The relationship between total energy expenditure and physical activity level in women living in an impoverished Brazilian urban area.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe how strong is the relationship between TEE and PAL in women living in an impoverished Brazilian urban area. METHODS: Anthropometric, hormonal (insulin, TSH, FT4 , and FT3 ), body composition (deuterium), TEE (doubly labeled water) and PAL (metabolic equivalent task [MET]-7-day triaxial accelerometer, ActivPAL®) data were collected from 55 women (mean age: 31y, mean BMI: 27.4 kg/m2 ). Adjusted-TEE models were calculated incorporating the residuals of anthropometric, hormonal, and body composition variables in the TEE, to assess the relation between MET and adjusted-TEE, through three different analyzes: linear regression, nonlinear regression and change-point regression. RESULTS: Most participants (89.1%, n = 49) were classified as low-active. There was no association between crude TEE and MET.h/d (R2  = 0.05; p = 0.09). There was a positive, although weak, linear relationship between adjusted-TEE and MET.h/d (ß = 2705.26 kcal; 95% CI: 436.25; 4974.27; adj-R2  = 0.08). A change point of this relationship was identified in the MET.h/d value of 1.53 (SD = 0.02; adj-R2 = 0.13). The association between adjusted-TEE and MET.h/d before the change point (ß = 5101.46 kcal; 95%CI: 978.84; 9224.08; adj-R2  = 0.11) was stronger than the association in the full linear model, nevertheless, it was still weak. This association stop existing when it is assessed in individuals after the change point (ß = -6609.92 kcal; 95%CI: -16773.24; 3553.40; adj-R2  = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the relationship between TEE and PAL is weak and it is not completely linear in women living in an impoverished Brazilian urban area.

DNA methylation mediates a randomized controlled trial home-visiting intervention during pregnancy and the Bayley infant's cognitive scores at 12 months of age.

The crosstalk between maternal stress exposure and fetal development may be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm). To address this matter, we collect 32 cord blood samples from low-income Brazilian pregnant adolescents participants of a pilot randomized clinical intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02807818). We hypothesized that the association between the intervention and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age would be mediated by DNAm. First, we searched genome methylation differences between cases and controls using different approaches, as well as differences in age acceleration (AA), represented by the difference of methylation age and birth age. According to an adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 we identified 3090 differentially methylated positions- CpG sites (DMPs), 21 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and one comethylated module weakly preserved between groups. The intervention group presented a smaller AA compared to the control group (p = 0.025). A logistic regression controlled by sex and with gestational age indicated a coefficient of -0.35 towards intervention group (p = 0.016) considering AA. A higher cognitive domain score from Bayley III scale was observed in the intervention group at 12 months of age. Then, we performed a potential causal mediation analysis selecting only DMPs highly associated with the cognitive domain (adj. R2 > 0.4), DMRs and CpGs of hub genes from the weakly preserved comethylated module and epigenetic clock as raw values. DMPs in STXBP6, and PF4 DMR, mediated the association between the maternal intervention and the cognitive domain at 12 months of age. In conclusion, DNAm in different sites and regions mediated the association between intervention and cognitive outcome.

Pre-pregnancy dietary pattern is associated with newborn size: results from ProcriAr study.

Babies born small-for-gestational age (SGA) have an increased risk of mortality, morbidity and adverse functional consequences. Studies suggest that pre-pregnancy maternal diet may influence newborns' size. This study aimed to determine whether maternal pre-pregnancy dietary patterns (DP) are associated with delivering SGA newborns in the ProcriAr Cohort Study, Sao Paulo-Brazil. Pre-pregnancy DP of 299 women were investigated using factor analysis with principal component's estimation, based on intake reported on a validated 110-item FFQ. Newborns were classified as SGA if their weight and/or length, adjusted by gestational age and sex, were below the 10th percentile of the INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Multivariate Poisson regression modelling with robust error variance was performed to examine associations between the different DP (in quintiles) and SGA. In a model adjusted by maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours, women who scored in the highest quintile of the DP 'Snacks, sandwiches, sweets and soft drinks' (in relation to the women who scored in the lowest quintile) were significantly more likely to deliver SGA babies (relative risk 1·92; 95 % CI 1·08, 3·39). This study verified that women's pre-pregnancy dietary behaviour characterised by an energy-dense nutrient-poor food intake was a risk factor for delivering SGA newborns. Investments in education and improved access to healthful food and nutritional information before pregnancy should be prioritised due to their potential positive impact on child health. However, further studies are warranted to identify specific metabolic pathways that may be underlying these associations.

Longitudinal associations between ultra-processed foods and blood lipids in childhood.

Emerging evidence suggests that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) plays a role in the development of chronic diseases, but evidence of their influence in children is limited. Our objective was to study longitudinal trends of UPF intake and determine their impact on blood lipids in young children. The present study was a follow-up of a randomised field trial of children (n 308) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Dietary intake was collected using two 24-h recalls at 3 and 6 years of age, and consumption of UPF was classified according to the NOVA system, a food classification based on the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. At age 6 years, blood tests were performed to measure lipid profile. Contribution of UPF to total energy intake increased by 10 % during the follow-up period, from 43·4 % at 3 years to 47·7 % at 6 years of age. Linear regression models showed that children in the highest tertile of UPF consumption at age 3 years had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC; ß 0·22 mmol/l; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·39) and TAG at age 6 years (ß 0·11 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·20) compared with those in the lowest tertile. A positive dose-response was observed for an absolute increment of 10 % of UPF on TC (ß 0·07 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·00, 0·14) and TAG (ß 0·04 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·07). Based on our data, consumption of UPF increased significantly over time and was associated with higher blood lipid levels in children from a low-income community. Our findings highlight the need for effective strategies to minimise the consumption of UPF in early life.

Height Trajectory During Early Childhood Is Inversely Associated with Fat Mass in Later Childhood in Mexican Boys.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity continues to be a global health problem. Previous research suggests that linear growth retardation or stunting during early childhood increases the risk of obesity, but others have reported that rapid linear growth poses a greater concern than early nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if growth trajectories are associated with body composition at age 8-10 y. METHODS: Study participants consisted of 255 girls and 281 boys who participated in a follow-up of the Prenatal Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Child Growth and Development (POSGRAD) Study. Sex-specific latent height class (LHC) trajectories were derived from 11 measures of height from birth to 5 y of age and used to calculate 3 distinct growth classes for boys (low, intermediate, and high) and 2 distinct classes for girls (low and high). Body composition at age 8-10 y was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between growth trajectory classes and fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) in late childhood, controlling for confounding factors. RESULTS: In girls, there were no significant associations between LHC and FM or FFM. In boys, relative to the intermediate LHC, the low LHC had higher FM (ß = 0.69 kg; 95% CI: 0.26-1.11 kg) and the high LHC had lower FM (ß = -0.40 kg; 95% CI: -0.76 to -0.05 kg). Boys in the low LHC had significantly less FFM (ß = -0.69 kg; 95% CI: -1.11 to -0.26 kg), and boys in the high LHC had more FFM (ß = 0.40 kg; 95% CI: 0.05-0.76 kg) compared with the intermediate LHC. CONCLUSION: Gain in height among boys, but not girls, in early childhood was associated with lower adiposity in late childhood compared with children with a slower rate of growth. Clinical trial registration number: NCT00646360.

BMI, BMIfat, BAI or BAIFels - Which is the best adiposity index for the detection of excess weight?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of adiposity indeces body mass index (BMI), body mass index adjusted for fat mass (BMIfat), body adiposity index (BAI) and body adiposity index for the Fels Longitudinal Study sample (BAIFels) and the overweight detection in a sample of the Brazilian population. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 501 individuals (female/male = 387/114), which underwent anthropometric measurements and body composition for subsequent calculation of adiposity indices. Statistical analyzes considered p < 0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: The averages were: age of 46.94 ± 14.22 years and 48.05 ± 14.40 years, weight 79.5 ± 16, 14 kg and 70.42 ± 16,62 kg, height 172.86 ± 7.6 cm and 159.0 ± 7,35 cm, for men and women, respectively. According to the eutrophic ratings and overweight, the BMIfat ranked 40.3% and 34.0% for men and 21.7% and 65.0% for females, r espectively. While the BAI held 47.7% and 62.3% for men and 65.6% and 34.4% for women, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of BMIfat was clearly superior to all other indexes for both men (93.1%) and women (97.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that BMIfat is the index that has better relationship with the prediction of body fat, BAI did not exceed the limitations of BMI. Future studies should seek to expand this study by adopting the gold standard methods such as DXA and it is necessary to extend the investigation of the validity of adiposity indices to different ethnic groups.

Effect of Exercise Intensity on Spontaneous Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in Overweight Boys: A Crossover Study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of different exercise intensities on spontaneous physical activity energy expenditure in overweight adolescents. METHODS: A crossover study was developed with a control session, followed by moderate and vigorous exercise sessions, with six days of monitoring each. Twenty-four adolescents, 11-13 years old, male and overweight were selected. Spontaneous physical activity energy expenditure was assessed by accelerometers. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the differences per session across time. RESULTS: Energy expenditure during the 1st hour was different between all three sessions, with averages of 82, 286 and 343 kcal to the control, moderate and vigorous sessions, respectively (p <0.001). The same pattern of difference in energy expenditure between the sessions remained after 24 hours (704 vs 970 vs 1056 kcal, p <0.001). However, energy expenditure during the six days indicates compensation from second to the sixth day, although small differences remained at the end of the 6-day period (5102 vs 5193 vs 5271 kcal, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A single aerobic session seems to modify the spontaneous physical activities in overweight adolescents but still keeping the vigorous session with higher total energy expenditure during the follow-up period. Despite the observed compensatory effect, the greater energy expenditure observed in both moderate and vigorous exercise sessions indicates that physical activity should be recommended to promote an increased energy expenditure in adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 02272088.

Normal cortisol response to cold pressor test, but lower free thyroxine, after recovery from undernutrition.

Undernutrition is a stressor with long-term consequences, and the effect of nutritional recovery on cortisol and thyroid hormone status is unknown. To investigate basal thyroid hormones and the cortisol response to a cold pressor test in children recovered from undernutrition, a cross-sectional study was undertaken on children (6-16 years) separated into four groups: control (n 41), stunted (n 31), underweight (n 27) and recovered (n 31). Salivary cortisol was collected over the course of 10 h: upon awakening, before and after an unpleasant and a pleasant stimulus. Cortisol upon awakening was highest in the stunted and lowest in the underweight groups: control=5·05 (95% CI 3·71, 6·89) nmol/l, stunted=6·62 (95% CI 3·97, 11·02) nmol/l, underweight=2·51 (95% CI 1·75, 3·63) nmol/l and recovered=3·46 (95% CI 2·46, 4·90) nmol/l (P=0·005). Girls had higher cortisol concentrations upon awakening compared with boys (P=0·021). The undernourished groups showed an elevated cortisol response both to the unpleasant stimulus and at the last measurement (16.00 hours) compared with that of the recovered group: AUC, control=2·07 (95% CI 1·69, 2·45) nmol/l×30 min, stunted=2·48 (95% CI 1·91, 3·06) nmol/l×30 min, underweight=2·52 (95% CI 2·07, 2·97) nmol/l×30 min, recovered=1·68 (95% CI 1·26, 2·11) nmol/l×30 min (P=0·042); and control=2·03 (95% CI 1·75, 2·39) nmol/l×30 min, stunted=2·51 (95% CI 1·97, 3·19) nmol/l×30 min, underweight=2·61 (95% CI 2·16, 3·16) nmol/l×30 min, recovered=1·70 (95% CI 1·42, 2·03) nmol/l×30 min (P=0·009). Lower free thyroxine (T4) was found in the recovered and stunted groups: control=1·28 (95% CI 1·18, 1·39) pmol/l, stunted=0·98 (95% CI 0·87, 1·10) pmol/l, underweight=1·10 (95% CI 1·01, 1·21) pmol/l and recovered=0·90 (95% CI 0·83, 0·99) pmol/l (P<0·001). Multivariate analysis showed a lower cortisol concentration along 10 h (06.00-16.00 hours) in the recovered compared with the other groups (P=0·017), and similar concentrations between the recovered and control group. In conclusion, the children with recovery in weight and height had a cortisol stress response similar to control but a lower basal free T4. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the extent of these endocrine changes after recovery of undernutrition and in adulthood.

Maternal fat mass at mid-pregnancy and birth weight in Brazilian women.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between maternal body composition and foetal development is unclear. AIM: To determine the relationship between maternal body composition [fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM)] and foetal growth and birth weight, independent of potential confounding factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 92 women, normal and overweight/obese, recruited from the Instituto Fernandes Figueira in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Body composition (FM and FFM) was estimated using bioelectrical impedance. Foetal growth was assessed using serial ultrasound measurements at the second and third trimester and infant's weight and length were measured at birth. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the association between maternal FM and FFM and birth weight adjusted for gestational age (BWt) and change in estimated foetal weight (ΔEFW), controlling for infant gender, maternal serum glucose, energy intake, parity, height and income. RESULTS: Maternal FM, but not FFM, was positively associated with BWt (p = 0.02) and borderline with ΔEFW (p = 0.05). FM expressed as a percentage of body weight (%FM) showed a significant positive association with BWt (p < 0.001) and ΔEFW (p < 0.01). Using backward linear regression analysis, FM was a significant predictor of BWt (p < 0.001) and ΔEFW (p = 0.03), but not change in femur length. CONCLUSION: In this small sample of normal and overweight/obese women, maternal FM at mid-pregnancy is associated with neonatal BW and foetal growth.

Association between Adult Stature and Energy Expenditure in Low-Income Women from Northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal undernutrition may lead to important metabolic adaptations in adult life, short stature being the most visible. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between stature and total energy expenditure of low-income women. METHOD: Women aged 19-45 years from low-income communities in Maceió-AL were recruited. A sample of 67 volunteers was selected and divided into either short stature (≤ 152.4 cm; n = 34) or non-short stature (≥ 158.7 cm; n = 33) group. Data on socioeconomic status, anthropometric variables, and hormonal profiles was collected. Total energy expenditure and body composition were assessed by the doubly labeled water technique with multiple points over 14 days. In addition, physical activity levels were measured with triaxial accelerometers and dietary intake data were collected using three 24-hour food records. RESULTS: The mean subject age was 30.94 years. Women of short stature had lower body weight and lean body mass compared to non-short women, but there were no differences in thyroid hormone concentrations or daily energy intake between the two groups. Short-stature women showed lower total energy expenditure (P = 0.01) and a significantly higher physical activity level (P = 0.01) compared to non-short women. However, the difference in total energy expenditure was no longer significant after statistical adjustment for age, lean body mass, and triiodothyronine concentrations. CONCLUSION: Women with short stature present the same energy intake, but lower total energy expenditure than non-short women, even with a higher physical activity level, which suggests that they are more prone to weight gain.

Diet quality from pre-school to school age in Brazilian children: a 4-year follow-up in a randomised control study.

A previous study demonstrated that dietary counselling for mothers during the first year of life improved overall diet quality of children at pre-school age in a low-income population. Thus, the objective of the present study was to assess the long-term effect of this intervention on diet quality of children at school age and examine the tracking of dietary intake throughout childhood. The present study was a follow-up of a randomised controlled trial with children who were assessed at 3-4 years (n 345) and 7-8 years (n 307) of age. We collected two 24 h dietary recalls and assessed diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). Analyses were performed by group using a paired t test and a Student's t test for independent samples. Diet quality did not differ between the intervention and control groups at 7-8 years of age (HEI score 65·2 (SD 9·5) v. 64·9 (SD 8·5)). Regarding changes in diet quality from pre-school to school age, we observed the tracking of diet quality in the control group and the loss of the intervention effect in the intervention group. In both groups, the score for fruit and milk intake decreased, while that for saturated fat and dietary variety intake increased. The score for the intakes of grains, meat and legumes, and total fat remained constant for all children. The present data provide evidence that diet quality tracks during childhood since the total HEI score did not differ over time in the control group. The decrease in score for some HEI components did not affect the overall diet quality due to the increase in score for other HEI components.

Os ácidos graxos do leite materno e sua importância no desenvolvimento da linguagem em crianças prematuras / Preterm infant language development: a role for breast milk fatty acids

Premature infants have an increased risk of developmental disabilities during infancy and childhood. A crucial period of fetal polyunsaturated fatty acid accretion bypassed with prematurity. OBJECTIVE: to study how the fatty acid composition of breast milk in breast-fed premature infants is associated with cognitive, language, and motor development. METHODS: participants included twenty-five healthy preterms, born adequate for gestational age at the Fernandez Figueira Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fatty acid composition of breast milk samples from the first week postpartum was analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography. Bayley-III developmental scales were applied at 9 or 12 months corrected age. RESULTS: regression analyses revealed that the ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid was positively associated with receptive language development (â = 1.49, p = 0.03). Women with preterm infants showed breast milk long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrations consistent with worldwide levels and a high ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid that might be beneficial for language development in the premature infant. CONCLUSION: a higher ratio of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid in breast milk could exert beneficial effects for receptive language development in preterm infants fed breast milk. Larger adequately powered longitudinal studies are recommended to better understand the breast milk composition of this population and its association to developmental indices during infancy.

INTRODUÇÃO: Durante a infância,os bebês prematuros apresentam maior risco de desenvolver doenças do que crianças não prematuras. O último trimestre da gestação é o período em que o feto incorpora nos tecidos ácidos graxos poli insaturados para o seu adequado desenvolvimento e, portanto, a prematuridade prejudica essa função. OBJETIVO: Estudar como a composição dos ácidos graxos presentes no leite materno estão associados com o desenvolvimento cognitivo, linguístico e motor. MÉTODO: Foram recrutados25 recém nascidos prematuros saudáveis, adequados para idade gestacional na Maternidade do Instituto Fernandez Figueira, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A composição de ácidos graxos de amostras de leite durante a primeira semana pós-parto foram analisadas usando cromatografía líquida-gasosa. As Escalas Bayley de Desenvolvimento (Bayley-III) foram utilizadas no nono ou décimo segundo mês de vida (idade corrigida) dos bebês. RESULTADOS: A relação ácido linoleico: alfa-linolênicofoi aumentada e as análises de regressão múltipla mostraram que a proporção de ácido linoleico em relação a de ácido alpha-linolénico foi positiva na associação destes com o desenvolvimento de linguagem receptiva (â= 1,49; p = 0,03). O leite materno de mulheres com filhos prematuros apresentou concentrações de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados de cadeia longa similares as concentrações de populações de outros países. CONCLUSÃO: Maior proporção de linoléico para alfa-linolênico no leite materno poderia exercer ação benéfica para o desenvolvimento da linguagem receptiva em prematuros alimentados com leite materno. No entanto, estudos longitudinais com maior tamanho amostral são recomendáveis para ampla compreensão da composição de ácidos graxos no leite materno e sua correlação com os medidores de desenvolvimento durante a infância.

Os ácidos graxos do leite materno e sua importância no desenvolvimento da linguagem em crianças prematuras / Preterm infant language development: a role for breast milk fatty acids

Premature infants have an increased risk of developmental disabilities during infancy and childhood. A crucial period of fetal polyunsaturated fatty acid accretion bypassed with prematurity. OBJECTIVE: to study how the fatty acid composition of breast milk in breast-fed premature infants is associated with cognitive, language, and motor development. METHODS: participants included twenty-five healthy preterms, born adequate for gestational age at the Fernandez Figueira Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fatty acid composition of breast milk samples from the first week postpartum was analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography. Bayley-III developmental scales were applied at 9 or 12 months corrected age. RESULTS: regression analyses revealed that the ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid was positively associated with receptive language development (â = 1.49, p = 0.03). Women with preterm infants showed breast milk long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids concentrations consistent with worldwide levels and a high ratio of linoleic acid to alpha-linolenic acid that might be beneficial for language development in the premature infant. CONCLUSION: a higher ratio of linoleic to alpha-linolenic acid in breast milk could exert beneficial effects for receptive language development in preterm infants fed breast milk. Larger adequately powered longitudinal studies are recommended to better understand the breast milk composition of this population and its association to developmental indices during infancy.(AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Durante a infância,os bebês prematuros apresentam maior risco de desenvolver doenças do que crianças não prematuras. O último trimestre da gestação é o período em que o feto incorpora nos tecidos ácidos graxos poli insaturados para o seu adequado desenvolvimento e, portanto, a prematuridade prejudica essa função. OBJETIVO: Estudar como a composição dos ácidos graxos presentes no leite materno estão associados com o desenvolvimento cognitivo, linguístico e motor. MÉTODO: Foram recrutados25 recém nascidos prematuros saudáveis, adequados para idade gestacional na Maternidade do Instituto Fernandez Figueira, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A composição de ácidos graxos de amostras de leite durante a primeira semana pós-parto foram analisadas usando cromatografía líquida-gasosa. As Escalas Bayley de Desenvolvimento (Bayley-III) foram utilizadas no nono ou décimo segundo mês de vida (idade corrigida) dos bebês. RESULTADOS: A relação ácido linoleico: alfa-linolênicofoi aumentada e as análises de regressão múltipla mostraram que a proporção de ácido linoleico em relação a de ácido alpha-linolénico foi positiva na associação destes com o desenvolvimento de linguagem receptiva (â= 1,49; p = 0,03). O leite materno de mulheres com filhos prematuros apresentou concentrações de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados de cadeia longa similares as concentrações de populações de outros países. CONCLUSÃO: Maior proporção de linoléico para alfa-linolênico no leite materno poderia exercer ação benéfica para o desenvolvimento da linguagem receptiva em prematuros alimentados com leite materno. No entanto, estudos longitudinais com maior tamanho amostral são recomendáveis para ampla compreensão da composição de ácidos graxos no leite materno e sua correlação com os medidores de desenvolvimento durante a infância.(AU)

Fat free mass explains the relationship between stunting and energy expenditure in urban Mexican Maya children.

BACKGROUND: Childhood stunting has been associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood, but the causes are unclear. This study hypothesizes that stunting significantly reduces both resting and activity energy expenditure. AIM: To assess and describe energy expenditure of low socio-economic Maya children and to determine whether stunting is independently related to energy expenditure after controlling for lean mass. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three urban Maya children, 17 boys, aged 7-9 years, living in Merida, Mexico, were measured for height, weight and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Body composition was estimated from BIA. Energy expenditure was measured for one week using the Actiheart (combined heart rate and accelerometer). RESULTS: Stunting (height-for-age below the 5(th) percentile of NHANES III based references) affected 35% of these physically active children. Using multiple linear regression analysis, greater lean body mass predicted higher resting and activity energy expenditure. Stature was not a significant predictor of resting energy expenditure. A lower height-for-age z-score, but not stunting as a categorical variable, significantly predicted lower activity energy expenditure. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that stunting reduces total energy expenditure (resting + active) in children is not supported. Rather, children with shorter stature and less lean body mass have lower total energy expenditure. Complex interactions between body size, body composition, and metabolic activity appear to elevate the risk for later life obesity in these Maya children.

Estimating total body fat using a skinfold prediction equation in Brazilian children.

BACKGROUND: The double burden of obesity and underweight is increasing in developing countries and simple methods for the assessment of fat mass in children are needed. AIM: To develop and validate a new anthropometric predication equation for assessment of fat mass in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Body composition was assessed in 145 children aged 9.8 ± 1.3 (SD) years from São Paulo, Brazil using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and skinfold measurements. The study sample was divided into development and validation sub-sets to develop a new prediction equation for FM (PE). RESULTS: Using multiple linear regression analyses, the best equation for predicting FM (R(2) = 0.77) included body weight, triceps skinfold, height, gender and age as independent variables. When cross-validated, the new PE was valid in this sample (R(2) = 0.80), while previously published equations were not. CONCLUSION: The PE was more valid for Brazilian children that existing equations, but further studies are needed to assess the validity of this PE in other populations.

Maternal dietary counseling reduces consumption of energy-dense foods among infants: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a dietary counseling in reducing the intake of energy-dense foods by infants. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: São Leopoldo, Brazil. Mothers and infants of a low-income-group population were randomized into intervention (n = 163) and received dietary counseling during 10 home visits, or control (n = 234) groups. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Child consumption of sugar-dense (SD) and lipid-dense (LD) foods at 12 to 16 months. ANALYSIS: The effect of the intervention was expressed by relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the association between exclusive breastfeeding and the energy-dense foods intake. RESULTS: A smaller proportion of infants from the intervention group consumed candy, soft drinks, honey, cookies, chocolate, and salty snacks. In the intervention group, there was a reduction of 40% and 50% in the proportion of infants who consumed LD and SD foods, respectively. Being breastfed up to 6 months reduced the risk for consumption of LD and SD foods by 58% and 67%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Dietary counseling to mothers may be effective in reducing the consumption of energy-dense foods among infants, and it is helpful in improving early dietary habits.

Polypharmacy or medication washout: an old tool revisited.

There has been a rapid increase in the use of polypharmacy in psychiatry possibly due to the introduction of newer drugs, greater availability of these newer drugs, excessive confidence in clinical trial results, widespread prescribing of psychotropic medications by primary care, and pressure to augment with additional medications for unresolved side effects or greater efficacy. Even the new generation of medications may not hold significant advantages over older drugs. In fact, there may be additional safety risks with polypharmacy being so widespread. Washout, as a clinical tool, is rarely done in medication management today. Studies have shown that augmenting therapy with additional medications resulted in 9.1%-34.1% dropouts due to intolerance of the augmentation, whereas studies of medication washout demonstrated only 5.9%-7.8% intolerance to the washout procedure. These perils justify reconsideration of medication washout before deciding on augmentation. There are unwarranted fears and resistance in the medical community toward medication washout, especially at the moment a physician is trying to decide whether to washout or add more medications to the treatment regimen. However, medication washout provides unique benefits to the physician: it establishes a new baseline of the disorder, helps identify medication efficacy from their adverse effects, and provides clarity of diagnosis and potential reduction of drug treatments, drug interactions, and costs. It may also reduce overall adverse events, not to mention a potential to reduce liability. After washout, physicians may be able to select the appropriate polypharmacy more effectively and safely, if necessary. Washout, while not for every patient, may be an effective tool for physicians who need to decide on whether to add potentially risky polypharmacy for a given patient. The risks of washout may, in some cases, be lower and the benefits may be clearly helpful for diagnosis, understanding medication effects, the doctor/patient relationship, and safer use of polypharmacy if indicated.

Waist-to-height ratio as a screening tool for children with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) has been recommended as a tool for predicting cardiovascular risk in children. However, there is little evidence about the accuracy of using WHtR as a predictor of disease risk in pre-school children. AIMS: To assess the accuracy of waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) as well as to determine the optimal cut-off values for each of these measures in order to identify pre-school children with cardiovascular risks. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 315 children between 3-4 years of age. Multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease (MRFCD) were defined as having two or more of the following conditions: HDL-c < 35 mg/dL, LDL-c ≥ 110 mg/dL, triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL and systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90(th) percentile. RESULTS: The accuracy of WHtR in identifying cardiovascular risk in pre-school children was not significantly different compared to BMI or WC, for both sexes. The optimal cut-off measures for predicting cardiovascular risk in boys and girls, respectively, were as follows: 0.51 and 0.49 for WHtR; 0.61 and 0.69 for BMI Z-score; and 51.2 cm and 50.2 cm for WC. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the use of a 0.5 cut-off value for WHtR to predict cardiovascular risk factors among pre-school children and suggest that using WHtR is comparable to both BMI and WC.