Avaliação da frequência alimentar, perfil nutricional e antropométrico de adolescentes

To evaluate food frequency and verify the association with nutritional and anthropometric profile in adolescents. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected, as well as a three-day food record to identify food frequency, whether or not breakfast was served and the average consumption of dairy products and ultra-processed foods. Sixty-three adolescents aged 14 to 16 years, mostly females (61.9%), participated in the study. In none of the associations it was possible to identify significant differences, however it was observed: consumption of ≥4 meals a day present in 60.3% of the adolescents, being linked to overweight; low consumption of dairy products in both genders and high consumption of ultra-processed foods among younger people. The breakfast variable did not establish an association with the nutritional status of the sample. There was no relation found between food frequency and the nutritional and anthropometric profile in adolescents. However, further studies should be encouraged.

Phase Angle Evaluation of Lung Disease Patients and Its Relationship with Nutritional and Functional Parameters

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the value of phase angle (PhA) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) and its association with nutritional and functional parameters.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 77 patients under follow-up at the pulmonary outpatient clinic of a public hospital. Anthropometric measurements and functional assessments of physical and pulmonary capacity were performed, and a regular physical activity questionnaire was administered.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 38 patients with COPD (mean age, 63.8 ± 9.9 years; 68.4% female) and 39 patients with PH (mean age, 46.6 ± 14.4 years; 79.5% female). There was no difference in anthropometric measurements between patients with COPD and PH. Patients with COPD had mild to moderate limitations of pulmonary function, while patients with PH had only mild limitations (p < 0.01). Although the median distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) was different between the COPD and PH groups (p < 0.05), it was considered adequate for these populations. Mean PhA was within the range considered adequate in patients with COPD (6.3°±1°) and PH (6.2°±0.8°) (p > 0.05). In the statistical analyses, although the correlations were weak, adequate PhA correlated with fat free mass index, 6MWT, disease staging, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in the first second.

CONCLUSION

The anthropometric profile of both patient groups was very similar, and PhA values were within the expected range. Despite weak correlations, PhA is a clinical component to be followed and investigated in patients with lung disease.

Association of Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress in adolescent volleyball athletes and non-athletes

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare the relationship between the Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress parameters in adolescent athletes and non-athletes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out with 18 adolescent male and female volleyball athletes who were paired with 15 adolescent non-athletes. Body fat percentage, food intake, free radical production, antioxidant enzyme activity, and thiol and protein damage were measured.

RESULTS

In the Healthy Eating Index assessment, the food quality of 72.7% of the sample was classified as low, and no participant was found to have good food quality. The mean intake of vitamins A and E was below recommendations in both groups and sexes; however vitamin C intake was appropriate for the age group. Increased free radical production was observed in the athletes' erythrocytes (p<0.001), accompanied by lower levels of plasma reduced glutathione (p = 0.01), but there were no correlations between Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress parameters or between body composition, vitamin A, C and E intake and oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

The sample's diet quality was classified as low and, despite the fact that there was greater production of free radicals in the athletes' erythrocytes and plasma, in addition to lower levels of plasma reduced glutathione , there was no correlation between Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress.

Estimating Resting Energy Expenditure by Different Methods as Compared With Indirect Calorimetry for Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

BACKGROUND

For patients with pulmonary hypertension, nutrition status is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality, and energy expenditure can be strongly influenced by lung disease. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is the gold standard for measuring resting energy expenditure (REE), this study aimed to compare the results of REE estimated by different methods with those obtained by IC for patients with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study (n = 34), REE was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis and the predictive equations of Harris-Benedict, Food and Agriculture Organization / World Health Organization, Institute of Medicine, Cunningham, Katch-McArdle, and Mifflin-St Jeor.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 47.0 ± 14.5 years, and 76.5% were women. REE obtained with IC was strongly correlated with all other estimation methods but showed higher mean values: IC 1750.8 ± 434.3 kcal vs bioelectrical impedance analysis, 1549.0 ± 417.8 kcal; Harris-Benedict, 1493.1 ± 337.0 kcal; FAO/WHO, 1536.1 ± 345.0 kcal; Institute of Medicine, 1457.1 ± 293.2 kcal; Cunningham, 1597.3 ± 292.3 kcal; Katch-McArdle, 1447.7 ± 287.0 kcal; and Mifflin-St Jeor, 1388.7 ± 303.9 kcal. The analysis of agreement showed a clinically significant bias of approximately -255 kcal in all estimation methods when compared with IC.

CONCLUSION

Although there was a strong correlation between REE estimation methods and IC, there was no agreement between them. All estimation methods underestimated energy needs by about 255 kcal for patients with pulmonary hypertension, and the Cunningham equation had the smallest difference in relation to IC.

Effects of beta-alanine supplementation on performance and muscle fatigue in athletes and non-athletes of different sports: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Beta-alanine (BA) is a non-essential amino acid that can be synthesized in the liver and obtained from diet, particularly from white and red meat. Increased availability of BA via dietary supplement, may improve performance of athletes. The aim of this study was to conduct a review of the use of BA supplementation as an ergogenic aid to improve performance and fatigue resistance in athletes and non-athletes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

In this systematic review, a search in PubMed and Bireme databases was performed for the terms "beta-alanine," "beta-alanine and exercise," "carnosine" or "carnosine and exercise" in the titles or abstracts. We included randomized, clinical trials published between 2005 and 2015.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Twenty-three studies were selected. Most of them included physically active individuals. The mean intervention period was 5.2±1.8 weeks, and mean BA dose was 4.8±1.3 g/day. The main outcome measures were blood lactate, pH, perceived exertion, power and physical working capacity at fatigue threshold. After BA supplementation, no statistically significant difference was observed in total work, exercise performance time, oxygen consumption and time to exhaustion.

CONCLUSIONS

BA supplementation seems to improve perceived exertion and biochemical parameters related to muscle fatigue and less evidence was found for improvement in performance.