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Associação da insegurança alimentar com vitaminas e carotenóides plasmáticos em adultos participantes do National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Associação da insegurança alimentar com vitaminas e carotenóides plasmáticos em adultos participantes do National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 Abstract: Introduction: In the United States, food insecurity (FI) predisposes vulnerable populations to the paradox of obesity coexisting with “hidden hunger.” Although the literature points to poor diet quality as a mediator of this relationship, the evidence is based primarily on dietary surveys. To overcome the limitations of self-reporting, the use of serum biomarkers is essential for quantifying the impact of this vulnerability on dietary quality. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between Food Insecurity and the serum biochemical profile of vitamins and carotenoids in U.S. adults and older adults, considering effect modification by sex, age group, and race/ethnicity. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018, comprising 3,092 adults (≥20 years). Serum levels of vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as carotenoids, were evaluated. Survey-weighted linear regression models were used to examine the association between FI and these biomarkers. Food Insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Security Survey Module. Confounding variables for the adjusted models were strictly selected using a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). Analyses were performed on the total sample and stratified by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. Results: In the total sample, after adjustments, Food Insecurity maintained a significant inverse association with levels of total carotenoids, cis-, and trans-beta-carotene. In stratified analyses, carotenoid depletion persisted among women and young adults. In contrast, men showed an association with reduced vitamin E and lycopene, and older adults with vitamins D and E. Regarding race/ethnicity, the association lost significance among minorities after socioeconomic adjustments, indicating that structural variables such as income and education absorb the isolated impact of Food Insecurity in these groups. Conclusion: Food Insecurity in the U.S. transcends caloric restriction and constitutes a severe state of hidden hunger. The depletion of carotenoids highlights the restricted access to fresh, unprocessed foods (fruits and vegetables). The use of serum biomarkers underscored how social vulnerability can be reflected in measurable nutritional differences.

Tendência temporal dos indicadores da alimentação infantil e sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos entre crianças de 6 a 23 meses de idade em países da América Latina e do Caribe nas décadas de 2000 e 2010

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Tendência temporal dos indicadores da alimentação infantil e sua associação com fatores sociodemográficos entre crianças de 6 a 23 meses de idade em países da América Latina e do Caribe nas décadas de 2000 e 2010 Abstract: Introduction: Infant and young child feeding indicators were primarily developed to monitor progress toward established targets and to assess the impact of public policies on infant and young child nutrition. Objectives: To analyze temporal trends in infant and young child feeding indicators during the 2000s and 2010s and to examine their association with sociodemographic factors among children aged 6–23 months living in Latin America and the Caribbean in the 2010s. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI), conducted during the 2000s and 2010s among children aged 6–23 months living in Latin American and Caribbean countries. To describe the prevalence of infant and young child feeding practices across the two decades, indicators proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) were used: continued breastfeeding (CBF); introduction of solid, semi-solid, or soft foods (ISSSF); minimum dietary diversity (MDD); minimum meal frequency (MMF); consumption of eggs and/or flesh foods (EFF); and zero consumption of fruits or vegetables (ZFV). The sociodemographic variables analyzed included child sex and age; maternal age and education; marital status; number of children; household wealth index; and area of residence. Temporal trends were assessed using prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) by country and survey year. Associations between sociodemographic factors and feeding indicators were examined using multilevel logistic regression models, with calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. Results: Continued breastfeeding showed a declining trend in Haiti, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic, with reductions ranging from −9.2 to −35.2 percentage points. The prevalence of ISSSF exceeded 80% in the most recent surveys, with increases observed in Haiti and Peru. Both MDD and MMF increased in Peru (+6.5 percentage points) and the Dominican Republic (+29.5 percentage points). The EFF indicator increased in Honduras, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, reaching prevalences above 80%, while ZFV decreased in Peru and the Dominican Republic. Older children had lower odds of continued breastfeeding (OR=0.15; 95% CI=0.12–0.19) and higher odds of meeting ISSSF (OR=2.71; 95% CI=2.01–3.64), MDD (OR=1.66; 95% CI=1.23–2.24), MMF (OR=2.71; 95% CI=2.01–3.64), and EFF (OR=2.41; 95% CI=1.97–2.94), as well as lower odds of ZFV (OR=0.70; 95% CI=0.59–0.83). Older mothers had higher odds of meeting CBF (OR=2.29; 95% CI=1.60–3.27), ISSSF (OR=2.01; 95% CI=1.02–3.97), MDD (OR=3.19; 95% CI=1.40–6.90), and MMF (OR=5.10; 95% CI=2.89–8.98), and lower odds of ZFV (OR=0.49; 95% CI=0.36–0.48). Mothers with higher education had lower odds of continued breastfeeding (OR=0.53; 95% CI=0.37–0.76) and higher odds of meeting the EFF and ZFV indicators. A higher number of children and rural residence were associated with lower odds of meeting ISSSF, MMF, EFF, and ZFV. The proportion of variance in feeding indicators explained by the contextual level ranged from 19% for ZFV to 55% for MDD. Conclusion: Continued breastfeeding showed a declining trend between the 2000s and 2010s; however, an overall improvement was observed in other infant and young child feeding indicators. Children older than 12 months and those whose mothers were older and more educated had higher odds of meeting infant and young child feeding recommendations. In contrast, children living in rural areas and those whose mothers had a higher number of children were less likely to meet these indicators.

Estigma do peso, atitudes e crenças relacionadas à obesidade em estudantes universitários da área da saúde de uma universidade de Minas Gerais

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Estigma do peso, atitudes e crenças relacionadas à obesidade em estudantes universitários da área da saúde de uma universidade de Minas Gerais Abstract: Introduction: Weight stigma, characterized by socially devalued weight-related behaviors that deviate from societal norms, primarily affects individuals with overweight or obesity, resulting in detrimental physical, mental, and psychosocial health outcomes. It is well-established that health professionals and students may harbor stigmatizing beliefs and attitudes toward obesity, which can compromise clinical care. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between obesity-related attitudes and beliefs and disordered eating behaviors among health science students at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) - MG. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, mixed-methods (qualitative-quantitative) study. Recruitment was conducted via digital media and on-campus outreach, targeting students aged ≥18 years, of all genders, actively enrolled in health science courses at UFU. Data collection utilized the Microsoft Forms® platform with the following validated instruments: a Sociodemographic Characterization Questionnaire; the Fat Phobia Scale (Short Version); the Beliefs About Obese Persons (BAOP) Scale; the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-M); the Anti-Obesity Attitudes Scale; the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ); and the Short Disordered Eating Attitudes Scale (SDEAS). Focus groups were conducted in person with interested participants, incorporating the Silhouette Scale to assess body image perception. Quantitative data were analyzed using Jamovi® software (descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation), while qualitative data underwent Content Analysis supported by IRAMUTEQ® software. Results: Among the 385 participants in the quantitative phase, significant levels of internalized stigma were identified (mean: 3.25; 46.4% of the maximum score), which correlated significantly with BMI, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction (p < .001). High levels of fatphobia (mean: 3.53; 70.6% of the maximum score) and individual culpability/blame (mean: 20.8; 43.3% of the maximum score) were also observed. The qualitative analysis yielded three thematic cores: "Conceptualizing stigma: ambiguity and lack of clarity"; "Beliefs regarding the individual with obesity"; and "The interplay of body image, diet, and professional identity during undergraduate training." Conclusion: The university population exhibits significant levels of weight stigma, fatphobia, and internalized bias. These factors are associated with disordered eating behaviors and have a deleterious impact on self-image perception within the context of professional training.

Validação de um sistema de fixação magnética para bancos de arremesso e lançamentos paralímpicos

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Validação de um sistema de fixação magnética para bancos de arremesso e lançamentos paralímpicos Abstract: Introduction: Since the Beijing Games (2008), which were broadcast on TV, Paralympic sports in Brazil have gained more importance, highlighting athletes in various modalities, including athletics. With the holding of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil in 2016, there was a new impetus in various sectors of the economy. Athletes and researchers invested knowledge to improve performance in competitions and to develop innovations in Paralympic sports. Several improvements and adaptations are directly linked to the improved performance demonstrated in major Paralympic sport events. Performance in Paralympic athletics in throwing and launching events depends directly on the athlete's stability and positioning. Conventional seat fastening systems use robust platforms with straps and ratchets, which, although widely used, have significant operational limitations, including high weight, transportation difficulties, prolonged assembly and disassembly times, low standardization across equipment, and dependence on manual adjustments to ensure stability and safety. These restrictions affect both training and competition logistics, as well as the efficiency of athletic performance. In this context, the development of technological solutions that enhance safety, accessibility, and operational efficiency becomes necessary. Objective: To compare the performance of an innovative bench fastening system for throwing and launching, developed by Cintesp.Br/UFU, with the conventional system currently used by Paralympic athletes in the F30 and F50 classes. Materials and Methods: The study compared three distinct configurations: (1) the conventional system, composed of a standard platform, a throwing bench for the athlete's personal use, and traditional ratchet straps for stabilization; and (2) the magnetic system, featuring a simplified, barrier-free, and lightweight platform, designed with a magnetic fastening mechanism that can be used on any type of bench for the athlete's personal use; (3) the system with a magnetic fastening mechanism and a parameterized bench for collective use. The sample consisted of 17 Paralympic track and field athletes from Uberlândia-MG, all specialists in seated throwing events who use this equipment in both training and competition. Results: The comparative analysis of safety, stability, accessibility, and positioning revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the evaluated systems. The application of the proposed methodology and the prototype of the magnetic fastening system showed potential for use in training and competition, as well as for athletic performance, thereby validating the system's efficiency and contributing to the bench's parameterization for collective use.