The increase in the availability of processed and ultra-processed foods has altered the eating patterns of populations, and these foods constitute an exposure factor for the development of arterial hypertension. This systematic review analyzed evidence of the association between consumption of processed/ultra-processed foods and arterial hypertension in adults and older people. Electronic searches for relevant articles were performed in the PUBMED, EMBASE and LILACS databases. The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The search of the databases led to the retrieval of 2323 articles, eight of which were included in the review. A positive association was found between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and blood pressure/arterial hypertension, whereas insufficient evidence was found for the association between the consumption of processed foods and arterial hypertension. The results reveal the high consumption of ultra-processed foods in developed and middle-income countries, warning of the health risks of such foods, which have a high energy density and are rich in salt, sugar and fat. The findings underscore the urgent need for the adoption of measures that exert a positive impact on the quality of life of populations, especially those at greater risk, such as adults and older people.

Objective To develop and validate the content of an instrument for assessing the motivation for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods The development and validation of the instrument were conducted in five stages, for which two systematic reviews were conducted. The first one, for the identification of questionnaires assessing the motivation for weight loss, included six studies and contributed to the selection of the domains for the instrument. The second one, conducted to identify the motivations for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and/or obesity, included six studies and contributed to the selection of 17 motivations included in the initial version of the instrument. The motivations most commonly identified were: having better health, improving my appearance, improving my self-esteem and avoiding bullying. The content validity was confirmed by a committee of 12 experts from the areas of nutrition, endocrinology, psychology, and physical education. Based on these evaluations, the content validity index was calculated. Only the items with a content validity index >0.80 for practical relevance were held in the instrument. Results Five of the 17 motivations included in the initial version of the instrument were excluded because they had content validity index <0.80 for practical relevance. Of the 12 items held in the instrument, five were revised by experts in order to standardize wording and make the language more appropriate for adolescents. Experts categorized the items into the health, personal satisfaction, appearance and social domains. Conclusions This is the first instrument assessing the motivation for weight loss in adolescents with overweight and obesity in Brazil. The content validity evaluation by the panel of experts provided more practical relevance, as well as contributed to a better presentation of the items. Further psychometric testing is needed to determine reliability and construct validity of the instrument.

Background/Aims: Assessing the diet and biochemical indicators of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in high-risk populations is crucial in cases where this deficiency is mainly caused by chronically inadequate intake. This study aimed to determine the retinol and betacarotene status in mother-infant dyads, and to evaluate the associations between them. Methods: Umbilical cord serum, maternal serum, and colostrum were collected from 134 healthy mothers living in a risk region for VAD. Vitamin A and betacarotene were quantified by liquid chromatography, and dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Results: Although the overall mean intakes of vitamin A and betacarotene were considered adequate, 16% of the women had insufficient intake. Mean retinol levels were also adequate, yet low levels were diagnosed in about 8% of the mothers, based on maternal serum and colostrum, and in 16% of the cord serum samples. Retinol and betacarotene were positively associated in cord serum (p = 0.004), maternal serum (p = 0.041), and colostrum (p < 0.001) but was not associated with dietary intake. Conclusions: A diagnosis of adequacy based on mean biochemical and dietary data of this population in fact masks the marginal vitamin A status presented by mothers and children.

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Background: Alanine aminotransferase is a marker present in cases of liver damage, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Objective: To identify the relationship between serum alanine aminotransferase values and cardiovascular risk markers in overweight adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, were recruited 120 overweight adolescents aged 10-19 years. Height, weight and waist circumference were evaluated and used to calculate the body mass index. Taper index and arterial pressure were measured. Biomarkers lipid and glycemic profiles, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase values were measured and the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein ratio was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Fisher's exact test. Results: Boys showed significantly increased values of alanine aminotransferase (p <0.050), aspartate aminotransferase (p <0.010) and taper index (p <0.010), while girls had higher levels of fasting insulin (p <0.010). In boys, alanine aminotransferase was positively correlated with fasting insulin (p <0.050), triglycerides (p <0.050) and systolic blood pressure (p <0.050), whereas in girls, alanine aminotransferase was correlated with waist circumference (p <0.050), taper index (p <0.050), mass index body (p <0.010), fasting insulin levels (p <0.010), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (p <0.010) and high-density lipoprotein (p <0.010). Conclusion: Important correlations were identified between serum alanine aminotransferase values and cardiovascular risk markers in overweight adolescents.