Nell'ambito dell'economia dei disastri naturali ho elaborato uno studio macroeconomico e due microeconomici. A livello macro ho elaborato una meta-analisi della letteratura empirica sugli effetti dei disastri naturali in termini di costi diretti e indiretti. Ho analizzato gli effetti di caratteristiche del database,tecniche di stima, fattori di resilienza considerati e publication bias. Studi sui costi diretti che includono paesi Africani hanno 65% maggiore probabilità di riportare un risultato negativo e significativo mentre studi sui costi indiretti sembrano soffrire di publication bias. I lavori microeconometrici si focalizzano su due paesi africani. Nel primo analizzo gli effetti di un aumento della variabilità climatica sul consumo di beni alimentari delle famiglie in Uganda nel periodo 2005/06-2009/10. In media un incremento di 1% delle temperature porterebbe a una diminuzione del consumo di alimenti del 3-5% mentre le famiglie sarebbero in grado di contrastare variazioni delle precipitazioni con varie strategie. Nel secondo, con approccio multi-shock analizzo gli effetti di siccità e incremento dei prezzi di acquisto sullo stato nutrizionale di bambini in famiglie residenti in zone rurali del Senegal nel periodo 2009-2011. Singolarmente entrambi gli eventi sembrano avere effetti negativi sul livello nutrizionale. Tuttavia la concomitanza dei due eventi sembra non avere effetto sul peso dei bambini grazie a un positivo effetto reddito. / In this work I deal with the economics of natural disasters conducting one study at the macroeconomic level and two studies at the microeconomic level. In the first I conduct a meta-analysis of the macro literature on the direct and indirect costs of natural disasters. I investigate the effects of empirical design, estimation technique, resilience factors included and publication bias. I find that direct costs studies have 65% probability to report negative and significant results if they include African countries while indirect costs studies show publication bias. Second, I conduct a microeconometric analysis of the effects of weather variability on households food consumption in Uganda in the period 2005/06-2009/10. I show that on average 1% increase in maximum temperatures would reduce food consumption by 4-5% while precipitation amount and distribution would not affect household food consumption thanks to coping strategies. Finally I consider the effects of droughts and increasing purchasing prices on weight-for-age of children in rural households in Senegal using a multishock approach and a unique dataset (2009-2011). Results of drought(increase in prices) econometric analyis show deterioration in child weight-for-age. However, concomitance of drought and increasing prices would leave child weight-for-age unaffected thanks to positive income effects.

Orientador: João Luiz Cardoso / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T16:55:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sampaio_MariadeFatimaArchanjo_D.pdf: 2220999 bytes, checksum: 7ccd231d0c3c8f0d2b4cc50307f4f006 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Os padrões de produção e de consumo de alimentos que hoje prevalecem nos países economicamente avançados se propagam em nível mundial enquanto 800 milhões de pessoas estão desnutridas no mundo, representando 13% da população mundial, segundo dados da FAO para 1996. Atualmente, na América Latina, os pobres representam 40% da população e 11% são subnutridos de acordo com a Comissão Econômica para a América Latina e Caribe (CEPAL). A urgência de medidas corretivas é inegável. É indispensável que a movimentação de recursos para a agricultura, setor fundamental para a segurança alimentar nos países em desenvolvimento, avance em direção às mudanças desejadas. Este trabalho gera indicativos para aperfeiçoamento de modelos de produção e fornece subsídios para orientar ações de políticas públicas, sobretudo, analisando diversos aspectos da agricultura latino-americana e as relações existentes entre esta e a segurança alimentar da população envolvida. Os dados (1999, 2000, 2001) utilizados foram provenientes do banco de dados estatísticos da Organização das Nações Unidas para Alimentação e Agricultura (FAOSTAT). Aliados ao trabalho aprofundado de revisão bibliográfica, foram utilizados os métodos de análise fatorial em componentes principais e análise hierárquica. O ¿software¿ STAT-ITCF , do ¿Institut Technique de Céréales et des Fourrages¿(França) e o ¿Statistical Packet for Social Sciences¿ ¿ SPSS (EUA) foram utilizados para processar as técnicas de análises multivariadas. De maneira geral, este trabalho pôde revelar disparidades existentes e conduzir o exame das dificuldades que determinados países possuem, para orientar as suas respectivas diretrizes no sentido de viabilizar seus padrões agroalimentares compatíveis com um estado nutricional mais adequado e, sob os pontos de vista sociais, econômicos, culturais e ambientais, mais compatíveis com os conceitos recentes de sustentabilidade / Abstract: Prevailing patterns of food production and consumption are spreading throughout the world, while 800 million people in the world are malnourished, representing 13% of the world population, according to 1996 FAO data. Currently in Latin America, 40% of the population is poor and 11% undernourished, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.The urgent need for corrective measures is undeniable. The mobilization of resources for agriculture, which is fundamental for food security in developing countries, must advance in the direction of desired changes. This study, which analyzes various aspects of the relationship between Latin American agriculture and the food security of the populations involved, it generates indicative for improvement of production models and it supplies subsidies to guide actions of public politics. The data utilized (1999, 2000, 2001) were from the FAO statistical data base (FAOSTAT). Beans, beef and veal, cassava, eggs, fish (seafood), fruit, maize, milk, rice, pigmeat, potatoes, poultry meat, vegetables, vegetables oil, sugar and wheat were choosen to compose this analysis. We used factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis as the fundamental methodology. This multivariate analysis revealed existing disparities and difficulties of certain countries, and offers guidance for making agro-food patterns more compatible with appropriate nutritional goals, as well as more sustainable from social, economic, cultural, and environmental perspectives / Doutorado / Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

La dieta, lo stato nutrizionale e la salute sono questioni strettamente correlate sia nei paesi industrializzati che in quelli in via di sviluppo. In questa tesi di dottorato, l'obiettivo principale è stato quello di valutare lo stato nutrizionale come passo prodromico per migliorarlo per ottimizzare la salute. Nei paesi industrializzati è stato condotto un caso studio sullo stato nutrizionale di una popolazione dell'Italia centrale; l’ingestione di alcuni gruppi di alimenti, di origine animale e vegetale, è stata valutata mediante questionari di frequenza alimentare e alcuni biomarcatori del sangue. I risultati hanno dimostrato che nei controlli della dieta, al fine di accertarne gli effetti a lungo termine sulla salute, le misurazioni dei consumi tramite questionari non possono essere esclusive, ma alcuni indici ematici ed antropometrici potrebbero essere utili. Nei paesi in via di sviluppo, due casi di studio in zone rurali dell’India e della Repubblica Democratica del Congo hanno confermato che la malnutrizione è un problema serio; in particolare nei bambini di 3-5 anni con il 26% di malnutrizione cronica severa in India e oltre il 60% in R D Congo. Possibili percorsi per migliorare le condizioni di vita delle comunità rurali povere includono la produzione di cibi appropriati per una dieta migliore, nuove attività generatrici di reddito, miglioramento della nutrizione infantile, riduzione delle malattie causate dalla contaminazione di alimentari e dell’acqua, metodi di conservazione degli alimenti a livello domestico, etc.; i risultati di diverse prove sono stati discussi. / The diet, nutritional status and health are tightly related issues both in industrialized and developing countries. In this doctoral thesis, the main objective was the assessment of nutritional status as a prodromic step to improve it and consenquently health. In industrialized countries, a case study was the nutritional status of a population of central Italy; the intake of some groups of foods, of animal and plant origin, was estimated by food frequency questionnaires and some blood biomarkers. The results demostrated that in dietary controls, aiming to ascertain the long-term effects on health, consumption measurements by questionnaires cannot be exclusive, but some blood and anthropometric indexes could be also useful. In developing countries, two case studies in rural India and D R Congo confirmed that malnutrition is a serious issue; particularly in 3-5 years old children with 26% of severe chronic malnutrition in India and more than 60% in D R Congo. Possible pathways to improve livelihood of rural poor comunities including appropriate food production for a better diet, new income generating activities, infant nutrition improvement, food and waterborn diseases reduction, household food preservation, etc., have been analyzed and the risults of different related trials have been discussed.

INTRODUÇÃO: Não obstante os bons resultados e reprodutibilidade da derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (DGYR), discutem-se ainda aspectos técnicos que podem influenciar tanto o resultado na perda de peso, como a qualidade de vida pós-operatória (PO). Atribui-se hoje a efeitos restritivos, como volume da bolsa gástrica e sua velocidade de esvaziamento, assim como a fatores metabólicos, o resultado da cirurgia. As influências morfofuncionais não são totalmente compreendidas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do volume da bolsa gástrica e sua velocidade de esvaziamento sobre a perda de peso e a tolerância alimentar no PO de DGYR. MÉTODO: Pacientes em PO tardio de DGYR; foram avaliados a percentagem de perda de excesso de peso (%PEP), reganho de peso (%PEPreganho), tolerância alimentar por questionário de tolerância (ES), volume da bolsa (V) por tomografia computadorizada tridimensional (TC3D) e velocidade de esvaziamento da bolsa por cintilografia, avaliada por percentual de retenção (%Ret) em 1, 2 e 4 horas. Foram identificados pontos de corte para V e %Ret em 1 hora (%Ret1). A partir destes parâmetros a amostra foi categorizada por V e %Ret1, e os dados correlacionados com resultados em perda de peso e tolerância alimentar. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 67 pacientes. A idade mediana foi 51 anos, 91,04% sexo feminino, e IMC mediano inicial de 51,44 kg/m2. O tempo de seguimento PO mediano foi de 47 meses. A amostra apresentou 60,27%PEPnadir como mediana da maior perda de peso PO e 16,13%PEPreganho. A mediana de V foi de 28mL; a %Ret em 1, 2, 4 horas foras foram 8%, 2%, 1%, respectivamente. A pontuação mediana do ES foi 21. Os pontos de corte considerados foram V=40mL, e %Ret1 de 12% e 25%. Foram comparados subgrupos por V (V <= 40mL, V > 40mL) e por %Ret1 (%Ret1 <= 12%, 12%<%Ret1 < 25%, e %Ret1>=25%). Na análise categorizada por V, houve associação entre V <= 40mL e maior velocidade de esvaziamento até 2 horas (V <= 40mL: %Ret1=6, %Ret2=2, p=0,009; V > 40mL: %Ret1=44, %Ret2=13,5, p=0,045). Na análise categorizada por %Ret1, observou-se associação entre maior velocidade de esvaziamento em 1 hora e melhor evolução ponderal tardia, representada por menor %PEPreganho (p=0,036), e maior %PEPatual (p=0,033) no grupo com %Ret1 <= 12%. Na avaliação do ES, associou-se melhor tolerância alimentar (ES > 24) e menor %Ret1 (p=0,003). CONCLUSÕES: Houve associação do volume da bolsa gástrica com a velocidade de esvaziamento. O esvaziamento mais rápido correlacionou-se com maior %PEP tardia, menor reganho de peso e melhor tolerância alimentar. Estes dados sugeriram que a presença de bolsa gástrica pequena, com menos de 40 mL, e com rápido esvaziamento, são parâmetros importantes para adequado resultado tardio na DGYR. O uso da TC3D e da cintilografia para avaliação morfofuncional da DGYR podem contribuir para investigação do reganho de peso e intolerância alimentar PO / INTRODUCTION: Despite the good results and good reproducibility of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP), discussions about technical aspects still remain. Postoperative anatomy can influence the result in weight loss, as the postoperative (PO) quality-of-life. Surgical results are nowadays attributed to restriction, promoted by the small neo-stomach volume and its emptying, as well as metabolic factors. These anatomical and functional influences on surgical results are often poorly evaluated, and yet not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the gastric pouch volume and its emptying rate on weight loss, and food tolerance, in the late PO of GBP. METHOD: Patients followed-up at HC-FMUSP in late PO of GBP; percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), weight regained (%EWLregain), food tolerance with specific questionnaire (Suter Score, SS), gastric pouch volumetry (V) by three-dimensional computed tomography (CT3D), and pouch emptying rate by scintigraphy, evaluated by retention percentage (%Ret) in 1, 2, 4 hours, were assessed. Cutoffs were identified for %Ret at 1 hour (%Ret1) and V. From these parameters the sample was categorized by V and %Ret1, looking for associations between V and %Ret and results in weight loss and food tolerance. RESULTS: Eighty patients were enrolled and 67 completed the study. The median age was 51 years, 91.04% were female, with initial median BMI of 51.44 kg/m2. The PO median follow-up time was 47 months. The sample showed median of 60.27% as EWLnadir as PO better weight loss, with 16.13% of EWLregain. The median V was 28mL; %Ret at 1, 2, 4 hours were 8%, 2%, 1%, respectively. The median score of SS was 21. The cutoff points considered were V=40mL, and %Ret1=12% and 25%. Subgroups were compared by V (V <= 40mL, V > 40mL) and Ret1% (%Ret1 <= 12%, 12% < %Ret1 < 25%, and %Ret1 >= 25%). The categorized analysis by V found associations between V<=40mL and higher emptying speeds up to 2 hours (V <= 40mL: %Ret1=6, %Ret2=2, p=0.009; V > 40mL: %Ret1=44, %Ret2=13.5, p=0.045). In the categorized analysis by %Ret1, it was found association between higher emptying speed in 1 hour and higher late PO weight loss, represented by lower %EWLregain (p=0.036), and higher late %EWL (p=0.033) in the group with %Ret1<=12%, compared to the group %Ret1 >= 25%. Better food tolerance, assessed by Suter questionnaire (SS > 24), was associated with lower %Ret1 (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between gastric pouch volume and emptying rate. Smaller gastric pouch have shown faster gastric emptying. The fastest gastric emptying was correlated with higher late %EWL, less weight regain and better PO food tolerance. These data suggest that the construction of small gastric pouch, with less than 40 mL, and with rapid emptying rate, are important parameters for good outcomes in late postoperative in GBP. The use of CT3D and scintigraphy for morphological and functional assessment of GBP can contribute in the evaluation of possible causes of late postoperative weight regain and food intolerance

MRDV / Instutute for Rural Development / Health and wellbeing of humans is affected by their eating habits, patterns and choice of meals. This research discusses food consumption patterns of selected households of Mbilwi and Matavhela villages in Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study identified types of food consumed and the nutritional knowledge of households living in the study area. In addition, the study assessed the knowledge of households on how food choices affect their health. Lastly an analysis of socio-economic factors that influence food consumption patterns in households living in Mbilwi and Matavhela villages was investigated. Using purposive sampling, qualitative and quantitative inquiry were used to explore the research objectives. A sample size of 50 and 47 households from each village were selected respectively and the heads of each household were interviewed. Thematic content analysis was used to categorise data into themes, to address and interpret qualitative data. Themes were generated as the units for analysis based on the objectives of the study to enable interpretation of qualitative information. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. The findings indicated that there was no variety in foods consumed by households in both the weekly food consumption pattern and 24-hour food recall. There was also limited nutrition knowledge of the foods consumed in households of both villages. Households usually consumed energy giving foods such as carbohydrates and body building foods such as proteins. There was low consumption of milk and milk products, fruit and vegetable food groups. Various socio-economic factors such as income, living conditions, health, nutrition knowledge, culture, religion and lack of time to prepare food, affected eating habits. Some foods were recommended or condoned based on religious and cultural factors. Most households were unemployed and relied on government grants and remittances from family members working in the metropolitan centres. The findings in this study provide a better understanding of food access, availability and consumption in rural areas which can also assist in the formulation of policies that would improve quality of food consumption in rural areas. This study presented an opportunity that can be filled by institutions working in rural areas to support and strengthen their activities. Information sharing with households on the benefits of balanced diets can contribute to the health and the well-being of the society. The emphasis must be on strengthening backyard vegetable/fruit gardens and community food gardening programmes for household consumption v and sale, to generate income. These programmes can also offer fruit/vegetable preservation skills to households in order to help improve the shelf life of the produce. Policy makers must encourage provision of nutritional knowledge to households through different media and channels such as television, clinics, hospitals, schools, and newspapers.

With an increasing rate of urbanisation in East Africa, and with the highest prevalence rate of undernourished population than any region in the developing world, the issue of food access insecurity in urban areas has received considerable attention. While there are noticeable differences between big, medium- and small-sized towns, the variation in the household’s response to food access insecurity across urban hierarchies remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the social, economic and demographic factors in coping with food access insecurity among households in urban slum areas of Ethiopia. The study used both secondary and primary data sources. The national surveys of household consumption and expenditure survey and welfare monitoring surveys of 2004/5, 2010/11, and 2015/16 was used to analyse the food security situation in Ethiopia across time and urban hierarchies. Primary data of 500 households and three focus group discussions were conducted from slum areas of Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Sheki representing a big city, medium- and small-sized town, respectively. The household survey data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and a standard regression model to investigate the relationship between factors such as household structure and composition, economic resources, social protection programmes and projects, and urban-rural linkages with coping with food access insecurity across urban hierarchies. A global model and three site-specific regression models were constructed. Descriptive results from both the primary and the secondary data sources have revealed that the proportion of the households affected by food shortage varies across the urban hierarchy that food insecurity was highest in the small-sized town as compared with the medium-sized town and the big city. The quality of food consumed was consistently low among female-headed households regardless of their socio-economic characteristics when compared with male-headed households. The result of the regression analysis for the global model has shown that economic resources (asset and source of income) predict nearly half of the variability in coping with food access insecurity. Household structure and composition such as gender and education of the head of the household, family structure (nuclear/extended), and the ratio of young children in the household predict a quarter of the variability in coping. Social protection programs and services predict one-tenth; the remaining variability in coping is explained by the combined effect of all the factors involved. The significance of these factors in predicting coping with food access insecurity, however, varies across the urban hierarchies. The contribution of economic factors in predicting coping is the highest at the big city (Addis Ababa); household structure and composition took the leading role in predicting coping at the small-sized town (Sheki); the significant factors in predicting coping at the mediumsized town (Hawassa) was the combined effect of all the factors involved. Household characteristics such as female headship, a higher ratio of young children, low education of the household head, lack of access to the financial loan, asset and income poverty, and weak linkages with kin structure at rural areas increase vulnerability to food insecurity and put households under stress to cope with food access insecurity. The study results show that the traditional urban-rural dichotomy may not suffice to portray the degree of food insecurity, as well as the mechanisms how food insecure households strive to cope with food access insecurity, which varies across the continuum of urban hierarchies. Those who wish to support food insecurity challenges need to be sensitive to the variability of factors in coping with food access insecurity across urban hierarchies. During policy, design and program implementation policymakers and international partners need to consider that the needs and coping mechanisms of urban households vary across urban hierarchies besides the other social, economic and demographic variables. / Development Studies / Ph. D. (Development Studies)

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade infantil é um importante problema de saúde pública e apresenta impacto direto na qualidade de vida das crianças e adolescentes, bem como no desenvolvimento futuro de doenças crônicas. O padrão alimentar rico em gordura e açúcar, e com baixo aporte de fibra dietética, vitaminas e minerais é reconhecido como fator de risco para o surgimento da obesidade, no entanto os fatores que contribuem para a preferência por alimentos ricos nestes nutrientes não são bem estabelecidos. O sabor dos alimentos é reconhecido como um importante preditor das escolhas alimentares, e os polimorfismos nos genes que codificam os receptores do sabor podem explicar a variabilidade da preferência e consumo alimentar na população. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência de polimorfismos de genes de receptores de sabor gorduroso (CD36), doce (TAS1R2) e amargo (TAS2R38) no consumo alimentar e no perfil metabólico de crianças e adolescentes obesos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 668 crianças e adolescentes obesos e um grupo controle de 135 crianças eutróficas, de ambos os gêneros. Foi realizado o estudo molecular dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) rs1761667 e rs1527483 do CD36, rs9701796 e rs35874116 do TAS1R2, e rs1726866 e rs713598 do TAS2R38, bem como análise do consumo alimentar e perfil metabólico. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CD36, o alelo A do rs1761667 relacionou-se com menor consumo de lipídios totais, gorduras poli e monoinsaturadas, consumo de alimentos de sabor gorduroso, ingestão de óleos vegetais e açúcares totais em obesos. O alelo A do rs1527483 associou-se com menor percentil de pressão arterial diastólica, menor massa gorda e maior massa livre de gordura em obesos. Quanto ao gene TAS1R2, a variante rs9701796 teve maior risco metabólico segundo a razão circunferência da cintura-estatura (RCE), bem como relação com maior consumo de achocolatado em pó em obesos. Já a variante rs35874116 mostrou relação com a menor ingestão de fibras dietéticas em obesos. No TAS2R38, o alelo G do rs1726866 foi associado com menor consumo de gorduras monoinsaturadas e maior consumo de açúcares totais, em obesos. O alelo G do rs713598 mostrou relação com maior consumo de carboidratos, consumo de alimentos de sabor doce, refrigerantes e menor ingestão de fibras pelos indivíduos eutróficos. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve relação entre genótipos e risco de obesidade. Os achados mostram a associação entre polimorfismos dos genes de receptores de sabor com o consumo alimentar, indicando diferenças entre obesos e magros, e alelos de proteção e de risco cardiometabólico, respectivamente dos genes CD36 e TAS1R2 / BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem and it has a direct impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents, as well as the future risk for development of chronic diseases. The dietary pattern rich in fats and sugars associated to the low intake of dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals is widespread for the rise of obesity. However the factors that contribute to the preference for foods rich in these nutrients are not well established. Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices, and polymorphisms in genes encoding its receptors may explain the variability of taste preference and food intake on population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of polymorphisms of fat (CD36), sweet (TAS1R2) and bitter (TAS2R38) taste receptor genes in diet and metabolic profile in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 668 obese children and adolescents and a control group of 135 normal-weight children. The molecular study was made for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1761667 and rs1527483 of CD36, rs9701796 and rs35874116 of TAS1R2, rs1726866 and rs713598 of TAS2R38, and the analysis of food intake and metabolic profile. RESULTS: In relation to CD36, the A allele of rs1761667 was associated with lower intake of total fat, poly and monounsaturated fats, consumption of fatty flavor food, intake of vegetable oils and total sugars in obese. The A allele of rs1527483 was associated with lower percentile of diastolic blood pressure, lower fat mass and increased fat-free mass in obese. Regarding TAS1R2 gene, the variant rs9701796 was associated to increased metabolic risk according to waist-height ratio, as well as with higher consumption of chocolate powder in obese. The variant rs35874116 showed a lower intake of dietary fiber. In TAS2R38, the G allele of rs1726866 was associated with a lower intake of monounsaturated fat and a higher intake of total sugars in obese. The G allele of rs713598 was related to the higher carbohydrate intake, consumption of sweet tasting food, soda drinks and less fiber intake by normal weight children. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between genotypes and risk of obesity. The findings show the association between polymorphisms of taste receptor genes with dietary intake, indicating differences between obese and lean children, as well as the protective and risk alleles for cardiometabolic risk in CD36 and TAS1R2, respectively

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade infantil é um importante problema de saúde pública e apresenta impacto direto na qualidade de vida das crianças e adolescentes, bem como no desenvolvimento futuro de doenças crônicas. O padrão alimentar rico em gordura e açúcar, e com baixo aporte de fibra dietética, vitaminas e minerais é reconhecido como fator de risco para o surgimento da obesidade, no entanto os fatores que contribuem para a preferência por alimentos ricos nestes nutrientes não são bem estabelecidos. O sabor dos alimentos é reconhecido como um importante preditor das escolhas alimentares, e os polimorfismos nos genes que codificam os receptores do sabor podem explicar a variabilidade da preferência e consumo alimentar na população. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência de polimorfismos de genes de receptores de sabor gorduroso (CD36), doce (TAS1R2) e amargo (TAS2R38) no consumo alimentar e no perfil metabólico de crianças e adolescentes obesos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 668 crianças e adolescentes obesos e um grupo controle de 135 crianças eutróficas, de ambos os gêneros. Foi realizado o estudo molecular dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) rs1761667 e rs1527483 do CD36, rs9701796 e rs35874116 do TAS1R2, e rs1726866 e rs713598 do TAS2R38, bem como análise do consumo alimentar e perfil metabólico. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CD36, o alelo A do rs1761667 relacionou-se com menor consumo de lipídios totais, gorduras poli e monoinsaturadas, consumo de alimentos de sabor gorduroso, ingestão de óleos vegetais e açúcares totais em obesos. O alelo A do rs1527483 associou-se com menor percentil de pressão arterial diastólica, menor massa gorda e maior massa livre de gordura em obesos. Quanto ao gene TAS1R2, a variante rs9701796 teve maior risco metabólico segundo a razão circunferência da cintura-estatura (RCE), bem como relação com maior consumo de achocolatado em pó em obesos. Já a variante rs35874116 mostrou relação com a menor ingestão de fibras dietéticas em obesos. No TAS2R38, o alelo G do rs1726866 foi associado com menor consumo de gorduras monoinsaturadas e maior consumo de açúcares totais, em obesos. O alelo G do rs713598 mostrou relação com maior consumo de carboidratos, consumo de alimentos de sabor doce, refrigerantes e menor ingestão de fibras pelos indivíduos eutróficos. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve relação entre genótipos e risco de obesidade. Os achados mostram a associação entre polimorfismos dos genes de receptores de sabor com o consumo alimentar, indicando diferenças entre obesos e magros, e alelos de proteção e de risco cardiometabólico, respectivamente dos genes CD36 e TAS1R2 / BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem and it has a direct impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents, as well as the future risk for development of chronic diseases. The dietary pattern rich in fats and sugars associated to the low intake of dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals is widespread for the rise of obesity. However the factors that contribute to the preference for foods rich in these nutrients are not well established. Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices, and polymorphisms in genes encoding its receptors may explain the variability of taste preference and food intake on population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of polymorphisms of fat (CD36), sweet (TAS1R2) and bitter (TAS2R38) taste receptor genes in diet and metabolic profile in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 668 obese children and adolescents and a control group of 135 normal-weight children. The molecular study was made for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1761667 and rs1527483 of CD36, rs9701796 and rs35874116 of TAS1R2, rs1726866 and rs713598 of TAS2R38, and the analysis of food intake and metabolic profile. RESULTS: In relation to CD36, the A allele of rs1761667 was associated with lower intake of total fat, poly and monounsaturated fats, consumption of fatty flavor food, intake of vegetable oils and total sugars in obese. The A allele of rs1527483 was associated with lower percentile of diastolic blood pressure, lower fat mass and increased fat-free mass in obese. Regarding TAS1R2 gene, the variant rs9701796 was associated to increased metabolic risk according to waist-height ratio, as well as with higher consumption of chocolate powder in obese. The variant rs35874116 showed a lower intake of dietary fiber. In TAS2R38, the G allele of rs1726866 was associated with a lower intake of monounsaturated fat and a higher intake of total sugars in obese. The G allele of rs713598 was related to the higher carbohydrate intake, consumption of sweet tasting food, soda drinks and less fiber intake by normal weight children. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between genotypes and risk of obesity. The findings show the association between polymorphisms of taste receptor genes with dietary intake, indicating differences between obese and lean children, as well as the protective and risk alleles for cardiometabolic risk in CD36 and TAS1R2, respectively