Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire: associations with BMI in Portuguese children.

The objective of this study was to examine the association between the scores of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) and BMI in a sample of Portuguese children. Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 240 children (123 females and 117 males) aged 3-13 years were recruited from clinic and community-based settings. Parents completed the CEBQ to indicate their child's eating style for three 'food approach' and four 'food avoidant' sub-scales. Factor analyses revealed an underlying structure similar to the original CEBQ. Children's height and weight were measured to calculate BMI and Centre for Disease Control BMI z-scores. Hierarchical regression analyses controlling for gender, age and socioeconomic status indicated that all CEBQ sub-scales were significantly associated with BMI z-scores (P = 0.03 to < 0.001). Food approach scales were positively related to BMI z-scores (beta = 0.33-0.51) and food avoidance negatively related (beta = - 0.17 to - 0.46). Our results support the use of the CEBQ to further understand eating style as a behavioural pathway to obesity.

Acid phosphatase, genetic polymorphism and cardiovascular risk factors in a pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical expression of cardiovascular disease usually occurs in adulthood, it is unanimously accepted that atherosclerosis begins in the pediatric age. Because of the early onset of the disease, it is of great importance to screen for major risk factors since pre-school age, especially in risk families. Recent investigations have shown a great interest not only in studying the classic risk factors, but also in the evaluation of oxidative stress and the main antioxidant defense systems. The major cause of this interest is the knowledge of the deleterious effect of reactive oxygen species on lipids, the endothelial membrane of arteries and, finally, on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. POPULATION AND METHODS: 51 children of both genders, aged 9-12 years, randomly selected from a rural community, were observed. A possible association between low molecular acid phosphatase genetic polymorphism of the erythrocyte and the prooxidant status markers (epinephrine oxidase and low molecular protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase from the erythrocyte), some enzymatic systems of the body antioxidant defense (transmembranar reductase of ferricyanide and metahemoglobin reductase) and finally some intermediate phenotypes of cardiovascular disease (lipid profile and blood pressure) were studied. RESULTS: The study of prooxidant status markers and antioxidant enzymes shows significant differences for acid phosphatase and epinephrine oxidase activities in relation to low molecular acid phosphatase genetic polymorphism, the highest values observed being in those homozygous to the B allele (p < 0.05). The inter-relation study between variables showed, among other things, a significant inverse correlation between acid phosphatase and transmembrane reductase and a direct correlation between apolipoprotein B, acid phosphatase and metahemoglobin reductase. A positive family history for cardiovascular disease also showed a direct and significant correlation to total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphic variants of low molecular acid phosphatase and protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase with greater activity are strongly associated, not with the classic parameters of cardiovascular risk factors, but with oxidative stress indicators, such as low molecular protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase and epinephrine oxidase. Family history indicators of cardiovascular risk are clearly associated, since early ages, to some conventional risk factors, such as lipid profile and blood pressure.

LDL peroxidation in adolescent female gymnasts.

UNLABELLED: Physical exercise may in vivo promote an increase of free radical formation. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are highly susceptible to oxidation, probably because of their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, since lipid oxidation is an important factor in the genesis and development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect in a group of adolescent gymnasts, of intense and regular physical exercise on lipid profile and redox status. POPULATION: All members of the Portuguese National Team of Rhythm Gymnastics (1996) (n = 20). METHODS: 1. Clinical evaluation 1.1 Anthropometric evaluation: weight, height, triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra- and supra-iliac skinfolds. NCHS were used as the standard of reference for weight and height, and Frisancho for the sum of skinfolds; 1.2. Evaluation of nutritional status (Quetelet body mass index) and body composition (Durnin and Siri). 2. Evaluation of biological parameters: a blood sample was collected after 12 hours fasting and 24 hours detraining, to evaluate: 2.1 Lipid profile: total cholesterol, high (HDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B, were measured using internationally recommended laboratory methods; 2.2. Plasma trace elements: zinc, copper and selenium, by atomic absorption; 2.3 Red blood cell enzymes; transmembranar reductase (TMR), metahemoglobin reductase (MethaHbRed) and acid phosphatase, by spectrophotometry; 2.4. Redox status: MDA and MDA-LDL were evaluated by spectrophotometry. 3. Evaluation of eating habits: 24 hr recall. RESULTS: Chronological age is 14.3 +/- 1.7 years. Nutritional assessment shows a mean value for height near the 50th percentile (99% +/- 3.8), and low mean values respectively for BMI (89.3% +/- 9) and sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds (51.9% +/- 14). Study of lipid profile shows low mean values for total cholesterol (162.3 mg/dl +/- 27.7) LDL-cholesterol (87.6 mg/dl +/- 22.6) and Apo B (64.4 mg/dl +/- 11.5), but high values for HDL-cholesterol (61.3 mg/dl +/- 14.5) and Apo A1 (173.1 mg/dl +/- 25.1). We observe higher values for total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in those with lower Cu plasmatic levels. We also observe a negative significative correlation between MDA-LDL and Zn (r = -0.469), Cu (r = -0.524) and RTM (r = -0.608). CONCLUSIONS: The AA concluded that in this group of gymnasts intense physical exercise induces, a favorable lipid profile, but a clear susceptibility to LDL peroxidation in those with lower plasma Cu and Zn values. It is possible that the negative correlation observed between MDA-LDL and TMR is caused by higher consumption of TMR induced by the action of exercise on the oxidative system.