[Reliability of the classification of nutritional status obtained through the BMI and three different methods of body fat percentage in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus]

Cardiovascular risk factors and food consumption of cadets from the Brazilian Air Force Academy

This article aims to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and food intake inadequacies in cadets from the Brazilian Air Force Academy and the association with sex and year of graduation. Cross-sectional study with 166 adult cadets from the Air Force Academy, placed in Pirassununga - SP, from June to December 2013. Anthropometric measures, biochemical and clinical parameters, physical activity level, smoking habit and food intake were evaluated. Pearson's Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used. Overweight prevalence (BMI > 25.0 kg/m2) was 29.7% in men and 16.7% in women. Hypertension was observed in 15.2% of men. Hypercholesterolemia was detected in 50.7% of the cadets; 24.3% presented high levels of low-density lipoprotein and 11.2%, low levels of high-density lipoprotein. There was association between the time spent in the Academy and low levels of high-density lipoprotein. High intake of saturated fat (87.2%) and cholesterol (42.7%) were observed. Inadequate intake of fibers was verified in 92.7% of the sample. There was considerable prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among the cadets, especially hypercholesterolemia and inadequate food intake.

Total lymphocyte count and serum albumin as predictors of nutritional risk in surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Early detection of changes in nutritional status is important for a better approach to the surgical patient. There are several nutritional measures in clinical practice, but there is not a complete method for determining the nutritional status, so, health professionals should only choose the best method to use.

AIM

To evaluate the total lymphocyte count and albumin as predictors of identification of nutritional risk in surgical patients.

METHODS

Prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 69 patients undergoing surgery of the gastrointestinal tract. The assessment of nutritional status was evaluated by objective methods (anthropometry and biochemical tests) and subjective methods (subjective global assessment).

RESULTS

All parameters used in the nutritional assessment detected a high prevalence of malnutrition, with the exception of BMI which detected only 7.2% (n=5). The albumin (p=0.01), the total lymphocytes count (p=0.02), the percentage of adequacy of skinfolds (p<0.002) and the subjective global assessment (p<0.001) proved to be useful as predictors of risk of postoperative complications, since the smaller the values of albumin and lymphocyte count and higher the score the subjective global assessment were higher risks of surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of malnutrition was found, except for BMI. The use of albumin and total lymphocyte count were good predictor for the risk of postoperative complications and when used with other methods of assessing the nutritional status, such as the subjective global assessment and the percentage of adequacy of skinfolds, can be useful for identification of nutritional risk and postoperative complications.

[Influence of dietary glycemic index on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the influence of a non-pharmacological intervention, consisting of a diet low glycemic index (GI) for a period of six months on metabolic control and anthropometric parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Ninety-six type 1 diabetic patients underwent an anthropometric, biochemical and dietary assessment before and six months after the prescription of diet based on the glycemic index.

RESULTS

After six months we observed a decrease in A1C levels (9,8 ± 2,26% vs. 9,1 ± 2.16%; p = 0,023) and increase in body weight (61,3 ± 11,68 kg vs. 62,8 ± 12,07 kg; p = 0,04).

CONCLUSION

A low GI diet improved glycemic control in patients with DM1. Further studies with longer time of follow-up are needed to assess if patients' adherence to this kind of diet influences the maintenance of glycemic control.