Assessment of drinking water fortification with iron plus ascorbic Acid or ascorbic Acid alone in daycare centers as a strategy to control iron-deficiency anemia and iron deficiency: a randomized blind clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: Assess drinking water fortification with iron and/or ascorbic acid as a strategy to control iron-deficiency anemia and iron deficiency. METHODS: Randomized blind clinical study, fortifying drinking water to 153 pre-school children during 3 months, with iron and ascorbic acid (A), ascorbic acid (B) or plain water (C). Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and ferritin were measured. RESULTS: Within the groups, Hb raised in all three groups, MCV in A and B and ferritin in A. The difference between time points 0 and 1 was significant between A and B for Hb, when A and B were compared with C for MCV and when A was compared with either B or C for ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: Water fortification is efficient in controlling iron deficiency and anemia. Iron stores' recovery depends on a more effective offer of iron. Water fortification must be preceded by a careful assessment of the previous nutritional status.

Iron-Fortified Drinking Water Studies for the Prevention of Children's Anemia in Developing Countries.

Anemia and iron deficiency should receive special attention considering their high prevalence and serious consequences. For prevention, globally it is recommended to increase dietary iron intake, iron fortification of industrialized foods, and medical iron supplementation. Food fortification for the prevention of iron deficiency in developing countries should consider carriers locally available and consumed daily, requiring limited infrastructure and technology. Drinking water is the iron carrier we have been working for years for the prevention of iron deficiency and anemia in small children in Brazil. It was shown that studies with iron-fortified drinking water were proved to be effective on children's anemia prevention. Water is found everywhere, consumed daily by everyone may be easily fortified with simple technology, is low priced and was effective on the prevention of children's anemia. Fortification of drinking water with iron was locally implemented with the direct participation of the government and community. Government authorities, health personnel and population were part of the project and responsible for its community implementation. The mayor/municipality permitted and supported the proposal to supply it to children at their day-care centers. To keep the children drinking water iron fortified supply an officially authorized legislation was also approved.

Determinação dos valores de glicemia, insulinemia e índice (HOMA) em escolares e adolescentes eutróficos / Determination of glycemia and insulinemia and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in schoolchildren and adolescents with normal body mass index

OBJETIVO: Determinar, entre um grupo de crianças e adolescentes eutróficos, os valores de glicemia e insulinemia de jejum e de índice homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal realizado em duas escolas públicas de Ribeirão Preto (SP). Foram obtidas medidas antropométricas, dados pessoais e colhida amostra de sangue venoso de 447 crianças e adolescentes eutróficos, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 7 e 17,9 anos, maturadores médios. Mediram-se glicemia de jejum e insulinemia de jejum e calculou-se o HOMA. Utilizando o teste de Mann-Whitney, foram realizadas comparações entre os valores obtidos para meninos e meninas em cada faixa etária. Posteriormente, utilizando o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, foram comparados os valores em cada faixa etária para meninos e meninas. RESULTADOS: Entre as meninas, os valores de glicemia apresentaram variação entre 7 a 8,9 anos (p = 0,0005). Para ambos os sexos, em relação à insulinemia, ocorreu variação de acordo com a idade (p < 0,001), com valores mais elevados na faixa de 13 a 14,9 anos. Os valores de HOMA apresentaram variação significativa de acordo com a idade (p < 0,001) para meninos e meninas, com valores crescentes até a faixa de 13 a 14,9 anos. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados apontam para a necessidade do estabelecimento de curvas de referência para os três indicadores.

OBJECTIVE: To determine fasting glycemia and insulinemia levels and the HOMA index in a group of children and adolescents with normal body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at two public schools in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. A total of 447 children and adolescents of both sexes, with normal BMI, aged 7 to 17.9 years and of average maturity for their age, underwent anthropometric measurements and provided personal data and a sample of venous blood so that glycemia, insulinemia and HOMA index could be determined. The results obtained for boys and girls were compared for each age range using the Mann-Whitney test. The results within each age band were then compared for boys and girls using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Glycemia results varied from 7 to 8.9 years (p = 0.0005). Fasting insulinemia varied significantly with age in both sexes (p < 0.001), with the highest values observed among children aged 13 to 14.9 years. HOMA indices varied significantly with age in both boys and girls (p < 0.001), with values that increased progressively up to the age band of 13 and 14.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the necessity of establishing reference curves for these three indicators.

Determination of glycemia and insulinemia and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in schoolchildren and adolescents with normal body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: To determine fasting glycemia and insulinemia levels and the HOMA index in a group of children and adolescents with normal body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at two public schools in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. A total of 447 children and adolescents of both sexes, with normal BMI, aged 7 to 17.9 years and of average maturity for their age, underwent anthropometric measurements and provided personal data and a sample of venous blood so that glycemia, insulinemia and HOMA index could be determined. The results obtained for boys and girls were compared for each age range using the Mann-Whitney test. The results within each age band were then compared for boys and girls using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Glycemia results varied from 7 to 8.9 years (p = 0.0005). Fasting insulinemia varied significantly with age in both sexes (p < 0.001), with the highest values observed among children aged 13 to 14.9 years. HOMA indices varied significantly with age in both boys and girls (p < 0.001), with values that increased progressively up to the age band of 13 and 14.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the necessity of establishing reference curves for these three indicators.

Abdominal circumference as an indicator of clinical and laboratory parameters associated with obesity in children and adolescents: comparison between two reference tables.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of two pediatric abdominal circumference reference tables to detect abnormally high body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood insulin and leptin levels, and homeostasis model assessment values. METHODS: A total of 624 male and female subjects, with ages ranging from 7 to 18 years, were evaluated. All children were recruited from two public schools. Venous blood samples were collected for determination of fasting plasma insulin, glucose, leptin, and total cholesterol levels. Weight, height and abdominal circumference were assessed according to internationally accepted guidelines. Contingency tables were constructed, comparing the presence or absence of increased abdominal circumference, according to cutoff points established by Taylor et al. and Freedman et al., with the presence or absence of abnormal values in the laboratory tests. RESULTS: Sensitivity values were consistently higher for the table by Taylor et al., whereas the table by Freedman et al. showed greater specificity. Positive predictive values were quite low in general, and were only relevant for body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the table by Taylor et al. is best for screening purposes, as it identifies individuals at higher risk of presenting abnormal test results. On the other hand, the reference table by Freedman et al. is more suitable for clinical practice, as it could be used to replace laboratory measurements, such as blood insulin or leptin levels, which may not be available at all sites.

Circunferência abdominal como indicador de parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais ligados à obesidade infanto-juvenil: comparação entre duas referências / Abdominal circumference as an indicator of clinical and laboratory parameters associated with obesity in children and adolescents: comparison between two reference tables

OBJETIVO: Avaliar sensibilidade e especificidade de duas tabelas de referência para circunferência abdominal em crianças na detecção de valores elevados de índice de massa corporal, colesterol total, insulinemia de jejum, leptinemia de jejum e homeostasis model assessment. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 624 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 7 e 18 anos, provenientes de duas escolas públicas, obtendo-se amostra de sangue venoso em jejum para dosagens de insulina, glicemia, leptina e colesterol total. Peso, estatura e circunferência abdominal foram aferidos de acordo com recomendações internacionais. Foram montadas tabelas de contingência em que se compararam, de um lado, a presença ou ausência de aumento na circunferência abdominal segundo os pontos de corte propostos de Taylor et al. e Freedman et al. e, de outro, presença ou ausência de valores alterados dos parâmetros avaliados. RESULTADOS: Os valores de sensibilidade foram sempre superiores para a tabela de Taylor et al., ao contrário da especificidade, sempre mais elevada para a tabela de Freedman et al. Os valores preditivos positivos foram, em geral, bastante baixos, mostrando-se relevantes apenas para o indicador índice de massa corpórea. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados obtidos apontam para que se considere a referência de Taylor et al. melhor do ponto de vista da triagem, selecionando indivíduos com maior probabilidade de apresentarem as alterações estudadas; por outro lado, a referência de Freedman et al. mostrou-se mais adequada para uso clínico, sendo possível a sua utilização para substituir dosagens que possam não estar ao alcance do profissional, como insulinemia e leptinemia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of two pediatric abdominal circumference reference tables to detect abnormally high body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood insulin and leptin levels, and homeostasis model assessment values. METHODS: A total of 624 male and female subjects, with ages ranging from 7 to 18 years, were evaluated. All children were recruited from two public schools. Venous blood samples were collected for determination of fasting plasma insulin, glucose, leptin, and total cholesterol levels. Weight, height and abdominal circumference were assessed according to internationally accepted guidelines. Contingency tables were constructed, comparing the presence or absence of increased abdominal circumference, according to cutoff points established by Taylor et al. and Freedman et al., with the presence or absence of abnormal values in the laboratory tests. RESULTS: Sensitivity values were consistently higher for the table by Taylor et al., whereas the table by Freedman et al. showed greater specificity. Positive predictive values were quite low in general, and were only relevant for body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the table by Taylor et al. is best for screening purposes, as it identifies individuals at higher risk of presenting abnormal test results. On the other hand, the reference table by Freedman et al. is more suitable for clinical practice, as it could be used to replace laboratory measurements, such as blood insulin or leptin levels, which may not be available at all sites.

Tolerability and effectiveness of fluoxetine, metformin and sibutramine in reducing anthropometric and metabolic parameters in obese patients / Tolerabilidade e eficácia da fluoxetina, metformina e sibutramina na redução de parâmetros antropométricos e metabólicos em pacientes obesos

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sibutramine (S) 15 mg/day, fluoxetine (F) 60 mg/day, and metformin (M) 1,700 mg/day, as an adjunct therapy to a 1,500 kcal/day diet, in reducing anthropometric and metabolic parameters. S (n= 8), F (n= 9), and M (n= 8) were compared to placebo (n= 10) in 35 obese patients in a 90-day trial. Side effects were also studied during the treatment. The data demonstrated that F therapy resulted in a greater average reduction in BMI (11.0 percent), weight (10.0 percent), abdominal circumference (11.0 percent) and percentfatty-tissue (12.8). An elevation in HDL-cholesterol (25.8 percent) and a reduction in average triglyceride levels (28.3 percent) were also shown. S presented a 7.91 percent reduction in the abdominal circumference and a 9.65 reduction in percentfatty-tissue was also found. M group presented reductions in BMI (4.03 percent), waist circumference (6.92 percent), HOMA (23.5 percent) and blood pressure (6.08 percent in systolic and 2.08 percent in diastolic). In general, the three drugs can be considered well tolerated. We concluded that F and S demonstrated a greater mean reduction in anthropometric and metabolic parameters when compared to M, however all of them are useful for that purpose, when the subjectsÆ characteristics are considered.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da sibutramina (S) 15 mg/dia, fluoxetina (F) 60 mg/dia, e metformina (M) 1.700 mg/dia, associadas a uma dieta de 1.500 kcal/dia, na redução de parâmetros antropométricos e metabólicos. S (n= 8), F (n= 9) e M (n= 8) foram comparadas ao placebo (n= 10) em 35 pacientes obesos durante 90 dias de tratamento. As reações adversas também foram avaliadas durante o tratamento. O grupo F demonstrou uma redução no IMC (11,0 por cento), peso (10,0 por cento), circunferência abdominal (11,0 por cento) e por cento de tecido adiposo (12,8). Também foram observados um aumento nos níveis de HDL-colesterol (25,8 por cento) e uma redução nos níveis de triglicérides (28,3 por cento), no grupo F. O grupo S apresentou uma redução de 7,91 por cento na circunferência abdominal e de 9,65 na por cento de tecido adiposo. Já o grupo M apresentou reduções no IMC (4,03 por cento), circunferência abdominal (6,92 por cento), HOMA (23,5 por cento) e pressão arterial (6,08 por cento na sistólica, 2,08 por cento na diastólica). Os três fármacos analisados foram bem tolerados durante o tratamento. Concluímos que a F e a S demonstraram maior eficácia na redução dos parâmetros antropométricos e metabólicos dos pacientes obesos quando comparadas à M, entretanto todas podem ser prescritas para essa finalidade, desde que sejam consideradas as características individuais dos pacientes.

Tolerability and effectiveness of fluoxetine, metformin and sibutramine in reducing anthropometric and metabolic parameters in obese patients.

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sibutramine (S) 15 mg/day, fluoxetine (F) 60 mg/day, and metformin (M) 1,700 mg/day, as an adjunct therapy to a 1,500 kcal/day diet, in reducing anthropometric and metabolic parameters. S (n= 8), F (n= 9), and M (n= 8) were compared to placebo (n= 10) in 35 obese patients in a 90-day trial. Side effects were also studied during the treatment. The data demonstrated that F therapy resulted in a greater average reduction in BMI (11.0%), weight (10.0%), abdominal circumference (11.0%) and %fatty-tissue (12.8). An elevation in HDL-cholesterol (25.8%) and a reduction in average triglyceride levels (28.3%) were also shown. S presented a 7.91% reduction in the abdominal circumference and a 9.65 reduction in %fatty-tissue was also found. M group presented reductions in BMI (4.03%), waist circumference (6.92%), HOMA (23.5%) and blood pressure (6.08% in systolic and 2.08% in diastolic). In general, the three drugs can be considered well tolerated. We concluded that F and S demonstrated a greater mean reduction in anthropometric and metabolic parameters when compared to M, however all of them are useful for that purpose, when the subjects characteristics are considered.

Factors associated with iron deficiency anemia in Brazilian preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the determining factors of anemia and iron deficiency in children attending two day care centers in the town of Pontal, southeast of Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted in 192 children aged 12 to 72 months. Personal data (age, sex, use of medicinal iron supplements, duration of breast-feeding, type of delivery, prenatal care, weight, and height), and socioeconomic data (number of co-inhabitants, parental schooling, and per capita family income) were obtained and evaluated together with hemoglobin, serum transferrin receptor, ferritin, and iron deficiency anemia. RESULTS: Age was the variable that most affected iron nutritional status, with higher hemoglobin values, lower transferrin receptor concentrations, higher ferritin values and lower iron deficiency anemia being detected with increasing age. The other studied variables did not show any correlation with iron nutritional status. CONCLUSION: The obtained data suggest that control strategies for this preschool population should be especially directed at younger children.

Factors associated with iron deficiency anemia in Brazilian preschool children

OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores determinantes de anemia e deficiência de ferro em crianças de duas creches da cidade de Pontal, sudeste do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal foi realizado avaliando-se 192 crianças com idades entre 12 e 72 meses. Dados pessoais (idade, sexo, uso de ferro medicamentoso, duração do aleitamento materno, tipo de parto, cuidados pré-natais, peso e estatura) e dados socioeconômicos (número de co-habitantes, escolaridade dos pais e renda per capita familiar) foram obtidos e correlacionados com hemoglobina, receptores de transferrina, ferritina e anemia ferropriva. RESULTADOS: A idade foi a variável mais afetada pelo estado nutricional de ferro, correlacionando-se com maiores valores de hemoglobina e ferritina e menores valores de receptor de transferrina, sendo que menos anemia ferropriva foi detectada quanto maior a idade. As outras variáveis estudadas não apresentaram correlação com o estado nutricional de ferro. CONCLUSAO: Os dados sugerem que as estratégias de controle para essa população de crianças pré-escolares devem ser direcionadas especialmente para aquelas de menor idade.

[Assessment of mid-upper arm circumference as a method for obesity screening in preschool children]. / Avaliação da medida do perímetro braquial como metodologia de triagem de crianças pré-escolares obesas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) can be used for obesity screening in preschool children. METHODS: 1,090 children aged from 12 to 59.99 months were studied. Personal information, weight, height and MUAC were obtained. Sensitivity and specificity to detect obese children were calculated for MUAC to age and MUAC to height z scores. Obesity was defined as weight to height z score >2. RESULTS: 6.6% of the children had a weight to height z score >2. The best association between sensitivity (76.5%) and specificity (77.9%) to detect obese children for MUAC to age was obtained with a z score of 0.7. In terms of MUAC to height, the best association between sensitivity (79.4%) and specificity (77.6%) to detect obese children was obtained with a 0.6 score. CONCLUSIONS: MUAC to height z score was not advantageous for obesity screening when compared to MUAC to age z score. MUAC to age z score seems to be an adequate alternative method for obesity screening in preschool children.

Avaliaçäo da medida do perímetro braquial como metodologia de triagem de crianças pré-escolares obesas / Assessment of mid-upper arm circumference as a method for obesity screening in preschool children

OBJETIVOS: O presente estudo visou a avaliar se o perímetro braquial poderia ser utilizado para a triagem de crianças obesas na idade pré-escolar. MÉTODOS: 1.090 crianças com idades entre 12 e 59,99 meses foram estudadas, obtendo-se informaçöes pessoais, além de peso, estatura e perímetro braquial. Foram obtidas as sensibilidades e especificidades de diferentes escores z de perímetro braquial para idade e perímetro braquial para estatura, para a detecçäo de crianças obesas, definidas como aquelas que apresentaram escore z de peso para estatura acima de 2. RESULTADOS: Das 1.090 crianças avaliadas, 6,6 por cento apresentaram escore z de peso para estatura acima de 2. O escore z de 0,7 do indicador perímetro braquial para idade determina a melhor associaçäo entre sensibilidade (76,5 por cento) e especificidade (77,9 por cento), para a detecçäo das crianças obesas. O escore z de 0,6 do indicador perímetro braquial para estatura determina a melhor associaçäo entre sensibilidade (79,4 por cento) e especificidade (77,6 por cento) para a detecçäo das crianças obesas. CONCLUSÖES: Näo se observou vantagem do uso do perímetro braquial relacionado à estatura quando comparado à sua relaçäo com a idade. Dessa forma, propöem-se pontos de corte, utilizando-se apenas o indicador perímetro braquial para idade que, pela sua facilidade e rapidez de obtençäo em populaçöes, é um método alternativo viável para triagem de crianças pré-escolares portadoras de obesidade