Emerging evidence suggests that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) plays a role in the development of chronic diseases, but evidence of their influence in children is limited. Our ...objective was to study longitudinal trends of UPF intake and determine their impact on blood lipids in young children. The present study was a follow-up of a randomised field trial of children (n 308) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Dietary intake was collected using two 24-h recalls at 3 and 6 years of age, and consumption of UPF was classified according to the NOVA system, a food classification based on the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. At age 6 years, blood tests were performed to measure lipid profile. Contribution of UPF to total energy intake increased by 10 % during the follow-up period, from 43·4 % at 3 years to 47·7 % at 6 years of age. Linear regression models showed that children in the highest tertile of UPF consumption at age 3 years had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC; β 0·22 mmol/l; 95 % CI 0·04, 0·39) and TAG at age 6 years (β 0·11 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·20) compared with those in the lowest tertile. A positive dose–response was observed for an absolute increment of 10 % of UPF on TC (β 0·07 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·00, 0·14) and TAG (β 0·04 mmol/l, 95 % CI 0·01, 0·07). Based on our data, consumption of UPF increased significantly over time and was associated with higher blood lipid levels in children from a low-income community. Our findings highlight the need for effective strategies to minimise the consumption of UPF in early life.
Multiple micronutrients in powder (MNP) are recommended by WHO to prevent anemia in young children. However, evidences for its effectiveness in different populations and improvements in other ...outcomes (e.g. linear growth and vitamin A deficiency) are scarce.
A multicentre pragmatic controlled trial was carried out in primary health centres. At study baseline, a control group (CG) of children aged 10- to 14 months (n = 521) was recruited in the routine healthcare for assessing anemia, anthropometric and micronutrient status. At the same time, an intervention group (IG) of infants aged 6- to 8 months (n = 462) was recruited to receive MNP daily in complementary feeding over a period of 60 days. Both study groups were compared when the IG infants reached the age of the CG children at enrolment.
In CG, the prevalence of anemia hemoglobin (Hb) < 110 g/L, iron deficiency (ID, plasma ferritin < 12 μg/L or TfR > 8.3 mg/L), and vitamin A deficiency (VAD, serum retinol < 0.70μmol/L) were 23.1%, 37.4%, and 17.4%, respectively. Four to six months after enrolment, when the IG participants had the same age of the controls at the time of testing, the prevalence of anemia, ID and VAD in IG were 14.3%, 30.1% and 7.9%, respectively. Adjusting for city, health centre, maternal education, and age, IG children had a lower likelihood of anemia and VAD Prevalence Ratio (95% CI) = 0.63 (0.45, 0.88) and 0.45 (0.29, 0.69), respectively when compared with CG children. The adjusted mean distributions of Hb and length-for-age Z-scores improved by 2 SE in the IG compared to CG children.
MNP effectively reduced anemia and improved growth and micronutrient status among young Brazilian children.
Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos RBR-5ktv6b.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To evaluate factors associated with low consumption of fruits and vegetables among preschoolers from families treated at basic health centers in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
This was a cohort study ...nested in a randomized field trial. Data collection was performed through structured questionnaires to obtain demographic and dietary data, combined with two 24-hour recalls in the age groups 12–16 months and again at 2–3 years of age. Data on the consumption of one daily serving of fruits (80g) and vegetables (60g) were evaluated, as well as consumption of non-recommended foods such as candy, chocolate, and soft drinks. Statistical analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust estimation.
A total of 388 children aged 2-3 years were evaluated; of these, 58% and 87.4% did not consume one daily serving of fruits and vegetables, respectively. The following factors were negatively associated with fruit consumption: family income higher than four minimum wages, (p=0.024), lower paternal educational level (p=0.03), and lower fruit consumption at 12–16 months (p=0.002). Factors negatively associated with the consumption of vegetables were low paternal educational level (p=0.033) and consumption of high-sugar content beverages at 12–16 months (p=0.014).
This study demonstrated a high prevalence of children who consumed less than one daily serving of fruit and vegetables; early feeding practices, parental education, and family income were associated with this process.
Avaliar os fatores associados ao baixo consumo de frutas e verduras entre pré-escolares de famílias usuárias da rede básica de saúde de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
Estudo de coorte aninhado a ensaio de campo randomizado. A coleta de dados foi feita por meio de questionários estruturados para obtenção de dados dietéticos e sociodemográficos, além de dois recordatórios de 24 horas nas faixas etárias de 12–16 meses e novamente aos 2-3 anos de idade. Foram avaliados os dados de consumo de uma porção diária de frutas (80g) e verduras (60g), além de consumo de alimentos não recomendados, como balas, chocolates e refrigerantes. As análises estatísticas foram feitas por regressão de Poisson com estimativa robusta.
Foram avaliadas 388 crianças de 2-3 anos, destas 58% e 87,4% não consumiram uma porção de frutas e verduras, respectivamente. Os fatores que se mostraram negativamente associados ao consumo de frutas foram: renda familiar superior a 4 salários mínimos, (p=0,024), menor escolaridade paterna (p=0,03) e menor consumo de frutas aos 12–16 meses (p=0,002). Os fatores negativamente associados à ingestão de verduras foram a menor escolaridade paterna (p=0,033) e consumo de refrigerante aos 12–16 meses (p=0.014).
Os resultados deste estudo mostraram alta prevalência de crianças que consumiram menos de uma porção de frutas e verduras ao dia e sugerem que práticas alimentares precoces, escolaridade paterna e renda estão associadas a esse processo.
Background
The first 2 years of life are the window of opportunity to promote healthy feeding practices. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the impact of a health workers training in infant ...dietary guidelines on energy intake and anthropometric measurement into childhood.
Methods
Cluster randomised field trial (NCT00635453) was conducted in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Healthcare centres were randomised into intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 11) groups. In intervention sites, health workers were trained to promote healthy feeding practices based on the Brazilian guideline for children's nutrition. Pregnant women who were in the last trimester of pregnancy were registered as potential mothers who would receive dietary counselling from the health workers. Energy and macronutrient intake and anthropometric measurements were obtained from children at ages 6 months, 12 months, 3 years and 6 years from low‐income families.
Results
At age 3 years, intervention group had lower consumption of energy −92.5 kcal; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −153.5 to −31.5, carbohydrates (−11.9 g; 95% CI = −19.9 to −2.3), and total fat (−3.9 g; 95% CI = −6.2 to −1.2), compared to the control group. At 6 years of age, children in the intervention group had lower waist circumference (−1.3 cm; 95% CI = −2.7 to −0.0), triceps (−1.3 mm; 95% CI = −2.5 to −0.0) and subscapular skinfolds (−1.3 mm; 16 95% CI = −2.6 to −0.0) thickness measurements compared to those in the control group.
Conclusions
The health workers training to promote infant healthy feeding practices resulted in lower energy, carbohydrates and fat intake at 3 years and lower waist circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfolds measurements at 6 years.
Health workers were trained, in a primary care setting, to implement healthy feeding practices for children during the first two years of life as recommended by the Brazilian Guidelines. Energy intake and anthropometric measurements were obtained from children at ages 6 months, 12 months, 3 years and 6 years. The results showed a significant difference in energy intake at the age of 3 years and anthropometric measurements at the age of 6 years.
Taste perception plays a key role in determining individual food preferences and dietary habits and may influence nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the association of TAS1R2 ...(Ile191Val - rs35874116) and TAS1R3 (-1266 C/T - rs35744813) variants with food intake and nutritional status in children followed from birth until 7.7 years old. The nutritional status and food intake data of 312 children were collected at three developmental stages (1, 3.9 and 7.7 years old). DNA was extracted from blood samples and the polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) using hydrolysis probes as the detection method. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes. At 3.9 years old, children homozygous (Val/Val) for the TAS1R2 Ile191Val polymorphism ingested less sugar and sugar-dense foods than children who were *Ile carriers. This finding demonstrated that a genetic variant of the T1R2 taste receptor is associated with the intake of different amounts of high sugar-content foods in childhood. This association may provide new perspectives for studying dietary patterns and nutritional status in childhood.
The reward sensation after food intake may be different between individuals and variants in genes related to the dopaminergic system may indicate a different response in people exposed to the same ...environmental factors. This study investigated the association of TaqIA (rs1800497) and -141C InsDel (rs1799732) variants in DRD2/ANKK1 gene with food intake and adiposity parameters in a cohort of children. The sample consisted of 270 children followed until 7 to 8 years old. DNA was extracted from blood and polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP analysis. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among individuals with different SNP genotypes. Children carrying the A1 allele (TaqIA) had higher energy of lipid dense foods (LDF) when compared with A2/A2 homozygous children at 7 to 8 years old (GLM p=0.004; Mann Whitney p=0.005). No association was detected with -141C Ins/Del polymorphism. To our knowledge, this is the first association study of the DRD2 TaqIA and -141C Ins/Del polymorphism with food intake and anthropometric parameters in children. DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism has been associated with a reduction in D2 dopamine receptor availability. Therefore, the differences observed in LDF intake in our sample may occur as an effort to compensate the hypodopaminergic functioning.
Variants of dopamine system genes such as the DRD4 and the SLC6A3 genes may be involved in food intake regulation because the dopaminergic system influences food reward. We investigated an ...association of polymorphisms in the DRD4 (exon 3 VNTR) and SLC6A3 (3′UTR VNTR, rs2550948, rs2652511 and rs1048953) genes with food intake and nutritional status in children. This prospective cohort study recruited 359 children at birth. Dietary data and nutritional status were collected at 1 year, 3–4 years, and 7–8 years of age. The polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction based techniques. Food intake and nutritional status were compared among the different SNP genotypes. In the first year of life, DRD4.7R− children showed higher BMI Z-scores (P=.019) than the DRD4.7R+ cohort. At 3–4 years old, DRD4.7R− and SLC6A3.10R/10R children showed a higher intake of palatable foods (P=.024) and a higher waist circumference (P=.017). The rs1048953 SLC6A3 polymorphism was associated with average daily energy intake (P=.003) at 3–4 years and with a waist-to-height ratio of children at 7–8 years (P=.041). Carriers of high dopamine activity alleles of the VNTRs studied in DRD4 and SLC6A3 genes and carriers of T/T genotype of the variant rs1048953 SLC6A3 can present an increased risk for obesity related to overeating because high dopamine activity can increase the perceived incentive value of food reward.
The 5-HTT gene contains polymorphisms in its promoter region, the insertion/deletion (5-HTTLPR) that creates long (L) or short (S) alleles (biallelic approach) and SNP (rs25531) in L allele ...(triallelic approach).
The aim of this study is to investigate the association of the 5-HTTLPR and rs25531 polymorphisms, using bi- and triallelic approach, with dietary intake and anthropometric parameters in children followed until 8 years old.
The sample were 303 children who were recruited at birth and examined at 1, 3 to 4 and 7 to 8 years old. The polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase-chain-reaction-based methods.
In the biallelic approach, children with the S/S genotype presented a higher body mass index Z-score in the three developmental stages and higher sum of skinfolds at 3 to 4 and 7 to 8 years old than carriers of the L allele. In the triallelic approach, S/S, Lg/S plus Lg/Lg genotypes were associated with higher energy intake daily at 1 year old and with waist circumference at 3 to 4 years old.
In the biallelic approach, the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with food intake, body mass index Z-score and sum of skinfolds in children, reinforcing the role of the serotonin transporter in childhood obesity. Our data indicate that the biallelic approach is more sensible than the triallelic approach for detected associations with food intake and nutritional status in childhood. Identifying susceptibility genes in early life could provide the foundations for interventions in lifestyle to prevent children to become obese adults.
Serotonin plays a critical role in the regulation of food intake. The solute carrier family 6 member 14 (SLC6A14) and serotonin receptor 2C (5-HTR2C) genes are involved in the bioavailability and ...action of this neurotransmitter.
Evaluation of the association of six polymorphisms in these genes with food intake and nutritional status in children followed to 7–8years of age.
Blood samples and the biodemographic data of 344 children were collected at three development stages, in a cross-sectional study undertaken with the cohort from a randomized trial. Polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-based techniques.
At 7 to 8years of age, carriers of the A alleles for both the SLC6A14 rs2312054 and SLC6A14 rs12391221 polymorphisms showed higher food intake, except for the sugar-dense food (SDF) intake parameter, than T/T and C/C homozygotes, respectively. Boy carriers of the C allele of rs2071877 had a higher sum of triceps and subscapular folds than T allele carriers at 7 to 8years old. For 5-HTR2C gene variants, A allele carriers (rs3813928) and T allele carriers (rs3813929) had higher food intake at 3 to 4years old than G/G and C/C homozygotes, respectively, except for SDF. At this age, the intake of energy-dense foods was higher in carriers of the T allele (rs3813929) than in C/C homozygotes.
This study provides evidence that genetic variants of these proteins might be involved in the determination of food intake and nutritional status in children.
•Genetic variants of SLC6A14 are associated with food intake in children at 7–8years of age.•Polymorphisms in 5-HTR2C gene are associated with food intake in children at 3–4years of age.•At seven to eight years of age, rs2071877 SNP of 5-HTR2C was associated with anthropometric measures.•Genetic variants in serotonin systems have a role in food intake and obesity risk at early age.