Modeling the potential impact of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax on ischemic heart disease and stroke in Brazil.

Background: A high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. This study aimed to model the impact of a 20% tax on all SSBs for IHD and stroke among Brazilian adults.

Methods: This was an ex-ante risk comparative study.

Serum uric acid is not associated with appendicular muscle mass index in young and middle-aged adults: Results from NHANES 2011-2012.

Background: Recent studies have evaluated the association between uric acid (UA) and muscle mass in older adults; however, little is known about this relationship in young and middle-aged individuals. Our aim was to investigate whether serum UA is associated with appendicular muscle mass index (AMMI) in young and middle-aged individuals. We also aimed to evaluate whether this association is sex-specific.

Plasma omega-3 fatty acids are positively associated with appendicular muscle mass index only in adults with low protein intake: Results from NHANES 2011-2012.

Background: Omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acids may indirectly increase muscle protein synthesis making the muscle more sensitive to amino acids uptake; therefore, ω-3 could promote benefits on muscle mass mainly when protein intake is low. However, no study has evaluated the association between ω-3 fatty acids and muscle mass according to protein intake.

Aim: To evaluate the association between plasma ω-3 fatty acids and appendicular muscle mass index (AMMI) in adults according to the protein intake.

The Potential Impact of Different Taxation Scenarios towards Sugar-Sweetened Beverages on Overweight and Obesity in Brazil: A Modeling Study.

The adoption of fiscal policies based on the specific taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been recommended by international health agencies, as they are measures that potentially reduce consumption. This study is an ex ante risk comparison that estimates the impact of three tax scenarios (20, 25, and 30%) with a 100% pass-on rate to SSBs on the prevalence of high weight and obesity in the Brazilian population. Data on the consumption habits, weight, and height of 46,164 adults aged 20 years or over from Brazilian recent national surveys were used.

Impact of a reduction in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on the burden of type 2 diabetes in Brazil: A modeling study.

Aim: To model the impact of a 20 % tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on the disease burden of T2DM among Brazilian adults.

Methods: This is an ex-ante risk comparative study. The model applied a 20 % tax on SSB and projected the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of T2DM over a 20-year period (2019 to 2039).

Plasma omega-3 is not associated with appendicular muscle mass index in young and middle-aged individuals: Results from NHANES 2011-2012.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between plasma omega-3 (ω-3) and appendicular muscle mass index (AMMI) in young and middle-aged individuals; and also to evaluate whether these associations are sex-specific. A cross-sectional study was performed evaluating 1037 individuals aged 20 to 59 years from a sub-sample of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012. Plasma ω-3 was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and lean mass was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages as a policy to reduce overweight and obesity in countries of different income classifications: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes on overweight and obesity prevalence in countries of different income classifications.

Design: Systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (PROSPERO number CRD42020161612). Five databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS (via Virtual Health Library) and MEDLINE (via PubMed), and Web of Science were searched, from January 2009 to December 2019.

Trends in social inequalities in breastfeeding and infant formulas in Latin American countries between the 1990 and 2010 decades.

Objective: To analyse trends of social inequality in breastfeeding and infant formula (IF) use in Latin America between 1990 and 2010 decades.

Design: Time-series cross-sectional study with data from Demographic and Health Surveys. We described the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), breastfeeding between 6 and 12 months (BF6-12) and IF for infants under 6 months (IF < 6) and between 6 and 12 months (IF6-12).

Serum uric acid is positively associated with muscle strength in older men and women: Findings from NHANES 1999-2002.

Background: One of the causes of strength loss in older adults is the increased oxidative stress; thus, substances with antioxidants properties may have protective effects on muscle strength. Uric acid (UA) is an important antioxidant and it seems to be positively associated with muscle strength in older adults; however, the current evidence is still limited.

Aim: To investigate whether serum UA is associated with muscle strength in older men and women.

Association between omega-3 fatty acids intake and muscle strength in older adults: A study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002.

Background: Muscle strength is a predictor of mortality in older adults and some dietary components are associated with this variable; however, little is known about the association between omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) intake and strength in older adults.

Objective: To assess whether ω-3 intake is associated with muscle strength in individuals over 50 years. We also aimed to evaluate whether an isocaloric substitution of dietary fatty acids types by ω-3 intake could be associated with muscle strength.

Evaluation of employees in public day care centers knowledge about breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of public day care centers employees about breastfeeding and complementary feeding.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 public day care centers randomly selected in the city of Uberlandia, Southeast Brazil. A questionnaire applied to school principals, teachers, educators and general services assistants (GSA) included demographic and socioeconomic variables and questions about knowledge on breastfeeding, complementary feeding besides employees' perceptions about these subjects.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Strongkids tool for screening of malnutrition risk in hospitalized children.

Objective: To translate into Portuguese and to culturally adapt the malnutrition screening tool for hospitalized children, Strongkids.

Methods: This study documents the translation of the tool from the original version (English) into Portuguese. The translation and cultural adaptation of the content of this tool consisted of six stages, according to the methodology proposed by Beaton et al (initial translation, synthesis of translations, back translation, verification of the cultural equivalence process, pre-test, and evaluation of the cultural adaptation process).

Physical fitness and associations with anthropometric measurements in 7 to 15-year-old school children.

Objective: To analyze associations between health-related physical fitness and the anthropometric and demographic indicators of children at three elementary schools in Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional study was 988 elementary school students, recruited from the second to ninth grades (an age range of 7 to 15 years). The children underwent anthropometric assessment (weight, height, waist circumference and tricipital and subscapular skin folds) and were tested for health-related physical fitness (flexibility: sit and reach test; abdominal strength/stamina: 1-minute abdominal test; and aerobic stamina: 9-minute running/walking test).

Metabolic syndrome in overweight children from the city of Botucatu - São Paulo State - Brazil: agreement among six diagnostic criteria.

Background: The metabolic syndrome has been described in children; however, a standard criterion has not been established for its diagnosis. Also, few studies have been conducted to specifically observe the possible existence of agreement among the existing diagnostic criteria. The purpose of the study is to evaluate agreement concerning prevalence rates of the metabolic syndrome diagnosed by six different criteria in overweight schoolchildren in the city of Botucatu - SP -Brazil.