The BMI Z-Score and Protein Energy Ratio in Early- and Late-Diagnosed PKU Patients from a Single Reference Center in Mexico.

The relationship between protein and energy and their appropriate proportions in hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) or phenylketonuria (PKU) patients in terms of growth have been poorly studied, especially in those diagnosed late. We aimed to describe the protein energy ratio (P:E) and its association with body mass index (BMI) in 638 dietetic and anthropometric assessments from 54 early- or late-diagnosed HPA/PKU patients. Dietetic and anthropometric data were analyzed and classified according to BMI Z-Score and type of diagnosis, early by newborn screening (NBS) or late. Correlation between BMI Z-Score and P:E ratio was established. Percent of dietary protein from Phe-free metabolic formula was analyzed. According to the BMI Z-Score, the majority of assessments were eutrophic (69.4%). The median P:E ratio was >4 in most of the overweight assessments. Remarkably, the underweight group consumed the highest proportion of Phe-free metabolic formula (74.5%). A positive correlation between BMI Z-Score and P:E ratio was found. The highest proportion of underweight was found in the late-diagnosed patients. Our findings might be related to their nutritional history previous to the HPA/PKU treatment. Thus, complex nutritional outcome of the late-diagnosed HPA/PKU patients deserves actions to guarantee the early diagnosis, closer nutritional follow-up and alternative therapeutic approaches.

The orphan G protein-coupled receptor, GPR139, is expressed in the hypothalamus and is involved in the regulation of body mass, blood glucose, and insulin.

GPR139 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in restricted areas of the nervous system, including the hypothalamus. In this study, we hypothesized that GPR139 could be involved in the regulation of energy balance and metabolism. In the first part of the study, we confirmed that GPR139 is expressed in the hypothalamus and particularly in proopiomelanocortin and agouti-related peptide neurons of the mediobasal hypothalamus. Using a lentivirus with a short-hairpin RNA, we inhibited the expression of GPR139 bilaterally in the mediobasal hypothalamus of mice. The intervention promoted a 40% reduction in the hypothalamic expression of GPR139, which was accompanied by an increase in body mass, a reduction in fasting blood glucose levels, and an increase in insulin levels. In the hypothalamus, inhibition of GPR139 was accompanied by a reduction in the expression of orexin. As previous studies using a pharmacological antagonist of orexin showed a beneficial impact on type 2 diabetes and glucose metabolism, we propose that the inhibition of hypothalamic GPR139 could be acting indirectly through the orexin system to control systemic glucose and insulin. In conclusion, this study advances the characterization of GPR139 in the hypothalamus, demonstrating its involvement in the regulation of body mass, blood insulin, and glycemia.

Underreporting of energy intake is not associated with the reported consumption of NOVA-classified food groups in socially vulnerable women.

Few studies have investigated which types of food are least reported among underreporters of energy intake (EI). This study assessed the association between the underreporting of EI and the consumption report of food groups according to NOVA classification in women in social vulnerability. EI was measured through three 24-h dietary recalls administered by the research team. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was evaluated using the doubly labelled water method. The percentage of EI arising from each NOVA group food classification (unprocessed/minimally processed foods, culinary ingredients, processed foods and ultra-processed foods [UPF]) was calculated. The agreement between the EI and the TEE was assessed using the ratio EI:TEE. Associations were assessed with Pearson's correlation and multivariable linear regression, adjusted for age, education and body fat. The sample (63 women, age: 30.8 years, Body Mass Index: 27.6 kg/m2 ) reported an EI of 1849 kcal and a TEE of 2223 kcal, with a mean EI:TEE of 0.85. There were no significant correlations between the EI:TEE and the reported food intake according to NOVA classifications. Multivariable linear regression also did not show any significant associations (UPF: 8.47, 95% CI: [-3.65; 20.60] %kcal; Processed: -6.85, [-19.21; 7.71] %kcal; Culinary ingredients: 1.30 [-5.10; 7.71] %kcal; Unprocessed/minimally processed: -2.92 [-10.98; 5.13] %kcal). In conclusion, socially vulnerable women that underreport their EI do not report a lower intake of any specific group of foods according to NOVA classification.

The orphan receptor GPR68 is expressed in the hypothalamus and is involved in the regulation of feeding.

Currently, up to 35% off all drugs approved for the treatment of human diseases belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Out of the almost 800 existing GPCRs, 25% have no known endogenous ligands and are regarded as orphan receptors; many of these are currently under investigation as potential pharmacological targets. Here, we hypothesised that orphan GPCRs expressed in the hypothalamus could be targets for the treatment of obesity and other metabolic diseases. Using bioinformatic tools, we identified 78 class A orphan GPCRs that are expressed in the hypothalamus of mice. Initially, we selected two candidates and determined their responsivities to nutritional interventions: GPR162, the GPCR with highest expression in the hypothalamus, and GPR68, a GPCR with intermediate expression in the hypothalamus and that has never been explored for its potential involvement in metabolic regulation. GPR162 expression was not modified by fasting/feeding or by the consumption of a high-fat diet, and was therefore not subsequently evaluated. Conversely, GPR68 expression increased in response to the consumption of a high-fat diet and reduced under fasting conditions. Using immunofluorescence, GPR68 was identified in both proopiomelanocortin-expressing and agouti-related peptide-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Acute inhibition of GPR68 with an allosteric modulator promoted an increase in the expression of the orexigenic agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y, whereas 4- and 12-h inhibition of GPR68 resulted in increased caloric intake. Thus, GPR68 has emerged as an orphan GPCR that is expressed in the hypothalamus and is involved in the regulation of feeding.

Association of fasting Orexin-A levels with energy intake at breakfast and subsequent snack in Chilean adolescents.

Orexin-A, a hormone secreted by orexin neurons, is involved in caloric-intake regulation. Current understanding is based primarily on animal studies. Studies of orexin in humans are scarce, and to our knowledge there are no prior studies in adolescents. We studied fasting Orexin-A levels related to energy intake at breakfast and a subsequent snack in adolescents (n = 668) from a longitudinal study in Chile. Body-Mass Index (BMI), components of the metabolic syndrome and fasting blood levels of leptin, insulin, ghrelin, and orexin-A were measured. Energy intake was calculated based on food weights before and after the standardized breakfast and subsequent snack. High energy intake was defined as ≥ 75th percentile. We assessed the relationship between orexin-A and high energy intake, adjusting for confounders. Higher orexin levels were associated with high breakfast energy intake (OR: 1.21; 95%CI: 0.98-1.49). Conversely, those with higher orexin levels showed a non-significant trend for lower odds of high energy intake for the snack (OR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.70-1.07). There was a significant interaction between high breakfast energy intake and orexin levels. Those who ate more calories at breakfast displayed a lower inhibitory effect of orexin on eating at the snack (p < 0.05). There was no significant interaction between weight status and orexin. In conclusion, orexin-A levels were associated with breakfast energy intake and inversely related with subsequent snack energy intake in participants whose caloric intake at breakfast was within the normal range. Based on these findings, it appears that the association of orexin-A with energy intake depends on eating behavior.

Association of fasting orexin-A levels with energy intake at breakfast and subsequent snack in Chilean adolescents.

Orexin-A, a hormone secreted by orexin neurons, is involved in caloric-intake regulation. Current understanding is based primarily on animal studies. Studies of orexin in humans are scarce, and to our knowledge there are no prior studies in adolescents. We studied fasting Orexin-A levels related to energy intake at breakfast and a subsequent snack in adolescents (n = 668) from a longitudinal study in Chile. Body-Mass Index (BMI), components of the metabolic syndrome and fasting blood levels of leptin, insulin, ghrelin, and orexin-A were measured. Energy intake was calculated based on food weights before and after the standardized breakfast and subsequent snack. High energy intake was defined as ≥ 75th percentile. We assessed the relationship between orexin-A and high energy intake, adjusting for confounders. Higher orexin levels were associated with high breakfast energy intake (OR: 1.21; 95%CI: 0.98-1.49). Conversely, those with higher orexin levels showed a non-significant trend for lower odds of high energy intake for the snack (OR: 0.87; 95%CI: 0.70-1.07). There was a significant interaction between high breakfast energy intake and orexin levels. Those who ate more calories at breakfast displayed a lower inhibitory effect of orexin on eating at the snack (p < 0.05). There was no significant interaction between weight status and orexin. In conclusion, orexin-A levels were associated with breakfast energy intake and inversely related with subsequent snack energy intake in participants whose caloric intake at breakfast was within the normal range. Based on these findings, it appears that the association of orexin-A with energy intake depends on eating behavior.

Adequação calórico proteica da terapia nutricional enteral em pacientes críticos / Caloric-protein adequacy of enteral nutritional therapy in critical patients

A doença crítica promove um estado hipercatabólico associado a uma resposta inflamatória intensa. Admite-se que essas alterações contribuem para o aumento do gasto de energia e para a elevação do catabolismo proteico. Objetivo: analisar a adequação calórico-proteica da terapia de nutrição enteral e o seu impacto no desfecho clínico de pacientes críticos. Método: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal prospectivo realizado com 36 pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. A adequação da oferta calórico-proteica foi obtida pela relação percentual a partir do quarto dia de implementação da terapia nutricional. Realizou-se o teste de Shapiro Wilk para averiguar a normalidade dos dados e a partir disso, foi aplicado o teste de Mann-Whitney ou de t-Student não pareado. Foi realizada a análise de regressão logística com estimativa de seu coeficiente. Para a regressão estimou-se o intervalo de confiança de 95% e nível de significância de 5%. Foi utilizado o software STATA® versão 14.0 nesta análise. Resultados: Ao avaliar 36 pacientes verificou-se que a sobrevida foi menor entre os indivíduos que apresentaram o menor percentual de adequação calórica (p=0,010) e proteica (p=<0,001). Observou-se que oferta proteica impactou mais expressivamente os desfechos clínicos, ao aumento de 1% na média de adequação proteica as chances de óbito diminuíram 21%. Conclusão: O menor percentual de adequação calórico-proteica foi associado a menor sobrevida de pacientes críticos. Ainda, observou-se que o percentual de adequação proteica se associou mais expressivamente aos desfechos clínicos nessa amostra

The critical illness promotes a hypercatabolic state associated with an intense inflammatory response. It is recognized that those changes contribute to the rise of consumption of energy expenditure and to protein metabolism rise. Objective: to analyze the adequacy caloric-protein of enteral nutrition therapy and its impact on the clinical outcome of critical patients. Method: This is a prospective longitudinal study conducted with 36 hospitalized patients in intensive care units. The caloric-protein adequacy was acquired by percent ratio from the fourth day of nutritional therapy implementation. The Shapiro Wilk test was performed to check the data normality and based on that the Mann-Whitney test or unpaired Student t test was applied. The logistic regression analysis was performed with an estimate of its coefficient. For regression, it was estimated the confidence interval of 95% and significance level of 5%. In this analysis was utilized the STATA® software version 14.0. Results: In the evaluation of 36 patients, it was found that survival was lower among the individuals who had the lower percentage of caloric adequacy (p=0,010) and protein (p=<0,001). It was observed that the protein supply impacted expressively the clinical outcome with an increase of 1% in the average protein adequacy, the chances of death decreased by 21%. Conclusion: The lower percentage of caloric-protein adequacy was associated with lower mortality of critical patients. In addition, in this sampling, it was observed that the protein adequacy percentual joined expressively in the clinical outcome

Eat Well to Fight Obesity and Save Water: The Water Footprint of Different Diets and Caloric Intake and Its Relationship With Adiposity.

Water scarcity and excess adiposity are two of the main problems worldwide and in Mexico, which is the most obese country in the world and suffers from water scarcity. Food production represents 90% of a person's water footprint (WF), and healthy diets can lead to less WF than do unhealthy diets related to obesity. We calculated the WF of the diet and caloric intake of adults in Mexico and analyzed its relationship with adiposity. Also, the risk of water expenditure due to adiposity and adherence to dietary recommendations regarding WF of international healthy diets were examined. A Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire (FCFQ) was applied to 395 adults. Body mass index (BMI), associated with adiposity indicators, was used as a reference for grouping a sample into adiposity levels. The WF was calculated according to the WF Assessment Method, considering correction factors and accounting for water involved in cooking and food washing. Our results showed that the Mexican diet spends 6,056 liters per person per day (L p-1d-1) and is 55% higher than international healthy diets WF. Consumption of beef, milk, fruits, chicken, and fatty cereals represented 56% of total WF. Strong relations appeared between hypercaloric diets and high WF. Diets of people with excess adiposity generated statistically higher WF with extra expenses of 729 L p-1d-1 compared with the normal adiposity population. Following nutritional recommendations offers a protective factor in water care, whereas not adhering to these represents a risk up to 93 times greater of water expenditure regarding international healthy diets. Therefore, both for the general population and to regulate obesity, adequate diets can help mitigate the problem of water scarcity.

Nutritional Characteristics, Sites of Origin, and Cost of Foods Consumed during School Hours and Their Relationship to Nutritional Status of Schoolchildren in Mexico City.

Access, nutritional characteristics, preferences, and cost can affect food intake at school. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the nutritional characteristics, sites of origin, and cost of foods consumed during school hours. Three hundred and sixty-nine children from five public elementary schools in Mexico City participated. The children gave information about the foods that they consumed five days out of the week during school hours, including the place of acquisition, cost of the food, and portion size. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight of the children were taken. Caloric consumption and percentage of recommended daily energy intake from food during school hours was determined. Children were 10.9 ± 0.9 years old; 55.6% were girls, 26% were overweight, 23% were obese, and 3.3% were of low height for age. The average calorie intake was 515 kilocalories (kcal) (boys, 535 kcal; girls, 476 kcal, p = 0.051); calorie intake was higher when school meal intakes included foods from home, school, and outside of school. No significant differences were found in calorie intake by children's nutritional status. The cost in Mexican pesos per 100 kcal consumed showed differences according to the nutritional status of the children; it was 4.0 Mexican pesos for children with normal weight and 4.2 and 3.8 pesos in children who were overweight or obese, respectively. The information obtained in this study should be used to provide nutritional guidance. The food portion size intake during school hours should be reduced, and the food should come from one or at most two sites, because each extra food represents an increase in the total kilocalorie intake.

Prognostic capability of the Maximum Acute Gastrointestinal Injury Score and of caloric intake in patients requiring vasopressors: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Our main objective was to use the Maximum Acute Gastrointestinal Injury Score (AGImax) to evaluate the prognostic capability of gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID), on hospital mortality in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) requiring vasopressors. A secondary goal was to analyze the relationship between AGImax and vasopressor dosage with increasing caloric intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective multicenter cohort study in ten ICUs across Argentina. Consecutive adult patients on MV, requiring vasopressors and receiving enteral nutrition (EN) were included. AGImax was identified (I-IV) using a modified AGI score. Comparisons of clinical and outcome variables were performed in 3 predetermined EN-groups: <10 kcal/kg/d, ≥10 to <20 kcal/kg/d, or ≥ 20 kcal/kg/d. RESULTS: A total of 494 patients met all inclusion criteria. Forty-four percent of patients had severe AGImax and 17% received <10 kcal/kg/day, indicating more severity and higher mortality. Notable independent predictors of mortality were AGImax, vasopressors, and caloric intake. PN was the only factor which had an inverse relationship to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, patients with AGImax III-IV were significantly associated with lower caloric intake and greater hospital mortality, highlighting the importance of AGI as a prognostic tool. As PN was linked with lower mortality, it could be an option to explore in further studies.

Spent coffee (Coffea arabica L.) grounds promote satiety and attenuate energy intake: A pilot study.

We evaluated the effects of acute intake of biscuits (B) containing either spent coffee grounds (SCG), (added with fructooligosaccharides; SC-FOS) or SCG antioxidant dietary fiber (SCF), on satiety, energy intake as well as gastrointestinal tolerance of healthy overweight volunteers. The addition of SCG and SCF to the biscuits (SC-FOS-B and SCF-B) increased their protein (11.4% and 12.2%), and total dietary fiber (8.4% and 11.8%) contents. The SCF-B significantly increased satiety perception, impacting ad libitum energy intake compared to the traditional biscuits recipe (TB; no added fiber). Moreover, SC-FOS-B and SCF-B decreased (no-observed-adverse effect) the most frequently reported symptoms by the participants, demonstrating that doses up to 5 g of SCF (per biscuit portion; 45 g) are well tolerated. The use of SCF and SCG as functional ingredients represents a sustainable strategy for the coffee industry and also potentiates the reduction of overweight, one of the leading health problems among the population. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The addition of SCF or SCG as food ingredients increases protein and the dietary fiber content of traditional biscuits. SCF can slow gastric emptying, modulate appetite and thus body weight. SCF attenuates carbohydrate digestion blunting post-prandial blood glucose spikes reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. SCF can be used as a functional ingredient to formulate foods with health benefits.

Objective Measurements of Energy Balance Are Associated With Sleep Architecture in Healthy Adults.

Study Objectives: We objectively measured body composition, energy expenditure, caloric intake, and sleep in a large, diverse sample of healthy men and women and determined how energy balance and diet associated with sleep physiology. Methods: Healthy adults (n = 50; 21-50 years) participated in an in-laboratory study involving two baseline sleep nights (BL1-2, 10 hours time-in-bed/night, 2200-0800 hours). Polysomnography was recorded on BL2. Demographic information, body composition, and energy expenditure measurements were collected at study admittance and on BL1. Daily food/drink intake was recorded both before (on BL1) and after (on BL2) the sleep measurement. Partial Pearson's correlations assessed the relationship between energy balance and sleep physiology variables. Results: At baseline, greater fat-free mass associated with lower total sleep time (r = -0.52, p = .030), lower sleep efficiency (r = -0.53, p = .004), and greater wake after sleep onset (r = 0.55, p = .002). Higher body fat percentage (r = 0.39, p = .038) and being overweight (Body Mass Index [BMI] 25-30; p = .026) associated with more rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Higher protein intake (r's = 0.46-0.52; p's < .001-.002) and lower carbohydrate intake (r's = -0.31 to -0.34; p's = .027-.046) on BL1 and BL2 associated with more REM sleep. Greater fiber consumption on BL1 and BL2 associated with more slow-wave sleep (SWS; r's = 0.33-0.35; p's = .02-.03). More SWS related to increased carbohydrate intake the following day (BL2, r = 0.32, p = .037). Conclusions: Body composition and diet were related to baseline sleep characteristics, including SWS and REM sleep duration and sleep maintenance. Future studies should further evaluate the influence of energy balance measures on sleep physiology, since dietary interventions may be useful in treating insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, excessive sleepiness or other sleep disorders.

Estudio venezolano de nutrición y salud: consumo de energía y nutrientes. Grupo del estudio latinoamericano de nutrición y salud / The venezuelan study of nutrition and health: energy and nutrients intake. Latin american study of nutrition and health study group

La información del consumo de alimentos y bebidas en la población venezolana es indispensable para identificar problemas nutricionales y grupos en riesgo, por edad, áreas geográficas y niveles socioeconómicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las características de la ingesta promedio de alimentos en la población entre 15 y 65 años en Venezuela durante el año 2015. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 1132 sujetos, a quienes se les aplicó 2 recordatorios de 24 horas, no consecutivos con la metodología de pasos múltiples, y un cuestionario de frecuencia cualitativa sobre la ingesta de bebidas. El consumo promedio de calorías fue de 1.925 kcal, distribuidas en: 16,3% proteínas, 30,2% grasas, 52,4% carbohidratos y 1,1% alcohol. El 79,2% de la muestra presenta una dieta habitual inadecuada por déficit en calorías. La deficiencia en minerales fue mayor en mujeres, calcio (92,9%), hierro (42,2%) y zinc (76,6%). La mayoría de los encuestados realizaron 3 comidas al día. El almuerzo fue la comida que predominó en la ingesta diaria, seguida en orden decreciente por desayuno y cena. Las bebidas azucaradas jugos de frutas y gaseosas son una importante fuente de carbohidratos simples. El estudio EVANS 2015 muestra una caída importante en el consumo de macro y micronutrientes, en especial en los estratos sociales y niveles educativos más bajos y en los adultos mayores, que es diferente por regiones, lo cual está generando en sectores vulnerables un estado nutricional y de salud deficiente, con el aumento consecuente de las enfermedades por déficit de calorías y nutrientes(AU)

Obtaining reliable information on food and beverage consumption in Venezuelan population is imperative for identifying nutritional problems and groups of populations at risk. The objective of this study was to analyze average intake of foods on population between 15 and 65 years in Venezuela during 2015. A cross sectional study was carried out in a sample of 1132 subjects, to which two nonconsecutives 24h recalls were applied using the multiple pass methodology, also a food frequency questionnaire for beverage intake was performed. This study reported an average caloric intake of 1925 kcal, distributed as follows: 16.3% of proteins, 30.2% of fats and 52.4% of carbohydrates and 1.1% of alcohol. 79.2% of the sample showed an inadequate caloric intake. Mineral deficiency was higher in women, calcium (92.9%), iron (42.2%) and zinc (76.6%). The majority of the subjects had 3 meals per day during the days of the interviews. Lunch was the predominant meal on daily intake, followed by breakfast and dinner. Sugary sweetened beverages appeared as an important source of simple carbohydrates. EVANS intake study reported a relevant decrease on the intake of macro and micro nutrients, particularly within lower socioeconomic status and education levels, as well as in older adults, which eventually could lead to an impaired nutrition and health status, with an increase of diseases associated to caloric and nutrients deficit(AU)

A comparative between the supply and energy needs of hospitalized patients under enteral nutritional therapy

Introduction: Patients who are at risk of malnutrition are potential candidates for the use of enteral nutritional therapy (ENT), since it allows a more effective control of the patient's nutrition. When oral food intake is impossible or insufficient, enteral nutrition is the most appropriate physiological option aiming at the maintenance of gastrointestinal trophism. Studies show us that the protein-caloric needs of the hospitalized patients are seldom reached in the feeding tube supply, staying routinely between 70% and 80% of their needs. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted based on secondary data collected by the Multidisciplinary Team of Nutritional Therapy of a university hospital in Brazil to compare the caloric intake received by the hospitalized patients when in enteral nutritional therapy with their real needs. Results: A total of 43 adult inpatients who were in exclusive enteral nutrition were assessed. It was observed that the mean caloric intake received by the patients was 1,767±271kcal/day, reaching 94% of the estimated caloric needs, which were 321kcal/day. In relation to the nutritional status of the analyzed patients, it was found that 38% were at nutritional risk. Conclusion: The creation of protocols of nutritional support is of great importance to guide professionals in the prescription of ENT, aiming to improve the nutritional intake offered to hospitalized patients (AU)

Early versus Delayed Human Milk Fortification in Very Low Birth Weight Infants-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of initiating human milk fortification at 2 different feeding volumes on feeding intolerance and the time to reach full feeding volume. STUDY DESIGN: Very low birth weight infants (n = 100) were prospectively randomized to early fortification (EF) (beginning at a feeding volume of 20 mL/kg/d) or delayed fortification (at a feeding volume of 100 mL/kg/d). We employed a standardized feeding protocol and parenteral nutrition guidelines for the nutritional management of all study infants. RESULTS: The median days to reach full feeding volumes were equivalent in the 2 groups (20 vs 20, P = .45). No significant difference was observed in the total number of episodes of feeding intolerance (58 vs 57). Two cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (Bell stage ≥2) and deaths occurred in each group. Median daily protein intake (g/kg/d) was higher in EF group in week 1 (3.3 [3.2, 3.5] vs 3.1 [2.9, 3.3], P < .001), week 2 (3.6 [3.5, 3.8] vs 3.2 [2.9, 3.4], P < .001), and week 3 (3.7 [3.4, 3.9] vs 3.5 [2.8, 3.8], P = .006). Cumulative protein intake (g/kg) in the first 4 weeks of life was higher in EF group (98.6 [93.8, 104] vs 89.6 [84.2, 96.4], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Very early human milk fortification may improve early protein intake in very low birth weight infants without increasing frequencies of adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01988792.

Sweet taste of saccharin induces weight gain without increasing caloric intake, not related to insulin-resistance in Wistar rats.

In a previous study, we showed that saccharin can induce weight gain when compared with sucrose in Wistar rats despite similar total caloric intake. We now question whether it could be due to the sweet taste of saccharin per se. We also aimed to address if this weight gain is associated with insulin-resistance and to increases in gut peptides such as leptin and PYY in the fasting state. In a 14 week experiment, 16 male Wistar rats received either saccharin-sweetened yogurt or non-sweetened yogurt daily in addition to chow and water ad lib. We measured daily food intake and weight gain weekly. At the end of the experiment, we evaluated fasting leptin, glucose, insulin, PYY and determined insulin resistance through HOMA-IR. Cumulative weight gain and food intake were evaluated through linear mixed models. Results showed that saccharin induced greater weight gain when compared with non-sweetened control (p = 0.027) despite a similar total caloric intake. There were no differences in HOMA-IR, fasting leptin or PYY levels between groups. We conclude that saccharin sweet taste can induce mild weight gain in Wistar rats without increasing total caloric intake. This weight gain was not related with insulin-resistance nor changes in fasting leptin or PYY in Wistar rats.

Riesgo de trastornos alimentarios y perfil antropométricos en modelos profesionales de México / Risk of eating attitudes and anthropometric profile among professional fashion models of Mexico

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the risk of Eating Disorders Behaviour (EDB), and its anthropometric profile, physical activity and alimentary intake between Mexican fashion models (FM) and control women Methods: We included 50 FM and 50 control women, of the same social group, all over 18 years old, from Guadalajara, Mexico, matched by age. We evaluated the risk of EDB with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26); the anthropometric measures were taken according to the criteria of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), 24-hour recall to estimate energy intake and physical activities. Results: The risk prevalence of EDB was 10% for both groups. The mean and standard deviation of the percentage of body fat in FM was 22,4±2, lower than in the controls (27,8±4, p<0.001). There were no differences in anthropometric measurements in women with and without risk of EDB, except in the weight (FM without risk of EDB 56,3±3 kg and 59,9±3 kg with risk of EDB (p<0.02). Caloric intake in women with risk of EDB reduced was 1094±208 kcal in FM versus 1269±435 kcal in control woman. Conclusion: The anthropometric measurements, alimentary intake and previous history of eating disorders, suggests that FM of Mexico are a vulnerable population for eating disorder.

Objetivo: Comparar el riesgo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA), perfil antropométrico, actividad física e ingesta alimentaria entre las mujeres mexicanas dedicadas al modelaje profesional (MP) con mujeres control. Métodos: Se incluyeron 50 MP y 50 mujeres controles, del mismo grupo social, mayores de 18 años, de Guadalajara, México, pareadas por edad. Se evaluó el riesgo de TCA con el test de Trastornos de Actitudes Alimentarias (EAT-26), se tomaron las medidas antropométricas de acuerdo a los criterios de la International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Se estimó el consumo de energía utilizando el recordatorio de 24 horas y se registró la práctica de actividades físicas. Resultados: La prevalencia de riesgo de TCA fue 10% para ambos grupos. La media y desviación estándar del porcentaje de grasa corporal en las MP fue 22,4±2,5 menor al de las controles (27,8±4,9) (p<0.001). No hubo diferencias en la medidas antropométricas en las mujeres con y sin riesgo de TCA, excepto en el peso de las MP de 56,3±3,1 kg sin riesgo de TCA y 59,9±3,6 en las con riesgo de TCA (p<0.02). La ingesta alimentaria se encontró reducida en las mujeres con riesgo de TCA con respecto a las sin riesgo, con 1094,2±208,3 kcal versus 1269,8±435,0 kcal en las MP y controles respectivamente. Conclusión: Las medidas antropométricas, la ingesta alimentaria y la historia previa de trastornos de la alimentación, sugiere que la MP de México es una población vulnerable para trastornos de la alimentación.

Efecto del ayuno sobre la conducta alimentaria en estudiantes universitarios / Fasting effect on eating behavior in university students

La evidencia científica sobre la caracterización de la conducta alimentaria señala que situaciones de privación de alimento, como el ayuno, aumentan el valor del alimento y modifican el patrón alimentario. En consecuencia se incrementa el consumo de alimentos y por ende el consumo calórico. La situación se agrava cuando los alimentos preferidos después del periodo de privación son poco saludables o se consumen en exceso convirtiéndose en detonadores de problemas de salud (Capaldi, 1993; Gottschalk, Libby & Graff, 2000; Vélez & Garcia, 2003). Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto del ayuno sobre el consumo calórico y la modificación de las preferencias alimentarias, se diseñó un estudio en el cual participaron nueve jóvenes universitarios que fueron clasificados de acuerdo a su Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) en tres grupos: Bajo-peso, Normo-peso y Sobre-peso. Fueron expuestos durante la línea base a ocho alimentos diferentes. Durante la fase experimental se expuso a los mismos participantes a un periodo de ayuno y posteriormente a los mismos alimentos registrando su consumo. Los resultados mostraron que el consumo calórico y la preferencia entre alimentos se modificaron. El grupo Bajo-peso aumentó su consumo de alimento mientras que en los grupos Normo-peso y Sobre-peso lo disminuyeron.

Scientific evidence on the characterization of eating behavior indicates that food deprivation situations, such as fasting, the food value increases and alter the feeding pattern. Consequently food consumption increases and therefore caloric intake. The situation worsens when after a deprivation period the preferred foods are unhealthy or consumed in excess becoming tiggers for health problems (Capaldi, 1993; Gottschalk , Libby & Graff , 2000; Velez & Garcia , 2003). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fasting on caloric intake and changing food preferences. This study was conducted with the participation of 9 university students who were classified according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) into three groups: Low-weight, Normo-weight and Over-weight. At the baseline participants were exposed to eight different foods. Same participants during the experimental phase were exposed to a period of fasting, subsequently were exposed to the same foods and record their consumption. Results showed that caloric intake and food preferences were altered after the fasting condition, differential effects among participants were observed. Low-weight group increased their food consumption while Normal-weight and Over-weight groups decreased.

Moderate physical exercise attenuates the alterations of feeding behaviour induced by social stress in female rats.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that stress-related disorders, such as the increase on the caloric intake, are twice as common in women as in men, but surprisingly, very few studies have been tested this subject on female experimental animals. Additionally, it has been proposed that regular physical exercise can improve the deleterious effects of stress. Therefore, the present longitudinal study, performed in female rats, aimed to test the influence of chronic stress (ST) imposed by social isolation on the animals' caloric intake and to assess the effect of regular physical exercise of low intensity on this behaviour. In 4 groups of Wistars rats (control sedentary, n = 6; control exercised, n = 6; ST sedentary, n = 6; ST exercised, n = 6), body weight, food intake, abdominal fat weight, adrenal weight, corticosterone metabolites in faeces and plasma insulin levels were measured during the experimental protocol and/or at its end. The results showed that social isolation was not able to modify the amount of abdominal fat and the body weight; however, it promoted significant increases in the corticosterone metabolites and in the amount of caloric intake, which were attenuated in exercised rats. Additionally, exercised groups presented lower levels of fasting insulin than sedentary groups. Therefore, the present study demonstrated that regular physical exercise of low intensity attenuates the corticosterone metabolites and overeating behaviour triggered by social stress.

Quantifying energy intake in Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) using the heat increment of feeding.

Using implanted archival tags, we examined the effects of meal caloric value, food type (sardine or squid) and ambient temperature on the magnitude and duration of the heat increment of feeding in three captive juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna. The objective of our study was to develop a model that can be used to estimate energy intake in wild fish of similar body mass. Both the magnitude and duration of the heat increment of feeding (measured by visceral warming) showed a strong positive correlation with the caloric value of the ingested meal. Controlling for meal caloric value, the extent of visceral warming was significantly greater at lower ambient temperature. The extent of visceral warming was also significantly higher for squid meals compared with sardine meals. By using a hierarchical Bayesian model to analyze our data and treating individuals as random effects, we demonstrate how increases in visceral temperature can be used to estimate the energy intake of wild Pacific bluefin tuna of similar body mass to the individuals used in our study.