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Zinc deficiency compromises its biological functions, its effect on the immune system and its antiviral activity, increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases. This narrative review aims at presenting and discussing functional aspects and possible mechanisms involved in the potential role of zinc in the immune response and antiviral activity for COVID-19 prevention and control. The searches were conducted in PubMed and Science Direct databases, using clinical trials, experimental studies in animals and humans, case-control studies, case series, letters to the editor, and review articles published in English, without restrictions on year of publication. Search approach was based on using the terms: “zinc”, “COVID-19”, “antiviral agents”, “immunologic factors”, and “respiratory tract infections”. Literature shows the importance of zinc as an essential mineral immunomodulator with relevant antiviral activity in the body. Thus, although there is still a scarcity of studies evaluating zinc supplementation in patients with COVID-19, the results on the topic show the necessity of controlling zinc mineral deficiency, as well as maintaining its homeostasis in the body in order to strengthen the immune system and improve the prevention of highly-complex viral infections, such as that of the COVID-19.

Background: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble compound responsible for promoting intestinal absorption of calcium, and this, in turn, acts as a signal transmitter or activator as protein in secretory processes and release of hormones. Vitamin D receptors are distributed in various tissues of the body and involved in biochemical reactions in the pathogenesis of several diseases, such as obesity. Objective: The aim of this article is to provide updated information on the role of vitamin D in insulin resistance in obese individuals. Methods: It was conducted a search of articles published in PubMED, SciELO, and LILACS database, without limit for the year of publication, using the keywords "vitamin D", "insulin resistance", and "obesity". Results: Excess adipose tissue seems to impair insulin signaling by inhibiting the phosphorylation of its receptor, resulting in insulin resistance. Studies have evidenced role of vitamin D in mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity by acting in improving glycemic control both by increasing hepatic and peripheral glucose uptake and by promoting the secretion of this hormone. Conclusions: Vitamin D exerts a protective effect in the treatment and prevention of insulin resistance in patients with obesity and protects the body against oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, contributing to glycemic control. Unfortunately, current data related to the effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance are still inconclusive.

Perception of body image and nutritional status in nutrition undergraduates from a public university ResumoEstudo transversal com 90 universitárias ingressantes (G1) e concluintes (G2) do curso de Nutrição, com objetivo de avaliar a associação entre a percepção da imagem corporal e o estado nutricional. Para avaliação da percepção e distorção da imagem corporal, aplicou-se Escala de Silhuetas de Stunkard e Questionário sobre Imagem Corporal (BSQ 34). Foi realizada aferição de peso (Kg) e estatura (m) e, a partir do cálculo do Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), a classificação do estado nutricional. Os valores médios de peso, estatura e IMC foram semelhantes nos dois grupos (p>0,05), diferente do verificado para a idade, cuja média foi significativamente mais elevada entre as concluintes (p<0,05). Constatou-se que 73,3% e 77,8% das acadêmicas ingressantes e concluintes, respectivamente, estavam eutróficas. Mas as concluintes apresentaram menor prevalência de baixo peso e excesso em relação às ingressantes, sem associação significativa (p=0,87). A insatisfação por magreza ou excesso de peso foi de 62,3% e 82,2% no G1 e G2, respectivamente. Em relação à imagem corporal, observou-se que 20% das ingressantes mostraram distorção grave, com diferença expressiva quando comparadas às concluintes (p=0,001). A insatisfação com a imagem corporal foi dominante, apresentando-se mais frequente entre as concluintes, que tinham uma impressão distorcida para o excesso de peso. A insatisfação com a imagem corporal em diferentes graus foi prevalente neste estudo, independente do estado nutricional. O incentivo à prática de exercício físico e a adoção de uma alimentação saudável devem ser encorajados em estudantes universitários, bem como a promoção de estratégias para uma percepção adequada do corpo.