Added sugar and trans fatty acid intake and sedentary behavior were associated with excess total-body and central adiposity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Over the past three decades, the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity has increased in survivors with congenital heart disease, and little is known about the body composition and its association with clinical characteristics and lifestyle factors.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity and, to describe associated factors.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with children and adolescents who underwent procedure to treat congenital heart disease, from January to July 2017. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors (dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) were assessed. Adiposity was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography and waist circumference. Factors associated with excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity were analyzed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of 232 patients, 22.4% were identified with excess total-body adiposity and 24.6% with central adiposity. Significant factors positively associated with excess total-body adiposity were intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, adjusted for confounding factors. Similarly, lifestyle factors were positively associated with central adiposity: intake of added sugar and trans fatty acids, sedentary behavior, and family history of obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle factors were associated with excess total-body adiposity and central adiposity. Assessment of body composition and healthy-lifestyle counseling into outpatient care may be the key point to prevent obesity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Dietary intake and oxidative stress in breast cancer: before and after treatments

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in dietary intake, anthropometric parameters and markers of oxidative stress in 40 women who underwent surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for breast cancer.

METHODS

Pretreatment and post-treatment measurements included data collected through a food frequency questionnaire, weight and height to calculate the body mass index (BMI) and oxidative stress markers assessed from blood reduced glutathione (GSH), serum antioxidant capacity (AC), plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), serum lipid hydroperoxides (LH) and plasma carbonyls. Differences were compared using paired Student's t-test or paired Wilcoxon's test.

RESULTS

A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the intake of the food groups: meat and eggs, dairy products, beans, oils and fats, as well as food from the subgroups: red meat, milk and other dairy products rich in fat, fruit rich in vitamin C and vegetable fats was found after treatments. There was a significant increase in body weight (P < 0.05), BMI (P < 0.05), levels of TBARS (P < 0.0001), LH (P < 0.005) and carbonyls (P < 0.0001) and a significant decrease of levels of AC (P < 0.005) and GSH (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatments were associated with dietary intake changes and increased body weight, BMI and oxidative stress. These potential changes have important implications for preventive nutrition counseling.

Factors associated with oxidative stress in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between physiological, physical, lifestyle and nutritional variables and oxidative stress biomarkers in women with breast cancer.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 55 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The extent of oxidative stress was analyzed by the measurement of plasma lipid hydroperoxides (LH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, whole blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and serum antioxidant capacity (AC). Diet data were obtained from food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression was used to determine the association between the variables studied and oxidative stress biomarkers. The protein carbonyl data was not included in the linear regression analyses since the data did not show a normal distribution, even after logarithmic and other transformations.

RESULTS

After adjusting for energy intake, the intake of chicken and high-fat dairy products was associated with increased levels of LH, while vitamin E intake was associated with decreased LH levels (R² = 23.8%). Intake of oils was associated with increased levels of TBARS (R² = 6.82%). Positive axillary lymph node status was associated with decreased levels of GSH (R² = 9.31%). Increasing age was directly associated with levels of AC, while animal fat, dairy product, and sweet food intakes were associated with low levels of AC (R² = 41.42%).

CONCLUSION

Intake of chicken, vitamin E, dairy products (particularly high-fat dairy products), oils, animal fat, and sweet foods, along with axillary lymph node status and age, may be important determinants of oxidative stress in women with breast cancer.

Breast cancer in southern Brazil: association with past dietary intake

OBJECTIVE

To determine possible associations between the risk of breast cancer in Brazilian women and demographic, social and economical variables, and past dietary intake.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil, between june and november 2003 involving a group of 33 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and a control group of 33 healthy women volunteers. Personal details, health history and past dietary intake were obtained via questionnaires and interviews. Data between groups were compared using chi2, Fisher, and Student's t test, whilst associations were evaluated using a non-conditional logistic regression method and odds ratio (OR).

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences between the two groups were revealed with respect to age distribution (P = 0.007), family income level (P = 0.02), educational level (P < 0.0001) and attainment of menopause (P < 0.0001). After adjustment, with regard to family income level, of the data concerning past dietary intake, the consumption of pig lard (OR = 6.32) and fatty red meat (OR = 3.48) were found to be associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer. The regular ingestion of apples (OR = 0.30), watermelons (OR = 0.31), tomatoes (OR = 0.16), plain cakes (OR = 0.30) and desserts (OR = 0.20) afforded some degree of protection against the development of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Age (> 45 years), low family income (< $520/month), poor educational level (primary school level or lower) and past regular consumption of pork fat and fatty meat may be factors associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.