ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of anthropometric measurements to identify excess android fat and to propose cut-off points for excess central adiposity in children, according to age and sex.DesignA cross-sectional study with children from a municipality of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and conicity index (C-index) in estimating excess android fat by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).SettingViçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.SubjectsChildren aged 4–9 years (n 788).ResultsOverweight prevalence was 29·1 % and android fat percentage was higher among girls. All central fat measurements were able to discriminate excess android fat in the age groups evaluated, especially WC and WHtR, with cut-off points showing good sensitivity and specificity overall.ConclusionsBecause these methods are easy to obtain and inexpensive, it is possible to use WC, WHtR and C-index in population surveys to evaluate central obesity. The proposed cut-off points showed satisfactory values of sensitivity and specificity and can be used in epidemiological studies.

This study aimed at determining the dietary patterns and investigating their association with cardiometabolic risk markers in a brazilian population at risk. This transversal study was carried out with data of 265 patients (n = 123 M/172 W, age 42 ± 16 years) of the Cardiovascular Health Care Program—PROCARDIO-UFV, Brazil—who had their first appointment between 2012 and 2017. A 24-hour recall was applied. The dietary patterns were determined by Principal Component Analysis. Anthropometric, clinical-metabolic, sociodemographic, and lifestyle data were collected through medical record analysis. Five patterns were identified: “Traditional”, “Caloric”, “Unhealthy”, “Healthy,” and “Healthy Snacks”. In bivariate analysis, the “Healthy” pattern was negatively associated with WC (waist circunference), BMI (body mass index), WHR (waist-to-hip ratio), SBP (systolic blood pressure), fasting glucose, TG/HDL, LDL/HDL, and TG/HDL values and positively to HDL. The “Traditional” pattern was positively associated with adiposity indicators (WC, BMI, and WHR) and negatively associated with body fat, TyG (triglyceride-glucose index), HDL, and LDL (P < 0.05). However, in adjusted models of Poisson regression, individuals with positive factor score (higher adherence) in the “Traditional” and “Healthy” patterns had less occurrence of abdominal obesity (PR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74–0.99/PR 0.88; 95% CI 0.02–0.76), as well as dyslipidemia (PR 0.06; 95% CI 0.02–0.51/PR 0.03; 95% CI 0.01–0.27), diabetes (PR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01–0.45/PR 0.02; 95% CI 0.01–021), and hypertension (PR 0.06; 95% CI 0.02–0.50/PR 0.02; 95% CI 0.01–0.21). A greater adherence to the “Healthy” pattern was associated with lower values to cardiometabolic risk markers and less occurrence of chronic diseases, while the “Traditional” pattern presented contradictory results.

Background Obesity is a multifactorial disease and a serious public health problem. Some of the associated factors are modifiable and, among them, the diet is highlighted. Objective To evaluate the association of dietary patterns of schoolchildren with obesity and body adiposity. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out with 378 children aged 8 and 9 years, enrolled in urban schools in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to the children and their caregivers on sociodemographic characteristics and life habits. Three 24-hour food recalls were used to identify dietary patterns; the Principal Component Analysis was employed. Weight and height were measured for the calculation of the body mass index (BMI) of the children and their mothers, waist circumference and neck circumference. Body composition was also evaluated through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For all performed tests, the level of significance was set at 5%. Results Five dietary patterns (DP) were identified: “unhealthy”, “snacks”, “traditional”, “industrialized” and “healthy”. There was an association between excess weight (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.38, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.02 to 1.87) and body fat (PR: 1.32, 95%CI : 1.07 to 1.64) with industrialized DP. There was an association between excess body fat (PR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.01 to 1.74) and lower adherence to traditional DP. The other patterns were not associated with obesity and body adiposity. Conclusion Children with excess weight and body adiposity showed greater adherence to the industrialized DP and lower adherence to the traditional DP. We suggest that early assessments of dietary habits should be undertaken for monitoring and modifying these habits when necessary.

ObjectiveTo identify the dietary patterns of children aged 4–7 years and verify their association with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and exclusive breast-feeding (EBF).DesignA cross-sectional study nested within a cohort, performed with Brazilian children aged 4–7 years. The children were re-evaluated at age 4 to 7 years and food patterns were identified a posteriori through principal component analysis. The predictive variables were related to socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle habits and duration of EBF.SettingViçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.ParticipantsRepresentative sample of 403 children followed up by the Lactation Support Program from the Extension Program of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa during the first 6 months of life.ResultsFive dietary patterns were identified: ‘Traditional’, ‘Unhealthy’, ‘Milk and chocolate’, ‘Snack’ and ‘Healthy’. Children who did not receive EBF until they were at least 4 months old had a higher adherence to the ‘Unhealthy’ and ‘Snack’ patterns, and older children also consumed more ‘Unhealthy’ foods. The highest income was associated with the highest consumption of foods of the patterns ‘Unhealthy’, ‘Milk and chocolate’ and ‘Healthy’.ConclusionsIn view of the results, we emphasize the importance of providing support and encouragement towards EBF in the first months of life, as it can positively influence lifelong eating habits.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores associados à anemia ferropriva e hipovitaminose A em menores de um ano. Métodos Estudo transversal com amostra de 93 crianças. Foram consideradas anêmicas crianças com hemoglobina < 11 g/dL. O ponto de corte utilizado para a classificação de valores baixos de vitamina A foi < 0,70 mMol/L, e para caracterizar deficiência < 0,35 mMol/L. As análises estatísticas foram processadas no software Stata 10.0. As variáveis estão apresentadas em frequência simples, a associação entre os fatores analisados e as deficiências de ferro e vitamina A foi realizada por meio do teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson. Para a comparação de médias de hemoglobina e vitamina A, utilizaram-se os testes t de Student para variáveis paramétricas e o de Mann-Whitney para as não paramétricas. Resultados A prevalência, de anemia e de hipovitaminose A, foi de 29,03% e de 19,10%, respectivamente. Encontraram-se ainda, valores baixos de vitamina A em 90,32% das crianças. Baixa idade e baixa escolaridade materna associaram-se com a presença de anemia ferropriva. Valores baixos de vitamina A foram significativos em mães não brancas. As prevalências de inadequação do consumo de ferro e vitamina A foram de 23,66% e 22,58%, respectivamente. Conclusão Evidencia-se elevada prevalência dessas enfermidades, ressaltando-se a importância da adoção de medidas preventivas.