Unhealthy weight control behaviors, disordered eating, and body image dissatisfaction in adolescents from São Paulo, Brazil

Objective: To identify the frequency of disordered eating (DE) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among adolescents and associations with age, sex, actual weight status, perceived weight status, and body image dissatisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 1,156 adolescents. DE was assessed using a specific self-report questionnaire, UWCB by specific behaviors that were not typically recommended for weight management, and body dissatisfaction by Stunkard's silhouettes. Results: The frequency of DE was 17.3%, and that of UWCB, 31.9%; 80.1% of participants were dissatisfied with body image. Perception of oneself as overweight was associated with 1.795-fold odds of DE. Those with UWCB had 7.389-fold odds of DE, while DE increased the odds of UWCB 7.280-fold. Girls, participants who perceived themselves as overweight, and those who reported body dissatisfaction were 2.266, 2.381, and 1.752 times more likely to have UWCB, respectively. Conclusion: A high prevalence of UWCB and a moderate prevalence of DE behaviors was found in adolescents from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Those who perceived themselves as overweight had more DE and UWCB, and both behaviors were related. UWCB was more common in girls and among those dissatisfied with their bodies.

Porcentaje de grasa corporal en adolescentes asociado con conductas alimentarias de riesgo, hogar y sexo / Body fat percentage in adolescent among eating risk behaviors, home and sex

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar la asociación de las conductas alimentarias de riesgo (CAR) y el hogar con el porcentaje de grasa corporal (PGC) en los adolescentes, modificado por sexo. Material y métodos: Se analizó la información de una cohorte de 2 388 adolescentes de Morelos, México, de 2004 a 2007. Se realizaron técnicas descriptivas y modelos de regresión lineal múltiple de efectos mixtos. Resultados: El cambio del PGC es -1.4 puntos porcentuales (EE 0.22), en hombres -3.1 (EE 0.35) y en mujeres 0.2 (EE 0.21). El cambio del PGC en relación con CAR y el hogar es diferente por sexo. El modelo múltiple muestra que realizar dieta se asocia con el incremento del PGC (1.25 IC95% 0.68-1.83) en mujeres y en hombres (1.74 IC95% 0.60-2.88). En relación con la familia, las mujeres muestran una relación positiva con el incremento del PGC de acuerdo con que sientan o no que su familia no las quiere a veces o nunca (valor p de tendencia <0.001); los hombres muestran en la variable de "Satisfecho de la ayuda que recibe se su familia" una asociación marginal. Conclusiones: Realizar dieta sin supervisión se asocia con el incremento en el PGC, lo que da un efecto contrario a lo deseado; esto se asocia con relaciones familiares y es diferente entre sexo.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the association of risky eating behaviors and the home with the percentage of body fat in adolescents, modified by gender. Materials and methods: We analyzed the information of a cohort of 2 388 adolescents from Morelos in Mexico, from 2004 to 2007. Descriptive techniques and multiple linear regression models of mixed effects were performed. Results: The change in body fat percentage (PGC) is -1.4 percentage points, in men -3.1, in women 0.2. The change of the PGC in relation to CAR's and the household is different by sex. The multiple model shows that diet is associated with an increase in PGC (1.25 IC95% 0.68-1.83) in women, in men of 1.74 (95% CI 0.60-2.88). In relation with the family, women show a positive relationship with the increase in the percentage of body fat according to whether they feel that their family does not love them sometimes or never (value p of trend <0.001), men show in the variable "Satisfied with the help your family receives", a marginal association. Conclusions: Performing a diet without supervision is associated with an increase in the PGC, giving an effect contrary to what is desired. This is associated with family relationships, and is different between sex.

Risk behavior for bulimia among adolescents / Comportamento de risco para bulimia em adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the risk behavior for bulimia among female adolescents from public and private high schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a random sample of 850 female students aged 15-18 years was carried out in a city in northeastern Brazil, using the Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) to assess the risk behavior for bulimia. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and the Pearson's chi-square , Fisher's exact and robust Poisson regression tests, adopting the significance level of 5%. Results: Less than half of the sample (42.0%) showed standards of dietary risk and weight control practices; in 1.4% of the sample, bulimia signs were already installed. Fear of gaining weight was reported by 62.8% of the subjects. Risk practices were lower among students from public schools; (Odds Ratio - OR - 0.82; confidence interval of 95% - 95%CI - 0.69-0.97). Among restrictive practices, fasting for a whole day was the most applied (29.9% of the students). Among individuals who were at risk situation, almost half believed to have normal eating habits (prevalence ratio - PR - 0.42; 95%CI 0.36-0.49). Individuals who consider their eating habits normal, who are afraid of gaining weight, those who seek emotional comfort in food and follow strict diets had higher risk for bulimia (p<0.05). Conclusions: The number of female adolescent students with risk behavior practices for bulimia is high, and the frequency of those unaware of this situation is also very high. Risk situations emerge as a collective health problem, and individuals from private schools were more likely to be in this situation.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar comportamentos de risco para bulimia em adolescentes do sexo feminino de escolas públicas e particulares. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra aleatória de 850 estudantes do sexo feminino, com idades entre 15 e 18 anos, realizado em cidade do Nordeste do Brasil, utilizando o Bulimic Investigatory Test of Edinburgh (BITE) para avaliar comportamentos de risco para transtornos alimentares. Os dados foram analisados utilizando o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson, o teste exato de Fisher e a regressão de Poisson, com o software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), adotando o nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados: Da amostra estudada, 42,0% apresentou padrões de risco e práticas de dieta e controle de peso e 1,4% já apresentava sinais de bulimia instalados. O medo de ganhar peso foi relatado por 62,8% das adolescentes. As práticas de risco foram menos frequentes em estudantes de escolas públicas (Odds Ratio - OR - 0,82; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% - 0,69-0,97). Entre as práticas restritivas, jejum por um dia inteiro foi o mais aplicado pelas participantes (29,9%). Entre os indivíduos com situação de risco, quase metade acreditava ter hábitos alimentares normais (razão de prevalência - RP - 0,42; IC95% 0,36-0,49). Estudantes que consideram seus hábitos alimentares normais, que têm medo de ganhar peso, que procuram conforto emocional em alimentos e seguem dietas rigorosas tiveram maior risco para bulimia (p<0,05). Conclusões: O número de estudantes com práticas de comportamento de risco para bulimia é alto, e o número daquelas que desconhecem essa situação também é muito alto. As situações de risco emergem como problemas de saúde coletiva, e indivíduos de escolas particulares são mais propensos a apresentar transtornos alimentares.

Avaliação de utilização de dietas da moda por pacientes de um ambulatório de especialidades em nutrição e suas implicações no metabolismo / Evaluation of the use of fad diets to patients at an outpatient specialty nutrition and its implications in metabolism

Objetivo: Avaliar a utilização de dietas da moda para emagrecimento por pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de especialidades em nutrição, no norte do RS. Materiais e métodos: Essa pesquisa foi um estudo transversal, com amostra composta por 40 pacientes que responderam um questionário anônimo, antes do início do atendimento nutricional agendado. Resultado: Entre os pacientes, 11 relataram ter realizado dietas da moda, todos do sexo feminino. A dieta da sopa foi a mais citada. A maioria dos pacientes considerou muito ruim o resultado alcançado. A maior parte assinalou que o tempo de peso reduzido foi muito curto ou curto. Entre os sintomas mencionados, os mais frequentes foram fraqueza, irritabilidade e tontura. Em relação às dietas consideradas pelos pacientes prejudiciais à saúde, a da sopa foi a mais apontada. Conclusão: O uso de dietas da moda pelos pacientes questionados foi baixo, o que indica que esses indivíduos possuem adequado conhecimento sobre alimentação.

Objective: To evaluate the use of fad diets for weight loss for patients treated on an outpatient specialty in nutrition, in northern Brazil. Materials and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 40 patients who answered an anonymous questionnaire before the scheduled start of nutritional care. Results: Among patients, 11 reported having been on fad diets, all female. The soup diet was the most cited. Most patients felt very bad result. Most noted that the time was very short lightweight or short. Among the symptoms mentioned, the most common were weakness, dizziness and irritability. In relation to the diets for the patients considered harmful to health, the soup was the most pointed. Conclusion: The use of fad diets questioned by patients was low, indicating that these individuals have adequate knowledge about nutrition.

Effect of weight loss on QT dispersion in obesity.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death in patients on a liquid protein diet has been suggested to be related to repolarization abnormalities. Although increased QT dispersion is also associated with sudden cardiac death, it has not been examined in the setting of weight loss using liquid protein diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-three patients (mean age 42 years, 18 men) with a mean initial weight of 116 kg were randomly chosen from patients who had completed 26 weeks of liquid protein diet therapy. QT, corrected QT interval, QT dispersion and corrected QT dispersion were measured blindly along with serum albumin and electrolytes at the beginning and end of 26 weeks of liquid protein diet therapy. In 57 patients (89.5%) (group 1), QT dispersion shortened after weight loss while it was prolonged in 6 patients (10.5%) (group 2). The mean weight loss (group 1: 115+/-21 to 91+/-16 kg; group 2: 122+/-21 to 98+/-13 kg), and serum albumin and electrolyte levels before weight loss were the same in both groups. The decrease in QT dispersion in group 1 was due to increase in the minimum QT interval (350+/-22 v. 375+/-21 mis, p<0.01) after weight loss. However, the QT dispersion increase in group 2 was due to prolongation of the maximum QT interval (402+/-27 v. 441+/-19 ms, p<0.05) after weight loss. This suggests that shortening of the minimum QT interval causes the increased QT dispersion in obesity. Half the patients in group 2 showed a drop in the serum albumin level and 2 patients had an abnormally high phosphorous level at the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: QT dispersion shortens in most patients (89.5%) using liquid protein diet for weight loss. However, increase of QT dispersion is seen in 10.5% of patients. The cause of increased QT dispersion in obesity (before weight loss) differs from that in patients after weight-loss using liquid protein diet. QT dispersion changes observed in this study may explain the risk of sudden cardiac death in these patients.

Dietilpropiona, Femproporex, Diazepam e Fenolftaleina: determinacao em formulacoes para emagrecimento / Diethylpropion, Femproporex, Diazepam and Phenolphtalein: determination in formulation for slim

Com o objetivo de analisar dietilpropiona, femproporex, diazepam e fenolftaleina em formulacoes para regime de emagrecimento, foi desenvolvido um metodo de separacao e determinacao destas substancias, utilizando procedimentos volumetricos e espectrofotometricos nas regioes do ultravioleta e visivel

Effects of a low protein diet on maternal behavior of rats

A desnutriçäo durante a fase lactacional pode causar alteraçöes comportamentais permanentes. No presente trabalho, estudaram-se os efeitos de uma dieta hipoprotéica sobre alguns parâmetros comportamentais de ratas lactentes. Os ratos foram desnutridos submetendo suas mäes a uma dieta contendo 8% de caseína. O método utilizado neste estudo apra produzir ratos desnutridos näo alterou o padräo de ocupaçäo do ninho das ratas. As mäes desnutridas apresentaram uma maior incidência do comportamento de carregar os filhotes. A atividade exploratória dos filhotes foi estudada e observou-se que os filhotes desnutridos exploraram menos que os normais. Os resultados do presente trabalho evidenciam que os métodos utilizados para produzir desnutriçäo säo acompanhados per alteraçöes em fatores näo-nutricionais. Modificaçöes nestes fatores podem produzir alteraçöes permanentes no comportamento, as quais podem confundir com as alteraçöes causadas pela deficiência alimentar