Serum homocysteine and cysteine levels and changes in the lipid profile of children and adolescents over a 12-month follow-up period.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence of associations between high serum homocysteine (Hcy) and cysteine (Cys) levels and changes in the lipid profile of adults; however, little information is available with respect to these associations in the pediatric age group. OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of high baseline serum Hcy and Cys levels, alone or in conjunction, on the lipid profile of children and adolescents over a 12-month follow-up period. METHODS: A cohort study involving 540 boys and girls of 7-15 years of age was conducted over 12 months. The outcome variables were the lipid indicators and the principal exposure variable was serum Hcy and Cys levels. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used to identify the associations of interest. RESULTS: Irrespective of age, sex, socioeconomic status, diet or anthropometric status, when serum Hcy levels were above the 5th quintile of distribution at baseline, HDL-cholesterol decreased by a mean of 2.91 mg/dl (p < 0.01), while triglyceride levels increased by a mean of 1.58 mg/dl (p < 0.01) over the 12-month follow-up period. In individuals with high baseline Cys levels, there was a reduction of 1.95 mg/dl (p < 0.01) and an increase of 1.76 mg/dl (p < 0.01) in mean serum HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels, respectively, over the 12-month period. When serum Hcy and Cys levels were both above the 5th quintile of distribution at baseline, there was a reduction of 3.65 mg/dl (p < 0.01) in mean HDL-cholesterol and an increase of 3.53 mg/dl (p < 0.01) in mean triglyceride levels in the 12 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: High baseline serum Hcy and Cys levels resulted in a reduction in mean HDL-cholesterol levels and an increase in mean triglycerides levels over the 12 months of follow-up in children and adolescents, with these alterations being greater when these two biochemical parameters were simultaneously high at baseline.

Breastfeeding and maternal weight changes during 24 months post-partum: a cohort study.

The relationship between breastfeeding and the loss of weight gained during pregnancy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding and maternal weight changes during 24 months post-partum. We studied a dynamic cohort comprising 315 women living in two cities in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The outcome variable was change in the post-partum weight; the exposure variable was the duration and intensity of breastfeeding. Demographic, socio-economic, environmental, reproductive and lifestyle factors were integrated in the analysis as covariates. The data were analysed using multiple linear regression and linear mixed-effects models. The average cumulative weight loss at 6 months post-partum was 2.561 kg (SD 4.585), increasing at 12 months (3.066 kg; SD 5.098) and decreasing at 18 months (1.993 kg; SD 5.340), being 1.353 kg (SD, 5.574) at 24 months post-partum. After adjustment, the data indicated that for every 1-point increase in breastfeeding score, the estimated average post-partum weight loss observed was 0.191 kg at 6 months (P = 0.03), 0.090 kg at 12 months (P = 0.043), 0.123 kg at 18 months (P < 0.001) and 0.077 kg at 24 months (P = 0.001). Based on these results, we concluded that despite the low expressiveness, the intensity and duration of breastfeeding was associated with post-partum weight loss at all stages of the study during the 24-month follow-up.

Metabolic syndrome and associated factors in children and adolescents of a Brazilian municipality.

BACKGROUND: the risk factors associated to metabolic syndrome (MS) have been extensively studied in adults, but in children and adolescents it is poorly explored. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of MS and associated factors in children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 540 children and adolescents from 7 to 14 years of age. The socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle data and the family history of chronic diseases were reported by the individual and/or guardian and recorded in a structured questionnaire. Biochemical tests (fasting blood glucose, triacylglycerols, reduced high-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, homocysteine and cysteine), an anthropometric assessment and a blood pressure measurement were performed. MS was defined according to the criteria of The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III adapted by Ferranti. A Poisson regression was used to identify the factors statistically associated with MS. RESULTS: The MS prevalence was 12.8%, in which the most frequent component was a decreased high-density lipoprotein level (58.2%), followed by hypertriglyceridemia (41.8%), elevated blood pressure (29.1%), increased waist circumference (26.7%) and hyperglycemia (7.2%). Associations between metabolic syndrome and overweight [prevalence ratio (PR): 2.2 (1.22-3.95)], father education [PR: 2.19 (1.10-4.37)], serum very low-density lipoprotein concentration [PR: 1.08 (1.04-1.11)] and concomitantly increased serum homocysteine and cysteine concentrations [PR: 2.58 (1.32-5.04)] were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The MS prevalence is high in children and adolescents and it is increased in patients with overweight, higher father education, increased serum very-low-density lipoprotein concentrations and a concomitant serum homocysteine and cysteine high levels.

Introducción: Los factores asociados al Síndrome metabólico (SM) han sido ampliamente estudiados en adultos, pero aún son poco explorado en niños y adolescentes Objetivo: Identificar la superioridad de SM y los factores asociados en niños y adolescentes. Métodos: Se trata de estudio transversal, con 540 niños de 7 a 14 años de edad. Los datos socioeconómicos, demográficos, estilo de vida e historia familiar de enfermedades crónicas fueron informados por la persona y/o responsable y registrados en cuestionario estructurado. Fueron realizadas dosificaciones bioquímicas (glicemia en ayuno, triglicérides, lipoproteína de alta densidad reducida, lipoproteína de muy baja densidad, homocisteina y cisteina), evaluación antropométrica y verificación de la presión arterial. La SM fue definida de acuerdo con los criterios del The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III adaptado por Ferranti. Se utilizó regresión de Poisson como técnica estadística para identificar los factores asociados a la SM. Resultados: La superioridad de la SM fue del 12,8%, siendo a lipoproteína de alta densidad reducida (58,2%) el componente más frecuente, seguido por la hipertrigliceridemia (41,8%), presión arterial aumentada (29,1%), circunferencia de la cintura aumentada (26,7%) e hiperglicemia (7,2%). Fue observada asociación entre SM y exceso de peso (RP: 2,2 [1,22-3,95]), escolaridad paterna (RP: 2,19 [1,10-4,37]), concentración sérica de la lipoproteína de muy baja densidad (RP: 1,08 [1,04-1,11]) y concentraciones séricas simultáneamente aumentadas de homocisteina y cisteina (RP: 2,58 [1,32-5,04]). Conclusiones: La superioridad de SM es elevada en niños y adolescentes y se encuentra aumentada en paciente con exceso de peso, mayor escolaridad paterna, concentraciones séricas aumentadas de la lipoproteína de muy baja densidad, y elevación simultánea de los niveles séricos de homocisteína y cisteína.

Food and nutrition insecurity: a marker of vulnerability to asthma symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between food and nutrition insecurity and asthma in children from Latin America. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: São Francisco do Conde, Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. SUBJECTS: The study included 1307 children aged 6-12 years from public elementary schools. Asthma symptoms were collected using a questionnaire that was translated and adapted from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, phase III. The diagnosis of asthma was determined based on reports of wheezing in the previous 12 months. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale was used to identify food insecurity. We also obtained demographic, socio-economic and anthropometric information for each participant. We used multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the associations of interest. RESULTS: Of the children surveyed, 10·4% had a history of wheezing and 64·5% had some degree of food and nutrition insecurity. We found a positive dose-response relationship and statistically significant associations of asthma with moderate (OR = 1·71, 95% CI 1·01, 2·89) and severe (OR = 2·51, 95% CI 1·28, 4·93) food and nutrition insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that moderate and severe food and nutrition insecurity are markers of vulnerability to wheezing. It is important to note that the results of studies in this field have potential implications for social policies that promote food security. Further studies to identify the mechanisms involved in the relationship between food and nutrition insecurity and asthma are needed.

Influencia de la orientación nutricional y del entrenamiento físico sobre la glucemia y la presión arterial / Influence of nutritional orientation and physical training on glycemia and blood pressure

En el mundo, se ha incrementado la prevalencia de diabetes mellitus e hipertensión en el mundo, en las cuales la mala alimentación y la inactividad física representan importantes factores de riesgo. Objetivo: Identificar cambios promovidos por el programa de intervención nutricional y ejercicio, con base en la Estrategia Mundial de la OMS sobre glucosa y presión arterial (PA) en los individuos participantes. Métodos: Estudio cuasiexperimental, de 12 meses de duración, en el que participaron voluntariamente 69 mujeres adultas, que se sometieron a una intervención nutricional y de ejercicio supervisado tres veces a la semana. Las participantes fueron evaluadas al inicio, y a los 6 y 12 meses del seguimiento. Resultados: Los modelos de ecuaciones de estimación generalizadas mostraron que mujeres con menores niveles de actividad física y consumo elevado de alimentos de riesgo aumentaron 11.66 mg/dl (p < 0.01) sus valores medios de glucosa, en comparación con aquellas con niveles más altos de actividad física y bajo consumo de alimentos de riesgo. Asimismo, mujeres con menores niveles de actividad física y bajo consumo de alimentos de riesgo aumentaron 5.25 mm Hg la PA diastólica media (p < 0.05), en comparación con aquellas con niveles más altos de actividad física y bajo consumo de alimentos de riesgo. Conclusión: Se registraron reducciones significativas en los valores de glucosa y de PA en las mujeres después de la intervención...

Determinants of mild-to-moderate malnutrition in preschoolers in an urban area of Northeastern Brazil: a hierarchical approach.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the determinants of mild-to-moderate malnutrition in preschoolers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted in October and November 1996, with a representative sample of 1740 children less than 5 years old from the city of Salvador, situated in the Brazilian Northeastern region. Socio-economic and dietary data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were performed in duplicate and data analysis was based upon the hierarchical model approach. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the prevalence ratio and to identify the determinants of mild-to-moderate deficits in weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores. RESULTS: Family monthly income under US$67.00 per capita and family headed by a woman were the main basic determinants of mild-to-moderate weight-for-age and height-for-age deficits in the studied children. Household agglomeration, an underlying determinant, was associated with weight-for-age and height-for-age deficits. Among the immediate determinants, age above 6 months and dietary caloric availability in the lowest tertile (<930 kcal day-1) were also associated with weight-for-age deficits. In addition to these, hospitalisation in the 12 months preceding the interview was shown to be a predictor of mild-to-moderate weight-for-age and height-for-age deficits. CONCLUSION: Adverse social and economic factors interact with family environmental factors to define food consumption and morbidity patterns that culminate in a high prevalence of mild-to-moderate malnutrition. The strengthening and restructuring of nutrition and healthcare actions, the definition of public policies that improve family income, and the adequate insertion of women in the labour market are possible strategies to reduce mild-to-moderate malnutrition and to sustain the decline already observed in severe malnutrition.

Risk factors for infection with Giardia duodenalis in pre-school children in the city of Salvador, Brazil.

A cross-sectional study of 694 children aged 2 to 45 months selected from 30 clusters throughout the city of Salvador, Bahia (pop. 2.3 million) was carried out as part of a longitudinal study of diarrhoea in order to identify risk factors for infection with Giardia duodenalis. Variables studied included three social and demographic factors (such as mother's education and marital status), five relating to the peri-domestic environment (rubbish disposal, open sewers, paving of the street), seven relating to the home itself (house construction, susceptibility to flooding, water supply and sanitation) as well as a score for hygiene behaviour based on structured observation. After multivariate analysis using a hierarchical model, only four significant risk factors were found: (a) number of children in the household under five years (b) rubbish not collected from the house (c) presence of visible sewage nearby, and (d) absence of a toilet. All four were significant at the 1% level.