Consumption of foods with a higher degree of processing is associated with overweight and abdominal obesity in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

This study evaluated food consumption according to its degree of processing and its relationship with body adiposity in 218 women with breast cancer. Food consumption was categorised according to the NOVA classification. Two groups were formed, the first composed by consumption of in natura, minimally processed foods and culinary ingredients (less processed foods) and the second one of processed and ultra-processed foods (more processed foods). The increase of 5% in the caloric contribution of more processed foods was associated with a 4% increase in the prevalence of overweight (p = 0.028) and 3% in prevalence of abdominal obesity (p = 0.018). This reinforces the importance of evaluating food consumption with a focus on the degree of processing, as it can contribute to the prevention of excess body fat in this group, as this excess is associated with a worse prognosis and survival.

Is Dietary Iodine Intake Excessive According to the Theoretical Model of Healthy Dietary Intake Pattern in Pregnant Women and Schoolchildren: Water, Salt, or Food?

Introduction: Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause hypothyroidism and goiter; in schoolchildren, it can cause reduced intelligence quotient. In excess, iodine can cause thyroiditis, goiter, and Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. Currently, schoolchildren and pregnant women are classified as risk groups for excessive iodine intake and iodine deficiency, respectively. Thus, determining iodine from all sources of consumption is important for intervention planning. Objective: To construct a theoretical model for the iodine intake of schoolchildren and pregnant women of a city in the Zona da Mata Mineira region, considering a healthy diet, salt consumption and water intake. Methodology: The dietary iodine intake of pregnant women was analyzed based on a dietary iodine table compiled from an international database. A dietary plan was prepared following the Brazilian Food Guide. Iodine concentration of different salt brands sold in local establishments was checked, and drinking water samples from healthcare facilities were analyzed. A descriptive and exploratory statistical analysis was performed and the results were presented in absolute and relative frequencies, and measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: According to the proposed diet, pregnant women and schoolchildren would have a daily intake of 71.6 µg and 71 µg, respectively. Thirteen salt brands were evaluated, 69.2% complied with the legislation and the mean iodine content was 29.88 mg. The mean concentration of iodine in water was 25 µg iodine/liter and 14 µg iodine/liter, respectively, in summer and autumn. Considering the intake of food, salt, and drinking water according to the proposed dietary plan, the daily intake for pregnant women would be 279.5 and 253.5 µg for schoolchildren. Conclusion: The daily iodine intake of schoolchildren and pregnant women according to this theoretical model was excessive, considering a healthy dietary pattern. This theoretical model can guide actions and public policies aimed at targeting all forms of iodine intake.

Healthy Eating Index: Assessment of the Diet Quality of a Brazilian Elderly Population.

BACKGROUND: The food consumption assessment is necessary to monitor elderly's nutritional status because it allows detecting nutrition deficits and guiding the elaboration of effective conducts. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the global quality of the elderly's diet in Viçosa-MG, Brazil. METHODS: This is a population-based cross-sectional study, involving noninstitutionalized elderly. Diet quality was assessed through the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R) validated to the Brazilian population. RESULTS: The study comprised 620 elderly individuals. The mean total BHEI-R score was 64.28. The worse consumption scores concerned the components Whole grains, Milk and derivatives, Sodium, Total fruit, and Whole fruit. Approximately 82% scored zero (0%) for Whole grains and 67% for Sodium. Men presented significantly lower scores than women, who have presented maximal score in the same items. Women's scores were not only significantly higher for Total fruit, Whole fruit, Milk and derivatives, but also significantly lower for Saturated fat. DISCUSSION: Most elderly need to improve their diet quality. Strategies heading toward the improvement of diet quality must be priority in policies to health promotion toward the healthy and active aging.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF HEALTHY EATING INDEXES IN ADULTS AND ELDERLY: APPLICABILITY AND VALIDITY.

INTRODUCTION: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) assesses a combination of different types of foods, nutrients and dietary components. It has been adapted in some countries, considering the local dietary habits. OBJECTIVE: in this article, the Healthy Eating Indexes published to date were identified by means of a systematic review. Besides, issues relating to their validity, applicability and limitations were discussed. METHODS: an electronic search was performed in the PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT, BVS and SciELO data base containing studies on the adaptation, review, update or validation of the HEI. The descriptors Healthy Eating Index, Index of Diet Quality, Quality of diet, Diet surveys were used, in different combinations. RESULTS: a total of 11 studies were described and critically analyzed. One of the studies dealt with the development of the index; six proposed adjustments; two assessed validity and reliability of the index, and the other two proposed revision and update. The Healthy Eating Indexes reveal the actual quality of the diet, but the absence of a methodological standard hinders the comparison of the results found in different populations.

Introducción: los índices de alimentación saludable evalúan la combinación de diferentes tipos de alimentos, nutrientes y componentes de la dieta. Estos indicadores han sido adaptados en algunos países considerando las directrices dietéticas locales. Objetivo: esta revisión sistemática identifica todos los índices de alimentación saludable publicados hasta el momento; así mismo, discute la validez, aplicabilidad y limitaciones de los mismos. Métodos: para ello se realizó una búsqueda electrónica en PubMed, Science Direct, BVS y SciELO utilizando los siguientes términos: Healthy Eating Index, Index of Diet Quality, Quality of diet y Diet surveys con diferentes combinaciones e idiomas. Resultados: un total de 11 estudios fueron seleccionados y analizados críticamente: entre ellos, un estudio que desarrolla el primer índice, seis estudios en los que se proponen ajustes en la metodología utilizada, dos estudios que evaluan la validez y la fiabilidade, así como dos de revisión y actualización. Los datos muestran que los índices de alimentación saludable son buenas herramientas para valorar la calidad de la dieta, pero la falta de estandarización en la metodología hace difícil la comparación entre los resultados de las diferentes poblaciones.