Étude cas témoin de la nutrition, du style de vie et du cancer du sein chez les femmes Canadiennes Françaises porteuses d’une mutation fondatrice sur un des gènes BRCA 1 ou BRCA 2

Le cancer du sein est une maladie multifactorielle, plusieurs facteurs socio-économiques, alimentaires ainsi que le style de vie ayant été incriminés dans son développement. Une mutation germinale sur un des gènes BRCA1 ou BRCA2 serait responsable d’une augmentation du risque de développer un cancer du sein de 50 à 80% chez les femmes porteuses d’une mutation sur BRCA1 ou BRCA2 par comparaison aux non- porteuses. Plusieurs études rapportant l’existence d’une association entre la fréquence des cancers du sein sporadiques, les habitudes alimentaires et le style de vie des femmes atteintes, ceci, nous a amené à nous interroger sur le rôle que pourrait jouer ces mêmes facteurs chez les femmes porteuses d’une mutation sur BRCA1 ou BRCA2. Pour répondre à cette question, nous avons effectué une étude cas-témoin. Nos quarante-quatre cas sont porteuses d’une mutation germinale parmi 6 des 14 mutations fondatrices sur BRCA1 et BRCA2 les plus fréquentes dans la population Canadienne Française. Elles sont issues d’une cohorte de plus de 1000 femmes Canadiennes Françaises atteintes de cancers du sein recrutées depuis 1994 et testées pour ces 6 mutations. Les témoins sont recrutés parmi des femmes de la population Canadienne Française, également porteuses d’une de ces six mutations fondatrices de BRCA1 ou BRCA2, mais indemnes de cancers. Quinze d’entre elles ont été recrutées dans les familles des cas de l’étude initiale. Vingt-neuf ont été recrutées à la clinique des cancers familiaux du CHUM, nous permettant ainsi de totaliser 44 témoins. Deux questionnaires ont été administrés aux cas et aux témoins. Le premier, dit Questionnaire de base, a servi à recenser les informations sociodémographiques et le style de vie, couvrant ainsi les deux années précédant la découverte du cancer du sein pour les cas et les deux années précédant la découverte de la mutation pour les témoins. Le deuxième questionnaire, Questionnaire de nutrition, a permis de colliger les informations sur les habitudes alimentaires durant la même période de recueil de données. Une association positive et significative entre le risque de cancer du sein et le niveau d’éducation a été observé parmi les sujets de niveau universitaire (>14 années d’étude) comparés aux sujets n’ayant pas dépassé le niveau d’études secondaires (<11 années d’études) [OR= 7,82; IC95% : (1,99-30,69); p=0,003]. Nous avons mis en évidence que le risque de cancer du sein augmentait lorsque les sujets atteignaient leur poids maximum à un âge avancé > 48 ans [OR = 4,27 ; IC 95% : (0,82-22,25)]. Nous avons montré que le risque du cancer du sein diminuait pour une durée d’allaitement supérieure à 7 mois par comparaison aux femmes n’ayant jamais allaité [OR= 0,35; IC 95% : (0,12-1,06)] mais cette association est non significative. Les porteuses qui pratiquent plus de 22,45 Met-h-sem d’activité physique modérée, comparativement à celles qui pratiquent moins de 11,45 Met-h-sem voient leur risque de cancer du sein diminué de 72% [OR=0,28- IC 95% : (0,08-0,95); p=0,04]. Celles qui pratiquent plus de 31,95 Met-h-sem d’activité physique totale comparativement à celles qui pratiquent moins de 16,40 Met-h-sem voient leur risque de cancer du sein réduit de 79 % [OR=0,21; IC 95% : (0,06-0,75); p= 0,02]. L’analyse des macro et micronutriments et des groupes alimentaires a démontré qu’une consommation de plus de 23,20 g/j d’acide gras monoinsaturés est responsable d’une augmentation du risque de cancer du sein de 6 fois par comparaison à une consommation inférieure à 17,08 g/j [OR=6,00; IC 95% : (0,97-37,02); p=0,05]. Une consommation de plus de 221,79 µg/j de vitamine K réduit le risque du cancer du sein de 83 % par comparaison à une consommation inférieure à 143,57 µg/j [OR= 0,17; IC95% : (0,05-0,61) ; p=0,007]. La consommation de fruits est associée à une réduction du risque de cancer du sein de 73% chez les porteuses de mutations qui en consomment plus de 563,31 g/j comparée à celles qui en consomment moins de 356,18 g/j [OR= 0,27; IC 95% : (0,07-1,01) ; p=0,05]. Nos résultats confortent l’hypothèse selon laquelle le style de vie et les habitudes alimentaires jouent un rôle dans le développement du cancer du sein chez les Canadiennes Françaises porteuses de mutations d’une des 6 mutations fondatrices de BRCA1 ou 2 étudiées. En effet, un niveau d’éducation élevé, un gain de poids sont associés à un risque élevé de développer un cancer du sein. De plus la pratique de l’allaitement et d’une activité physique modérée sont associées à une réduction de ce risque. Nous montrons aussi que la consommation d’acides gras monoinsaturés est responsable d’une augmentation du risque de ce cancer et que la consommation de vitamine K et de fruits permet de réduire ce risque. Nos résultats ouvrent une nouvelle voie de recherche par rapport au rôle de certains nutriments dans le développement du cancer du sein chez les porteuses de mutation d’un des gènes BRCA. Cette voie pourrait également être explorée chez les non porteuses.

Dietary supplement use and its impact on nutritional adequacy for British Columbia and Manitoba First Nations adults living on reserve.

Contexte: L'utilisation de suppléments alimentaires est répandue chez les populations américaines et canadiennes en général, mais on en sait peu sur la consommation de suppléments alimentaires dans la population autochtone canadienne. Objectif: L'objectif général de cette étude est de prendre en compte l'utilisation de suppléments alimentaires dans l'évaluation nutritionnelle des apports alimentaires des adultes des Premières nations vivant dans les réserves en Colombie-Britannique et Manitoba. Conception: Les données ont été recueillies par l’étude ‘First Nations Food, Nutrition, and Environment Study’ de 1103 (Colombie-Britannique) et 706 (Manitoba) adultes des Premières Nations âgés de 19 à 70 ans. L'étude a utilisé un rappel alimentaire des dernières 24 heures (avec un deuxième rappel pour un sous-échantillon) pour évaluer la diète alimentaire. L'utilisation de suppléments alimentaires et des antiacides ont été recueillis par un questionnaire de fréquence. En utilisant le logiciel SIDE pour tenir compte des variations intra-individuelles dans la prise alimentaire et la technique du bootstrap pour obtenir des estimations représentatives des différentes régions, l'utilisation de suppléments de la vitamine A, D, C et de calcium ont été intégrées aux estimations de la consommation alimentaire. Résultats: Environ 30% des adultes des Premières Nations de la Colombie-Britannique et seulement 13,2% des adultes des Premières Nations du Manitoba âgés entre 19-70 ans vivant dans les réserves ont déclaré utiliser au moins un supplément alimentaire durant les 30 jours précédents. Lors de l'examen des nutriments d'intérêt, un plus faible pourcentage de la population en a fait usage, de 14,8 à 18,5% en Colombie-Britannique et de 4,9 à 8% de la population du Manitoba. La prévalence de l'usage de tout supplément alimentaire était plus élevée chez les femmes que chez les hommes dans tous les groupes d'âge et augmente avec l'âge dans les deux sexes. La plus forte prévalence d'un apport insuffisant provenant de la nourriture a été observée pour la vitamine D et le calcium en Colombie-Britannique et Manitoba, variant de 75 à 100%, et de la vitamine A dans le Manitoba (73-96%). Après avoir examiné l'utilisation de suppléments alimentaires, plus des trois quarts des participants n’ont toujours pas réussi à répondre au besoin moyen estimatif pour ces nutriments. La vitamine C est l'oligo-élément avec le plus faible pourcentage sous le besoin moyen estimatif (avec au sans suppléments) pour la Colombie-Britannique et le Manitoba. Conclusion: La majorité des adultes des Premières nations de la Colombie-Britannique et du Manitoba, même après prise en compte de l'utilisation de suppléments alimentaires, avaient des apports en vitamines A, D et des apports de calcium sous les niveaux recommandés. L'utilisation de compléments alimentaires n'a pas contribué de façon significative à l'apport total en nutriments sélectionnés sauf pour la vitamine C dans certains groupes d'âge.

Validité et fiabilité d’un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire visant à évaluer l’adhésion à la diète méditerranéenne

Des méthodes d’évaluation de la consommation alimentaire permettant de vérifier l’efficacité de la diète méditerranéenne en prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires doivent être validées. Objectif: Évaluer la fiabilité et la validité d’un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire (QF) semi-quantitatif permettant de mesurer l’alimentation dans le cadre d’études cliniques portant sur la diète méditerranéenne dans la population québécoise. Méthodologie: Cinquante-trois participants ont été recrutés. Le QF a été complété à deux reprises pour évaluer la fiabilité et comparé à un journal alimentaire (JA) de 12 jours pour évaluer la validité. Résultats: Pour la fiabilité, les coefficients de corrélation intra-classe (CCI) variaient de 0.38-0.91. Pour la validité, les coefficients de corrélation de Pearson (r) entre le JA et le QF pré-JA variaient de 0.26-0.84 et les CCI variaient de 0.25-0.84. Quant au JA et QF post-JA, les r variaient de 0.36-0.83 et les CCI de 0.36-0.83. Conclusion: Le QF présente une bonne fiabilité et validité pour l’énergie et la majorité des nutriments caractéristiques de la diète méditerranéenne.

Double burden malnutrition of preschool children and its association with brain development and milk consumption

Protecting the quality of children growth and development becomes a supreme qualification for the betterment of a nation. Double burden child malnutrition is emerging worldwide which might have a strong influence to the quality of child brain development and could not be paid-off on later life. Milk places a notable portion during the infancy and childhood. Thus, the deep insight on milk consumption pattern might explain the phenomenon of double burden child malnutrition correlated to the cognitive impairments. Objective: Current study is intended (1) to examine the current face of Indonesian double burden child malnutrition: a case study in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, (2) to investigate the association of this phenomenon with child brain development, and (3) to examine the contribution of socioeconomic status and milk consumption on this phenomenon so that able to formulate some possible solutions to encounter this problem. Design: A cross-sectional study using a structured coded questionnaire was conducted among 387 children age 5-6 years old and their parents from 8 areas in Bogor, West-Java, Indonesia on November 2012 to December 2013, to record some socioeconomic status, anthropometric measurements, and history of breast feeding. Diet and probability of milk intake was assessed by two 24 h dietary recalls and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Usual daily milk intake was calculated using Multiple Source Method (MSM). Some brain development indicators (IQ, EQ, learning, and memory ability) using Projective Multi-phase Orientation method was also executed to learn the correlation between double burden child malnutrition and some brain development indicator. Results and conclusions: A small picture of child double burden malnutrition is shown in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, where prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is 27.1%, Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) is 24.9%, and overnutrition is 7.7%. This phenomenon proves to impair the child brain development. The malnourished children, both under- and over- nourished children have significantly (P-value<0.05) lower memory ability compared to the normal children (memory score, N; SAM = 45.2, 60; MAM = 48.5, 61; overweight = 48.4, 43; obesity = 47.9, 60; normal = 52.4, 163). The plausible reasons behind these evidences are the lack of nutrient intake during the sprout growth period on undernourished children or increasing adiposity on overnourished children might influence the growth of hippocampus area which responsible to the memory ability. Either undernutrition or overnutrition, the preventive action on this problem is preferable to avoid ongoing cognitive performance loss of the next generation. Some possible solutions for this phenomenon are promoting breast feeding initiation and exclusive breast feeding practices for infants, supporting the consumption of a normal portion of milk (250 to 500 ml per day) for children, and breaking the chain of poverty by socioeconomic improvement. And, the national food security becomes the fundamental point for the betterment of the next. In the global context, the causes of under- and over- nutrition have to be opposed through integrated and systemic approaches for a better quality of the next generation of human beings.

A água da dieta parece favorecer a hidratação cutânea sem afectar a hemodinâmica

Os vários estudos sobre a importância da água na Hidratação da pele humana vêm sugerindo que o aumento da ingestão de água pode ter um impacto positivo na fisiologia da pele normal. Mantendo os hábitos dietários, avaliados por Questionário de Frequência Alimentar e com base no consumo de água total , avaliámos as consequências do aumento de água bebida na bioimpedância e na hidratação da pele “in vivo”. Em dois grupos com diferentes consumos de água total, avaliamos, ao fim de um mês, o impacto do aumento do aporte de 2L/dia de água bebida. Este aumento não produziu alterações hemodinânicas ou ponderais. Os resultados sugerem uma melhoria da hidratação epidérmica. A magnitude do impacto sobre a hidratação cutânea é maior no grupo que Regularmente consome menos água, sugerindo que o aumento do consumo de água tem mais efeitos benéficos na saúde cutânea dos indivíduos que consomem menos água por dia. Estes dados estão de acordo, com a literatura publicada, justificando o interesse no aprofundamento do tema, de modo a contribuir para o conhecimento sobre a importância da água no contexto da fisiologia cutânea em especial no grupo de indivíduos com hábitos de menor consumo.

Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial

Background Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) leaves, flowers and berries are used by herbal practitioners in the UK to treat hypertension in conjunction with prescribed drugs. Small-scale human studies support this approach. Aim To investigate the effects of hawthorn for hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes taking prescribed drugs. Design of study Randomised controlled trial. Setting General practices in Reading, UK. Method Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 79) were randomised to daily 1200 mg hawthorn extract (n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks. At baseline and outcome a wellbeing questionnaire was completed and blood pressure and fasting blood samples taken. A food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake. Results Hypotensive drugs were used by 71% of the study population with a mean intake of 4.4 hypoglycaemic and/or hypotensive drugs. Fat intake was lower and sugar intake higher than recommendations, and low micronutrient intake was prevalent. There was a significant group difference in mean diastolic blood pressure reductions (P = 0.035): the hawthorn group showed greater reductions (baseline: 85.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 83.3 to 87.8; outcome: 83.0 mmHg, 95% Cl = 80.5 to 85.7) than the placebo group (baseline: 84.5 mmHg, 95% Cl = 82 to 87; outcome: 85.0 mmHg, 95% Cl = 82.2 to 87.8). There was no group difference in systolic blood pressure reduction from baseline (3.6 and 0.8 mmHg for hawthorn and placebo groups, respectively; P = 0.329). Although mean fat intake met current recommendations, mean sugar intake was higher and there were indications of potential multiple micronutrient deficiencies. No herb-drug interaction was found and minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both groups. Conclusions This is the first randomised controlled trial to demonstrate a hypotensive effect of hawthorn in patients with diabetes taking medication.

Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial

Background: Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) leaves, flowers and berries are used by herbal practitioners in the UK to treat hypertension in conjunction with prescribed drugs. Small-scale human studies support this approach. Aim: To investigate the effects of hawthorn for hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes taking prescribed drugs. Design of study: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: General practices in Reading, UK. Method: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 79) were randomised to daily 1200 mg hawthorn extract (n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks. At baseline and outcome a wellbeing questionnaire was completed and blood pressure and fasting blood samples taken. A food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake. Results: Hypotensive drugs were used by 71% of the study population with a mean intake of 4.4 hypoglycaemic and/or hypotensive drugs. Fat intake was lower and sugar intake higher than recommendations, and low micronutrient intake was prevalent. There was a significant group difference in mean diastolic blood pressure reductions (P = 0.035): the hawthorn group showed greater reductions (baseline: 85.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 83.3 to 87.8; outcome: 83.0 mmHg, 95% Cl = 80.5 to 85.7) than the placebo group (baseline: 84.5 mmHg, 95% Cl = 82 to 87; outcome: 85.0 mmHg, 95% Cl = 82.2 to 87.8). There was no group difference in systolic blood pressure reduction from baseline (3.6 and 0.8 mmHg for hawthorn and placebo groups, respectively; P = 0.329). Although mean fat intake met current recommendations, mean sugar intake was higher and there were indications of potential multiple micronutrient deficiencies. No herb-drug interaction was found and minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both groups. Conclusions: This is the first randomised controlled trial to demonstrate a hypotensive effect of hawthorn in patients with diabetes taking medication.

Improved arthritic knee health in a pilot RCT of phytotherapy

Although practitioner-prescribed 'western' herbal medicine (phytotherapy) is a popular complementary therapy in the UK, no clinical studies have been reported on patient-orientated outcomes. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of phytotherapy on symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. A previous study of Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association,(1) acted as a model in the development of the protocol of this investigation. Twenty adults, previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, were recruited from two Inner London GP practices into this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study carried out in a primary-care setting. All subjects were seen in consultation three times by a herbal practitioner who was blinded to the randomization coding. Each subject was prescribed treatment and given lifestyle advice according to usual practice: continuation of conventional medication where applicable, healthy-eating advice and nutrient supplementation, Individualized herbal medicine was prescribed for each patient, but only dispensed for those randomized to active treatment - the remainder were supplied with a placebo. At baseline and outcome (after ten weeks of treatment), subjects completed a food frequency questionnaire and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) knee health and Measure Yourself Outcome Profile (MYMOP) wellbeing questionnaires. Subjects completing the study per protocol (n = 14) reported an increased intake of wholegrain foods (p = 0.045) and oily fish (p = 0.039) compared to baseline, but no increase in fruit and vegetables and dairy products intakes. There was no difference in the primary outcome measure of knee health assessed as the difference in the mean response (baseline-week 10) in WOMAC score between the two treatment groups. However, there was, compared with baseline, improvement in the active group (n = 9) for the mean WOMAC stiffness sub-score at week 5 (p = 0.035) and week 10 (p = 0.060) but not in the placebo group (n = 5). Furthermore, for the active, but not the placebo group, the mean WOMAC total and sub-scores all showed clinically significant improvement (>= 20%) in knee symptoms at weeks 5 and 10 compared with baseline. Moreover, the mean MYMOP symptom 2 sub-score, mostly relating to osteoarthritis (OA), showed significant improvement at week 5 (p = 0.02) and week 10 (p = 0.008) compared with baseline for the active, but not for the placebo group. This pilot study showed that herbal medicine prescribed for the individual by a herbal practitioner resulted in improvement of symptoms of OA of the knee.

Comparison of the portion size and frequency of consumption of 156 foods across seven European countries: insights from the Food4ME study

There are no standardised serving/portion sizes defined for foods consumed in the European Union (EU). Typical serving sizes can deviate significantly from the 100 g/100 ml labelling specification required by the EU legislation. Where the nutritional value of a portion is specified, the portion size is determined by the manufacturers. Our objective was to investigate the potential for standardising portion sizes for specific foods, thereby ensuring complementarity across countries. We compared portion size for 156 food items measured using a food frequency questionnaire across the seven countries participating in the Food4me study. The probability of consuming a food and the frequency of consumption differed across countries for 93% and 58% of the foods, respectively. However, the individual country mean portion size differed from the average across countries in only 16% of comparisons. Thus, although dietary choices vary markedly across countries, there is much less variation in portion sizes. Our results highlight the potential for standardisation of portion sizes on nutrition labels in the EU

Interaction between FTO gene variants and lifestyle factors on metabolic traits in an Asian Indian population

Background Lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity have been shown to modify the association between fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) gene variants and metabolic traits in several populations; however, there are no gene-lifestyle interaction studies, to date, among Asian Indians living in India. In this study, we examined whether dietary factors and physical activity modified the association between two FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs8050136 and rs11076023) (SNPs) and obesity traits and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods The study included 734 unrelated T2D and 884 normal glucose-tolerant (NGT) participants randomly selected from the urban component of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES). Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated interviewer administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Physical activity was based upon the self-report. Interaction analyses were performed by including the interaction terms in the linear/logistic regression model. Results There was a significant interaction between SNP rs8050136 and carbohydrate intake (% energy) (Pinteraction = 0.04), where the ‘A’ allele carriers had 2.46 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 3.0 × 10−5) among individuals in the highest tertile of carbohydrate intake (% energy, 71 %). A significant interaction was also observed between SNP rs11076023 and dietary fibre intake (Pinteraction = 0.0008), where individuals with AA genotype who are in the 3rd tertile of dietary fibre intake had 1.62 cm lower waist circumference than those with ‘T’ allele carriers (P = 0.02). Furthermore, among those who were physically inactive, the ‘A’ allele carriers of the SNP rs8050136 had 1.89 times increased risk of obesity than those with ‘CC’ genotype (P = 4.0 × 10−5). Conclusions This is the first study to provide evidence for a gene-diet and gene-physical activity interaction on obesity and T2D in an Asian Indian population. Our findings suggest that the association between FTO SNPs and obesity might be influenced by carbohydrate and dietary fibre intake and physical inactivity. Further understanding of how FTO gene influences obesity and T2D through dietary and exercise interventions is warranted to advance the development of behavioral intervention and personalised lifestyle strategies, which could reduce the risk of metabolic diseases in this Asian Indian population.

Dietary predictors of serum total carotene in low-income women living in Sao Paulo, south-east Brazil

Objective Dietary intake and nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins have been reported to protect against some cancers The objective of the present study was to assess the correlations between serum levels of carotenoids (including beta-, alpha- and gamma-carotene), lycopene, retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and dietary intakes estimated by an FFQ, among low-income women in the Brazilian Investigation into Nutrition and Cervical Cancer Prevention (BRINCA) study. Design Cross-sectional study of data for 918 women aged 21-65 years participating in the BRINCA study in Sao Paulo city. Multiple linear regression models were used with serum nutrient levels as the dependent variable and dietary intake levels as the independent variable, adjusted for confounding factors. Results In energy-adjusted analyses, the intakes of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits (partial R(2) = 4.8%), total fruits and juices (partial R(2) = 1.8%), vegetables and fruits (partial R(2) = 1.8%), carrots (partial R(2) = 1.4%) and citrus fruits and juices only (partial R(2) = 0.8%) were positively correlated only with serum total carotene levels, after adjusting for serum total cholesterol concentration, age, hospital attended, smoking status. BMI and presence of cervical lesions Multiple-adjusted serum levels of carotenoids were positively correlated with intake quartiles of dark green and deep yellow vegetables and fruits and total fruits and juices independent of smoking status. Conclusions The intake of specific fruits and vegetables was an independent predictor of serum total carotene levels in low-income women living in Sao Paulo

Perception of eating practices and stages of change among Brazilian adolescents

Objective. To evaluate the perception of eating practices and the stages of change among adolescents. Methods. Cross-sectional study involving a representative sample of 390 adolescents from 11 public schools in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil, in 2004. Food consumption was identified by a food frequency questionnaire and the perception of eating practices evaluation was conducted by comparing food consumption and individual classification of healthy aspects of the diet. The participants were classified within stages of change by means of a specific algorithm. A reclassification within new stages of change was proposed to identify adolescents with similar characteristics regarding food consumption and perception. Results. Low consumption of fruit and vegetables and high consumption of sweets and fats were identified. More than 44% of the adolescents had a mistaken perception of their diet. A significant relationship between the stages of change and food consumption was observed. The reclassification among stages of change, through including the pseudo-maintenance and non-reflective action stages was necessary, considering the high proportion of adolescents who erroneously classified their diets as healthy. Conclusion. Classification of the adolescents into stages of change, together with consumption and perception data, enabled identification of groups at risk, in accordance with their inadequate dietary habits and non-recognition of such habits. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dietary fructose, fruits, fruit juices and glucose tolerance status in Japanese-Brazilians

Background and aims: Evidence suggests that fructose and sweetened beverages may be a risk factor for obesity and type 2 diabetes, but the role of sweetened fruit juices in glucose disturbances has been minimally explored. The aim of this study was to examine the association of total fructose, fresh fruit and sweetened fruit juice intake with glucose tolerance homeostasis in Japanese-Brazilians. Methods and results: A total of 475 men and 579 women aged >= 30 years were evaluated in a cross-sectional population-based survey with a standardized protocol including a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (WHO criteria). Habitual food consumption was obtained using a validated food frequency questionnaire for Japanese-Brazitians. After adjustments for potential confounding variables, the odds ratio (OR; 95%Cl) for impaired glucose tolerance was 2.1 (1.0-4.5; P for trend = 0.05) for the highest as compared to the lowest tertile intake of total fructose and 2.3 (1.1-5.1; P for trend = 0.05) for the highest as compared to the lowest tertile intake of sweetened fruit juices. Conclusion: Our results showed that high intakes of dietary fructose and sweetened fruit juices, but not whole fresh fruits, were associated with impaired glucose tolerance among genetically susceptible individuals. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Food intake of Macrobrachium rosenbergii during larval development

This work investigates the acceptance of different food types and sizes by Macrobrachium rosenbergii during each larval stage. Food intake of dry and wet formulated diets of four different size classes (250-425, 425-710, 710-1000 and 1000-1190 mum), as well as Artemia nauplii, was determined. Larvae of each zoeal stage were stocked in beakers and fed ad libitum. After 30-45 min, the digestive tract of each larva was observed under a stereomicroscope. Acceptance was evaluated by food intake frequency (FFI). There was no significant interaction (P<0.05) between inert diet size and FFI for each larval stage. Therefore, food intake during larval development is independent of food particle size. The ingestion of Artemia nauplii, was significantly higher by larvae between stages II and VI. Between stages VII and XI, FFI for Artemia nauplii and wet diet was similar, while the FFI of the dry diet was similar to live food between stages IX and XI. The wet diet was ingested by more than 50% of the larvae only from stage VII onwards, while the dry diet from stage VIII onwards. These results indicate that larvae could be fed Artemia nauplii only until stage VI. Diet supplementation should start from stage VII onwards, using food particles varying from 250 to 1190 mum. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Zinco plasmático e estado nutricional em idosos

OBJETIVO: Neste estudo foi avaliado o zinco plasmático associado ao estado nutricional de 80 indivíduos idosos saudáveis, atendidos no Centro de Reabilitação da Prefeitura Municipal de Araraquara, SP, entre 1998 e 1999. MÉTODOS: Os participantes foram entrevistados para obtenção dos dados de ingestão de alimentos e, a partir desses dados, foram estimados o consumo de macronutrientes e de zinco dietético. A concentração do zinco plasmático foi dosada por Espectroscopia de Emissão Atômica com Plasma de Argônio Induzido. Para a avaliação nutricional foram tomadas as medidas do peso corporal, altura, circunferência do braço e prega cutânea triciptal. RESULTADOS: A alimentação das mulheres foi adequada em proteínas e lipídios, mas insuficiente em carboidratos e energia. Os homens apresentaram ingestão suficiente de energia, mas com excesso de lípides associado à insuficiência de carboidratos. A ingestão média de zinco, pelas mulheres (10,8±4,1mg/d) e pelos homens (19,7±7,2mg/d), estava de acordo com a recomendação. As concentrações plasmáticas de zinco nas mulheres (7,2±3,5µmol/L) e nos homens (6,5±3,8µmol/L) estavam abaixo das referências para a idade, e não foram correlacionadas com o zinco alimentar. Foi detectada correlação significante e positiva entre o zinco plasmático e a ingestão de proteína; entretanto, essa correlação se apresentou negativa com a idade. CONCLUSÕES: A redução da biodisponibilidade do zinco dietético pode ter sido devida ao consumo elevado de leguminosas e ao consumo reduzido de carnes que, associados à ingestão energética insuficiente das mulheres, tiveram repercussões nas concentrações plasmáticas daquele nutriente. É necessária a atenção nutricional voltada aos idosos, visando melhorar a biodisponibilidade do zinco alimentar, e para prevenir ou corrigir sua deficiência por meio de suplementação.