Excess body weight in the city of São Paulo: panorama from 2003 to 2015, associated factors and projection for the next years

Missense genetic variants in major bitter taste receptors are associated with diet quality and food intake in a highly admixed underrepresented population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To investigate associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TAS1R and TAS2R taste receptors and diet quality, intake of alcohol, added sugar, and fat, using linear regression and machine learning techniques in a highly admixed population.

METHODS

In the ISA-Capital health survey, 901 individuals were interviewed and had socioeconomic, demographic, health characteristics, along with dietary information obtained through two 24-h recalls. Data on 12 components related to food groups, nutrients, and calories was combined into a diet quality score (BHEI-R). BHEI-R, SoFAAs (calories from added sugar, saturated fat, and alcohol) and Alcohol use were tested for associations with 255 TAS2R SNPs and 73 TAS1R SNPs for 637 individuals with regression analysis and Random Forest. Significant SNPs were combined into Genetic taste scores (GTSs).

RESULTS

Among 23 SNPs significantly associated either by stepwise linear/logistic regression or random forest with any possible biological functionality, the missense variants rs149217752 in TAS2R40, for SoFAAs, and rs2233997 in TAS2R4, were associated with both BHEI-R (under 4% increase in Mean Squared Error) and SoFAAs. GTSs increased the variance explanation of quantitative phenotypes and there was a moderately high AUC for alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides insights into the genetic basis of human taste perception through the identification of missense variants in the TAS2R gene family. These findings may contribute to future strategies in precision nutrition aimed at improving food quality by reducing added sugar, saturated fat, and alcohol intake.

[Obesity sociodemographic and behavioral factors: a longitudinal study]

This study aimed to investigate the association between sociodemographic and behavioral factors and obesity from 2014 to 2021 in adults in São Paulo city, Brazil. A prospective study was carried out with 1,241 adults aged 18 years or above who lived in São Paulo and participated in the São Paulo Health Survey cohort (ISA) - Physical Activity and Environment. The outcome was obesity (yes/no), classified by body mass index and specific cut-off points for each age group. The exposure variables included sex, age, education, skin color, marital status, regional health coordination, physical activity in the four domains, and sedentary behaviors. Multilevel logistic regression models were used for longitudinal analysis. This study found a significant increase (27.7%) in the prevalence of obesity (from 22.6% to 28.9%). People who practiced at least 150 minutes of leisure-time physical activity per week (OR = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.26; 0.76), between 10 and 150 minutes per week of commuting physical activity (OR = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.30; 0.80), and had no partner (OR = 0.47; 95%CI: 0.28; 0.78) were less likely to be obese. People aged from 40 to 59 years (OR = 5.00; 95%CI: 2.02; 12.38) and who were black (OR = 4.70; 95%CI: 1.85; 11.95) were more likely to be obese. This study found an increase in the prevalence of obesity during the studied period, with increased odds for middle-aged and black people and decreased odds for those without a partner and those who practice physical activities in their leisure and as a form of commuting. These results can contribute to support programs and policies to control obesity.

Novel loci linked to serum lipid traits are identified in a genome-wide association study of a highly admixed Brazilian population - the 2015 ISA Nutrition

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) comprise major causes of death worldwide, leading to extensive burden on populations and societies. Alterations in normal lipid profiles, i.e., dyslipidemia, comprise important risk factors for CVDs. However, there is lack of comprehensive evidence on the genetic contribution to dyslipidemia in highly admixed populations. The identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to blood lipid traits in the Brazilian population was based on genome-wide associations using data from the São Paulo Health Survey with Focus on Nutrition (ISA-Nutrition).

METHODS

A total of 667 unrelated individuals had genetic information on 330,656 SNPs available, and were genotyped with Axiom™ 2.0 Precision Medicine Research Array. Genetic associations were tested at the 10- 5 significance level for the following phenotypes: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), HDL-c/LDL-c ratio, triglycerides (TGL), total cholesterol, and non-HDL-c.

RESULTS

There were 19 significantly different SNPs associated with lipid traits, the majority of which corresponding to intron variants, especially in the genes FAM81A, ZFHX3, PTPRD, and POMC. Three variants (rs1562012, rs16972039, and rs73401081) and two variants (rs8025871 and rs2161683) were associated with two and three phenotypes, respectively. Among the subtypes, non-HDL-c had the highest proportion of associated variants.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present genome-wide association study offer new insights into the genetic structure underlying lipid traits in underrepresented populations with high ancestry admixture. The associations were robust across multiple lipid phenotypes, and some of the phenotypes were associated with two or three variants. In addition, some variants were present in genes that encode ncRNAs, raising important questions regarding their role in lipid metabolism.

Association of dyslipidemia with single nucleotide polymorphisms of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene and cardiovascular disease risk factors in a highly admixed population

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are major causes of mortality worldwide, leading to premature deaths, loss of quality of life, and extensive socioeconomic impacts. Alterations in normal plasma lipid concentrations comprise important risk factors associated with CVD due to mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Genetic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known to be associated with lipid metabolism, including variants in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene. Thus, the study's objective was to assess the relationship among lipid profile, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, health status, inflammatory biomarkers, and CETP genetic variants in individuals living in a highly admixed population.

METHODS

The study comprises an analysis of observational cross-sectional data representative at the population level from a highly admixed population, encompassing 901 individuals from three age groups (adolescents, adults, and older adults). Socioeconomic, demographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, biochemical markers and lipid profiles were obtained from individuals' blood samples. After DNA extraction, genotyping, and quality control according to Affymetrix's guidelines, information on 15 SNPs in the CETP gene was available for 707 individuals. Lipid profile and CVD risk factors were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA), and associations between lipid traits and those factors were assessed through multiple linear regression and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were low linear correlations between lipid profile and other individuals' characteristics. Two principal components were responsible for 80.8 % of the total variance, and there were minor differences in lipid profiles among individuals in different age groups. Non-HDL-c, total cholesterol, and LDL-c had the highest loadings in the first PC, and triacylglycerols, VLDL-c and HDL-c were responsible for a major part of the loading in the second PC;, whilst HDL-c and LDL-c/HDL-c ratio were significant in the third PC. In addition, there were minor differences between groups of individuals with or without dyslipidemia regarding inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL- 6, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, and MCP-1). Being overweight, insulin resistance, and lifestyle characteristics (calories from solid fat, added sugar, alcohol and sodium, leisure physical activity, and smoking) were strong predictors of lipid traits, especially HDL-c and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). The CETP SNPs rs7499892 and rs12691052, rs291044, and rs80180245 were significantly associated with HDL-c (p < 0.05), and their inclusion in the multiple linear regression model increased its accuracy (adjusted R2 rose from 0.12 to 0.18).

CONCLUSION

This study identified correlations between lipid traits and other CVD risk factors. In addition, similar lipid and inflammatory profiles across age groups in the population suggested that adolescents might already present a significant risk for developing cardiovascular diseases in the population. The risk can be primarily attributed to decreased HDL-c concentrations, which appear to be influenced by genetic factors, as evidenced by associations between SNPs in the CETP gene and HDL-c concentrations, as well as potential gene-diet interactions. Our findings underscore the significant impact of genetic and lifestyle factors on lipid profile within admixed populations in developing countries.

Associations among diet costs, food prices and income: Elasticities of risk and protection food groups for cardiometabolic diseases in Sao Paulo, Brazil (2003-2015)

Background: Economic dimension comprises important determinants of food choices, particularly income and prices. Aim: Identification of the influence of food prices and diet costs on the consumption of food groups considered protection and risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. Methods: Food groups classification follows the proposal of "What we eat in America?" from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), adapted to Latin America. Data on food consumption from the Health Survey of Sao Paulo (2003, 2008, and 2015), representative at population level, was used. Log-linear regressions were estimated for food groups, controlling for endogeneity through augmented regression-test Results: Results showed increase in prices per calorie of whole grains and red meat from 2003-2015 and a decrease in prices per calorie of fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, oilseeds and fish/seafood. Food groups had price elasticities between -0.01 and -1.6, i.e., decrease in consumption associated with increase in prices. Results showed statistically significant effects of substitution and complementarity, particularly substitution between sweetened beverages and fruits (2003, β = 0.606; 2008: β = 0.683; 2015, β = 0.848), complementarity between nuts and seeds and whole grains (2003, β = -0.646; 2008, β = -0.647; 2015,β = -0.901), and vegetables and processed meat (2003, β = -1.379; 2015, β = -1.685). Conclusion: Findings of the study represent relevant evidence for design strategies towards the adoption of healthier diets, particularly through subsidies to protection food groups, promoting lower prices and higher diet quality. The evidence may be useful for policymakers and researchers in fields of nutrition and health in diverse countries worldwide, especially due to absence of robust evidence in literature.

[Socioeconomic inequalities in the prevalence of excess weight and sedentary behavior among Brazilian adolescents]

The scope of this study was to estimate the prevalence of excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle among Brazilian students between 13 and 17 years of age and investigate the magnitude of the socioeconomic inequalities related to these outcomes. A cross-sectional study was carried out based on data from the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) conducted in 2015. Inequalities were evaluated using the Absolute and Relative Index of Inequality. The prevalence of excess weight in Brazil was 24.2%, ranging from 20.7% in the Northeast Region to 27.8% in the Southern Region. The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle in Brazil was 67.8%, ranging from 61.8 % in the North Region to 70.3% in the Southeast Region. The direct and positive association between better socioeconomic conditions and the prevalence of excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle indicate health inequities in Brazil. The results of this study point to the need to restructure and reinforce public policies directed at adolescents, which should have as guidelines the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the reduction of health inequities.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazilian children and adolescents: a systematic review

abstract It is important to know about overweight and obesity situation of Brazilian children and adolescents. The present study aims to update scientific production, through a systematic review, on the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity in Brazilian children and adolescents. Nine databases were verified, and 1,316 references were examined from 2018 to 2019. The electronic search was conducted by three independent researchers. All review steps followed a strategy based on PRISMA. 40 studies were included in this systematic review. Most studies use the World Health Organization classification criteria. The prevalence of overweight in Brazilian children and adolescents varies from 8.8% to 22.2% (boys: 6.2% to 21%; girls: 6.9% to 27.6%). The prevalence of obesity varied from 3.8% to 24% (boys: 2.4% to 28.9%; girls: 1.6% to 19.4%). It was observed that the socioeconomic factors (sex, skin color, economic level, region, mother's educational level, living in a rented house and without access to the internet), hereditary/genetic (family history of dyslipidemia and overweight and rs9939609 genotype) and behavioral (physical activity, screen time, eating habits, perceived body weight, health vulnerability, presence of a result close to home, alcoholic beverages, cigarette consumption) were associated with the outcome. It is concluded that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Brazilian children and adolescents are worrisome and most of the factors associated with the outcomes are subject to change from the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Is the local food environment associated with excess body weight in adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil?

The obesogenic environment stimulates an inadequate diet by hampering healthy choices. This cross-sectional study evaluated the association between the local food environment and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a representative sample population of adolescents living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, using multilevel logistic regression models. Among the adolescents, 29.6% were overweight/obese. There were no significant differences between food environment and adolescents’ weight status. However, the presence of fast food restaurants near their home increased the chances of being overweight or obese (OR = 2.53; 95%CI: 1.02-6.27). Results suggest the need to intensify food and nutrition policies, development of culinary skills, and the reduction in prices of healthy foods to facilitate access to these foods, so that adolescents have options in locations to socialize with friends and family.