Objective: To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with gains in weight and waist circumference, and incident overweight/obesity, in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohort. Design: We applied FFQ at baseline and categorized energy intake by degree of processing using the NOVA classification. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean 3·8-year follow-up. We assessed associations, through Poisson regression with robust variance, of UPF consumption with large weight gain (1·68 kg/year) and large waist gain (2·42 cm/year), both being defined as ≥90th percentile in the cohort, and with incident overweight/obesity. Setting: Brazil. Participants: Civil servants of Brazilian public academic institutions in six cities (n 11 827), aged 35-74 years at baseline (2008)(2009)(2010). Results: UPF provided a mean 24·6 (SD 9·6) % of ingested energy. After adjustment for smoking, physical activity, adiposity and other factors, fourth (>30·8 %) v. first (<17·8 %) quartile of UPF consumption was associated (relative risk (95 % CI)) with 27 and 33 % greater risk of large weight and waist gains (1·27 (1·07, 1·50) and 1·33 (1·12, 1·58)), respectively. Similarly, those in the fourth consumption quartile presented 20 % greater risk (1·20 (1·03, 1·40)) of incident overweight/obesity and 2 % greater risk (1·02; (0·85, 1·21)) of incident obesity. Approximately 15 % of cases of large weight and waist gains and of incident overweight/obesity could be attributed to consumption of >17·8 % of energy as UPF. Conclusions: Greater UPF consumption predicts large gains in overall and central adiposity and may contribute to the inexorable rise in obesity seen worldwide. Keywords Ultra-processed food Obesity Weight gain Food handlingThe world has witnessed a progressive, major increase in the burden of obesity over recent decades. Since 1980, the prevalence has doubled in more than seventy out of 195 countries (1) and obesity has become a major problem not only in high-income but also in low-and middleincome countries (2) .

Self-reported and measured weight and height information had good agreement and validity. In similar populations, when few resources are available, it is possible to use self-reported data instead of actual measurements.

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OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with self-reported sickness absenteeism among nursing workers. METHODS:Cross-sectional study with 1,509 workers from three public hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro (Southeastern Brazil) in 2006. Absenteeism was classifi ed in three levels: no day, a few days (1-9 days) and many days (≥ 10 days), based on the answer to a question of the work ability index questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis considered a conceptual model based on distal (socioeconomic status), intermediate I (occupational characteristics), intermediate II (lifestyle characteristics), and proximal (diseases and health conditions) determinants. RESULTS:The frequencies of sickness absenteeism were 20.3% and 16.6% for a few days and many days, respectively. Those who reported more than one job, musculoskeletal diseases and rated their health as poor or regular had higher odds of absenteeism. Compared to nurses, nursing assistants were less likely to mention a few days, and technicians were more likely to have many days of absence. Higher odds of mentioning many days of absence were observed among public servants, compared to contract workers (OR = 3.12; 95%CI 1.86;5.22), and among married (OR = 1.73; 95%CI 1.14;2.63) and separated, divorced and widowed individuals (OR = 2.06, 95%CI 1.27;3.35), compared to singles. CONCLUSIONS:Different variables were associated with the two forms of absenteeism, which suggests its multiple and complex determination related to factors from different levels that cannot be exclusively explained by health problems.

This study evaluated the reproducibility and relative validity of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) used in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Participants (n = 281) completed the FFQ and three food records on two occasions during a 12-month period. Energy and nutrient values from food records were disattenuated and log-transformed. Reproducibility and validity were assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement between the two methods was evaluated by classification in tertiles. In the evaluation of reproducibility, ICC estimated ranged from 0.55 to 0.83 for protein and vitamin E, respectively. On relative validity, ICC ranged from 0.20 to 0.72 for selenium and calcium, respectively. Exact and adjacent agreement between methods varied from 82.9% for vitamin E to 89% for lipids and calcium (mean 86%). Average disagreement was 13.6%. In conclusion, this FFQ showed satisfactory reliability for all nutrients and reasonable validity, especially for energy, macronutrients, calcium, potassium, and vitamins E and C.

This article describes the development of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) questionnaire. We fi rst address the selection of topics whose contents have to cover the knowledge available on the complex causal network of outcomes and allow comparability with similar studies. Then we deal with the "translation and adaptation of measurement instruments" including neighborhood environment rating scales, depression and anxiety disorder rating scale and a food frequency questionnaire and discuss criteria that guided "theme block sequencing". And fi nally we focus on the practical importance of "pretesting and pilot studies". The ELSA may provide an original contribution regarding factors that cause or aggravate the outcomes of interest in the Brazilian population, as well as protective factors. Good quality questionnaires are prerequisite to validity of study results. 5 Information from general objective questions (e.g., smoke/do not smoke) or questions on abstract concepts (e.g., job stress), collected using rating scales, can only be captured using a questionnaire as compared with assessments or measurements. A questionnaire can provide information on, for example, psychosocial aspects of childhood and adolescence or the respondent's perceived health. Understanding causal mechanisms of health outcomes as complex and comprehensive and determinants that are not closely related to the outcome of interest (e.g., parental education) have gained momentum in the investigation of chronic diseases. DESCRIPTORS:The questionnaire is a key component of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). The relationships of its contents and results of assessments and measurements can substantially contribute to understanding factors that may cause, aggravate or protect against cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes in the Brazilian context. Potential variability of results between the six ELSA investigation centers in different Brazilian regions may improve the original contribution of the study. Bearing in mind distinctive characteristics of the Brazilian scenario, we opted to focus on social determinants of health. Capturing the potential impact of some factors (e.g., socioeconomic status), social and racial inequalities and health-related living conditions on outcomes of interest over the course of life may make the difference between what is already known and what the ELSA fi ndings can add to scientifi c knowledge. 1

Our results indicated that skill discretion and decision authority formed two distinct dimensions. Additionally, the item repetitive work should be removed, as well as one of the items work fast or work intense (demands). Future research is still required to confirm these findings.

The food consumption of 15,071 public employees was analyzed in six Brazilian cities participating in the baseline for Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil, 2008-2010) with the aim of identifying eating patterns and their relationship to socio-demographic variables. Multiple correspondence and cluster analysis were applied. Four patterns were identified, with their respective frequencies: "traditional" (48%); "fruits and vegetables" (25%); "pastry shop" (24%); and "diet/light" (5%) The "traditional" and "pastry shop" patterns were more frequent among men, younger individuals, and those with less schooling. "Fruits and vegetables" and "diet/light" were more frequent in women, older individuals, and those with more schooling. Our findings show the inclusion of new items in the "traditional" pattern and the appearance of the "low sugar/low fat" pattern among the eating habits of Brazilian workers, and signal socio-demographic and regional differences.