High frequency of serum chromium deficiency and association of chromium with triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in patients awaiting bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, the frequency of serum chromium deficiency in patients awaiting bariatric surgery has not been determined. This study was designed to assess chromium concentration and its association with glycemic levels and lipid profile in patients prior to bariatric surgery. METHODS: This study recruited 73 candidates for bariatric surgery between March and September 2012. Their sociodemographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected. RESULTS: Of the 73 patients, 55 (75.3%) were women (75.34%). Mean patient age was 37.20 ± 9.92 years, and mean body mass index was 47.48 kg/m2 (range, 43.59 to 52.50 kg/m2). Chromium deficiency was observed in 64 patients (87.7%). Correlation analysis showed significant negative relationships between chromium concentration and BMI and zinc concentration and a significant positive relationship between chromium and glycated hemoglobin. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum chromium concentration was significantly associated with total cholesterol (ß = 0.171, p = 0.048) and triglyceride (ß = -0.181, p = 0.039) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Serum chromium deficiency is frequent in candidates for bariatric surgery and is associated with total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Early nutritional interventions are needed to reduce nutritional deficiencies and improve the lipid profile of these patients.

Relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly: a population-based study.

Considering the scarcity of data on the relationship between hemoglobin, serum retinol and habitual meat consumption in the elderly, a cross-sectional population-based study was performed, which was representative of the population of a state capital in Northeastern Brazil, including 176 elderly aged between 60 and 90 years, who responded to questionnaires about habitual food consumption and socioeconomic aspects. Blood counts and serum retinol analyses were carried out. The prevalence of anemia was 9.58%, and 96% of elderly showing adequate serum retinol levels. The consumption of vitamin A and iron was adequate in 93.75% and 85%, respectively. There was no correlation between serum retinol and hemoglobin values (p=0.56), and as expected, there was a positive association between meat consumption and hemoglobin (p=0.02). Based on results obtained in this study, it was concluded that the maintenance of adequate vitamin A and meat intake in this population should be encouraged, which appears to be an effective intervention strategy to achieve appropriate serum retinol and hemoglobin values, and hence lower iron deficiency anemia rates.

Relation between glucose levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), body mass index (BMI) and serum and dietary retinol in elderly in population-based study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between fasting glucose levels, hs-CRP, BMI and serum retinol and diet in elderly people. For this study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological, population-based format was adopted. One hundred and sixty-three individuals between 60 and 90 years of age participated; the participants were from different socioeconomic and health backgrounds, except for the individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Most subjects had serum concentrations in the reference ranges for all variables. There was not a significant relationship between fasting glucose and serum retinol or diet. There was a significant correlation between hs-CRP and BMI (r=0.22, p=0.0082) and hs-CRP and total calorie intake (p=0.0091), which reinforces the notion that an increased intake of calories results in being overweight and/or obese. Considering the importance of vitamin A in various physiological processes, more studies on these relationships are necessary to establish a recommendation of vitamin A for the treatment and prevention of changes in fasting glucose and obesity in the elderly population.

[The relationship between income and children's habitual consumption of ß-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E in food]. / Relação entre renda e consumo alimentar habitual de ß-caroteno, vitamina C e vitamina E de crianças.

OBJECTIVE: Examining the relationship between family income and daily b-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E consumption amongst children in the city of João Pessoa / PB, Brazil. METHOD: One hundred and eighty-three children aged 2 to <10 years were evaluated, in a sample stratified by income level which was representative of the population of Joao Pessoa. The research instrument consisted of questionnaires addressing socio-economic, demographic, epidemiological, anthropometric and food consumption variables. The results were analysedby using R software, using descriptive (mean, median, standard-deviation, simple and relative frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression). RESULTS: Participants were predominantly male (55 %) from income classes E (up to US$ 428.64) and C (> US$ 622.31-US$ 2,682.93) and mothers who had studied for nine years or more. Regarding vitamin intake, there was low vitamin C inadequacy (8 %) and high vitamin E inadequacy (59 %), the latter being more frequent in the 4-8 year-old age group (33 % of children). There was an inverse correlation between income and energy intake (r=-0.1525, p<0.05) and between income and vitamin E consumption (r=-0.3, p<0.05). The relationship between income and maternal education (p<0.05), between income and b-carotene consumption and between income and vitamin C consumption was significantly positive (r=0.33 and r=0.28, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that consuming vitamins having antioxidant properties was positively related to family income regarding vitamin C and b-carotene and negatively related regarding vitamin E and calories.

Relação entre renda e consumo alimentar habitual de β-caroteno, vitamina C e vitamina E de crianças / The relationship between income and children's habitual consumption of β-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E in food / Relación entre el ingreso y el consumo habitual de β-caroteno, vitamina C y vitamina en niños

Objetivo Analisar a relação entre renda e consumo alimentar de b-caroteno, vitamina C e vitamina E em crianças na cidade de João Pessoa, Brasil. Método Foram avaliadas 183 crianças com idade entre 2 e < 10 anos, em uma amostra representativa estratificada por níveis de renda da população de João Pessoa. O instrumento de pesquisa consistiu de questionários que abordaram aspectos sócio-econômicos, demográficos, antropométricos e de consumo alimentar. Analisou-se os resultados com o software R, por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial (correlação e regressão). Resultados Observou-se predomínio do gênero masculino (55 por cento), das classes de renda E (até U.S. $ 428,64) e C (> U.S. $ 622,31-U.S. $ 2,682.93) e de mães que estudaram nove anos ou mais. Quanto à ingestão de vitaminas, houve baixa inadequação de vitamina C (8 por cento) e inadequação elevada de vitamina E (59 por cento), sendo esta última mais freqüente na faixa etária de 4-8 anos (33 por cento das crianças). Houve uma correlação inversa entre renda familiar e consumo energético (r=-0,1525, p <0,05) e entre renda e consumo de vitamina E (r =-0,3, p <0,05). As relações entre renda e escolaridade materna (p <0,05), renda e consumo de b-caroteno e renda e consumo de vitamina C (r=0,33 e r=0,28, respectivamente, p <0,05) foram significativamente positivas. Conclusão Concluiu-se que o consumo das vitaminas antioxidantes é positivamente relacionado com a renda familiar, em relação à vitamina C e b-caroteno e negativamente em relação à vitamina E e calorias.

Objective Examining the relationship between family income and daily b-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E consumption amongst children in the city of João Pessoa / PB, Brazil. Method One hundred and eighty-three children aged 2 to <10 years were evaluated, in a sample stratified by income level which was representative of the population of Joao Pessoa. The research instrument consisted of questionnaires addressing socio-economic, demographic, epidemiological, anthropometric and food consumption variables. The results were analysedby using R software, using descriptive (mean, median, standard-deviation, simple and relative frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression). Results Participants were predominantly male (55 percent) from income classes E (up to US$ 428.64) and C (> US$ 622.31-US$ 2,682.93) and mothers who had studied for nine years or more. Regarding vitamin intake, there was low vitamin C inadequacy (8 percent) and high vitamin E inadequacy (59 percent), the latter being more frequent in the 4-8 year-old age group (33 percent of children). There was an inverse correlation between income and energy intake (r=-0.1525, p<0.05) and between income and vitamin E consumption (r=-0.3, p<0.05). The relationship between income and maternal education (p<0.05), between income and b-carotene consumption and between income and vitamin C consumption was significantly positive (r=0.33 and r=0.28, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusion It was concluded that consuming vitamins having antioxidant properties was positively related to family income regarding vitamin C and b-carotene and negatively related regarding vitamin E and calories.

Objetivo Analizar la relación entre el ingreso y el consumo de b-caroteno, vitamina C y vitamina E en los niños en la ciudad de Joao Pessoa, Brasil. Métodos Se evaluaron 183 niños de edades comprendidas entre 2 y <10 años en una muestra representativa estratificada por nivel de ingresos de la población de Joao Pessoa. El instrumento de la encuesta consistió en cuestionarios que abordaban el consumo socio-económico, demográfico, antropométrico y dietético. Se analizaron los resultados con el software R, a través de la estadística descriptiva e inferencial (correlación y regresión). Resultados Se observó un predominio del sexo masculino (55 por ciento) de la E espectro de ingresos (hasta 428,64 dólares EE.UU.) y C (> EE.UU. $ 622.31 y US $ 2,682.93) y las madres que tenía nueve años o más. En cuanto a la ingesta de vitaminas mostraron insuficiencia bajos de vitamina C (8 por ciento) y alto contenido de vitamina E inadecuada (59 por ciento), siendo el segundo más frecuente en el grupo de edad de 4-8 años (33 por ciento de los niños). Hubo una correlación inversa entre ingreso familiar y el consumo de energía (r=-0,1525, p <0,05) y entre los ingresos y el consumo de vitamina E (r =-0.3, p <0,05). La relación entre el ingreso y la educación materna (p <0,05), los ingresos y el consumo de b-caroteno y el ingreso y el consumo de vitamina C (r=0,33 y r=0,28, respectivamente, p<0.05) significativamente positivo. Conclusiones Se concluye que el consumo de vitaminas antioxidantes se relaciona positivamente con los ingresos familiares, en relación a la vitamina C y b-caroteno y negativamente relacionado con la vitamina E y calorías.