Childhood obesity has tripled over the past three decades and poses a serious public health problem. The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement aims to increase healthy eating by incorporating low-cost to no-cost alterations to the school lunchroom in an effort to increase consumption of healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables, by making them more attractive and convenient. Our study implemented Smarter Lunchrooms interventions at two primarily Hispanic elementary schools in Paso Robles, CA. The interventions focused on increasing the appeal of the salad bars, including installation of age-appropriate signage highlighting fruits and vegetables, as well as branding of fruits and vegetables with fun age-appropriate characters. Fruits were also placed into decorative bowls to increase their attractiveness. To determine whether these changes had an influence on fruit and vegetable choice and consumption, we tracked student’s choice and intake prior to and following the intervention. Consumption was analyzed using a visual tray waste measurement to determine how much fruit, vegetable, and entrée the students ate during lunch. Following the intervention, the proportion of children who selected fruits and vegetables increased at one school, but not at the other. Of the children that selected fruits and/or vegetables, the proportion eating the entire fruit or vegetable increased at both schools, while the proportion of students who did not eat any of their vegetables decreased at one school. There were few significant differences by grade level (1-3 and 4-5). If easy-to-implement strategies such as Smarter Lunchrooms interventions are effective mitigators of obesity risk, larger scale efforts across populations may help stem the ever-increasing impact of obesity. Therefore, future research should identify targeted methods by which to approach younger vs. older children among diverse socio-demographic and geographic groups.

Breastfeeding rates in America are lower than other high-income countries, with Mississippi having one of the lowest rates. A survey using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) was distributed twice to Mississippi State University students to understand their breastfeeding attitudes. Attitudes were determined by calculating a composite score and conducting statistical tests for significance. Knowledge between health and non-health related majors were explored by using five statements, and attitudes towards the statement “Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies” were compared across demographics. Of 642 respondents, the composite score was 57.3 out of 85, and all demographics had a neutral score (between 49-69). All demographics agreed that “Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies” and health (46.1%) and non-health related majors (53%) had similar knowledge towards breastfeeding. College students may become parents, so understanding their attitudes can provide insight into their feeding methods and educational needs.

Introdução: Nicho interessante de pesquisa sobre o papel de hábitos de vida na saúde são os nutricionistas e estudantes de nutrição. Nesse sentido, surge o Nutritionists Health Study (NutriHS) na FSP-USP. Estudos desta natureza geram quantidade apreciável de informação, sendo desejável o uso de tecnologia para facilitar a obtenção e processamento de dados. Objetivos: O conjunto dos objetivos desta tese, que vão desde a criação de sistema web até sua aplicação no NutriHS, foram: 1) analisar softwares internacionalmente disponíveis, voltados à coleta e análise de dados sobre nutrição e alimentação; 2) desenvolver e implementar o sistema web, o e-NutriHS; 3) elaborar a documentação do sistema web; 4) proceder a validação os dados coletados pelo e-NutriHS; 5) comparar hábitos de vida (dieta e atividade física), medidas antropométricas e perfil bioquímico de estudantes de Nutrição e nutricionistas. Métodos: Realizou-se busca sistemática de estudos que utilizavam sistemas informatizados baseados na web. No desenvolvimento do e-NutriHS empregaram-se linguagens de programação livres: para o banco de dados utilizou-se MySQL 5.0 server via phpMyAdmin, localhost via UNIX socket e para a camada de apresentação Jquery 1.8, PHP 5.6, CSS e HTML 5. A documentação incluiu fluxogramas, arquitetura, código fonte e abordagem IBM Rational Unified Process, permitindo o desenvolvimento guiado por casos de uso, atendendo às recomendações do Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial. Implementou-se a coleta de dados do NutriHS sobre hábitos de vida, eventos precoces da vida, saúde e clínico-laboratoriais, de estudantes de Nutrição em diferentes períodos do curso (1ª metade e 2ª metade) e graduados, por meio eletrônico e presencial. Bland-Altman e Kappa foram usadas para análises de concordância entre dados referidos e aferidos. Subgrupos de participantes foram comparados quanto a diversas variáveis (incluindo índice de dieta saudável) por ANOVA. Resultados: A busca das ferramentas de coleta eletrônica de dados de nutrição resultou em 10 estudos. A documentação do e-NutriHS incluiu detalhamento de fluxogramas, arquitetura, código fonte e casos de uso, atendendo às recomendações para registro de software. 723 indivíduos completaram dados autorreferidos no sistema e 228 realizaram antropometria, medidas de pressão arterial, composição corporal e coleta de materiais biológicos. Detectaram-se fortes correlações entre os valores antropométricos relatados e aferidos. A comparação de subgrupos mostrou tendência a menor consumo de energia, colesterol e carne vermelha e maior consumo de frutas & verduras nos grupos com maior duração da exposição a conhecimentos em nutrição. Os graduados apresentaram melhor escore de componentes do índice de dieta saudável e melhores índices lipídicos. Tais índices associaram-se ao consumo de frutas & verduras e inversamente ao de grãos refinados. Discussão: Instrumentos disponíveis na literatura apontam o meio eletrônico como de utilidade para condução de pesquisa em epidemiologia nutricional. O e-NutriHS atendeu adequadamente aos propósitos, motivando encaminhar seu registro de software. Com ferramenta eletrônica amigável, o NutriHS destacou-se como importante iniciativa de pesquisa em nutrição. Sugeriu que aquisição de conhecimento e habilidades traz benefícios clínicos que poderão, no longo prazo, reduzir o risco cardiometabólico. Conclui-se que o desenvolvimento do e-NutriHS proporcionou rápida implementação do NutriHS, gerando dados de alta qualidade e baixo custo. Abrem-se perspectivas de testar hipóteses sobre mecanismos de doenças e intervenções na sua fase longitudinal que poderão ser úteis para a saúde pública. / Introduction: An interesting field of research on the role of lifestyle on health involves undergraduates and graduates of Nutrition Colleges. In this sense, emerges the Nutritionists\' Health Study (NutriHS) in the FSP-USP. This kind of study generates appreciable amount of information requiring technology to facilitate the data collection and processing. Objectives: The objectives for the development of this thesis began by programing a computerized system to its application in NutriHS. They were: 1) to analyze internationally available softwares addressed to the collection and analysis of data on nutrition; 2) to develop and implement the web system, e-NutriHS; 3) to develop the web system documentation; 4) to validate the data collected by NutriHS system; 5) to compare lifestyle habits (diet and physical activity), anthropometric measurements and biochemical profile of Nutrition undergraduates and nutritionists. Methods: A systematic search of epidemiological studies using web-based systems was performed. For the development of the e-NutriHS system free programming languages were employed: MySQL 5.0 for database server via phpMyAdmin, localhost via UNIX socket; and jQuery 1.8, PHP 5.6, CSS and HTML 5 for the users layer. Its documentation included detailed flowcharts, architecture, source code and the IBM Rational Unified Process approach, according to the National Institute of Industrial Property recommendations. Electronic data collection of the NutriHS participants on lifestyle, early life events, health and clinical laboratory from the undergraduates at different stages of course (1st half and 2nd half) and graduated, as well as face-to-face data collection, were implemented. Bland-Altman and Kappa were used for correlation analysis between reported and measured data. Subgroups of participants were compared according to a number of variables (including healthy eating index) by ANOVA. Results: Ten studies were selected in the search of webbased instruments. The e-NutriHS documentation included flowcharts, architecture, source code and use cases, taking into account the recommendations for software registration. 723 subjects completed self-reported data and 228 had measurements of anthropometry, blood pressure, body composition and collection of biological materials taken. Strong correlations were detected between reported and measured anthropometric values. In subgroups comparisons, a trend to lower energy and cholesterol red meat and higher fruits and vegetables intakes were found in groups with longer exposure to nutrition knowledge. The graduated group had better scores of some components the health eating index and better lipid indices. Lipid indices were associated with the intake fruits & vegetables and inversely with refined grains. Discussion: The systematic review indicates that web-based instruments are useful for conducting research in nutritional epidemiology. The e-NutriHS met its purposes appropriately, which led to referral to the software registration. The NutriHS has represented a major initiative research in nutrition. This suggested that acquisition of knowledge and skills reflects in clinical benefits that could reduce long term cardiometabolic risk. We conclude that the e-NutriHS development accelerate the NutriHS implementation, generating high-quality low-cost data. Perspectives of testing hypotheses about the mechanisms of nutrition-related diseases and interventions in the longitudinal phase are opened with potential use in public health.

Objetivo Examinar a correlação entre fatores dietéticos, obtidos por questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA) validado, e concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína (hcy), ácido fólico, vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de São Paulo. População e métodos Foram analisados os dados dietéticos de 1.434 mulheres de 21 a 65 anos de um estudo caso-controle sobre consumo alimentar e lesões neoplásicas do colo uterino realizado em três hospitais públicos da cidade de São Paulo, excluindo-se os casos de câncer invasivo. Todas participantes tiveram sua ingestão alimentar usual avaliada por entrevista, usando um QFA, e forneceram amostras sangüíneas em jejum para separação de plasma e soro. Concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 séricos foram analisadas por técnica de fluoroimunoensaio, enquanto concentrações plasmáticas de hcy e vitamina B6 foram analisadas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Performance em fase reversa. Correlações entre ingestão estimada de nutrientes, ajustados pelas calorias totais, e alimentos com as variáveis bioquímicas foram avaliadas em modelos de regressão linear múltiplos, após ajuste para co-variáveis, tais como idade, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), estilo de vida (incluindo tabagismo), morbidade ginecológica pregressa ou atual, história obstétrica e uso de anticoncepcional oral. Resultados Embora apenas 6,2% das participantes do estudo tenham apresentado concentrações séricas de ácido fólico abaixo do valor de referência (7 nmol/L), 45,7% e em 97,1% tiveram um consumo estimado de folato inferior a 180 ug/dia e 400 ug/dia, respectivamente. Modelos de regressão múltiplos mostraram correlação positiva entre ácido fólico sérico e ingestão estimada de proteína, ferro, folato, vitaminas B1, B3, B6, A, C e frutas/sucos cítricos e de vegetais verdes, e correlação inversa entre ácido fólico sérico e consumo estimado de gorduras, doces e leite e derivados. Resultados similares foram obtidos após ajuste adicional para fibra da dieta, exceto com consumo de folato e de vegetais verdes, que perderam a significância estatística como preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico. Concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 abaixo do ponto de corte de 148 pmol/L foram observadas em 11,0% da amostra; a maioria delas (70,4%) apresentou ingestão estimada de vitamina B12 igual ou superior à recomendação (2 ug/dia). As concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 foram positivamente correlacionadas com consumo estimado de produtos lácteos e das vitaminas B2 e B12. A ingestão de fibra, vitamina E e leguminosas foi inversamente correlacionada com as concentrações séricas de vitamina B12. Ingestão de vitamina B6 abaixo das recomendações de 1,3 mg/dia (≤50 anos) e 1,5 mg/dia (>50 anos) foi observada em 49% das participantes. Nenhuma correlação foi encontrada entre dados da dieta e concentrações plasmáticas de vitamina B6. As concentrações plasmáticas de hcy foram positivamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de carboidratos e doces, e inversamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de proteína, colesterol, ferro, zinco de origem animal, vitaminas A, B2, B12 e B6, e pescados. Entretanto, essas correlações perderam a significância após ajuste adicional por proteína da dieta, um dos mais fortes preditores das concentrações plasmáticas de hcy. Conclusão Nutrientes e alimentos selecionados da dieta mostraram-se preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e de vitamina B12, indicando as principais fontes alimentares desses nutrientes nesta população e em outras similares. A forte correlação negativa entre concentração plasmática de Hcy e proteína da dieta sugere base para o planejamento de futuras intervenções nutricionais. Nenhuma correlação foi observada entre concentração plasmática de vitamina B6 e fatores dietéticos estimados. / Objective To examine whether measurements of dietary intakes, obtained with a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), correlated with serum or plasma levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and homocystein (hcy) measured in low-income women living in São Paulo, Brazil. Population and methods We analyzed dietary data from 1434 women aged 21-65 years enrolled in a case-control study of diet and cervical cancer carried out in three public hospitals of São Paulo. Data for women with invasive cervical cancer were excluded. All participants had their usual dietary intake assessed by interview, using a validated FFQ, and provided a fasting blood sample for serum and plasma separation. Serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured by fluorimmunoassay, while serum levels of vitamin B6 and plasma levels of hcy were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Correlations between estimates of food and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes and levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and hcy were assessed using multiple linear regression models, adjusted for covariates such as age, body mass index, lifestyle (including smoking), past and current gynecologic morbidity and obstetric history, and use of oral contraceptives. Results Although only 6.2% of the study participants had serum folic acid levels below the reference value of 7 nmol/L, 45.7% and 97.1% had a dietary intake of folic acid estimated to be less than 180 g/day and 400 g/day, respectively. Multiple linear models showed serum folic acid levels to be positively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, iron, folate, vitamins B1, B3, B6, A and C, citrus fruits and juices and green vegetables, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of fat, sweets and dairy products. Similar results were obtained after a further adjustment for fiber intake in the model, except for the estimated intake of folic acid and green vegetables, which lost their statistical significance as independent predictors of serum folic acid levels. Serum levels of vitamin B12 below the cut-off point of 148 pmol/L were found in 11.0% of study participants; most of them (70.4%) had their vitamin B12 intake estimated to be equal or greater than the reference value of 2 g/day. Serum levels of vitamin B12 were positively correlated with the estimated intake of dairy products and vitamins B2 and B12. The estimated intakes of fiber, vitamin E and beans were negatively correlated with serum levels of vitamin B12. Dietary vitamin B6 was estimated to be below the recommended levels of 1.3 mg/day (age  50 years) or 1.5 mg/day (age > 50 years) in 49.0% of study participants. No correlation was found between estimated intakes of foods and nutrients and plasma levels of vitamin B6. Hcy concentrations were positively correlated with the estimated intake of carbohydrates and sweets, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, cholesterol, iron, zinc of animal origin, vitamins A, B2, B12 and B6 and fishes. However, these correlations were no longer significant after additional adjustment for dietary protein, the strongest predictor of hcy plasma levels. Conclusion The estimated dietary intakes of selected foods and nutrients were shown to be independent predictors of measured serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, providing a basis for indentifying the main dietary sources of these nutrients in this and similar populations. The strong negative correlation between plasma levels of hcy and dietary protein provides a basis for future nutritional interventions. No correlation was found between plasma concentrations of vitamin B6 and estimated dietary intakes.

Rates of adult obesity in the United States continue to rise, especially among the college-age population who typically practice poor dietary choices, contributing to weight gain. College-age students experience a transitional phase called ‘emerging adulthood’ where they learn autonomy in many areas that influence long-term health status. The purpose of the online health promotion program BUCS: Live Well was to promote self-efficacy in ability to incorporate positive dietary changes, assess incidences of positive dietary habits after completing the program, and determine if weight status, residence, and health perceptions influence dietary behaviors. BUCS: Live Well was successful in assessing current dietary intake, facilitating positive dietary changes, and improving self-efficacy about incorporating positive dietary changes, although it did not promote weight loss. Online health promotion programs for college students are effective in initiating lifestyle modification and need to be available in hopes of reducing the obesity rate in this population.

Objetivo Examinar a correlação entre fatores dietéticos, obtidos por questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA) validado, e concentrações séricas ou plasmáticas de homocisteína (hcy), ácido fólico, vitaminas B12 e B6 em mulheres de São Paulo. População e métodos Foram analisados os dados dietéticos de 1.434 mulheres de 21 a 65 anos de um estudo caso-controle sobre consumo alimentar e lesões neoplásicas do colo uterino realizado em três hospitais públicos da cidade de São Paulo, excluindo-se os casos de câncer invasivo. Todas participantes tiveram sua ingestão alimentar usual avaliada por entrevista, usando um QFA, e forneceram amostras sangüíneas em jejum para separação de plasma e soro. Concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e vitamina B12 séricos foram analisadas por técnica de fluoroimunoensaio, enquanto concentrações plasmáticas de hcy e vitamina B6 foram analisadas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Performance em fase reversa. Correlações entre ingestão estimada de nutrientes, ajustados pelas calorias totais, e alimentos com as variáveis bioquímicas foram avaliadas em modelos de regressão linear múltiplos, após ajuste para co-variáveis, tais como idade, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), estilo de vida (incluindo tabagismo), morbidade ginecológica pregressa ou atual, história obstétrica e uso de anticoncepcional oral. Resultados Embora apenas 6,2% das participantes do estudo tenham apresentado concentrações séricas de ácido fólico abaixo do valor de referência (7 nmol/L), 45,7% e em 97,1% tiveram um consumo estimado de folato inferior a 180 ug/dia e 400 ug/dia, respectivamente. Modelos de regressão múltiplos mostraram correlação positiva entre ácido fólico sérico e ingestão estimada de proteína, ferro, folato, vitaminas B1, B3, B6, A, C e frutas/sucos cítricos e de vegetais verdes, e correlação inversa entre ácido fólico sérico e consumo estimado de gorduras, doces e leite e derivados. Resultados similares foram obtidos após ajuste adicional para fibra da dieta, exceto com consumo de folato e de vegetais verdes, que perderam a significância estatística como preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico. Concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 abaixo do ponto de corte de 148 pmol/L foram observadas em 11,0% da amostra; a maioria delas (70,4%) apresentou ingestão estimada de vitamina B12 igual ou superior à recomendação (2 ug/dia). As concentrações séricas de vitamina B12 foram positivamente correlacionadas com consumo estimado de produtos lácteos e das vitaminas B2 e B12. A ingestão de fibra, vitamina E e leguminosas foi inversamente correlacionada com as concentrações séricas de vitamina B12. Ingestão de vitamina B6 abaixo das recomendações de 1,3 mg/dia (≤50 anos) e 1,5 mg/dia (>50 anos) foi observada em 49% das participantes. Nenhuma correlação foi encontrada entre dados da dieta e concentrações plasmáticas de vitamina B6. As concentrações plasmáticas de hcy foram positivamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de carboidratos e doces, e inversamente correlacionadas com o consumo estimado de proteína, colesterol, ferro, zinco de origem animal, vitaminas A, B2, B12 e B6, e pescados. Entretanto, essas correlações perderam a significância após ajuste adicional por proteína da dieta, um dos mais fortes preditores das concentrações plasmáticas de hcy. Conclusão Nutrientes e alimentos selecionados da dieta mostraram-se preditores independentes das concentrações séricas de ácido fólico e de vitamina B12, indicando as principais fontes alimentares desses nutrientes nesta população e em outras similares. A forte correlação negativa entre concentração plasmática de Hcy e proteína da dieta sugere base para o planejamento de futuras intervenções nutricionais. Nenhuma correlação foi observada entre concentração plasmática de vitamina B6 e fatores dietéticos estimados. / Objective To examine whether measurements of dietary intakes, obtained with a validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), correlated with serum or plasma levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and homocystein (hcy) measured in low-income women living in São Paulo, Brazil. Population and methods We analyzed dietary data from 1434 women aged 21-65 years enrolled in a case-control study of diet and cervical cancer carried out in three public hospitals of São Paulo. Data for women with invasive cervical cancer were excluded. All participants had their usual dietary intake assessed by interview, using a validated FFQ, and provided a fasting blood sample for serum and plasma separation. Serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 were measured by fluorimmunoassay, while serum levels of vitamin B6 and plasma levels of hcy were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Correlations between estimates of food and energy-adjusted nutrient intakes and levels of folic acid, vitamins B12 and B6 and hcy were assessed using multiple linear regression models, adjusted for covariates such as age, body mass index, lifestyle (including smoking), past and current gynecologic morbidity and obstetric history, and use of oral contraceptives. Results Although only 6.2% of the study participants had serum folic acid levels below the reference value of 7 nmol/L, 45.7% and 97.1% had a dietary intake of folic acid estimated to be less than 180 g/day and 400 g/day, respectively. Multiple linear models showed serum folic acid levels to be positively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, iron, folate, vitamins B1, B3, B6, A and C, citrus fruits and juices and green vegetables, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of fat, sweets and dairy products. Similar results were obtained after a further adjustment for fiber intake in the model, except for the estimated intake of folic acid and green vegetables, which lost their statistical significance as independent predictors of serum folic acid levels. Serum levels of vitamin B12 below the cut-off point of 148 pmol/L were found in 11.0% of study participants; most of them (70.4%) had their vitamin B12 intake estimated to be equal or greater than the reference value of 2 g/day. Serum levels of vitamin B12 were positively correlated with the estimated intake of dairy products and vitamins B2 and B12. The estimated intakes of fiber, vitamin E and beans were negatively correlated with serum levels of vitamin B12. Dietary vitamin B6 was estimated to be below the recommended levels of 1.3 mg/day (age  50 years) or 1.5 mg/day (age > 50 years) in 49.0% of study participants. No correlation was found between estimated intakes of foods and nutrients and plasma levels of vitamin B6. Hcy concentrations were positively correlated with the estimated intake of carbohydrates and sweets, and negatively correlated with the estimated intake of protein, cholesterol, iron, zinc of animal origin, vitamins A, B2, B12 and B6 and fishes. However, these correlations were no longer significant after additional adjustment for dietary protein, the strongest predictor of hcy plasma levels. Conclusion The estimated dietary intakes of selected foods and nutrients were shown to be independent predictors of measured serum levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, providing a basis for indentifying the main dietary sources of these nutrients in this and similar populations. The strong negative correlation between plasma levels of hcy and dietary protein provides a basis for future nutritional interventions. No correlation was found between plasma concentrations of vitamin B6 and estimated dietary intakes.

<p>Dietary supplement (DS) use is highly prevalent in the U.S. and can contribute substantial amounts of micronutrients to the one-half of U.S. adults and nearly one-third of U.S. children who use them. Despite their pervasive use, the best practices for assessing the prevalence of use of and measuring nutrient intakes from supplemental sources remain largely unknown, and currently no metric designed to assess total micronutrient exposures from foods, beverages, and DS exists. Comprehensive and robust methods for assessing the prevalence of use of and nutrient intakes from DS are critical for population-level research and surveillance. </p> <p>Therefore, the overarching aims of the research presented in this dissertation were to 1) identify the most comprehensive method for assessing the prevalence of use of and estimating nutrient intakes from DS, 2) characterize DS use and examine trends in overall and micronutrient-containing DS use among the U.S. population using multiple modes of DS assessment, 3) develop the first micronutrient-based diet quality index designed to capture usual intakes from all sources of under-consumed micronutrients among the U.S. population (i.e., the Total Nutrient Index (TNI)) and 4) to determine if the TNI is a useful measure for assessing total micronutrient exposures among the U.S. adult population.</p> <p>National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 data among U.S. adults were employed to evaluate four combinations of methods constructed from two data collection instruments (i.e., the 24-hour dietary recall (24HR) and the NHANES in-home inventory with a frequency-based DS prescription medicine questionnaire (DSMQ)) for measuring the prevalence of use of and amounts of selected nutrients from DS. The results from the analysis indicated that a higher prevalence of DS use is reported when using frequency-based methods, like the DSMQ, but higher nutrient amounts are reported on the 24HR. Thus, combining the DSMQ with at least one 24HR (i.e., DSMQ or ≥1 24HR) provides the most comprehensive approach for measuring DS use and estimating nutrient intakes from supplemental sources among U.S. adults.</p> <p>Differences in the estimated prevalence of use of DS on the DSMQ or ≥1 24HR as compared with the DSMQ only were also noted among a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population from the 2007-2018 NHANES. When characterizing DS use and examining trends in overall and micronutrient-containing DS use among the U.S. population using multiple modes of DS assessment, increases in both overall and micronutrient-containing DS use were observed over time, but the prevalence of use was lower on the DSMQ than the DSMQ or ≥1 24HR among the total population and across all population subgroups. Therefore, the findings from this study were congruent with our previous analysis and contributed to a growing body of literature that utilizes multiple methods of DS assessment to improve the comprehensiveness of DS exposure assessment. </p> <p>The insights garnered from identifying the most comprehensive method for approximating micronutrient intakes from supplemental sources were implemented in the development and initial application of the first micronutrient-based diet quality index designed to capture usual intakes from all sources of under-consumed micronutrients among the U.S. population, named the TNI. The TNI assesses U.S. adults’ total nutrient intakes relative to the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Adequate Intake for eight under-consumed micronutrients identified by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: calcium, magnesium, potassium, choline, and vitamins A, C, D, E. In the initial application of the TNI, based on dietary data from the 2011-2014 NHANES, the mean TNI score of U.S. adults was 75.4 out of 100, whereas the mean score when ignoring contributions from DS was only 69.0 (t-test; p<0.001). Therefore, the results from this analysis suggested that the TNI extends existing measures of diet quality by including nutrient intakes from all sources.</p> <p>However, another analysis designed to examine the construct and criterion validity of the TNI was completed using data from a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults who participated in the 2011-2014 NHANES, as well as exemplary menus reflective of high-quality diets. The results showed that the TNI yielded high scores on exemplary menus (84.8-93.3 out of 100), was moderately correlated with the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (r=0.48) and was able to differentiate between groups with known differences in nutrient intake for DS users vs. non-DS users, non-smokers vs. smokers, and those who were food-secure vs. food insecure (all <em>p</em><0.001). Moreover, correlations of TNI component scores with nutritional biomarkers for vitamins A, C, D, and E were significantly higher when compared with those obtained via the diet alone.</p> <p>Taken together, the research findings from the studies presented in this dissertation contribute evidence supporting the use of multiple modes of DS assessment to improve the comprehensiveness of DS exposure assessment, as well as the importance of capturing micronutrient exposures from all sources. These results also highlight the broad applicability of the TNI framework as a tool for comprehensively representing the totality of nutrient exposures, inclusive of DS. Our outcomes point towards a need for additional investigation into the random and systematic error that pervades DS assessment, the development of tools that can be used to describe micronutrient exposures more completely and how those relate to nutritional status, as well as further applications of the TNI. </p>

Overweight and obesity are risk factors for various chronic diseases. Sleep has been associated with overweight and obesity. One potential mechanism by which sleep may lead to overweight and obesity is through positive energy balance (i.e. energy intake exceeding expenditure). There are few studies examining the impact of sleep timing (onset and wake time) on diet and exercise. In a cross sectional study, we examined associations between sleep timing and diet quality, and in separate models, between sleep timing and meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among the participants of the UMass Vitamin D Status Study. A total of 140 young women (aged 18 to 30 years) were grouped into four sleep timing categories based on the median of participants’ sleep onset and wake time (Early sleep-Early wake, Early sleep-Late wake, Late sleep-Early wake, Late sleep-Late wake). Multivariable linear regression and multivariable logistic regression were used to model the associations between the sleep timing categories and diet quality, and sleep timing and meeting the National Physical Activity Guidelines, respectively. Participants in the Early sleep-Early wake group had the highest diet quality scores and were more likely to meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines compared to the other sleep timing categories. To our knowledge, this was the first study in the U.S. examining sleep timing and diet quality and physical activity among young women. In conclusion, the old adage early to bed, early to rise appears to be related to higher diet quality and meeting physical activity guidelines.

Introdução: O excesso de peso (EP, inclui sobrepeso e obesidade) configura um grande problema de saúde pública no país. A compreensão do estado nutricional ao longo do tempo e de fatores associados, como a dieta, além de suas possíveis consequências, como fatores de risco cardiometabólico, é essencial para o desenvolvimento de ações em saúde. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade na população da cidade de São Paulo, assim como modificações na dieta da população entre os anos de 2003 e 2015 e sua associação com fatores de risco cardiometabólico. Métodos: Foram utilizados dados do estudo transversal de base populacional ISA - Capital dos anos de 2003, 2008 e 2015, referentes à amostra probabilística de residentes do município de São Paulo com 12 anos ou mais, de ambos os sexos, totalizando 8.682 indivíduos. Dados socioeconômicos, antropométricos, de estilo de vida e recordatório alimentar de 24 horas foram coletadas em visitas domiciliares e inquérito telefônico. Os indivíduos foram classificados segundo IMC em duas categorias: com e sem EP. Os fatores de risco cardiometabólico avaliados foram: circunferência de cintura aumentada, pressão arterial sistólica ou diastólica elevada, dislipidemia, glicemia de jejum ou hemoglobina glicada elevadas e resistência à insulina. Foram avaliados a frequência de consumo e o tamanho das porções de 30 grupos de alimentos e a qualidade da dieta, utilizando o Índice de Qualidade da Dieta Revisado para a população brasileira (IQD-R) e o Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI) americano. Variáveis categóricas foram descritas e comparadas por teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística e logística ordinal para avaliar a associação das variáveis investigadas com EP e com fatores de risco cardiometabólico. Resultados: No período avaliado, a prevalência de obesidade na população dobrou: de 10% (8,0; 12,5) em 2003 para 19,2% (17,8; 20,6) em 2015, sendo o maior aumento entre adolescentes e adultos do sexo feminino. Adultos, pessoas com maior renda e ex-fumantes apresentaram maior chance de ter EP, o qual aumentou 31% entre 2003 e 2008 e 126% entre 2003 e 2015, quando metade da população passou a ter EP. Se esse padrão se mantiver, espera-se que 77% da população tenha EP em 2030. Neste período, houve uma variação no tamanho das porções consumidas, com aumento em alguns grupos de alimentos (carne branca, salgados, café/chá, ovos) e redução em outros (arroz, carne vermelha, doces, massas, sanduiches, frios). Além disso, a frequência de consumo de seis grupos aumentou no período (arroz, carne branca, doces, frutas, sucos industrializados, torradas/biscoitos). Nesta população, o EP se associou positivamente com maiores porções de frios, petiscos fritos, sucos naturais e industrializados, pizza, carne vermelha, arroz, salgados, refrigerantes, sopas e açúcar. Em relação à qualidade da dieta, adolescentes com EP apresentaram pior qualidade da dieta para os componentes grãos integrais (IQD-R) e bebidas açucaradas (AHEI) em relação aos adolescentes sem EP. O IQD-R foi inversamente associado ao EP (OR=0.87; 0.80, 0.95) e ao número de fatores de risco cardiovascular (OR=0.89; 0.80, 0.98) nesta população. Conclusões: O EP aumentou substancialmente em um curto período na cidade de São Paulo, especificamente em alguns subgrupos e se associou positivamente com maior tamanho da porção de 11 grupos de alimentos na população geral e com menor qualidade da dieta entre os adolescentes. Adolescentes com menor qualidade da dieta também apresentaram maior chance de ter mais fatores de risco cardiometabólico. Esses achados podem subsidiar intervenções e políticas para redução da tendência de aumento do excesso de peso e melhora no consumo alimentar na população. / Introduction: Excess body weight (EBW, including overweight and obesity) is a major public health problem in the country. Understanding nutritional status over time and associated factors, such as diet, besides its consequences, such as cardiometabolic risk factors, is essential for the development of interventions in health. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population of the city of São Paulo, as well as changes in diet between 2003 and 2015, and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: We used data from the cross-sectional population based study ISA-Capital 2003, 2008, and 2015, with probabilistic sampling of residents of the city of São Paulo aged 12 years and more, of both sexes, totaling 8,682 individuals. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, and lifestyle data and 24-hour dietary recalls were collected in the households and by telephone. The individuals were categorized according to BMI in two categories: with and without EBW. The evaluated cardiometabolic risk factors were: central obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, high fasting glycaemia or glycated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance. We evaluated the frequency of intake and the portion sizes of 30 food groups, besides the diet quality, using the Revised Diet Quality Index for Brazilian population (BHEI-R) and the American Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Categorical variables were described and compared by Pearson\'s chi-square test and 95% confidence interval. Ordinal logistic and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association of the investigated variables with EBW and cardiometabolic risk factors. Results: The prevalence of obesity in the population doubled in the evaluated period, from 10% (8.0; 12.5) in 2003 to 19.2% (17.8; 20.6) in 2015, with the highest increase among female adolescents and adults. Adults, those with higher income, and former smokers were more likely to have EBW, which increased 31% between 2003 and 2008, and 126% between 2003 and 2015, when half of the population had EBW. If this pattern continues, it is expected that 77% of the population will have EBW by 2030. During this period, there was a variation in the portion sizes of food groups consumed, with increase in some groups (white meat, salted snacks, coffee/tea, eggs) and decrease in others (rice, red meat, sweets, pasta, sandwiches, cold cuts). In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of consumption of six groups (rice, white meat, sweets, fruits, commercial juices, toasts/biscuits). In this population, EBW was positively associated with larger portions of cold cuts, fried snacks, fruit and commercial juices, pizza, red meat, rice, salted snacks, soft drinks, soups and sugar. Regarding diet quality, adolescents with EBW had lower diet quality for the components whole grains (BHEI-R) and sugar sweetened beverages (AHEI) compared with adolescents without EBW. BHEI-R was inversely associated with EBW (OR = 0.87, 0.80, 0.95) and cardiovascular risk factors count (OR = 0.89, 0.80, 0.98) in this population. Conclusions: EBW increased substantially over a short period in the city of São Paulo, especially in some subgroups and it was positively associated with larger portion size of 11 food groups in the population, and with lower diet quality among adolescents. Also, adolescents with lower diet quality were more likely to have higher number of cardiovascular risk factors. These findings can subsidize interventions and policies to reduce the tendency of increase in EBW and to improve food intake in the population.

Objetivo: Identificar os determinantes da desnutrição infantil, na Comuna de Bom Jesus, em Angola. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional com 742 crianças menores de 5 anos, Bom Jesus, Angola, 2010. Foi aplicado um inquérito por entrevista para coleta das variáveis independentes, seguido da aferição do peso e estatura. A classificação nutricional seguiu critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (2006). Para identificar os fatores associados aos déficits de peso/idade (P/I), estatura/idade (E/I) e peso/estatura (P/E), foram calculadas razões de prevalência mediante regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, utilizando-se modelos de determinantes hierarquizados. Resultados/Conclusões: Bairro de moradia, idade da criança e sexo associaram-se aos déficits nutricionais. No nível distal, observou-se maior chance entre crianças de domicílios sem energia elétrica, que viviam com o pai e cujo pai tinha outra família, respectivamente, aos déficits de P/I, P/E e E/I. No nível intermediário, maior chance foi observada entre crianças cujo domicílio era abastecido com água de rio ou lago e os déficits de P/I (RP:2,01; IC95%1,01-4,02) e E/I (RP:1,67; IC95%1,04-2,69), assim como entre déficit de P/E e crianças cuja ordem de nascimento era a partir do terceiro. Neste nível, observou-se menor chance do déficit de P/E entre crianças cuja idade da mãe era entre 25 e 34 anos e déficit de P/I e aquelas com um irmão menor de 5 anos. No nível proximal, maior chance foi observada em crianças que apresentaram vômito, 15 dias anteriores à pesquisa, e os déficits de P/I (RP:2,01; IC95%1,33-3,30) e E/I (RP:1,53; IC95%1,04-2,69). Maior chance foi observada entre o déficit linear e a manifestação de diarreia com muco e sangue, à véspera do inquérito. Esses resultados justificam a elaboração de intervenções voltadas à adequada assistência pré-natal e puericultura e melhoria do acesso à água de qualidade. / Objective: To identify the determinants of childhood malnutrition in the community of Bom Jesus in Angola. Methods: Population based cross-sectional study of 742 children under 5 in Bom Jesus, Angola, 2010. Data on the independent variables were collected using an interview, and height and weight were measured. Nutritional status was classified according to World Health Organization (2006) criteria. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate prevalence ratios in order to identify factors associated with weight/age (W/A), height/age (H/A) and weight/height (W/H) deficiencies, using hierarchical models of the determinants. Results/Conclusions: Neighborhood of residence and age and sex of the child were associated with nutritional deficiencies. On the distal level, there was association between not being connected to an electricity grid, the presence of the father in the household and having another family being, respectively, to W/A. W/H and H/A deficiencies. At the intermediate level, there was association between household water supply from the river or lake and W/A (PR:2.01; 95%CI 1.01-4.02) and H/A (PR:1.67; 95%CI 1.04-2.69) deficiencies, as well as between W/H deficit and children whose birth order was 3rd or later. At this level there was an inverse association between W/H and mother being aged between 25 and 34 and W/A deficiency and having one sibling aged under 5. At the proximal level, was observed association between children who had presented vomiting within the 15 days preceding the research and W/A (PR:2.01; 95%CI 1.33-3.30) and H/A (PR:1.53; 95%CI 1.04-2.69) deficiencies. Association was observed between linear deficiency and diarrhea containing blood or mucus on the day before the survey. These results justify the creation of interventions directed at adequate pre-natal care and childcare, improving and increasing access to clean water and sanitation.