OBJECTIVE:To update estimates of sodium intake in Brazil.

The frequency of systemic arterial hypertension was estimated in 54,369 adults, stratifi ed by sex, geographic region, socio-demographic and behavioral variables and self-reported morbidities. Crude odds ratios of hypertension were calculated, as well as odds ratios adjusted for the study's variables. RESULTS:The frequency of self-reported hypertension was 21.6%. It was higher among women (24.4% versus 18.4%), lower in the North and CentralWest regions and higher in the Southeast region. The frequency of hypertension increased with age, decreased with level of schooling, was higher among blacks and widowed subjects, and lower among singles. The chance of hypertension, adjusted for confounding variables, was higher in subjects with overweight, diabetes, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS:Around one fi fth of the population reported suffering from systemic arterial hypertension. The high frequencies of modifi able risk factors indicate the population segments on which intervention should be targeted, aiming to prevent and control hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of an educational and environmental intervention on the availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in workplace cafeterias. Design: This was a randomized intervention study involving a sample of companies that were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention, which focused on change in the work environment, was based on an ecological model for health promotion. It involved several different aspects including menu planning, food presentation and motivational strategies to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables. The impact of the intervention was measured by changes (between baseline and follow-up) in the availability of fruits and vegetables that were eaten per consumer in meals and the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the workplace by workers. We also evaluated the availability of energy, macronutrients and fibre. Settings: Companies of São Paulo, Brazil. Subjects: Twenty-nine companies and 2510 workers. Results: After the intervention we found an average increase in the availability of fruits and vegetables of 49 g in the intervention group, an increase of approximately 15 %, whereas the results for the control group remained practically equal to baseline levels. During the follow-up period, the intervention group also showed reduced total fat and an increase in fibre in the meals offered. The results showed a slight but still positive increase in the workers' consumption of fruits and vegetables (about 11 g) in the meals offered by the companies. Conclusions: Interventions focused on the work environment can be effective in promoting the consumption of healthy foods.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the relative importance of Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference for the determination of hypertension in adults. METHODS:Cross sectional analysis of a sample of employees (N=1,584), aged 18 to 64 years, from a private general hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Data collection included the application of a structured questionnaire and blood pressure, weight, high, and waist circumference measurements. Hypertension was defi ned as blood pressure levels ≥ 140/90 mmHg or reported use of anti-hypertensive medication. The relative importance of BMI and waist circumference was evaluated by calculating the attributable fraction of hypertension corresponding to each anthropometric indicator, employing both the usual cut-off points as well as cut-off points based on the observed distribution of the indicator in the population. In addition, an indicator combining simultaneously BMI and abdominal circumference values was also developed. RESULTS:Prevalence of hypertension was 18.9% (26.9% in men and 12.5% in women). In men, the fraction of hypertension attributable to BMI exceeded the fraction attributable to waist circumference based on the usual cut-off points for the indicators (56% vs. 48%, respectively) and also considering the quartiles of the observed distribution for these indicators (73% vs. 69%, respectively). In women, the fraction of hypertension attributable to waist circumference was slightly higher than the fraction attributable to BMI based on the usual cut off points for both indicators (44% vs. 41%), but the reverse was true when quartiles of the observed distribution were used (41% vs. 57%, respectively). In women only, the fraction of hypertension attributable to the indicator combining BMI and waist circumference (64%) was higher that observed using each indicator alone. CONCLUSIONS:Both BMI and abdominal circumference were positively and independently associated with the occurrence of arterial hypertension, the infl uence of BMI being higher among men.

Objective To calculate the frequency and evaluate the factors associated with low birth weight.Methods A retrospective study, with data from pregnant women who participated in the Programa de Atenção às Gestantes do Programa Einstein na Comunidade de Paraisópolis, between 2011 and 2014, and who returned for the postpartum evaluation of their newborns. Variables related to the pregnant woman, pregnancy, and newborn were evaluated. The outcome variable was low birth weight, defined as <2.5kg. The associations between the independent variables and low birth weight were assessed by χ2 and Mann-Whitney tests. Logistic regression models analyzed the combined effects of the independent variables on low birth weight.Results Data of 794 pregnant women and their newborns (52.1% males) were analyzed. The age of pregnant women varied from 13 to 44 years (median of 24 years), and the majority reported being married or living in cohabitation (74.7%), and having between 9 to 11 years of schooling (53.4%). The proportion of low birth weight was 7.6% (newborn mean weight of 3.2kg) and, in multivariate analysis, presence of twinning, age group of the pregnant women (showing protection for low birth weight between ages ≥18 years and <35 years), and cesarean section were associated with low birth weight.Conclusion The proportion of low birth weight was 7.6% and twining, age of the pregnant woman, and cesarean delivery were associated with the occurrence of low birth weight.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as prevalências de excesso de peso (EP), hipertensão arterial (HA) e fatores associados em trabalhadores de empresas beneficiadas pelo Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador (PAT) da cidade de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 1.339 trabalhadores de 30 empresas. A coleta de dados envolveu a aplicação de um questionário com dados de caracterização dos trabalhadores e peso e altura auto-referidos. Foi realizada a aferição da pressão arterial e o estado nutricional foi classificado segundo o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). Odds ratios foram estimadas na avaliação dos fatores de risco associados a HA e EP. RESULTADOS: Os trabalhadores apresentaram, em média, 36,4 anos (dp = 10,3) e 9,9 anos de estudo (dp = 2,3), sendo 60% da amostra pertencente ao sexo masculino. Na comparação com homens, mulheres apresentaram valores significativamente menores de idade, pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) e IMC e maior escolaridade. As prevalências em homens de EP (25 kg/m2) (56%) e de HA (PAS > 140 mmHg e/ou PAD > 90 mmHg ou uso de medicações anti-hipertensivas) (38%), foram aproximadamente o dobro da registrada em mulheres (30% e 19%), respectivamente. Idade foi fator de risco para a ocorrência de EP e HA em ambos os sexos, enquanto que a escolaridade foi fator de proteção para EP e HA em mulheres e fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de EP em homens. CONCLUSÃO: Os trabalhadores do sexo masculino constituíram uma população de maior risco para ocorrência de HA e EP e devem ser priorizados nos programas que visam a prevenção dessas doenças. Neste sentido, o PAT pode representar um lugar de destaque nas ações de saúde e nutrição no ambiente de trabalho.

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the magnitude and distribution of sodium intake in Brazil and to identify major dietary sources contributing to this intake. METHODS:Estimates were based on data from a Brazilian household budget survey carried out between July 2002 and June 2003. A total of 969,989 food purchase records from a probabilistic sample of 48,470 households located in 3,984 census tracts across the country were analyzed. Purchase records were converted into nutrients using food composition charts. Mean sodium availability per person per day and mean adjusted availability considering a 2,000 kcal daily energy intake were calculated, as well as the contribution of selected food groups to total household sodium availability. Estimates were presented according to geographical region, urban or rural status of the household, and income stratum. RESULTS:Mean daily sodium availability in Brazilian households was 4.5 g per person (or 4.7 g considering a daily calorie intake of 2,000 kcal), thus exceeding by more than two times the recommended levels of intake for this nutrient. Although most of the sodium available for intake across all income strata was derived from kitchen salt or salt-based condiments (76.2%), the fraction derived from processed foods with added salt showed a strong linear increase as household purchasing power increased, representing 9.7% of total sodium intake in the lower quintile of the per capita income distribution and 25.0% in the upper quintile. CONCLUSIONS:Results indicate that sodium intake in Brazil widely exceeds the maximum recommended intake level for this nutrient in all of the country's macro regions and across all income strata.

RESUMOEstudos recentes mostram que restrições na ingestão de sódio podem aumentar a resistência à insulina (RI) e induzir alterações nas lipoproteínas séricas e em marcadores de inflamação semelhantes às encontradas na síndrome metabólica (SM). Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre os efeitos da restrição do consumo de sódio sobre a SM ou a RI. Nove artigos foram incluídos na revisão. A restrição no consumo de sódio associou-se ao aumento da RI em dois artigos e a diminuição em três outros. Em sete dos nove artigos, a restrição na ingestão de sal determinou redução da pressão arterial e em dois artigos ocorreram efeitos adversos em marcadores da SM. A maioria dos estudos mostrou efeitos benéficos da restrição moderada de sódio da dieta associados ou não a outras modificações nutricionais ou ao aumento da atividade física. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar os efeitos de reduções moderadas no consumo de sódio sobre a SM e a RI. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2009;53(5):608-16.Descritores Dieta hipossódica; sódio na dieta; síndrome metabólica; resistência à insulina; hipertensão ABSTRACTRecent studies have shown that sodium intake restrictions may increase insulin resistance (IR) and induce changes on serum lipoproteins and on inflammation markers that are similar to those found in metabolic syndrome (MS). We performed a systematic review of literature regarding the effects of restricting sodium intake on MS or on IR. Nine articles were included in the review. Restriction of sodium consumption was associated with increase insulin resistance in two articles and with decrease in three others. In seven of nine articles, salt intake restriction determined blood pressure reduction, and in two articles adverse effects on markers of MS were found. Most studies showed beneficial effects of moderate sodium intake restriction, associated or not to others nutritional modifications or increased physical activity. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of moderate sodium consumption reductions on MS and IR. Apesar do debate sobre a existência como síndrome e da importância prognóstica da caracterização da mesma (2), organizações de saúde e sociedades científicas propuseram critérios diagnósticos para padronizar sua definição, tanto para fins clínicos como para pesquisas. Devido a diferenças étnicas no risco de desenvolvimento de certas doenças, alguns critérios e pontos de corte, especificamente para a circunferência da cintura, têm sido diferenciados de forma a adaptar a definição de SM às diversas populações (3).