Frequency of fiber-rich food intake and associated factors in a Southern Brazilian population

[Frequency of adherence to the "10 Steps to Healthy Eating" among school-aged adolescents]

The scope of this study was to evaluate the frequency of adherence to "10 Steps to Healthy Eating" of the Ministry of Health in adolescents from high schools in Pelotas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted, including 1233 adolescents (13-19 years of age). The frequency of each step was evaluated through a questionnaire on food frequency and other issues included in the "10 Steps." The average number of steps achieved was 1.8. It is noteworthy that none of the subjects achieved entirely all the recommended steps. The highest frequency of compliance was found in step 4, referring to the consumption of the rice and beans. Lower frequencies of adherence were found for step 7, related to consumption of soft drinks, processed juices, sweets and snacks, and also step 3 on the consumption of fruit/vegetables/greens. Adherence to the "10 steps to Healthy Eating" by adolescents was very low. Considering the importance of healthy eating in adolescence, greater investment in public policies in the area of food and nutrition is strongly recommended.

Epidemiology of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors, and unhealthy eating habits among brazilian adolescents

This systematic review analyzed the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors and unhealthy eating habits among Brazilian adolescents. Searches were conducted in five databases (Lilacs, SciELO, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and in the references cited in the articles retrieved. The literature search yielded 5,872 potentially relevant titles and a total of 69 studies met all the inclusion criteria. The risk behavior most often evaluated was physical inactivity (48/69; 69.6%), and its prevalence rate ranged from 2.3% to 93.5%. Twenty-eight studies estimated the prevalence of physical inactivity at over 50%. Most studies observed the prevalence of greater physical inactivity among girls. The prevalence of sedentary behaviors (lengthy screen time or TV use) was also frequently over 50%. Several variables were used to identify unhealthy eating habits, and some criteria/studies have indicated unhealthy eating habit estimates at close to 100% among adolescents. In conclusion, the estimates of these risk behaviors among Brazilians adolescents were very close to or even greater than those found in developed countries in several studies analyzed in this review.

Consumo de leite e derivados entre adultos e idosos no Sul do Brasil: um estudo de base populacional

Estudo transversal de base populacional que avaliou a frequência de consumo de leite e derivados, segundo características demográficas e socioeconômicas entre adultos e idosos da cidade de Pelotas (RS). A frequência de consumo de leite e derivados foi medida por meio de um roteiro com perguntas curtas e simples. Avaliou-se, também, a origem (leite de vaca, soja, outro) e teor de gordura do leite consumido (integral, semidesnatado, desnatado). Nas análises estatísticas foram utilizados testes qui-quadrado de heterogeneidade e de tendência linear. A prevalência de consumo regular de leite e/ou derivados foi 45,9%, sendo 1,7 vezes maior entre idosos comparado aqueles com 20-29 anos de idade. Uma maior prevalência também foi observada entre mulheres, indivíduos brancos e de maior escolaridade. Nível econômico mostrou associação inversa e significativa com o desfecho. Quase a totalidade da amostra toma leite de vaca e mais de três quartos, com teor de gordura integral. Cerca de um quarto dos adultos não tomam leite e destes, menos de 20% consomem diariamente algum derivado lácteo. O consumo de leite e derivados, sobretudo com reduzido teor de gordura, deve ser encorajado entre adultos. Atenção especial deve ser dada aos mais jovens, homens e aqueles de menor escolaridade e nível econômico.

Consumo de carnes por adolescentes do Sul do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Descrever a frequência de consumo de diferentes tipos de carnes conforme variáveis sociodemográficas e nutricionais, e analisar o consumo, em adolescentes do Sul do Brasil, de dieta rica em gordura conforme os tipos de carne consumidos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado com adolescentes pertencentes à coorte de nascimentos de 1993, em Pelotas (RS). A frequência de consumo de carnes vermelhas, brancas, vísceras e embutidos foi avaliada por um Questionário de Frequência de Consumo Alimentar, adaptado para este estudo. A ingestão de dieta rica em gordura foi avaliada a partir do instrumento proposto por Block. As variáveis independentes foram sexo, cor da pele, nível socioeconômico, escolaridade materna e estado nutricional. Nas análises estatísticas, foram utilizados testes Qui-quadrado de heterogeneidade e de tendência linear. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 4.325 adolescentes com idade média de 14,7, DP=0,3 anos, dos quais 51,2% eram do sexo feminino. A frequência de consumo diário de carnes vermelhas foi maior do que a de carnes brancas (43,0% e 9,7%, respectivamente). O consumo de embutidos por mais do que quatro vezes por semana foi referido por 48,5% dos indivíduos, e 81,4% relataram consumir vísceras raramente ou nunca. Adolescentes de maior nível socioeconômico e filhos de mães com maior escolaridade apresentaram maior consumo de carnes vermelhas e embutidos, enquanto aqueles em situação oposta apresentaram maior consumo de carnes brancas. Adolescentes que consomem carnes com maior frequência também consomem dieta rica em gordura. CONCLUSÃO: As carnes consumidas com maior frequência pelos adolescentes foram as vermelhas e os embutidos. No entanto, adolescentes de maior nível socioeconômico consomem carnes vermelhas com maior frequência, enquanto adolescentes menos favorecidos economicamente consomem mais carnes brancas.

Benefits of pedometer-measured habitual physical activity in healthy women

This cross-sectional study aimed at (i) characterizing pedometer-determined physical activity and (ii) examining its associations with dietary intake and anthropometric and metabolic profile in healthy women. Anthropometric and metabolic profile was evaluated in 68 healthy women of reproductive age. Habitual physical activity was assessed using a pedometer for 6 consecutive days, including weekends. Participants were stratified into active and inactive according to the mean steps·day–1(≥6000 and <6000, respectively). Food consumption was evaluated by 24-h recall in a subsample of 35 participants. Thirty-eight women were defined as active and had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, insulin, and HOMA than the sedentary group. Mean BMI was 27 kg·m–2(overweight) in active participants and 31 kg·m–2(class I obesity) in inactive participants. Active women consumed more carbohydrates (55.5% ± 9.4% vs. 46.3% ± 7.6%) and calories (2138 ± 679 vs. 1664 ± 558 kcal), and less protein (15.4% ± 4.2% vs. 19.9% ± 5.8%) and lipids (29.0% ± 7.2% vs. 33.8% ± 6.2%) than inactive individuals (p < 0.05). Fiber, cholesterol, and fatty acid intake was similar in both groups. The number of steps was lower on Sunday than on weekdays for the overall group. Using a pedometer for 3 days was sufficient to determine habitual physical activity (sensitivity: 94%; specificity 91% vs. 6 days of pedometer use). In the present study, nonstructured physical activity was associated with more adequate dietary consumption and contributed toward a healthier anthropometric and metabolic profile in young women, despite the high prevalence of overweight.