciento; siguieron 88 minutos de carrera, en tres intervalos, los dos iniciales de 29 minutos y el último de 30; la pendiente se mantuvo y la velocidad se incrementó al 80 por ciento de la FCR; finalmente, 90 minutos de recuperación, en tres intervalos de 30 minutos cada uno. No se hizo reposición hídrica durante el tratamiento deshidratado (DH); durante los tratamientos con hidratación se empleó un volumen similar de tres bebidas de diferente osmolaridad (H-I, H-II, H-III), el cual fue ingerido ad libitum.Resultados: durante la etapa de ejercicio la pérdida hídrica fue de 1.440 ml/h mientras que el volumen ingerido fue de 407 ml/h. Se observó, en cada uno de los tratamientos, una pérdida porcentual del PC (p<0,001); un incremento de la FC (p<0,05), y excepto con H-II y H-III una reducción porcentual del VP (p<0,05). No hubo diferencias intertratamientos en el porcentaje de la pérdida del PC, en el aumento de la FC ni en la reducción porcentual del VP.Conclusiones: la ingesta ad libitum fue menor que la cantidad recomendada internacionalmente por lo que, probablemente, no se pudieron establecer los efectos de la osmolaridad de las bebidas hidratantes sobre las variables estudiadas. Estos hallazgos nos obligan a revisar las prácticas de hidratación de nuestros deportistas ya que, al parecer, no ingieren la cantidad adecuada de líquidos para obtener los beneficios atribuidos a la hidratación.

Objetive: to determine the amount of ad libitum intake of three rehydrating beverages of different osmolalities, and to establish their effects on the percentage of body weight loss, the increase of heart rate and the reduction of plasma volume, in nine subjects with aerobic training, during a highintensity,long-duration run. Methodology: the experiment was carried out on a treadmill with 1% of inclination that was kept constant throughout the procedure; it started with 9 minutes of warm-up at a speed equivalent to 59% of the reserve heart rate; then, 88 minutes of running divided in three intervals (29, 29, and 30 minutes) at 80% of the reserve heart rate; finally, 90 minutes of recovery in three intervals of 30 minutes each. During the "dehydrated treatment" no fluid replacement was done; during the "Hydrating treatments" (H-I, H-II, H-III) equivalent volumes were drunk of the aforementioned rehydrating beverages. Results: during the exercise period the fluid loss was 1.440 ml/h. In each one of the treatments there was a loss of body weight (p<0.001), an increase of heart rate (<0.05) and, except for HII and H-III, a reduction of plasma volume (p<0.05). There were no differences between the treatments in these three parameters. Conclusions: ad libitum intake was less than the amount internationally recommended; probably that explains that the effects of osmolality of the rehydrating beverages on the analyzed parameters could not be determined. These findings ought to motivate a review of the hydrating practices of our athletes because, seemingly, they are not ingesting an adequate amount of fluids to obtain the benefits attributed to hydration.