Insufficient Answer During the Public Health Emergency: A Lesson from the Persistence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Communities.

Cohort study in deprived communities to investigate the persistence of food insecurity (FI) during the COVID-19 was conducted. Sample were derived from a list of mobile phone numbers provided by community leaders and local nonprofit organizations. Temporal trends and prevalence ratios of FI persistence, categorized as "never," "occasional FI," "consistent FI," were calculated. A total of 302 households completed three assessments, the majority nonwhite women. During the follow-up, families covered by social assistance increased; however, their income decreased (p < 0.05). 33% were "consistent," and 46% "occasional" FI. Permanent difficulties accessing gas canisters, hygiene products, and hand sanitizers were observed.

Vitamin B12 sources in non-animal foods: a systematic review.

Interest in plant-based diets and vegetarianism is increasing worldwide, however, a concern for total vegetarians is vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency. We conducted a systematic review to investigate non-animal food sources of B12. Databases were PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane, Embase and Google Scholar, up to September 9, 2020. Quality of the eligible studies were assessed. We identified 25 studies which assessed B12 content in seaweeds, mushrooms, plants and fermented foods. Initial studies were microbiological bioassay, ELISA and HPLC. In the last decade, more sensitive method for real B12 determination was used, the liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry chromatograms. Real B12 content varied from mean (SD) mcg/portion size of seaweed hijiki 3 × 10-3/7 g to nori 1.03 - 2.68/sheet; mushroom white button cap 2 × 10-3(7 × 10-4)/20 g dry weight (dw) to shiitake 0.79(0.67)-1.12 (0.78)/20 g dw; and fermented foods from soy yogurt 20/cup. It is possible that daily recommendations for B12 can be met by a varied diet containing non-animal B12 food sources. Future research should consider different methods of storage, preparation, fermented foods and standardization of the production of certain foods.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2053057.

Economic burden of cancer attributable to overweight in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

BACKGROUND: Alongside the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazil, there is expected to be increased direct healthcare costs of cancers. Herein, we estimated the economic costs of cancer attributable to overweight in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), according to sex, type of cancer and geographic location (Federative Units). METHODS: The population attributable fraction (PAF) of fifteen types of cancer were estimated using body mass index (BMI) data of 85,715 adults (≥ 20 years) involved in the 2019 National Health Survey and relative risks of cancers from a meta-analysis. Inpatients and outpatient procedures and costs of cancer treatment were obtained from the SUS systems. RESULTS: Costs of cancers included in this study were Int$ 1 billion in 2019, of which 9 % or Int$ 95 million were attributable to overweight and obesity. PAFs were higher in men (11 %) than in women (8 %), while the attributable cancer costs were higher in women (Int$ 55 million) than in men (Int$ 40 million). Cancers with the highest PAFs were endometrial cancer (40 %) and esophageal cancer (26 %), whereas cancers with the highest attributable costs were colorectal cancer (Int$ 25 million) and breast cancer (Int$ 24 million). CONCLUSION: Overweight was responsible for approximately Int$ 95 million (9 %) cancer direct healthcare cost in Brazil. Public policies and programs aimed at encouraging healthy diets and physical activity may decrease the economic burden of cancer in Brazil.

Fruits and vegetables and cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association of fruits and vegetables intake with the occurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cancer. MEDLINE, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases and gray literature on Google Scholar were searched before December 17, 2018. Odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) estimates for the highest vs. the lowest intake of intake and 95% confidence intervals (CI) from the included studies were pooled using fixed and random-effects models. We found 18 studies: 17 case-control studies (n = 9,014 cases, n = 29,088 controls) and one cohort study (n = 299,651). No association was observed for CIN. The pooled adjusted ORs (95% CI) for cervical cancer were 0.61 (95% CI 0.52-0.73) for vegetables and 0.80 (95% CI 0.70-0.93) for fruits. However, no association was observed when the pooled effect was estimated among studies that adjusted for human papillomavirus (HPV). Consumption of vegetables and fruits was not associated with incidence of cervical cancer among studies that controlled for HPV infection. The level of evidence is limited because only one cohort study was included in the analysis.

Cancer cases and deaths attributable to lifestyle risk factors in Chile.

BACKGROUND: To identify modifiable risk factors that contribute to cancer holds important public health relevance for setting up prevention strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of cancer cases and deaths attributable to alcohol consumption, high body mass index (BMI), low fruits and vegetables consumption, lack of physical activity, tobacco smoking, and passive smoking in Chile in 2018. METHODS: We retrieved data from a national representative survey to describe the distribution of six lifestyle risk factors. Relative risks of each risk factor-cancer pair were obtained from published meta-analysis and pooled cohort studies. Cancer cases and deaths were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2018. RESULTS: Nearly 30% of all cancer cases (15,097 out of 50,320 cases) and 36% of all cancer deaths (10,155 out of 28,010 deaths) in Chile in 2018 were attributable to lifestyle risk factors. Smoking and high BMI accounted for most of the cancer cases (9232 and 4394, respectively) and deaths (6868 and 2572). The cancer burden of other lifestyle risk factors varied by sex. In men, the proportion of all cancer cases attributed to alcohol were 3.7% compare to 2.0% for women. Cancers cases and deaths of the larynx, lung, oral/cavity, esophagus and bladder could be at least halved if lifestyle risk factors were eliminated. CONCLUSION: Smoking and high BMI were the leading causes of preventable cancer cases and deaths within the six lifestyles factors considered. Cancer prevention strategies should consider evidence-based interventions and public policies to encourage the adoption of a healthier lifestyle.

Agreement between nutritional status and perception of body image in indigenous Khisêdjê of the Xingu Indigenous Park. / Concordância entre estado nutricional e percepção da imagem corporal em indígenas khisêdjê do Parque Indígena do Xingu.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the agreement between body self-image (based on the Stunkard figure rating scale) and nutritional status and to evaluate body satisfaction among the Khisêdjê indigenous people of Parque Indígena do Xingu (Xingu Indigenous Park). METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 131 natives aged 20 and older. Data on body image, body mass index and waist circumference were collected. Kappa statistics, χ2 (p < 0.05), crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was respectively 42 and 5.3%. The percentage of satisfaction with body profile was 61.8% with no difference between the sexes. There was good agreement between actual and ideal self-image (p < 0.001), but poor agreement between actual and ideal self-image with nutritional status for both sexes. A higher prevalence of body dissatisfaction due to overweight was detected in individuals with central obesity and overweight. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that body self-image evaluated by the Stunkard silhouette scale has little applicability as an indicator of nutritional status among the indigenous Khisêdjê of Xingu Indigenous Park.

Educational interventions on nutrition among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Poor nutrition is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases and nutritional deficiencies. Dietary interventions have been proposed to improve eating habits. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of randomized clinical trials of nutritional interventions in food habits among older people. A systematic literature review using the MEDLINE, LILACS, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases was conducted, according to PRISMA guidelines. The keywords were: food and nutrition education OR educación alimentaria y nutricional OR educação alimentar e nutricional AND clinical trial OR ensayo clínico OR ensaio clínico AND elderly OR aged OR anciano OR idoso AND human OR seres humanos. The pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using I² tests. After screening based on the title and abstract, and a full-text assessment, 11 studies remained. Results of pooling eleven studies were as follows: SMD = 0.25 (95 % CI = 0.15 - 0.34; I² = 0,0%) for vegetable, SMD = 0.18 (95 % CI = 0.08 - 0.27; I² = 0,0%) for fruit and SMD = 0.27 (95 % CI = 0.18 - 0.36; I² = 58,3%) for fibre intake. Our results suggest that nutritional interventions were effective in increasing vegetable, fruit and fibre intake. However, these results should be analyzed carefully, due to the small number of studies included in the meta-analysis. Further studies should be encouraged due to the aging process.

Concordância entre estado nutricional e percepção da imagem corporal em indígenas khisêdjê do Parque Indígena do Xingu / Agreement between nutritional status and perception of body image in indigenous Khisêdjê of the Xingu Indigenous Park

RESUMO: Objetivos: Verificar a concordância entre autoimagem corporal (escala de silhuetas de Stunkard et al.) e estado nutricional e avaliar a satisfação corporal em indígenas khisêdjê do Parque Indígena do Xingu. Métodos: Estudo transversal que incluiu 131 indígenas khisêdjê, com 20 anos ou mais. Coletaram-se dados sobre imagem corporal, índice de massa corporal e perímetro da cintura. Foram utilizados a estatística kappa, o teste χ2 (p < 0,05), as razões de prevalências brutas e ajustadas e o teste t de Student. Resultados: As prevalências de sobrepeso e obesidade foram, respectivamente, 42 e 5,3%. A porcentagem de satisfação com o perfil corporal foi de 61,8%, sem diferença entre os sexos. Houve boa concordância entre autoimagem real e autoimagem ideal (p < 0,001), porém baixa concordância entre a autoimagem real e ideal e o estado nutricional para ambos os sexos. Maior prevalência de insatisfação corporal por excesso de peso foi detectada entre indivíduos com obesidade central e excesso de peso. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que a autoimagem corporal avaliada por meio da escala de silhuetas de Stunkard et al. tem pouca aplicabilidade como indicador do estado nutricional de indígenas khisêdjê do Parque Indígena do Xingu.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the agreement between body self-image (based on the Stunkard figure rating scale) and nutritional status and to evaluate body satisfaction among the Khisêdjê indigenous people of Parque Indígena do Xingu (Xingu Indigenous Park). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 131 natives aged 20 and older. Data on body image, body mass index and waist circumference were collected. Kappa statistics, χ2 (p < 0.05), crude and adjusted prevalence ratios and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was respectively 42 and 5.3%. The percentage of satisfaction with body profile was 61.8% with no difference between the sexes. There was good agreement between actual and ideal self-image (p < 0.001), but poor agreement between actual and ideal self-image with nutritional status for both sexes. A higher prevalence of body dissatisfaction due to overweight was detected in individuals with central obesity and overweight. Conclusion: The results suggest that body self-image evaluated by the Stunkard silhouette scale has little applicability as an indicator of nutritional status among the indigenous Khisêdjê of Xingu Indigenous Park.

Folate and Cancer: Is There Any Association?

Abstract Folate plays a central role in DNA synthesis and methylation, which are essential for DNA integrity maintenance and gene expression. Folate deficiency may lead to the incorporation of uracil into DNA and chromosome breaks, increasing the risk of cancer. However, conflicting evidence has been observed depending on the type of epidemiological study, dietary or circulating folate, and the type of cancer. New concern has arisen after a mandatory folic acid (FA) fortification program adopted for the prevention of neural tube defects in the United States, which suggested an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. In the present article, folate status and cancer are under review, and a discussion of the challenge of assessing folate status through food intake, supplement use, FA fortification programs, circulating folate, and the interaction of diet and the polymorphism of the enzyme involved in folate metabolism will be presented.

Genetic and environmental factors associated with vitamin B12 status in Amazonian children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency and factors associated with vitamin B12 status in Amazonian children. DESIGN: Genetic risk score (GRS), socio-economic and nutritional status, and morbidity data were the independent variables used in multiple linear regression models to evaluate factors associated with vitamin B12 status in a population-based cross-sectional study. GRS was created by summing a number of known risk alleles for low serum vitamin B12. SETTING: Acrelândia, western Brazilian Amazon. SUBJECTS: Children (n 988) aged <10 years. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (<150 pmol/l) was 4·2 (95 % CI 3·0, 5·6) % and was highest in children aged <24 months: 13·6 (95 % CI % 8·8, 19·7) %. For children <24 months, wealth index (ß=0·017, P=0·030) and animal protein intake (ß=0·219, P=0·003) were positively associated with vitamin B12 status. GRS (ß=-0·114, P<0·001) and serum homocysteine (ß=-0·049, P<0·001) were negatively associated. Among children aged ≥24 months, vitamin B12 status was positively associated with wealth index (ß=0·012, P<0·001), height-for-age Z-score (ß=0·024, P=0·033) and serum vitamin A (ß=0·089, P<0·001). Age≥60 months (ß=-0·118, P<0·001), GRS (ß=-0·048, P<0·001), maternal schooling <5 years (ß=-0·083, P<0·001), low intake of animal-derived foods (ß=-0·050, P=0·030), serum homocysteine (ß=-0·053, P<0·001), serum folate ≥23·6 nmol/l (ß=-0·055, P=0·012) and geohelminth infection (ß=-0·141, P=0·017) were negatively associated with vitamin B12 status. CONCLUSIONS: GRS, poverty, low intake of animal-derived foods, geohelminth infection, vitamin A and folate status were important factors associated with vitamin B12 status of children in our study.

24 bp duplication of CHIT1 gene and determinants of human chitotriosidase activity among participants of EPISONO, a population-based cross-sectional study, São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether plasma chitotriosidase activity is related to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) conditions and is correlated with biochemical variables present in the EPISONO database. This is the first study conducted in an epidemiological and nutritional transition country using subjects from the EPISONO population-based cross-sectional study. DESIGN AND METHODS: Chitotriosidase (CHIT) activity was determined by fluorimetric assay. OSA classification was defined as an apnea-hypopnea index. The correlations were investigated using a multiple regression linear model and statistical criteria, with CHIT as the dependent variable and correlated variables (from the EPISONO database) as independent variables, to access the contribution of each one to the variation in CHIT activity. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed when comparing the mean CHIT activities of different apnea groups. The prevalence of the CHIT1 24-bp duplication from patients with severe apnea was higher than in controls. In a multiple regression linear model, CHIT concentration was positively associated with age, creatine and testosterone. Age was the strongest predictor of CHIT variation, followed by gender, waist circumference and TNFα levels. The whole regression model explained 14% of the CHIT variation. CONCLUSION: Many variables are related to CHIT activity and show evidence of the multifactor and potentially synergistic character of this enzyme. In this study, we found that age, gender, TNFα, Hcy, sleep efficiency and waist circumference were responsible for approximately 14% of CHIT variation. Further studies are needed to elucidate additional parameters that may be related to CHIT activity.

Assessing the validity of a food frequency questionnaire among low-income women in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil.

This study describes the validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in 93 low-income women (20-65 years), participating in a case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil. Two FFQ (FFQ1 and FFQ2, 12 months apart) and three 24-hour dietary recalls (24hR) were conducted between 2003 and 2004 to estimate dietary intake during the past year. The Pearson correlation coefficients (crude, energy-adjusted and de-attenuated) were used for comparisons between FFQ and 24hR. The agreement between the methods was further examined by the Bland-Altman analysis. For the assessment of long-term reliability, the energy-adjusted intra-class correlation coefficients were mostly around 0.40, but higher for vitamin A and folate (0.50-0.56). Energy-adjusted, attenuation-corrected Pearson validity correlations between FFQ and DR ranged from 0.30-0.54 for macronutrients to 0.20-0.48 for micronutrients, with higher value for calcium (0.75). There were small proportions of grossly misclassified nutrient intakes, while Bland-Altman plots indicated that the FFQ is accurate in assessing nutrient intake at a group level.

Assessing the validity of a food frequency questionnaire among low-income women in São Paulo, southeastern Brazil / Avaliação de validade de um questionário de freqüência alimentar em mulheres de baixa renda residentes em São Paulo, Brasil

This study describes the validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in 93 low-income women (20-65 years), participating in a case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil. Two FFQ (FFQ1 and FFQ2, 12 months apart) and three 24-hour dietary recalls (24hR) were conducted between 2003 and 2004 to estimate dietary intake during the past year. The Pearson correlation coefficients (crude, energy-adjusted and de-attenuated) were used for comparisons between FFQ and 24hR. The agreement between the methods was further examined by the Bland-Altman analysis. For the assessment of long-term reliability, the energy-adjusted intra-class correlation coefficients were mostly around 0.40, but higher for vitamin A and folate (0.50-0.56). Energy-adjusted, attenuation-corrected Pearson validity correlations between FFQ and DR ranged from 0.30-0.54 for macronutrients to 0.20-0.48 for micronutrients, with higher value for calcium (0.75). There were small proportions of grossly misclassified nutrient intakes, while Bland-Altman plots indicated that the FFQ is accurate in assessing nutrient intake at a group level.

Este estudo compara a validade de questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA) em 93 mulheres participantes de estudo caso-controle em São Paulo, Brasil. Dois QFA (12 meses de intervalo entre QFA1 e QFA2) e 3 recordatórios de 24 horas (R24h) foram obtidos entre 2003 e 2004. Coeficientes de correlação de Pearson (brutos, ajustados pelas calorias totais e com correção intra-indivíduos) foram utilizados na comparação entre os métodos. A concordância entre QFA e R24h foi avaliada pela análise de Bland-Altman. Na avaliação de reprodutibilidade em longo prazo, coeficientes de correlação intraclasse ajustados pelas calorias totais foram próximos de 0,40, com valores maiores para vitamina A e folato (0,50-0,56). Coeficientes de correlação de Pearson ajustados pelas calorias totais e de-atenuados variaram de 0,30-0,54 para macronutrientes a 0,20-0,48 para micronutrientes, com valores maiores para cálcio (0,75). Houve uma pequena proporção de erro de classificação, e a análise de Bland-Altman sugere que o QFA é adequado para a classificação do consumo de nutrientes para o grupo de indivíduos estudado.

Diet and serum micronutrients in relation to cervical neoplasia and cancer among low-income Brazilian women.

Cervical cancer is a leading cancer among women in developing countries. Infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types has been recognized as a necessary cause of this disease. Serum carotenoids and tocopherols have also been associated with risk for cervical neoplasia, but results from previous studies were not consistent. We evaluated the association of serum total carotene and tocopherols, and dietary intakes with the risk of newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 1, 2, 3 and invasive cancer in a hospital-based case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil. The investigation included 453 controls and 4 groups of cases (CIN1, n = 140; CIN2, n = 126; CIN3, n = 231; invasive cancer, n =108) recruited from two major public clinics between 2003 and 2005. Increasing concentrations of serum lycopene were negatively associated with CIN1, CIN3 and cancer, with odds ratios (OR) (95% CI) for the highest compared to the lowest tertile of 0.53 (0.27-1.00, p for trend = 0.05), 0.48 (0.22-1.04, p for trend = 0.05) and 0.18 (0.06-0.52, p for trend = 0.002), respectively, after adjusting for confounding variables and HPV status. Increasing concentrations of serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and higher dietary intakes of dark green and deep yellow vegetables/fruit were associated with nearly 50% decreased risk of CIN3. These results support the evidence that a healthy and balanced diet leading to provide high serum levels of antioxidants may reduce cervical neoplasia risk in low-income women.

[Socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric predictors of serum or plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 among low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil]. / Preditores sócio-demográficos, de estilo de vida e gineco-obstétricos das concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína, ácido fólico e vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de baixa renda de São Paulo, Brasil.

This study examined the socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric factors associated with serum or plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 among low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured by fluoroimmunoassay, while plasma vitamin B6 and homocysteine levels were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Independent variables were initially selected by Pearson correlation or Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.20). Based on cut-off values, altered concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 were found in 20%, 6%, 11%, and 67% of participants, respectively. Age was positively correlated with vitamin B6 and homocysteine plasma concentrations (p < 0.001). Body mass index was positively correlated with vitamin B6 plasma concentration (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression models accounted for 10.2%, 5.8%, 14.4%, and 9.4% of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, and homocysteine plasma or serum concentrations, respectively. In this study, socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric variables showed important predictive value for serum or plasma levels of the biochemical indicators assessed.

Preditores sócio-demográficos, de estilo de vida e gineco-obstétricos das concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína, ácido fólico e vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de baixa renda de São Paulo, Brasil / Socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric predictors of serum or plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 among low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil

O presente estudo investigou fatores sócio-demográficos, de estilo de vida e gineco-obstétricos associados às concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína, ácido fólico, vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de baixa renda de São Paulo, Brasil. Concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 foram analisadas por fluoroimunoensaio; concentrações plasmáticas de homocisteína e vitamina B6, por cromatografia líquida de alta performance em fase reversa. Variáveis independentes foram inicialmente selecionadas segundo pressupostos teóricos, correlação de Pearson ou teste Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0,20). Concentrações alteradas segundo pontos de corte para homocisteína, ácido fólico, vitaminas B12 e B6 foram observadas em 20 por cento, 6 por cento, 11 por cento e 67 por cento das participantes, respectivamente. Idade foi positivamente correlacionada à vitamina B6 e homocisteína plasmáticas (p < 0,001). Índice de massa corporal foi positivamente correlacionado à vitamina B6 plasmática (p < 0,001). Modelos de regressão linear múltiplos explicaram 10,2 por cento, 5,8 por cento, 14,4 por cento e 9,4 por cento das concentrações de ácido fólico, vitamina B12, vitamina B6 e homocisteína, respectivamente. No presente estudo, variáveis sócio-demográficas, de estilo de vida e gineco-obstétricas apresentaram contribuição importante na variação das concentrações dos indicadores bioquímicos avaliados.

This study examined the socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric factors associated with serum or plasma concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 among low-income women in São Paulo, Brazil. Serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured by fluoroimmunoassay, while plasma vitamin B6 and homocysteine levels were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Independent variables were initially selected by Pearson correlation or Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.20). Based on cut-off values, altered concentrations of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamins B12 and B6 were found in 20 percent, 6 percent, 11 percent, and 67 percent of participants, respectively. Age was positively correlated with vitamin B6 and homocysteine plasma concentrations (p < 0.001). Body mass index was positively correlated with vitamin B6 plasma concentration (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression models accounted for 10.2 percent, 5.8 percent, 14.4 percent, and 9.4 percent of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6, and homocysteine plasma or serum concentrations, respectively. In this study, socio-demographic, lifestyle, gynecological, and obstetric variables showed important predictive value for serum or plasma levels of the biochemical indicators assessed.

Consumo alimentar e concentrações séricas de micronutrientes: associação com lesões neoplásicas e câncer cervical / Diet and serum micronutrientes: association with cervical neoplasia and cancer

Objetivos. O câncer cervical é o segundo câncer mais comum entre as mulheres em todo o mundo. A infecção por Papilomavirus (HPV) do tipo oncogênico é causa necessária. Estudos internacionais sugerem importante papel de carotenóides e tocoferóis séricos e dietéticos na redução do risco para lesões precursoras, mas os resultados dos estudos prévios são inconsistentes. Indivíduos e métodos. O presente estudo de casos e controles de base hospitalar conduzido na cidade de São Paulo analisou a associação entre concentrações séricas de carotenóides (licopeno, ß-caroteno), tocoferóis (α- e γ-), consumo alimentar e casos incidentes, com confirmação histopatológica, de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) graus 1,2,3 e câncer cervical. O estudo incluiu 453 mulheres do grupo controle (sem lesões do colo uterino) e 4 grupos de casos (NIC1, n=140; NIC2, n=126; NIC3, n=231; câncer cervical, n=108) recrutadas em dois hospitais públicos de referência entre 2003 e 2005. Resultados. A concentração sérica de licopeno foi inversamente associada á NIC1, NIC3 e câncer cervical com os seguintes Odds Ratio (OR) (intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento), respectivamente: 0,53 (0,27-1,00; p de tendência=0,05); 0,48 (0,22-1,04; p de tendência=0,05) e 0,18 (0,06-0,52; p de tendência=0,002) quando comparado o maior com o menor tercil após ajuste de variáveis de confusão e grupos de HPV. O maior tercil de ß-caroteno sérico foi inversamente associado ao câncer quando comparado ao menor: OR ajustado = 0,36 (0,13-1,03; p de tendência=0,04). Maiores concentrações de α- e γ-tocoferóis foram inversamente associadas a NIC3 com redução do risco em 50 por cento, após ajustes por covariáveis e HPV. Maior tercil de consumo do grupo de folhas verde-escuras, legumes e frutas de cor alaranjada ou amarela escura foi inversamente associado ao risco para NIC3: OR ajustado comparado ao menor foi 0,52 (0,27-1,00; p de tendência=0,05). Conclusão. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem...

[Assessment of the food list and serving size of a Food Frequency Questionnaire in an adult population]. / Avaliação da lista de alimentos e porções alimentares de Questionário Quantitativo de Freqüência Alimentar em população adulta.

This study examined both the food list and portion size values from a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) among participants in a case-control study in São Paulo, Brazil. Two hundred adult respondents to a case-control study were randomly selected (101 men and 99 women; age range: 35-69 years). FFQ food items were examined on the basis of their contribution to total population nutrient intake estimated by 24-hour dietary recall (1-DR). We examined the frequency distribution of equivalent-gram weights of each selected food from the 1-DR and identified the portion sizes as small, medium, and large in the distribution (percentiles 25, 50, and 75, respectively). The FFQ provided close estimation of total fat, saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, total fiber, vitamin B6, and folic acid compared to the 1-DR (paired t-test; p < 0.05). The FFQ food list covered the study population's main dietary nutrient sources.

Avaliaçäo da lista de alimentos e porçöes alimentares de questionário quantitativo de freqüência alimentar em populaçäo adulta / Assessment of the food list and serving size of a food frequency questionnaire in an adult population

O presente estudo avaliou a adequaçäo da lista de alimentos e das porçöes alimentares de Questionário Quantitativo de Freqüência Alimentar (QQFA), entre os participantes de um estudo de casos e controles na cidade de Säo Paulo, Brasil. O QQFA foi aplicado juntamente com um inquérito recordatório de consumo alimentar de 24 horas (IR24), em amostra aleatória de 200 indivíduos (101 homens, 99 mulheres; idade entre 35 e 69 anos). O tamanho das porçöes alimentares do QQFA foi classificado em pequeno (P), médio (M) e grande (G) de acordo com distribuiçäo porcentual dos pesos correspondentes às medidas caseiras referidas no IR24 (percentis 25, 50 e 75, respectivamente). A lista de alimentos do QQFA foi analisada segundo a contribuiçäo porcentual de cada item alimentar em relaçäo ao consumo total de nutrientes estimado pelo IR24. Näo houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as médias de consumo estimadas pelo QQFA e pelo IR24 para gordura total, ácidos graxos saturados, colesterol, fibra total, vitamina B6 e folato (teste t pareado; p<0,05). A lista de alimentos do QQFA mostrou-se adequada à identificaçäo de fontes alimentares na populaçäo de estudo