BackgroundObesity is growing at an alarming rate in Latin America. Lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity and dietary intake have been largely associated with obesity in many countries; however studies that combine nutrition and physical activity assessment in representative samples of Latin American countries are lacking. The aim of this study is to present the design rationale of the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health/Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud (ELANS) with a particular focus on its quality control procedures and recruitment processes.Methods/DesignThe ELANS is a multicenter cross-sectional nutrition and health surveillance study of a nationally representative sample of urban populations from eight Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Perú and Venezuela). A standard study protocol was designed to evaluate the nutritional intakes, physical activity levels, and anthropometric measurements of 9000 enrolled participants. The study was based on a complex, multistage sample design and the sample was stratified by gender, age (15 to 65 years old) and socioeconomic level. A small-scale pilot study was performed in each country to test the procedures and tools.DiscussionThis study will provide valuable information and a unique dataset regarding Latin America that will enable cross-country comparisons of nutritional statuses that focus on energy and macro- and micronutrient intakes, food patterns, and energy expenditure.Trial RegistrationClinical Trials NCT02226627

Study Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. Methods: Fifty-two healthy volunteers (27 women and 25 men) were recruited to participate in the study. Volunteers underwent sleep evaluation through nocturnal polysomnography and completed a 3-day food diary to evaluate food intake. Results S C I E N T I F I C I N V E S T I G A T I O N SO besity is becoming a worldwide epidemic. 1 The etiology of this disease is multifactorial; among the causes are changes in food intake, 2 life style, environment, 2,3 and genetics, 4,5 in addition to physiological 6 and psychological 7 infl uences and, more recently, alterations in sleep patterns. [8][9][10][11] Sleep curtailment has become common due to the demands and opportunities of modern society.12 Recent studies show that alterations in sleep time can infl uence various aspects associated with the nutritional and metabolic balance of the body, such as the control of body mass, 9,11 food intake, 10,13 glycemic levels, 14,15 and the levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerol. 16 Although some studies show that short duration sleep changes the food intake pattern and may cause obesity, 9-11 few studies have analyzed whether the opposite casual sequence also occurs; that is, if food intake promotes alterations in the sleep pattern. Indeed, studies that have examined this matter are controversial and use different methodologies. Some studies indicate an impairment of sleep quality when there is an excessive carbohydrate intake. 17,18 Driver et al.,19 however, comparing the effect of an evening meal on nocturnal sleep in seven healthy men, did not fi nd any effect. Therefore, this study proposes to analyze the correlation between habitual food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. METHODS SampleFifty-two healthy volunteers (27 women and 25 men) between 19 and 45 years old took part in this study. The participants were young adults and were non-obese. They were sedentary and not taking medication. They were all nonsmokers and spent regular times in bed at night (7.5-8.5 h). The subjects did not suffer from sleep disturbances (apnea and hypopnea index [AHI] < 5, and periodic leg movements [PLM] during sleep were < 5, as assessed bRIEF SUMMARY Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: Few studies have analyzed if food intake promotes alterations in the sleep pattern. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between habitual food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. Study Impact: This study demonstrated that a higher food intake close to the sleeping period is associated with negative aspects of sleep patterns in healthy individuals, especially in women. However, this is an area poorly explored in the literature, and more studies are necessary to elucidate the real infl uence of food intake upon sleep.

Shift work has been associated with a higher propensity for developing nutritional problems and obesity. However, the possible changes in leptin and ghrelin (2 hormones that contribute importantly to the central regulation of food intake) concentrations in this population are poorly described. The objective of the study was to evaluate the daily concentrations of leptin, nonacylated ghrelin, and acylated ghrelin and the appetite ratings in men working different shift schedules. Daily concentrations of nonacylated ghrelin, acylated ghrelin, and leptin and appetite were measured in 3 groups of subjects: workers on fixed night shifts (n = 9), fixed early morning shifts (n = 6), and fixed day shifts (n = 7). Appetite was evaluated by a validated questionnaire. Blood samples were collected every 4 hours over the course of 24 hours for a total of 6 samples. When comparing the 3 groups, leptin concentrations at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm for those workers on the day shift were significantly lower than for those on the early morning shift; and concentrations at noon for those workers on the day shift were significantly lower than for those on the night shift. Nonacylated and acylated ghrelin concentrations were significantly lower for those workers on the early morning shift than for those on the day shift. In general, appetite was the lowest in those working the early morning shift. Shift workers on the early morning shift have lower appetites and concentrations of leptin and nonacylated and acylated ghrelin than the workers on other shifts. Further studies are required to better understand the detailed needs of these individuals.

Non-communicable diseases are growing at an alarming rate in Latin America. We assessed total and added sugar intake in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, to verify the adequacy of the World Health Organization’s recommendations, considering gender, socioeconomic level (SEL) and age. A total of 9218 non-institutionalized individuals living in urban areas (age range 15–65 years) were assessed in the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS), a multicenter household population-based cross-sectional survey. Socio-demographic data were collected. Total and added sugar intakes were measured using two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The prevalence of excessive sugar intake was estimated. A large proportion of individuals showed high consumption of total and added sugar intake, which reflected in the high prevalence of excessive sugar intake. With minimal differences across countries, in general, women, individuals with high SEL, and younger people had higher percentages of total energy intake from total and added sugar intake, and of contribution of carbohydrates from total and added sugars. Thus, there is high consumption of total and added sugar intake in the Latin American countries with some peculiarities considering socio-demographic variables, which should be considered in each country’s health intervention proposals.

BackgroundThe Latin American (LA) region is still facing an ongoing epidemiological transition and shows a complex public health scenario regarding non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A healthy diet and consumption of specific food groups may decrease the risk of NCDs, however there is a lack of dietary intake data in LA countries.ObjectiveProvide updated data on the dietary intake of key science-based selected food groups related to NCDs risk in LA countries.DesignELANS (Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health) is a multicenter cross-sectional study assessing food consumption from an urban sample between15 to 65 years old from 8 LA countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela). Two 24-HR were obtained from 9,218 individuals. The daily intake of 10 food groups related to NCDs risk (fruits; vegetables; legumes/beans; nuts and seeds; whole grains products; fish and seafood; yogurt; red meat; processed meats; sugar-sweetened beverages (ready-to-drink and homemade)) were assessed and compared to global recommendations.ResultsOnly 7.2% of the overall sample reached WHO’s recommendation for fruits and vegetables consumption (400 grams per day). Regarding the dietary patterns related to a reduced risk of NCDs, among the overall sample legumes and fruits were the food groups with closer intake to the recommendation, although much lower than expected (13.1% and 11.5%, respectively). Less than 3.5% of the sample met the optimal consumption level of vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish and yogurt. Largest country-dependent differences in average daily consumption were found for legumes, nuts, fish, and yogurt. Mean consumption of SSB showed large differences between countries.ConclusionDiet intake quality is deficient for nutrient-dense food groups, suggesting a higher risk for NCDs in the urban LA region in upcoming decades. These data provide relevant and up-to-date information to take urgent public health actions to improve consumption of critically foods in order to prevent NCDs.

Public health efforts oriented to diminish consumption of refined carbohydrates, meats, oils and sugar and to increase nutrient dense-foods are a priority in the region to drive to a healthier diet.

Shiftwork has been associated with a higher propensity for the development of metabolic disorders and obesity. The aim of the study was to investigate concentrations of glucose, cortisol, and insulin among fixed night workers (n = 9), fixed early morning workers (n = 6), and day workers (n = 7). Food intake was recorded for 7 days using a diary. Blood samples were collected every 4 h over the course of 24 h, yielding six samples. Total carbohydrate intake was lowest (p < .0005), whereas fat (p = .03) and protein (p < .0005) were highest on the early morning shifts. Early morning workers also had overall elevated cortisol levels relative to the other two groups. Cortisol levels appeared to be more influenced by time since waking prior to the shift than by time-of-day. Cortisol was highest for the early morning group than the day group 12 h after waking, and both the early morning and night groups had higher levels than the day group 16 h after waking (p < .05 in all cases). In contrast, the homesostatsis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) appeared to be more influenced by time-of-day than by time since waking prior to the shift. The early morning group had higher levels of HOMA-IR at 08:00 h than the other groups (p < .05). In conclusion, the early morning group had the highest overall concentrations of cortisol and tended to have higher levels of HOMA-IR, indicating that more attention should be given to these workers. Moreover, all three groups showed pronounced cortisol levels on awakening, suggesting that they may have adjusted to their awaking time. (Author: heloguarita@rgnutri.com.br ).

A reduction of sleep time has become common over the last century, and growing evidence from both epidemiological and laboratory‐based studies suggests sleep curtailment is a new risk factor for the development of obesity. On this basis, the present review examines the role of sleep curtailment in the metabolic and endocrine alterations, including decreased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, increased evening concentrations of cortisol, increased levels of ghrelin, decreased levels of leptin and increased hunger and appetite. It will be discussed how sleep restriction may lead to increase in food intake and result in greater fatigue, which may favour decreased energy expenditure. Altogether, evidences point to a possible role of decreased sleep duration in the current epidemic of obesity and therefore present literature highlights the importance of getting enough good sleep for metabolic health. Many aspects still need to be clarified and intervention studies also need to be conducted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.