Low bioavailability of dietary iron among Brazilian children: Study in a representative sample from the Northeast, Southeast, and South regions.

Background: Despite all efforts, iron deficiency anemia remains a serious public health problem among Brazilian children. Objective: To evaluate dietary iron intake and dietary practices that interfere with the absorption of this nutrient from three regions of Brazil. Methods: Brazil Kids Nutrition and Health Study is a cross-sectional dietary intake study in children aged 4-13.9 years old designed to investigate nutrient intakes and gaps of Brazilian children in a representative sample of households from Northeast, Southeast and South regions. Nutrient intake was assessed based on multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall and U.S. National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual micronutrients intakes and compliance with Dietary Reference Intakes. Results: Five hundred sixteen individuals participated in the study (52.3% male). The top three most consumed food sources of iron were products of plant origin. Food sources of animal origin contributed with <20% of the total iron intake. Vitamin C intake was adequate, but the concomitant consumption of food sources of vitamin C with plant food sources of iron was not common. On the other hand, the concomitant intake of plant food sources of iron with food sources of iron chelators (e.g., coffee and teas) was frequent. Conclusions: Adequate iron intake was observed in all three regions in Brazil. Children's diet showed low iron bioavailability and insufficient consumption of food sources of iron absorption stimulants. Frequent presence of iron chelators and inhibitors of iron absorption might help to explain the high prevalence of iron deficiency in the country.

Estimation of Free Sugars in the Filipino Food Composition Table and Evaluation of Population-Level Intake.

Recommendations to reduce intake of free sugars are included in some national dietary guidelines. However, as the content of free sugars is absent from most of the food composition tables, the adherence to such recommendations is hard to monitor. We developed a novel method to estimate the free sugar content in the Philippines food composition table, based on a data-driven algorithm that enabled automated annotation. We then used these estimates to analyze the free sugar intake of 66,016 Filipinos aged 4 years and over. The average free sugar consumption was 19 g/day, accounting for an average of 3% of the total caloric intake. Snacks and breakfast were the meals with the highest content of free sugars. Intake of free sugars, in grams per day and as % of energy, was positively associated with wealth status. The same pattern was observed for the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

An Assessment of Three Carbohydrate Metrics of Nutritional Quality for Packaged Foods and Beverages in Australia and Southeast Asia.

Carbohydrate quality is an aetiological factor of diet-related disease. Indices of carbohydrate quality featuring various ratios of carbohydrates-to-dietary fibre-to-sugar have been associated with improved product and/or diet quality in westernised countries. Carbohydrate intake is especially high in Asia Pacific. Thus, this study evaluated the ability of such carbohydrate metrics to discriminate the nutritional quality of carbohydrate-rich packaged foods and beverages in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, with an additional focus on beverages. This evaluation was conducted by comparing product nutritional composition and assessing products against three national nutrient profiling models. Results showed that Australia had the highest proportion of products meeting all metrics, compared to the Southeast Asian countries. Beverages had a low adherence to all metrics compared to solid foods. Across the five countries, both processed food and beverages meeting the metrics generally contained higher dietary fibre, protein, and certain vitamins and minerals whilst having lower energy, total sugars, free sugars, trans fat and cholesterol content compared to products not meeting the metrics. The metrics were also aligned with national nutrient profiling models to identify nutritious products. In conclusion, these metrics allowed us to discriminate product nutritional quality in the countries assessed and are applicable to beverages.

[Changes in food consumption and physical activity in schoolchildren of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, 2002-2007]. / Mudanças no consumo alimentar e atividade física de escolares de Florianópolis, SC, 2002-2007.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in food consumption and physical activity levels in schoolchildren. METHODS: A study was conducted with a representative sample (n = 4,168) of schoolchildren aged between seven and ten years living in the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. Food consumption and physical activity were assessed in two school-based studies in 2002 (n = 2,936; 51% boys; mean age = 8.5 years) and 2007 (n = 1,232; 50.7% boys; mean age = 8.6 years), using illustrated questionnaires. The chi-square test was used to assess changes in the consumption of eight foods/food groups, in terms of the recommendations of the Brazilian Food Guidelines and physical activity levels (assessed according to tertiles of distribution of score and type of transportation to school). Analyses were performed according to the type of school attended (private or public). RESULTS: There was a reduction in the proportion of schoolchildren who reported eating fruits, vegetables, beans, meat, snack foods, pizza, French fries and sodas. A higher proportion of private school children met the recommendations that restricted the consumption of sodas, pizza and French fries and promoted the consumption of fruits and vegetables, in both studies. On the other hand, a higher proportion of public school children met the recommendations of meat consumption in 2007. Median values of scores of physical activity decreased in 2007. In both years, private school children were more active. The proportion of schoolchildren who actively commuted to school decreased from 49% to 41% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in the consumption of markers of a healthy diet (beans, meat/fish, fruits and vegetables) and high-energy and low-nutrient foods (sodas, snack foods and pizza/French fries). In addition, there was a decrease in the proportion of schoolchildren who reported actively commuting to school.

Mudanças no consumo alimentar e atividade física de escolares de Florianópolis, SC, 2002 - 2007 / Changes in food consumption and physical activity in schoolchildren of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, 2002 - 2007

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a mudança em cinco anos do consumo alimentar e nível de atividade física em escolares. MÉTODOS: Estudo com amostra representativa (n = 4.168) de escolares de sete a dez anos de idade de Florianópolis, SC. Medidas do consumo alimentar e atividade física foram realizadas em dois estudos de base escolar em 2002 (n = 2.936; 51% meninos; idade média = 8,5 anos) e 2007 (n = 1.232; 50,7% meninos; idade média = 8,6 anos), utilizando questionários ilustrados. O teste do qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar a mudança no consumo de oito alimentos/grupos de alimentos, no atendimento às recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira e no nível de atividade física (avaliado segundo os terços de distribuição do escore e o tipo de deslocamento para a escola). As análises foram realizadas segundo a rede de ensino. RESULTADOS: Houve redução da proporção de crianças que relatou o consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes, feijão, carnes, guloseimas, pizza, batata frita e refrigerantes. Maior proporção de escolares da rede privada atendeu às recomendações de restrição de consumo de refrigerantes, pizzas e batata frita, e de maior consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes, em ambos os estudos. Por outro lado, maior proporção de escolares da rede pública atendeu às recomendações para o consumo de carnes em 2007. Os valores medianos do escore de atividade física diminuíram em 2007. Em ambos os anos escolares da rede privada foram mais ativos. A proporção de escolares que se deslocou ativamente para a escola reduziu de 49% para 41% (p < 0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Houve redução no consumo de alimentos marcadores de dieta saudável (feijão, carnes/peixes, frutas, legumes e verduras) e de alimentos de alta densidade energética e baixo valor nutricional (refrigerantes, guloseimas e pizza/batatas fritas). Também houve decréscimo da proporção de escolares que relataram deslocamento ativo para a escola.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in food consumption and physical activity levels in schoolchildren. METHODS: A study was conducted with a representative sample (n = 4,168) of schoolchildren aged between seven and ten years living in the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. Food consumption and physical activity were assessed in two school-based studies in 2002 (n = 2,936; 51% boys; mean age = 8.5 years) and 2007 (n = 1,232; 50.7% boys; mean age = 8.6 years), using illustrated questionnaires. The chi-square test was used to assess changes in the consumption of eight foods/food groups, in terms of the recommendations of the Brazilian Food Guidelines and physical activity levels (assessed according to tertiles of distribution of score and type of transportation to school). Analyses were performed according to the type of school attended (private or public). RESULTS: There was a reduction in the proportion of schoolchildren who reported eating fruits, vegetables, beans, meat, snack foods, pizza, French fries and sodas. A higher proportion of private school children met the recommendations that restricted the consumption of sodas, pizza and French fries and promoted the consumption of fruits and vegetables, in both studies. On the other hand, a higher proportion of public school children met the recommendations of meat consumption in 2007. Median values of scores of physical activity decreased in 2007. In both years, private school children were more active. The proportion of schoolchildren who actively commuted to school decreased from 49% to 41% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in the consumption of markers of a healthy diet (beans, meat/fish, fruits and vegetables) and high-energy and low-nutrient foods (sodas, snack foods and pizza/French fries). In addition, there was a decrease in the proportion of schoolchildren who reported actively commuting to school.

Qualitative analysis of the diet of a probabilistic sample of schoolchildren from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, using the Previous Day Food Questionnaire.

A qualitative evaluation of the diet of a probabilistic sample of 7-10 year old schoolchildren (n=1,232) from Florianópolis (southern Brazil) was carried out by analyzing compliance with recommendations from the Brazilian Food Guidelines. The strengths and limitations of the Previous Day Food Questionnaire (PDFQ) are also presented. Frequencies of intake were defined as how many times per day the food group was reported on the PDFQ. The percentages of schoolchildren who met the minimum recommendations and who ate foods that were not recommended in the guidelines were compared for boys versus girls, private versus public school and by family income level. Although most of the children complied with the guidelines regarding consumption of meat/fish, dry beans, sweets, and eating three meals and two snacks, only 6.5% of the children met the recommendations for cereals, and 15% for fruit and vegetables. The PDFQ was confirmed as a practical and cost-effective method for the evaluation of compliance with health promotion targets.

Qualitative analysis of the diet of a probabilistic sample of schoolchildren from Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, using the Previous Day Food Questionnaire / Analise qualitativa da dieta de amostra probabilistica de escolares de Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil, com o uso do Questionario Alimentar do Dia Anterior

A qualitative evaluation of the diet of a probabilistic sample of 7-10 year old schoolchildren (n = 1,232) from Florianopolis (southern Brazil) was carried out by analyzing compliance with recommendations from the Brazilian Food Guidelines. The strengths and limitations of the Previous Day Food Questionnaire (PDFQ) are also presented. Frequencies of intake were defined as how many times per day the food group was reported on the PDFQ. The percentages of schoolchildren who met the minimum recommendations and who ate foods that were not recommended in the guidelines were compared for boys versus girls, private versus public school and by family income level. Although most of the children complied with the guidelines regarding consumption of meat/fish, dry beans, sweets, and eating three meals and two snacks, only 6.5 percent of the children met the recommendations for cereals, and 15 percent for fruit and vegetables. The PDFQ was confirmed as a practical and cost-effective method for the evaluation of compliance with health promotion targets.

Avaliacao qualitativa da dieta de uma amostra probabilistica de escolares de 7-10 anos (n = 1.232) de Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil, e apresentada por meio de uma analise da concordancia com as recomendacoes do guia alimentar para a populacao brasileira. Os aspectos positivos e as limitacoes do Questionario Alimentar do Dia Anterior (QUADA) sao tambem discutidos. As frequencias de consumo foram definidas em vezes por dia que os grupos de alimentos foram relatados no QUADA. As porcentagens de escolares que atingiram as recomendacoes minimas do guia e que consumiram alimentos nao recomendados foram comparadas entre os sexos, tipo de escola (publica versus privada) e nivel de salario familiar. A maioria das criancas apresentou concordancia com o guia para o consumo de carnes/peixes, feijao, doces e realizacao de tres refeicoes e dois lanches; somente 6,5 por cento atingiram as recomendacoes dos cereais e 15 por cento das frutas e hortalicas. O QUADA confirmou-se como um metodo pratico e de custo-efetividade para a avaliacao da concordancia com metas de promocao de saude.

Fatores associados ao consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras em adultos de Florianópolis / Factors associated to the adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables in adults from Florianópolis, Southern Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: O consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras é considerado um importante fator na redução da incidência de doenças cardiovasculares e determinados tipos de câncer. OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência do consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras e fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com amostra probabilística de adultos (N = 1.890), residentes em domicílios com linhas telefônicas fixas em Florianópolis, 2005. O desfecho foi o consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras, definido pela frequência diária de cinco ou mais vezes de consumo destes alimentos. Os resultados das análises multivariáveis para associação entre consumo adequado e variáveis independentes foram expressos como razão de prevalência. RESULTADOS: A prevalência do consumo adequado de frutas, legumes e verduras foi de 21,9 por cento (25,0 por cento mulheres e 18,7 por cento homens). Entre as mulheres, maiores prevalências de consumo adequado foram associadas ao aumento da faixa etária, ao fato de não trabalhar (RP = 1,5; IC 95 por cento: 1,1; 2,0), ter estado de saúde bom ou excelente (RP = 1,4; IC 95 por cento: 1,0; 1,8) e ao não tabagismo (RP = 1,3; IC 95 por cento: 1,0; 1,9). Entre os homens, maior prevalência de consumo adequado foi observada para os que relataram ser casados (RP = 1,9; IC 95 por cento: 1,2; 3,0) e não ter excesso de peso (RP = 1,9; IC 95 por cento: 1,3; 2,7). Em ambos os sexos o consumo adequado apresentou associação com atividade física no lazer (mulheres RP = 1,5; IC 95 por cento: 1,2; 1,9; homens RP = 1,8; IC 95 por cento: 1,1; 2,8). CONCLUSÕES: Intervenções visando aumentar este consumo devem levar em consideração as diferenças observadas entre os sexos.