Lifestyle improvement reduces the consumption of ultra-processed foods in adults with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The high consumption of ultra-processed products is a concern because it is positively associated with the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases, as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim is to evaluate the effects of three different interventions to modify lifestyle on the consumption of ultra-processed foods in adults with MetS.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a randomized clinical trial, in which the participants were divided into three groups: Standard Intervention (SI), Group Intervention (GI) and Individual Intervention (II). The interventions were carried out over a three-month period and the data was collected in a 24-h food record, taken at the beginning and end of the intervention. The food they ate was classified into four groups according to the degree of processing (unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultra-processed foods) in accordance with the NOVA food classification. Seventy adults took part in the study with a mean age of 51.2 ± 6.6 years old; most of whom were female (55.7%). The amount of ultra-processed food consumed by the three groups (SI, GI and II) was significantly reduced (46%, 34%, and 33%, respectively). The amount of processed food consumed only reduced in the II group. The Total Energy Value (TEV) consumed by the SI and II groups decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The interventions that were intended to alter lifestyles were able to reduce the amount of ultra-processed food consumed, which can have an impact on the prevention and treatment of MetS.

REGISTRATION

registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, ReBEC, under number: RBR-9wz5fc.

Effects of the use of respiratory physiotherapy in children admitted with acute viral bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of the use of respiratory physiotherapy in children admitted with acute viral bronchiolitis (AVB).

METHODS

A literature review was done searching the Pubmed, LILACS, PEDro, and Scielo databases. The following key words were used: bronchiolitis, physiotherapy, techniques, physical therapy, and chest physiotherapy. Both controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials, without limits as to date, were selected.

RESULTS

Fifteen articles were included and the use of different techniques of respiratory physiotherapy showed positive results in eight studies. Most (11) were controlled clinical trials, and only two had a double-blind design. Of the 14 studies with a control group, in six this group was submitted to nasopharyngeal aspiration. The most widely used techniques were manual vibration and postural drainage (eight studies), and then tapping/percussion (seven studied). The maneuvers considered as current, e.g., prolonged slow expiration, expiratory flow acceleration, and rhinopharyngeal retrograde clearance, were used in four, four, and two studies, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of respiratory physiotherapy in children with AVB remains controversial. The heterogeneity of techniques evaluated in the studies limits the interpretation of efficacy, although its use was considered safe. Recent findings indicating a reduction in the length of the hospital stay remain to be confirmed.

Ventilatory muscle strength in cystic fibrosis patients: a literature review

The ventilatory mechanic changes that occur in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients may lead to alterations in the respiratory muscle strength levels. However, the findings regarding the strength profile in these patients are still contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, trough a literature review, the respiratory muscle strength behavior in CF patients. We have performed a search in Medline/Pubmed, Scielo, IBECS and LILACS databases selecting observational cross-sectional, prospective or retrospective studies, as well as randomized clinical trials, published between 1981 and 2011, using the following terms: cystic fibrosis, respiratory muscle strength, inspiratory maximal pressure and muscle training. The majority of the studies 71.24% have shown normal or above normal respiratory muscle strength, whilst 28.57% demonstrated reduced or near-normal values. Most of these findings were attributed to an increased work of breathing as a result of airway obstruction and chronic persistent cough. Taken together, the analyses of selected studies have showed conflicting findings regarding respiratory muscle strength behavior in these patients. However, most of the studies seem to indicate that CF patients presented maximum respiratory pressures normal or above predicted values.