RCAAP Repository

OBJECTIVE:To verify the association between dietary iron intake and the occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia in agricultural workers' families from the municipality of Gameleira in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.METHODS:The study population consisted of 46 harvesters' families, consisting of 225 individuals. The food intake of each individual was recorded on three different days by directly weighing the foods consumed. Hemoglobin was determined by fingerstick (HemoCue). This research used the probability of adequacy method to assess iron intake and the paired ttest for comparing groups. The Spearman Mann-Whitney test estimated associations between the dietary variables and anemia.RESULTS:The prevalence of anemia was high in all ages groups and highest (67.6%) in children aged <5 years with a mean hemoglobin of 10.37 g/dL (±1.30 g/dL). Children aged <5 years had low percentage of iron intake adequacy (53.1%). Most of them consumed diets with low iron bioavailability (47.5%). Associations between the occurrence of anemia and dietary variables were significant for total iron (heme and nonheme), its bioavailabilities, and general meat intake.CONCLUSION:Inadequate dietary iron intake and inadequate intake of factors that facilitate iron absorption can be considered decisive for the occurrence of iron-deficiency anemia. Food insecurity occurs between family members, with some members being favored over others with regard to the intake of good dietary iron sources.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this research is to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of meals served and consumed by soldiers in a construction unit (army and civil employees) of the Brazilian Army Construction.METHODS:Body mass index, fat percentage (bioimpedance) and the physical activity level were evaluated. Furthermore, the nutritional evaluation of meals offered and consumed by soldiers was evaluated, in relation to the macronutrients, sodium, fibers and total energetic value.RESULTS:Through the results, we verified that 76% of the soldiers were eutrophic, and that the population's energetic requirement was approximately 3.600 kcal. We verified that the energetic consumption of this population was below the required value (3.200 kcal) and with inadequacy regarding the distribution of macronutrients: percentage of carbohydrates above the recommended one, percentage of lipid below the minimum value recommended and percentage of proteins within the recommendation. Moreover, the amount of fibers was in accordance to the standards; however, there was an excessive amount of sodium, which may put this population in danger.CONCLUSION:We concluded that it is necessary to improve the quality of the meals offered in relation to the nutritional aspect, by promoting the adequacy to the soldiers' needs. Other types of quality were not studied, but they are important when evaluating acceptability of meals.

OBJECTIVE:To review and refine Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale structure.METHODS:The study analyzed the impact of removing the item "adult lost weight" and one of two possibly redundant items on Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale psychometric behavior using the one-parameter logistic (Rasch) model. Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale psychometric behavior was analyzed with respect to acceptable adjustment values ranging from 0.7 to 1.3, and to severity scores of the items with theoretically expected gradients. The socioeconomic and food security indicators came from the 2004 National Household Sample Survey, which obtained complete answers to Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale items from 112,665 households.RESULTS:Removing the items "adult reduced amount..." followed by "adult ate less..." did not change the infit of the remaining items, except for "adult lost weight", whose infit increased from 1.21 to 1.56. The internal consistency and item severity scores did not change when "adult ate less" and one of the two redundant items were removed.CONCLUSION:Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale reanalysis reduced the number of scale items from 16 to 14 without changing its internal validity. Its use as a nationwide household food security measure is strongly recommended.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the incidence of overweight/obesity and associated factors in children aged six years or less during a two-year follow-up.METHODS:This longitudinal cohort study followed 242 preschoolers from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, from 2008 to 2010. The outcome was overweight/obesity (Z-score >+2) measured by accumulated incidence. The Chi-square test measured the differences between the study factors. The association between overweight/obesity and associated factors was analyzed by adjusted and crude rate ratios.RESULTS:Nine (4.00%) of the 222 non-overweight/obese children in 2008 were overweight/obese in 2010, indicating an accumulated incidence of overweight/obesity of 4.05% (1.4-6.7). The study accumulated incidence of overweight/obesity was 20.25/year/1000, similar to the incidence density of 20.65/year/1000.CONCLUSION:After adjustment, none of the study factors were associated with overweight/obesity. However, the lack of studies that investigate the incidence of overweight and obesity in preschoolers calls for longitudinal studies with larger samples that analyze not only the incidence of overweight/obesity but also other factors, such as the influence of parents' nutritional status on their offspring's nutritional status.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between ultrasensitive C-reactive protein and cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight or obese childrenand adolescents.METHODS:Cross-sectional study conducted at the Center for Childhood Obesity in the period from April 2009 to April 2010, involving 185 overweight children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. Measures of ultrasensitive C-reactive protein according to age, nutritional status, gender, race, cardiometabolic risk factors (waist circumference, lipid profile, impaired fasting glucose, high blood pressure and presence of insulin resistance) were compared through the Chi-square test and analysis of variance. All analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17.0, adopting a significance level of 5%.RESULTS:Altered high-density lipoprotein was the most frequent cardiometabolic risk factor, and there was a significant association between altered ultrasensitive C-reactive protein values and severe obesity (p=0.005), high waist circumference (p<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.037) and insulin resistance (p=0.002), as well as significantly higher body mass index (p=0.000), waist circumference (p=0.001), insulin (p=0.005) and index of glucose homeostasis values(p=0.005).CONCLUSION:High prevalence of altered ultrasensitive C-reactive protein and significant association with severe obesity, waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance were observed.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze suggestions that facilitate the use of organic foods produced by family farms made by the social actors responsible for Santa Catarina's school meals.METHODS:This qualitative and exploratory study used an electronic questionnaire for surveying 293 municipalities in the state of Santa Catarina in 2010 and identified the percentage of organic school foods purchased from family farms. The social actors from 52 municipalities who were responsible for organic food acquisition were interviewed in person. Their suggestions were categorized and analyzed by content analysis.RESULTS:A total of 446 social actors made 684 suggestions categorized into four themes: Awareness strategies for the use of organic foods (n=286) were proposed by principals and dieticians, who emphasized the need of educating social actors and community and raising community awareness; Better Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolarmanagement (n=148) was suggested by principals and family farmers, who wanted less bureaucracy and outsourcing, fewer taxes, and more management involvement; Better coordination between the demand and supply of organic foods (n=130) was suggested by principals, family farmers, and cooks because of logistic and supply problems; and Better management ofschool food production(n=120) was suggested by principals and cooks, who reported problems with the supply of specific foods, low organic food diversity, and lack of certification.CONCLUSION:For the social actors, the use of organic foods in the schools of Santa Catarina requires the education of those involved (technical support, educational strategies, and community awareness), government support, coordination between demand and supply, and better management of organic food production.

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the isolated and combined prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency in pre-school children, as well as the distribution of isolated deficiencies according to gender, age and prior supplementation with vitamin A.METHODS:Cross-sectional study with pre-school children in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Analysis of the average concentrations of hemoglobin, serum retinol and serum zinc, according to gender, age and previous vitamin A supplementation of children were carried out as well as the risk of simultaneous occurrence of micronutrient deficiencies in the presence of these deficiencies.RESULTS:The prevalence of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency were 15.4%, 23.3% and 13.8%, respectively. The anemia was significantly associated with age (p<0.01). Children previously supplemented by vitamin A had higher serum retinol concentrations than children without supplements, an effect that was not observed for concentrations of hemoglobin or serum zinc. The prevalence of anemia associated with vitamin A deficiency was 5.8%, with the chance of vitamin A deficiency and anemia coexist 2.21 times (95%CI=1.03-4.84) higher in the case of vitamin A deficiency or anemia rather than in the absence of these conditions.CONCLUSION:The high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies which are important in child growth, as well as the coexistence of nutritional deficiencies, point out the need to strengthen nutrition intervention strategies that consider this issue.

OBJECTIVE:The study analyzed the relationship between anxiety and inappropriate eating behaviors in adolescent female athletes.METHODS:Eighty-eight track and field athletes aged 12 to 17 years participated in the study. We used the Eating Attitudes Test-26 subscales to assess inappropriate eating behaviors and the Brazilian State - Trait Anxiety Inventory subscales to assess State and Trait anxiety.RESULTS:State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - State (p=0.18) or State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait (p=0.14) had no significant influence on the Dieting subscale score. The Bulimia and Food Preoccupation subscale score was also not influenced by State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - State (p=0.25) or State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait (p=0.21). However, State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait (p=0.048) had a significant impact on the Oral Control subscale score, but State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - State (p=0.19) did not explain its variance.CONCLUSION:Only State - Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait was related to oral control and the environmental and social forces that encourage food intake in female athletes.

OBJECTIVE:To estimate food and dietary folate inadequacies in the diets of adult pregnant women.METHODS:A prospective study was conducted with 103 healthy pregnant adult users of the Public Health Care System of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo,Brazil. The present study included the 82 women with complete food intake data during pregnancy, which were collected by three 24-hour dietary recalls. Food folate (folate naturally present in foods) and dietary folate (food folate plus folate from fortified wheat flour and cornmeal) inadequacies were determined, using the Estimated Average Requirement as cutoff.RESULTS:The diets of 100% and 94% of the pregnant women were inadequate in food folate and dietary folate, respectively. However, fortified foods increased the medium availability of the nutrient by 87%.CONCLUSION:The large number of pregnant women consuming low-folate diets was alarming. Nationwide population studies are needed to confirm the hypothesized high prevalence of low-folate diets among pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE:To compare serving sizes reported on processed food labels with reference serving sizes according to nutrition labeling legislation and the "Food Guide for the Brazilian Population".METHODS:This cross-sectional study analyzed the labels of 2,072 processed foods in a supermarket of Florianópolis, Santa Caratina, Brazil. The foods were classified according to the Brazilian food labeling legislation. Central tendency and variability values were calculated for the serving sizes and energy values reported on the labels, as well as the ratio between the reported and reference energy value. The Spearman correlation test was performed between the reference serving size and the reference energy density, and also between the reference serving size and energy density of each study food.RESULTS:Nutrition labeling and the Food Guide presented reference servings with different sizes and energy values. The serving sizes reported on the labels did not follow either of the references and presented heterogeneous values, with a maximum range of 55-240 g among ready and semi-ready pre-prepared dishes. The reported energy values were between 0.1 times smaller and 2.4 times larger than the reference values. The reference serving sizes presented a highly inverse correlation with the reference energy density (Spearman coefficient= 0.9) and a very low inverse correlation with the energy density of the foods analyzed (Spearman coefficient= 0.2).CONCLUSION:This study showed the need for standardizing reference serving size information for the Brazilian population as well as reviewing nutrition labeling legislation in order to standardize the serving sizes reported on labels and to update the reference energy density used to calculate serving sizes.

OBJECTIVE:To verify the physical, functional, hygienic, and sanitary conditions of the food services of municipal schools located in the Brazilian Midwest region.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study of 296 school food services conducted from February to June 2012. The food services were assessed by a semi-structured check list divided into the following sections: physical conditions, available equipment, food handlers' conduct, and food service cleaning processes and procedures. The study variables were classified as compliant or noncompliant with the regulations passed by the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency.RESULTS:Noncompliances were found in all study food services, especially with respect to food service conditions, and the wiring and plumbing in the food preparation area. In this section, 62.7 to 95.9% of the food services did not comply with nine out of the thirteen study items. The main problems were: poorly cleaned external areas, deteriorated walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, drains, and roof gutters; and unscreened doors and windows, allowing the entrance of insects; among others. The main noncompliance regarding processes and procedures was the uncontrolled temperature of the ready-to-eat foods.CONCLUSION:The conditions of the study food services are unsatisfactory for the production of safe meals, possibly compromising meal quality, food safety, and the effectiveness of the School Food Program.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors in hemodialysis patients.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study of 344 hemodialysis patients from Goiânia, Goiás aged 18 years or more. The dependent variable, malnutrition, was investigated by the Subjective Global Assessment. The independent variables included socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle data, clinical history, and energy and protein intakes. The patients underwent anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests. Multiple Poisson regression determined the associated factors (p<0.05).RESULTS:Mild or moderate malnutrition was found in 22.4% of the patients. Malnourished patients had lower body mass index, mid-arm muscle circumference, percentage of body fat, serum creatinine (p<0.001), and normalized protein nitrogen appearance (p=0.001). Multivariate analysis identified the following factors associated with malnutrition: age between 19 and 29 years (PR=1.23, 95%CI=1.06-1.43), family income less than 2 minimum salaries (PR=1.13, 95%CI=1.01-1.27), hemodialysis vintage >60 months (PR=1.08, 95%CI=1.01-1.16), Kt/V>1.2 (RP=1.12, 95%CI=1.03-1.22), calorie intake <35 kcal/kg/day (PR=1.22, 95%CI=1.10-1.34), and normalized protein nitrogen appearance <1.0 g/kg/day (PR=1.13, 95%CI=1.05-1.21).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of malnutrition in this population was high, corroborating the literature. The prevalence was higher in patients aged less than 29 years and those with low family income, longer hemodialysis vintage, higher Kt/V, and inadequate protein and calorie intakes. Strategies to reverse this situation should include more nutritional care.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the influence of carbohydrate and added pea protein concentrate supplementation on muscle recovery after a military operation called Leader's Reaction Test.METHODS:Twenty-four soldiers from the Brazilian Army were divided into three equal groups (n=8). They received either carbohydrate (0.8.g/kg body weight/h), carbohydrate+carbohydrate (1.0.g/kg body weight/h), or carbohydrate+protein (0.8 g/kg body weight/h of carbohydrate + 0.2 g/kg body weight/h of protein), immediately, 60, and 120 minutes after the Leader’s Reaction Test. Prior, immediately after and 24 hours after the Leader’s Reaction Test, maximal isometric strength and body composition were assessed. Blood samples were also collected for later analysis of concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase.RESULTS:Twenty-four hours after the Leader's Reaction Test, maximal creatine kinase levels were significantly lower than its levels immediately after (501.00 ± 422.09 versus 275.29 ± 242.08 U/L (carbohydrate); 616.88 ± 291.45 versus 334.57 ± 191.61 U/L (carbohydrate+carbohydrate); and 636.75 ± 340.67 versus 382.88 ± 234.42 U/L (carbohydrate+protein), p=0.004). The maximal isometric strength and lactate dehydrogenase levels were not significantly different during the time trials.CONCLUSION:The present findings suggest that carbohydrate+protein co-ingestion did not improve the recovery of muscle function nor did it attenuate post-exercise muscle damage markers over carbohydrate alone.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o papel mediador dos comportamentos de suporte na relação entre a liderança transformacional e quatro critérios da eficácia da equipe (designadamente, o desempenho, a viabilidade, a qualidade da experiência grupal e os processos de melhoria). Conduziu-se um estudo empírico com uma amostra composta por 653 participantes de 117 equipes de diferentes setores de atividade (e.g., indústria, proteção civil, consultoria), onde foram testadas as relações previstas. Os resultados mostraram um efeito direto positivo da liderança transformacional nos comportamentos de suporte, assim como dos comportamentos de suporte na eficácia da equipe (nomeadamente, no desempenho, na viabilidade, na qualidade da experiência grupal e nos processos de melhoria). Além disso, foi igualmente identificado um efeito mediador dos comportamentos de suporte na relação entre a liderança transformacional e os quatro critérios da eficácia da equipe. Implicações para a investigação, para a prática profissional e pistas para futuras pesquisas foram apresentadas.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine which Character Strengths can be predicted by Personality traits using the instruments Forças de Caráter (Character Strengths Scale) and Bateria Fatorial de Personalidade (Factor Personality Questionnaire). A total of 217 university students, with an average age of 22 years participated in this study; 53% were female. The results indicated that the strengths Vitality, Gratitude, Persistence, Spirituality, Kindness, Humor, Social Intelligence, Citizenship, Fairness, and Creativity were best explained by the traits Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. Moreover, Extraversion and Agreeableness were the traits that were most often associated with the Character Strengths. The findings were discussed in the light of relevant literature, and further studies were recommended.

Abstract Procedures used for identifying giftedness have been widely discussed in the literature. The present study aimed to investigate the evidence of validity based on the internal structure of a self-report scale to identify characteristics of giftedness. The sample consisted of 276 Elementary and Middle School students, aged between 9 and 12 years, and was 60.0% female. The instrument used was the first version of this scale, which was composed of 44 items related to the topic. Exploratory Factor Analysis was carried out, and the results revealed a two-factor solution, explaining 40.4% of the total variance. The first factor was denominated Socio-emotional Characteristics, and the second factor was denominated Cognitive Characteristics. The results corroborate the data in the scientific literature, which suggest that giftedness is a multidimensional construct that encompasses attributes that go beyond the intellectual scope.

Abstract Positive Psychology has gained momentum in the international scenario, and one of its first constructs that has been studied in Brazil is subjective well-being. This study aims to verify the Escala de Bem-Estar Subjetivo (Subjective Well-Being Scale) Scale’s psychometric properties by independently applying the Item Response Theory’s rating scale model to each scale component. Evidence of validity was verified based on internal structure and reliability coefficients, which were assessed through internal consistency. In order to do so, a subject database consisting of 182 male and female college students aged between 18 and 57 years old was used (mean age of 24.6 years). Results showed evidence of unidimensionality of all three factors of the scale. In addition, only one of the factors’ response category did not have the expected results. Participants tended to choose mostly Positive Affect items, and negative affect had the lowest theta average. The implications of these findings to the instrument’s psychometric quality are thoroughly discussed.

Abstract Studies addressing issues related to information processing are necessary to understand some of the explanatory aspects of the changes in the learning process. The objective of the this study was to evaluate memory and intellectual styles in Elementary and Middle school students diagnosed with dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and in students without learning disabilities. A total of 370 students from public schools were individually evaluated using the Rey Complex Figure Test and the Thinking Styles Inventory – Revised II. The results showed significant differences in the memory condition between students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and those without learning disabilities. Significant differences in the scores of the Thinking Styles Inventory were also found between the three groups evaluated. Memory was negatively correlated with the conservative style. The difference between the groups and the correlation between these instruments pointed to the need for further research to assess these variables in the groups of students with learning disabilities.

Resumo O nascimento de uma criança com Síndrome de Down pode representar risco de estresse em mães, demandando estratégias de enfrentamento. Este estudo identificou os principais estressores e as estratégias de enfrentamento adotadas por nove mães de crianças com essa patologia. As participantes responderam a um roteiro de entrevista adaptado da Motivational Theory of Coping Scale – 12. Os principais estressores identificados foram: preconceito social, rotina de atendimentos, problemas de comportamento da criança, alterações do desenvolvimento e problemas de saúde. A maioria adotou estratégias pertencentes às categorias adaptativas: Autoconfiança, Busca de Suporte, Busca de Informação, Resolução de Problemas, Acomodação e Negociação. Estratégias de enfrentamento de categorias mal adaptativas foram empregadas por algumas mães: Fuga, Isolamento, Submissão e Desamparo. O emprego de estratégias adaptativas aumenta as chances de resultado positivo para saúde mental materna a médio e longo prazos.

Abstract Development is characterized by quantitative and qualitative changes that occur in a predetermined sequence. However, development could be affected by adversities, which change its typical course. The present study aimed to carry out a review of the concept of toxic stress, used in the Shonkoff’s Ecobiodevelopmental Theory, and to analyze its impact on human development. A search was conducted in the PubMed database, which yielded 12 conceptual articles from 2000 to 2013. The results were categorized into themes. The theory proposed by Shonkoff aims to elucidate the impact of stress on child development, based on other developmental theories. Toxic stress pertains to the prolonged activation of the body as a response to the stress system that can provoke neurobiological and psychological damages. The interventions proposed in the reviewed studies were effective in minimizing the negative effects of this type of stress, as well as in providing support to the caregivers of children.