Nutritional intervention programme among a Japanese-Brazilian community: procedures and results according to gender.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a nutritional intervention programme among Japanese-Brazilians according to gender. DESIGN: A non-controlled experimental study. SETTING: The research included three points of clinical, nutritional and physical activity evaluation: at baseline (in 2005), after the first year and at the end of the second year (in 2007). The paired Student t test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate changes in the subjects' profile (clinical, nutritional and physical activity variables). SUBJECTS: Japanese-Brazilians (n 575) of both genders, aged over 30 years. RESULTS: We verified statistically significant reductions in body weight (0.9 kg), waist circumference (2.9 cm), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (>3 mg/dl) and total cholesterol (>20 mg/dl) and its fractions, in both genders. We also found reductions in intake of energy (among men), protein (among women) and fat (both genders) and increases in intake of total fibre (among women) and carbohydrate (among men). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention programme indicated meaningful benefits for the intervention subjects, with changes in their habits that led to a 'healthier' lifestyle positively impacting their nutritional and metabolic profile.

Factors associated with stages of change for red meat and vegetable intake by Japanese-Brazilians.

Stages of change assess individual motivation for lifestyle changes, contributing to the development of more effective intervention strategies. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with stages of change for lower intake of red meat and higher intake of vegetables in a cross-sectional analysis of 578 Japanese-Brazilians aged 30-90 years. In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds ratios for women (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.154; 3.103) and physically active individuals (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 1.000; 1.001) were positively associated with stage of 'action' for the higher intake of vegetables. Inverse associations were observed between central obesity (OR = 0.5; 95%CI: 0.351; 0.887) and highest tertile of red meat intake (OR = 0.50; 95%CI: 0.302; 0.817), as well as a positive association between age (OR = 1.04; 95%CI: 1.020; 1.070) and the stage of 'action' to the lower intake of meat were verified. Motivation for Japanese-Brazilians to change their food intake was linked to lifestyle. Stage of change is an important factor in mediating food intake behavior change.

Factors associated with stages of change for red meat and vegetable intake by Japanese-Brazilians / Fatores associados aos estágios de mudança para o consumo de carnes vermelhas, verduras e legumes em nipo-brasileiros

Stages of change assess individual motivation for lifestyle changes, contributing to the development of more effective intervention strategies. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with stages of change for lower intake of red meat and higher intake of vegetables in a cross-sectional analysis of 578 Japanese-Brazilians aged 30-90 years. In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds ratios for women (OR = 1.89; 95 percentCI: 1.154; 3.103) and physically active individuals (OR = 1.00; 95 percentCI: 1.000; 1.001) were positively associated with stage of "action" for the higher intake of vegetables. Inverse associations were observed between central obesity (OR = 0.5; 95 percentCI: 0.351; 0.887) and highest tertile of red meat intake (OR = 0.50; 95 percentCI: 0.302; 0.817), as well as a positive association between age (OR = 1.04; 95 percentCI: 1.020; 1.070) and the stage of "action" to the lower intake of meat were verified. Motivation for Japanese-Brazilians to change their food intake was linked to lifestyle. Stage of change is an important factor in mediating food intake behavior change.

Os estágios de mudança avaliam a motivação individual em alterar hábitos de vida, contribuindo para a elaboração de estratégias de intervenção mais efetivas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar fatores associados aos estágios de mudança para a motivação ao menor consumo de carnes vermelhas e maior consumo de hortaliças em análise transversal conduzida entre 578 nipo-brasileiros, idades entre 30-90 anos. Em modelos de regressão logística ajustados verificou-se maior odds ratio entre participantes do sexo feminino (OR = 1,89; IC95 por cento: 1,154; 3,103) e praticantes de atividades físicas (OR = 1,00; IC95 por cento: 1,000; 1,001) para o estágio de "ação" para maior consumo de hortaliças. Verificou-se relação inversa entre presença de obesidade abdominal (OR = 0,56; IC95 por cento: 0,351; 0,887), maior tercil de consumo de carnes vermelhas (OR = 0,50; IC95 por cento: 0,302; 0,817) e associação positiva de idade (OR = 1,043; IC95 por cento: 1,02; 1,07) com o estágio de "ação" para o menor consumo de carnes. A motivação dos nipo-brasileiros para alteração do consumo alimentar estava associada ao estilo de vida dos indivíduos avaliados. Os estágios de mudança são ferramentas eficazes na avaliação da motivação da mudança do consumo alimentar.

All-cause mortality among Japanese-Brazilians according to nutritional characteristics

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a existência de associações entre variáveis nutricionais e a mortalidade em uma coorte de nipo-brasileiros. Em 1993, 647 indivíduos foram entrevistados (questionário de freqüên- cia alimentar), submetidos ao exame físico (peso, altura, pressão arterial) e a exames bioquímicos (teste de tolerância oral à glicose). O teste t de Student foi utilizado para comparar valores médios das variáveis de interesse entre vivos e mortos. Obtiveram-se as taxas de mortalidade e razões entre esses coeficientes (brutas e ajustadas) segundo variáveis nutricionais. Observou-se taxa de mortalidade geral de 21,4 e 11,7/mil pessoas-ano para homens e mulheres, respectivamente. Entre os indivíduos que morreram, encontrou-se maior porcentagem de sujeitos diabéticos, sedentários e hipertensos. Após ajuste às variáveis de controle, observou-se maior mortalidade entre os com menor consumo de glícides e colesterol. Conclui-se que os fatores de risco clássicos para mortalidade, como idade, doenças crônicas, sedentarismo, tabagismo e dieta, devem estar atuantes também na população nipo-brasileira.

The aim of this study was to verify the association between nutritional variables and mortality in a Japanese-Brazilian cohort. In 1993, 647 subjects were interviewed with food frequency questionnaires and scheduled for physical procedures (weight, height, blood pressure) and biochemical tests (oral glucose tolerance test). Student's t test was used to compare the mean values of target variables between living and deceased subjects. Mortality rate and hazard ratios were obtained (crude and adjusted) according to the nutritional variables. Overall mortality rates were 21.4 and 11.7/1,000 person-years for males and females, respectively. Smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, higher mean age, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and higher percent weight gain and rate of weight gain were observed in the history of deceased subjects. After adjusting for control variables, an increase was observed in mortality among individuals with lower carbohydrate and cholesterol intake. The results suggest that mortality risk factors like age, chronic diseases, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and inadequate diet must also be acting in the Japanese-Brazilian population.

All-cause mortality among Japanese-Brazilians according to nutritional characteristics.

The aim of this study was to verify the association between nutritional variables and mortality in a Japanese-Brazilian cohort. In 1993, 647 subjects were interviewed with food frequency questionnaires and scheduled for physical procedures (weight, height, blood pressure) and biochemical tests (oral glucose tolerance test). Student's t test was used to compare the mean values of target variables between living and deceased subjects. Mortality rate and hazard ratios were obtained (crude and adjusted) according to the nutritional variables. Overall mortality rates were 21.4 and 11.7/1,000 person-years for males and females, respectively. Smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, higher mean age, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and higher percent weight gain and rate of weight gain were observed in the history of deceased subjects. After adjusting for control variables, an increase was observed in mortality among individuals with lower carbohydrate and cholesterol intake. The results suggest that mortality risk factors like age, chronic diseases, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and inadequate diet must also be acting in the Japanese-Brazilian population.

Glucose intolerance and all-cause mortality in Japanese migrants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess all-cause mortality in a Japanese-Brazilian community according to the categories of glucose tolerance. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The cohort consisted of participants examined in two phases of a follow-up study started in 1993 (n=647). They were interviewed and submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test. Student's t-test was used to compare baseline parameters between alive and dead subjects. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR). RESULTS: Seventy-one deaths occurred during the study period and a higher proportion of men (62%) was detected. Crude all-cause mortality rate was 16.2/1000 person-year. Vascular disease and cancer were the most frequent causes of deaths (77.3%). A higher mortality rate was observed in subjects with diabetes when compared with the normal glucose tolerant ones (HR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), independently of age, systolic blood pressure, smoking and history of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: Also among Japanese living in the Western world, a deleterious role of fasting and 2-h plasma glucose was found on mortality especially among younger subjects.