Introdução. Apesar de consumirmos alimentos combinados e estruturados em refeições, a maioria dos estudos ainda se concentra em nutrientes ou alimentos consumidos isoladamente. Além disso, comparar a alimentação entre países em diferentes fases de transição nutricional e epidemiológica pode fornecer informações relevantes relacionadas à prevenção da obesidade e DCNT. Objetivo. Caracterizar e comparar a qualidade nutricional da principal refeição consumida por adultos residentes no Brasil e Reino Unido. Materiais e Métodos. A primeira etapa do estudo consistiu na revisão sistemática da literatura, que subsidiou a etapa seguinte, o desenvolvimento do Main Meal Quality Index. Para comparar a qualidade das refeições utilizou-se dados dos inquéritos alimentares Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação INA/POF 2008/09 e National Diet and Nutrition Survey - NDNS. Para a identificação e avaliação da qualidade da refeição utilizou-se duas diferentes abordagens: (1) abordagem híbrida, com a descrição da composição das refeições por meio da árvore de decisão de classificação, e (2) abordagem dirigida pela hipótese, através da aplicação do Main Meal Quality Index. Além disto foram analisados modelos de regressão múltipla a fim de identificar os fatores associados. Resultados. Considerando o horário de consumo e a contribuição energética, os eventos alimentares definidos como principal refeição foram o almoço, para o Brasil, e jantar, para o Reino Unido. A refeição principal brasileira (58 pontos) apresentou melhor qualidade nutricional, com maior participação de fibras e carboidratos, e menor teor de gorduras total e saturada, e densidade energética. No entanto, a principal refeição do Reino Unido (54 pontos) foi composta por mais frutas, verduras e legumes. Os ingredientes culinários, como arroz e feijão, foram classificados pelo algoritmo como componentes característicos da refeição brasileira, enquanto os itens de fast food, como batatas fritas, sanduíches e bebidas açucaradas, foram classificados como refeições Britânicas. No Brasil, o escore final do indicador associou-se positivamente com a idade, e negativamente com o gênero, energia consumida, estado nutricional e renda familiar; enquanto que, no Reino Unido, o indicador associou-se apenas com a idade (positivamente). Conclusão. Embora a principal refeição consumida no Brasil, quando comparada ao Reino Unido, apresente melhor qualidade e composição, as refeições consumidas em ambos os países estão aquém do recomendado. / Introduction. Although individuals consume foods combined and structured at meals, most authors still have studied nutrient or single food. Furthermore, compare countries in different stages of nutritional and epidemiological transition can provide relevant information related to the prevention of obesity and NCDs. Objective. To characterize and compare the nutritional quality of meals consumed by adults living in Brazil and UK. Subjects and methods. The first stage of the study consisted of a systematic review of the literature, which subsidized the next step, the development of the Main Meal Quality Index. Data from food surveys \"National Survey of Food - INA / HBS 2008/09\" and \"National Diet and Nutrition Survey - NDNS\" were used to analyzed and compare the main meals quality. Two different approaches for the identification and evaluation of the main meal pattern were used: (1) hybrid approach, to evaluate of the meal patters using data reduction techniques; and (2) hypothesis-driven approach, with the Main Meal Quality Index. Then, regression models were applied to analyzed associated sociodemographic factors. Results. Considering time slot and energy content, the eating events defined as main meal were lunch, for Brazil, and dinner, for UK. Brazilian main meal (58 points) had better nutritional quality, with greater participation of fiber and carbohydrates, and lower content of total and saturated fat, and energy density. However, the main meal consumed in UK (54 points) had more fruits and vegetables. Cooking ingredients, such as rice and beans, were classified as characteristic components of a Brazilian meal, while fast food items, like chips, sandwiches and sugary drinks, were classified as a British meal. In Brazil, the final score was positively associated with age, and negatively correlated with gender, energy consumption, nutritional status and family income; whereas, in the United Kingdom, the indicator is only associated with age (positively). Conclusion. Although Brazilian main meal, when compared with UK main meal, provide best quality and composition, meals consumed in both countries need improvement.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate physiological and microbiome differences in a murine model consuming a Mediterranean (M) v. Western (W) diet. Methods Study design: To investigate the potential of diets in modifying the fecal microbiota, we used 16 ICR mice per diet split evenly between males and females. Mice were acclimated for 5 weeks, consuming regular chow, before switching to M or W diets. Four same sex mice were housed per cage and randomly assigned M or W diets with 2 cages of male and female mice/diet. All animals were weighed weekly, and stool samples were collected, freeze-dried, and ground. An aliquot was analyzed for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) to determine the fecal fermentation profile (FFP). Diets: All animals were acclimated to their surroundings while consuming the standard mouse chow diet for 5 wks. Experimental diets were from Envigo for 10 wks. M v.. W diets were 24.2v. 17.3% protein, 42.3 v. 48.5% carbohydrate, 13 v. 21.2 % fat, 9 v. 5% fiber, and energy density of 3.6 v. 4.5 kcal/g, and were offered ad libitum. Fecal Fermentation Profile: Fecal samples had SCFA extracted and analyzed using a modified Schwiertz et al. method via gas chromatography. The resulting SCFA profiles were used to determine differences between diets. Statistical Model: General linear models examined main effects of diet, sex, and week while accounting for baseline value and a random effect for cage (SCFA) or mouse (weight). Results: Diet effects for M v. W diets for SCFA were Acetate 50.12 v. 38.45% (p< 0.01), Propionate 14.19 v. 7.98% (p< 0.01), Butyrate 8.37 v. 17.27% (p< 0.01), Caproate 16.19 v. 23.68% (p< 0.01), and Caprillic 0.44 v. 0.68% (p< 0.01). Sex comparisons showed higher percentages of Butyrate (p< 0.05) for males and higher percentages of Isobutyrate (p< 0.01), Isovalerate (p< 0.01), and Propionate (p=0.02) for female mice. On the Mediterranean diet, male mice gained more weight than female mice, 4.96g v. 2.86g compared to baseline (p<0.01). Animals on a Western diet approached significance by gaining more weight (p<0.0871).

Introduction: The presence of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) becomes more common with advancing age. The literature shows the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean Diet on the mental health of the elderly, but few studies have been conducted in Western countries. In addition, studies conducted in non-Mediterranean regions generally do not take into account the peculiarities of food, which do not always meet all the Mediterranean characteristics. Objective: (i) to describe the adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, considering two points of view: including only foods characteristic of the original standard Mediterranean diet and including foods with non-Mediterranean characteristics (ii) to verify the association between the adherence to the two Mediterranean Dietary Patterns (MDP) and CMD in the elderly. Methods: cross-sectional population-based study; Data from the 2015 Health Survey of São Paulo were used. The presence of CMD was identified through the Self Reporting Questionnaire-20. The MDP was constructed using the Mediterranean Diet Score (calculated from data from two 24-hour dietary recall), considering two points of view: Mediterranean pattern origin-like (MPOL), which included only foods from the original Mediterranean diet; Mediterranean pattern including foods with non-Mediterranean characteristics (MPNM), which included foods submitted to procedures that diverge from the original dietary pattern. The other variables were identified through a previously structured questionnaire. The association between TMC and adherence to MPOL and MPNM was investigated through logistic regression models. The covariates for the adjustment were selected for biological plausibility. A significance level of 5% (p <0.05) was considered for final statistical tests. All data analyses were performed using Stata software (version 14). To accomplish the objectives of the present research, two manuscripts were elaborated. The aims of the 1st manuscript were: (i) describe the degree of adherence to this dietary pattern by elders from São Paulo-SP-Brazil; (ii) to identify modifications made in the form of intake of the different components of the original MDP, investigating associations with demographic and socioeconomic variables. The aims of the 2nd manuscript were: (i) To evaluate the association between the adherence to the MDP with the presence of mental disorders in these elders; (ii) To investigate these associations taking into account the two different points of view of MDP. Results: The 1st manuscript showed a moderate adherence to the two views of MDP. The greater adherence to the two proposed dietary patterns was characterized by higher intakes of vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, legumes and greater proportion between monounsaturated and saturated lipids and, as well as lower consumption of meat and dairy products. MPOL and MPNM were associated with formal education and age, respectively. From the 2nd manuscript, we identified that moderate and high adherence to MPOL, compared to low adherence, was associated with a lower prevalence of CMD, after adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, number of chronic diseases, per capita household income, physical activity and smoking status. The presence of CMD was not associated with MPNM adherence. Additionally, the presence of CMD was different between gender, physical activity and number of referred chronic diseases. Main conclusions (from the two manuscripts): the protective effect of MDP on CMD in elderly was observed only when the particularities of this diet were fulfilled. Other factors, associated to lifestyle, showed to be important to improve the associations with CMD. The results support the importance of programs that encourage the maintenance of healthy eating habits among the elderly. / Introdução: A presença de Transtornos mentais comuns (TMC) torna-se mais frequente com o avançar da idade. A literatura evidencia os efeitos benéficos da Dieta mediterrânea sobre a saúde mental do idoso, porém poucos estudos foram realizados em países ocidentais. Ademais, os estudos realizados em regiões não mediterrâneas geralmente não levam em consideração as peculiaridades dos alimentos, que nem sempre atendem a todas as características mediterrâneas. Objetivos: (i) descrever a adesão ao padrão da dieta mediterrânea considerando dois pontos de vista: incluindo apenas alimentos característicos do original padrão da dieta mediterrânea e incluindo alimentos com características não mediterrâneas (ii) verificar a associação entre a adesão aos dois padrões da dieta mediterrânea (PDM) construídos e TMC em idosos. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional; foram utilizados dados do Inquérito de Saúde de São Paulo 2015 (ISA-Capital). A presença de TMC foi identificada através do Self Reporting Questionnaire-20. O PDM foi construído através do Escore da dieta mediterrânea (calculado com base em dois recordatórios alimentares de 24h), considerando dois pontos de vista: Padrão mediterrâneo similar ao original (PMSO) - com a inclusão de apenas alimentos originais da dieta mediterrânea; Padrão mediterrâneo com características não mediterrâneas (PMNM) - com a inclusão de alimentos que foram submetidos a procedimentos que divergem do padrão mediterrâneo original. As demais variáveis foram identificadas por meio de um questionário previamente estruturado. A associação entre TMC e a adesão ao PMSO e PMNM foi investigada por meio de modelos de regressão logística. As covariáveis para o ajuste foram selecionadas por plausibilidade biológica. Adotou-se nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05) para os testes estatísticos finais. Todas as análises de dados foram realizadas utilizando o software Stata (versão 14). Para atender os objetivos da presente pesquisa, foram elaborados dois manuscritos. O manuscrito 1 teve como objetivos (i) descrever o grau de adesão ao PMD por idosos de São Paulo-SP-Brasil; (ii) construir dois pontos de vista do PMD, de acordo com as modificações frequentes na forma de ingestão dos diferentes componentes desse padrão dietético, investigando associações com variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas. O manuscrito 2 teve como objetivos: (i) avaliar a associação entre a aderência ao PMD e transtornos mentais comuns nesses idosos; (ii) investigar essas associações levando em consideração as duas visões construídas para esse padrão. Resultados: No manuscrito 1 foi encontrada uma adesão moderada pelos idosos às duas visões do PMD. A maior adesão a ambas as visões do PMD foi caracterizada pela ingestão mais elevada de vegetais, frutas, oleaginosas, cereais, leguminosas e maior proporção de lipídios monoinsaturados e saturados, além de um menor consumo de carne e laticínios. O PMSO e o PMNM apresentaram associação com escolaridade e idade, respectivamente. No Manuscrito 2, identificou-se que as adesões moderada e alta ao PMSO, em comparação a uma baixa adesão, foram associadas a uma menor prevalência de TMC, após ajuste para sexo, idade, índice de massa corporal, número de doenças crônicas, renda domiciliar per capita, atividade física e tabagismo. Por sua vez, a presença de TMC não mostrou associação significativa com nenhum grau de adesão ao PMNM. Adicionalmente, a presença de TMC foi significativamente diferente entre os gêneros, a atividade física e o número de doenças crônicas referidas. Conclusões principais (a partir de ambos os manuscritos): o efeito protetor de uma maior adesão ao PDM sobre os TMC em idosos foi observado apenas quando as particularidades originais desse padrão foram atendidas. Outros fatores, associados ao estilo de vida, mostraram-se importantes para melhorar as associações com TMC. Os resultados encontrados reforçam a importância de programas que incentivem a manutenção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis entre idosos.

Introdução: Estudos observacionais têm contribuído para consolidar a ideia de que os imigrantes geralmente apresentam taxas de morbidade e mortalidade diferentes dos nativos. Estudos com imigrantes podem melhorar a compreensão da influência ambiental no risco de doenças crônicas. A maioria dos estudos têm sido centrado sobre os efeitos da migração internacional, uma vez que os fatores de risco tendem a ser mais uniformemente distribuídos dentro de um único país. No entanto, o Brasil se destaca por possuir extenso território, com regiões com marcadas diferenças geográficas, sociais e culturais. Em países com dimensões continentais (p.ex. Índia e China), a migração interna foi associada com modificações na dieta e status de saúde. Objetivos: Avaliar diferenças no padrão alimentar e risco cardiometabólico entre migrantes internos e nativos e avaliar a associação entre metabolômica plasmática e síndrome metabólica. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional no município de São Paulo. Considerou-se migrantes internos, indivíduos que não nasceram na cidade de São Paulo e que apresentassem tempo de residência no município igual ou superior a dez anos. A população final (n=999) foi dividida em três grupos: nativos (n=354), migrantes do Sudeste (n=349) e do Nordeste (n=296). Para diagnóstico de síndrome metabólica foi utilizado critério harmonizado pelo International Diabetes Federation. Os padrões da dieta foram obtidos por análise fatorial por componentes principais. A quantificação absoluta (?mol/L) de metabólitos no sangue foi realizada por espectrometria de massa no plasma. As análises foram realizadas por meio de modelos lineares generalizados ajustados por fatores de confusão. Resultados: Em comparação aos nativos, os migrantes do Sudeste tiveram adesão inversamente proporcional ao padrão moderno e os migrantes do Nordeste tiveram associação inversa com o padrão prudente e moderno e positiva com o tradicional. Migrantes do Nordeste com mais de 60 anos tiveram maior chance de apresentar síndrome metabólica em comparação com nascidos em São Paulo da mesma faixa etária. Os perfis metabolômicos plasmáticos foram associados com a síndrome metabólica, destacando alguns aminoácidos e classes lipídicas. Conclusão: Nativos e migrantes internos do Brasil apresentam consumo, padrão alimentar e fatores de risco cardiovascular distintos e a metabolômica identificou modificações metabólicas em decorrência da síndrome metabólica. / Introduction: Observational studies have helped consolidate the notion that immigrants generally exhibit different morbidity and mortality rates to those of natives. Studies involving immigrants can broaden understanding of the environmental influence on risk of chronic diseases. The majority of studies have focused on the effects of international migration, considering that risk factors tend to be uniformly distributed within a country. However, Brazil differs for its large territory comprising regions with marked geographic, social and cultural disparities. In countries of continental size (e.g. India and China), internal migration has been associated with changes in diet and health status. Objectives: To assess differences in dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk among internal migrants and natives, and also to assess the association between plasma metabolomics and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in the city of São Paulo. The study involved internal migrants, defined as individuals born outside São Paulo city who had lived in the city for ten years or longer. The final population (n=999) was divided into three groups: natives of São Paulo (n=354), migrants from the Southeast (n=349) and from the Northeast (n=296). The harmonized criteria of the International Diabetes Federation were employed for metabolic syndrome diagnosis. Dietary patterns were derived by factor and principal component analysis. Absolute quantification (?mol/L) of blood metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry in plasma. Analyses were carried out based on generalized linear models adjusted for confounding factors. Results: Compared to locals, migrants from the Southeast had an inversely proportional adherence to the modern pattern whereas migrants from the Northeast had an inverse association with the prudent and modern patterns and a positive association with the traditional pattern. Northeastern migrants older than 60 years had greater odds of having the metabolic syndrome compared to São Paulo-born individuals of the same age. The plasma metabolomic profiles were associated with the metabolic syndrome, particularly for some aminoacids and lipid classes. Conclusion: São Paulo natives and internal migrants in Brazil have different consumption, dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk. Metabolomics detected metabolic changes secondary to metabolic syndrome.

As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) representam a principal causa de mortalidade e de incapacidade, em ambos os gêneros, no Brasil e no mundo. O padrão de consumo alimentar está tanto positiva como negativamente associado aos principais fatores de risco para DCV, entre eles diabetes, hipertensão, obesidade e hipertrigliceridemia, todos componentes da síndrome metabólica. Este estudo tem como objetivos identificar os padrões alimentares em indivíduos com DCV, considerando a densidade de energia, a gordura saturada, a fibra, o sódio e o potássio consumidos, e investigar sua associação com fatores de risco de DCV e síndrome metabólica. Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram utilizados dados do estudo DICA Br. A amostra foi composta de indivíduos com DCV, com idade superior a 45 anos, de todas as regiões brasileiras. O consumo alimentar foi obtido por recordatório alimentar de 24h e os padrões alimentares obtidos pela regressão por posto reduzido (RPR). Para a RPR, utilizaram-se 28 grupos alimentares como preditores e como variáveis respostas componentes dietéticos. O teste de Mann Whitney foi utilizado para testar as diferenças entre as médias dos escores. Foram obtidos dados de 1.047 participantes; 95% apresentavam doença arterial coronariana; em sua maioria, eram idosos, da classe econômica C1 e C2 e estudaram até o ensino médio. A prevalência de síndrome metabólica foi de 58%. Foram extraídos dois padrões alimentares. O primeiro foi marcado pelo maior consumo de fibra alimentar e potássio, composto por arroz e feijão, frutas e sucos naturais com ou sem açúcar, legumes, carne bovina ou processada, verduras, raízes e tubérculos. O segundo padrão caracterizou-se pelo consumo de gordura saturada e maior densidade energética, representado por panificados salgados, gorduras, carne bovina e processada, doces caseiros, pizza, salgadinhos de pacote ou festa, sanduíche e alimento salgado pronto para consumo. Houve associação significativa entre o padrão alimentar 1 com medida da circunferência da cintura e nível de HDL adequados e com o padrão 2 e HDL adequado. A adoção do padrão alimentar 1 pode estar associada à proteção contra alguns dos componentes da síndrome metabólica. / Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and disability in both genders in Brazil and worldwide. The dietary pattern is at the same time positive and negatively associated with the main risk factors for CVD, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and hypertriglyceridemia, all components of the metabolic syndrome. This study aims to identify dietary patterns in individuals with CVD, considering the energy density, and the amount of saturated fatty acid, fiber, sodium and potassium of the diet, and to investigate its association with CVD risk factors and metabolic syndrome. This is a cross-sectional study, data were used from \"DICA Br\" study. The sample consisted of individuals with CVD, over 45 years old, residents from all Brazilian regions. Food consumption was obtained by one 24-hours diet recall and dietary patterns by reduced rank regression (RRR). In the RRR, 28 food groups were included as predictors and dietary components was chosen as the response variable. The Mann-Whitney test was used to test the differences between the factors scores\' means. Data of 1047 participants were analyzed. 95% have coronary artery disease, most are elderly, economical class most observed are C1 and C2. Also, most of them and studied up to high school. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 58%. Two dietary patterns were extracted: the first one is higher in dietary fiber and potassium, which is composed by rice, beans, fruits and natural juices with or without sugar, vegetables, beef or processed meat, roots and tubers. The second pattern is higher in saturated fatty acid and energy density, represented by breads, fats, and processed meat, homemade pastries, pizza, snacks or party package, sandwich and salty food ready for consumption. There was a significant association between dietary pattern 1 and low waist circumference and adequate high density cholesterol blood concentration. There was a significant association between dietary pattern 2 and adequate high density cholesterol blood concentration. We suggest that the adoption of the dietary pattern 1 may be associated with protection against some of the components of metabolic syndrome.

Regular physical activity and a healthful diet are important influences on health. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the influence of habitual physical activity on diet preferences. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between habitual physical activity and dietary intake, body composition, metabolic and hormonal variables and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. One hundred and five women (mean age: 55.2±4.9 years) consulting for climacteric symptoms underwent anthropometric and hormonal assessment. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and habitual physical activity with a digital pedometer. Participants were classified as physically inactive (5 999 steps daily) or physically active (≥ 6 000 steps daily). A negative correlation was observed between steps/day and percent body fat (r = - 0.470; P<0.001), waist circumference (r = - 0.356; P<0.001) and body mass index (r = - 0.286; P=0.003). Compared to the inactive group, active participants had lower diastolic blood pressure (P=0.012), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) (P=0.011), fasting glucose (P=0.003), fasting insulin (P=0.019) and homeostasis model assessment index (P=0.017), and higher intake of protein, total fat, cholesterol, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, meats, eggs, and whole-fat dairy foods. After adjustment for age and time since menopause, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased with physical inactivity, high blood pressure, us-CRP, and percent body fat. In conclusion, both habitual physical activity and dietary choices may have contributed towards a more favorable cardiovascular profile and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Introdução: A Organização Mundial da Saúde sugere que as recomendações alimentares para populações devem basear-se em alimentos ao invés de nutrientes. No entanto, devem levar em consideração, que os indivíduos não consomem nutrientes ou alimentos isoladamente e sim refeições compostas por uma variedade de alimentos. Objetivo: Identificar os padrões alimentares do café da manhã, almoço e jantar da população adulta e idosa do município de São Paulo e caracterizá-los de acordo com variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e antropométricas. Métodos: Foram utilizados dados secundários do estudo transversal de base populacional ISA-Capital 2008 de adultos e idosos (n=1102). O consumo alimentar foi estimado pelo Multiple Source Method considerando dois recordatórios de 24 horas. A partir dos grupos de alimentos de cada refeição aplicou-se análise fatorial por componentes principais (rotação varimax) para derivar os padrões alimentares. Calcularam-se os escores fatoriais, que foram então utilizados para agrupar os indivíduos através da análise de agrupamento. Adicionou-se um grupo com os indivíduos que não realizaram a refeição para cada uma das análises. Os grupos foram caracterizados segundo sexo, faixa etária, renda familiar per capita e estado nutricional. Admitiu-se nível de significância de 0,05 e para caracterização dos grupos considerou-se uma diferença de escore padronizado em pelo menos |0,5| com relação à amostra geral. Resultados: Identificou-se prevalência de 5,6 por cento de omissão do café da manhã, 3,6 por cento do almoço e 12,8 por cento do jantar. Quanto aos que realizaram as refeições, identificaram-se três padrões do Café da Manhã: Saudável, Tradicional e Lanche; quatro padrões do Almoço: Tradicional, Salada, Suco Adoçado e Ocidental; e quatro padrões do Jantar: Café com Leite e Pão, Transição, Tradicional e Sopa e Frutas. Os grupos de indivíduos associados a idosos apresentaram aderência ao café da manhã Saudável, almoço Salada e jantar Sopas e Frutas. Aqueles associados a homens e adultos em geral omitiram o café da manhã e aderiram ao almoço Ocidental e jantar Transição. Os grupos associados a apenas homens aderiram a café da manhã e almoço Tradicional. Aqueles associados a somente adultos apresentaram aderência ao almoço Suco Adoçado. E associados a mulheres aderiram a um jantar Café com Leite e Pão. Grupos associados à baixa escolaridade aderiram a um jantar Sopa e Frutas, e os de escolaridade elevada aderiram a café da manhã Lanche e Omissão do mesmo; e padrão de almoço ocidental. Grupos associados com indivíduos de baixa renda aderiram ao almoço tradicional. Conclusão: Os resultados encontrados no presente estudo indicam que padrões alimentares identificados de acordo com a refeição discriminam bem o consumo alimentar, salientando peculiaridades que não são encontradas em análises globais. E a associação entre a aderência a esses padrões e fatores demográficos e socioeconômicos sugere a existência de públicos-alvo para o planejamento e execução de políticas públicas em alimentação e nutrição. / Introduction: The World Health Organization suggests that dietary recommendations for populations should be based on foods rather than nutrients. However, individuals do not consume foods or nutrients in isolation but meals with variety of foods. Objective: To identify dietary patterns from breakfast, lunch and dinner of the adult and elderly population in São Paulo and characterize them according to socioeconomic, demographic and anthropometric variables. Methods: Data from cross-sectional population-based ISA Capital 2008 of adults and elderly (n = 1102) was used. Dietary intake was estimated by Multiple Source Method considering two 24-hour recalls. Principal component factor analysis (varimax rotation) was used to derive dietary patterns for each meal. Factor scores were calculated and then used in the cluster analysis. Individuals that skipped the meal were added as an extra cluster. The groups were characterized by gender, age, family income and nutritional status. Significance level of 0.05 was assumed for the groups characterization it was considered a difference of standardized score of at least | 0.5 | with respect to the overall sample. Results: We found omission prevalence of 5.6 per cent for breakfast, 3.6 per cent for lunch and 12.8 per cent for dinner. Three patterns of breakfast were identified: Healthy, Traditional and Snack; four patterns to lunch: Traditional, Salad, Sweetened Juice and Western; and four patterns to dinner: Coffee with Milk and Bread, Transitional, Traditional and Soup and Fruits. The groups of individuals associated with the elderly showed adherence to Healthy breakfast, Salad lunch and Soups and Fruit dinner. The groups that were associated with adult and men skipped breakfast and adhered to the Western lunch and Transition dinner. The groups associated with only men showed adherence to Traditional breakfast and lunch. The groups associated with only adults showed adherence to Sweetened Juice lunch. The groups associated with women showed adherence with Coffee with Milk and Bread dinner. The groups associated with low education adhered to Soup and Fruits dinner, and the groups associated with high school skipped breakfast and they adhered to Snack breakfast and Western breakfast. Groups associated with low-income individuals adhered to Traditional lunch. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that dietary patterns identified by meal discriminated food consumption very well, highlighting peculiarities that a global analysis cannot show. And the adherence to meal patterns associated with socioeconomic and demographic factors suggest there is evidence of risk groups and possible public policies related to health diet.

Mercury is a naturally existing element. It could be transported into human body through food chain, and harm the central nervous system. This is the first study to analyze the concentrations of mercury in different kinds of food in Taiwan. The purpose of the study was to assess the mercury intake of total diet and the health risk. Moreover, the concentration of hair mercury was used to evaluate the body burden. The mercury concentrations in foods were determined by furnace-gold amalgation mercury analyzer. Nine kinds of foods, fish, nonfish seafood, meats, soybean products, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits and cereals were included in the sample. A total of 118 food composites with 574 samples were collected from three largest cities in Taiwan during 2004 to 2006. Dietary information of 446 Taiwanese was collected by using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Meanwhile, both diet information and hair sample of 355 Taiwanese that were collected. The mean mercury concentrations of nine kinds of food were significantly different (p < 0.05), ranging from 0.5 to 82.9 ng/g wet wt. The mean mercury concentrations was highest in fish, and sequentially decreased in nonfish seafood, eggs, meats, soybean products, vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fruit. All the mean mercury concentrations of foods were below the standard limits of Department of Health in Taiwan, FAO/WHO and European Commission. The dietary mercury intakes for vegetarian, general population lived in the city, fishing village, outlying islands and fishing workers were 0.16, 0.89, 1.22, 1.66 and 3.50 £gg/kg/week, respectively. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among the five groups mentioned above. The highest mercury intake was found in the fishing workers. However, the mean mercury intakes for those five groups were still within the PTWI safe limit suggested by FAO/WHO, corresponding to 3 to 76% of PTWI. Fishes were the major source of mercury intake among nine kinds of foods for Taiwan population, corresponding to 42 to 77% of mean mercury intake. Mean concentrations of hair mercury of vegetarian, general population lived in the city, fishing village, outlying islands and fishing workers were 0.5¡Ó0.5¡B2.4¡Ó1.8¡B4.4¡Ó3.3¡B4.6¡Ó7.4 and 9.1¡Ó13.6 mg/kg respectively. Significant differences were found among the five groups (p < 0.05). The highest mercury concentration of hair was also found in the fishing workers corresponding to the result of diet intake. 2.3% of Taiwan population with hair mercury higher than the toxic level, 20 mg/kg, proposed by FAO/WHO. They were all fishing workers and outlying islanders. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the concentrations of hair mercury were significantly correlated with the frequency of fish consumption for the population lived in the city, fishing village, and fishing workers. The mercury concentrations of hair was also related with the age of people and the fish species. Aspects of nutrient balance and the health risk, consumption of small and medium-sized fish with mercury lower than 50 ng/g was recommended. No more than 150 g per week was acceptable for the people like to eat large-sized predatory fishes.

Master of Science / Department of Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health / Mark D. Haub / Linda K. Yarrow / Interest and participation in plant-based lifestyle patterns in North America has increased significantly due to perceived health benefits and concerns about the environment, ethics, and safety of the food supply. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate. There is growing evidence that plant-based dietary patterns are more sustainable than animal-based diets because they use fewer natural resources and are less environmentally taxing. With the projected world population growth and declining resources, sustainable diets and environmental sustainability are a must. As the need and interest in plant-based dietary patterns increases, it becomes important to evaluate public perception. There is currently little research focusing on attitudes and perceptions of the broader plant-based dietary pattern, particularly in the college-aged population. This exploratory study investigated individual perceptions of meat, dairy foods, and plant-based alternatives. Study results indicated taste preferences for meat and dairy foods were high. Additionally, students in the College of Agriculture and students who had a rural background were more likely to have a positive perception of meat and dairy foods than plant-based foods. These findings suggest the implementation of interventions such as education and the development of plant-based meat and dairy food alternatives matching their flavor profile as closely as possible may best assist in the shift from an animal-based to a plant-based dietary pattern.

Regular physical activity and a healthful diet are important influences on health. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the influence of habitual physical activity on diet preferences. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between habitual physical activity and dietary intake, body composition, metabolic and hormonal variables and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. One hundred and five women (mean age: 55.2±4.9 years) consulting for climacteric symptoms underwent anthropometric and hormonal assessment. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and habitual physical activity with a digital pedometer. Participants were classified as physically inactive (5 999 steps daily) or physically active (≥ 6 000 steps daily). A negative correlation was observed between steps/day and percent body fat (r = - 0.470; P<0.001), waist circumference (r = - 0.356; P<0.001) and body mass index (r = - 0.286; P=0.003). Compared to the inactive group, active participants had lower diastolic blood pressure (P=0.012), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP) (P=0.011), fasting glucose (P=0.003), fasting insulin (P=0.019) and homeostasis model assessment index (P=0.017), and higher intake of protein, total fat, cholesterol, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, meats, eggs, and whole-fat dairy foods. After adjustment for age and time since menopause, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased with physical inactivity, high blood pressure, us-CRP, and percent body fat. In conclusion, both habitual physical activity and dietary choices may have contributed towards a more favorable cardiovascular profile and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.