Association between breast feeding and food consumption according to the degree of processing in Brazil: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of breast feeding may be associated with better formation of eating habits beyond childhood. This study was designed to verify the association between breast feeding and food consumption according to the degree of processing in four Brazilian birth cohorts. METHODS: The duration of exclusive, predominant and total breast feeding was evaluated. The analysis of the energy contribution of fresh or minimally processed foods (FMPF) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the diet was evaluated during childhood (13-36 months), adolescence (11-18 years) and adulthood (22, 23 and 30 years). RESULTS: Those who were predominantly breastfed for less than 4 months had a higher UPF consumption (ß 3.14, 95% CI 0.82 to 5.47) and a lower FMPF consumption (ß -3.47, 95% CI -5.91 to -1.02) at age 22 years in the 1993 cohort. Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) for less than 6 months was associated with increased UPF consumption (ß 1.75, 95% CI 0.25 to 3.24) and reduced FMPF consumption (ß -1.49, 95% CI -2.93 to -0.04) at age 11 years in the 2004 cohort. In this same cohort, total breast feeding for less than 12 months was associated with increased UPF consumption (ß 1.12, 95% CI 0.24 to 2.19) and decreased FMPF consumption (ß -1.13, 95% CI -2 .07 to -0.19). Children who did not receive EBF for 6 months showed an increase in the energy contribution of UPF (ß 2.36, 95% CI 0.53 to 4.18) and a decrease in FMPF (ß -2.33, 95% CI -4 .19 to -0.48) in the diet at 13-36 months in the 2010 cohort. In this cohort, children who were breastfed for less than 12 months in total had higher UPF consumption (ß 2.16, 95% CI 0.81 to 3.51) and lower FMPF consumption (ß -1.79, 95% CI -3.09 to -0.48). CONCLUSION: Exposure to breast feeding is associated with lower UPF consumption and higher FMPF consumption in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Iodine Concentration in Brazilian Drinking Water and Its Possible Contribution to Iodine Intake for Different Physiological Groups.

Objective: The objective is to analyze the concentration of iodine in Brazilian drinking water and its possible contribution to iodine intake for different groups. Methods: Water samples collected from primary healthcare units in eight locations distributed across all five macroregions of Brazil were analyzed. The quantification of iodine in the water samples was done by spectrophotometry (leuco crystal violet method). To classify the degree of iodine concentration, the recommendation of the Ministry of Health (China) was followed since Brazil lacks a classification standard. To verify the possible contribution of drinking water to iodine intake for different groups, the recommended water intake for each group according to the United States Institute of Medicine (2004) was considered. The percentage of iodine in drinking water and its contribution to iodine intake for different physiological groups were calculated based on the estimated average requirement (EAR) of iodine. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0 and Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS) version 9.2. Results: Significant differences were found between the maximum and minimum concentrations of iodine in water samples from the same location. In Pinhais (south region), the difference was 44.32 µg· L-1; in Viçosa (southeast region), it was 27.86 µg·L-1; in Rondonópolis (midwest region), it was 12.66 µg·L-1; in São Luís (northeast region), it was 11.82 µg·L-1; in Brasilian Federal District (midwest region), it was 10.98 µg·L-1; in Macaé (southeast region), it was 10.14 µg· L-1; in Palmas (north region), it was 4.22 µg·L-1; and in Vitória (southeast region), it was 1.69 µg·L-1. The maximum concentrations of iodine found in the drinking water of Pinhais and Viçosa can contribute more than 70.0% and 50.0%, respectively, to daily iodine intake for all groups. Conclusion: Monitoring the concentration of iodine in drinking water from different locations in each city or Federal District is a preventive measure against inadequate iodine intake and possible adverse changes in population health.