Ana Debora Santos de Oliveira

Evidence suggests that the intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF) influences gut microbiota. The present study evaluated the impact of energy restriction of dietary UPF compared to a general energy restriction on the gut microbiota of individuals with obesity. This was a parallel, randomized clinical trial. Individuals with obesity were randomly allocated into two groups: control, with general energy restriction (ER-G), and intervention, with energy restriction associated with UPF restriction (ER-UPF), limited to 5% of total intake. Individuals were followed-up monthly for 6 months. Stool samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months for DNA extraction and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region). Socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, and dietary intake data were also collected. Abundance of microbiota data was analyzed using the Linear Models for Microarray Data (limma-voom) and the Microbiome Multivariable Associations with Linear Models (MaAsLin2) packages, with the Benjamini–Hochberg correction method. Alpha-diversity was analyzed using the Shannon, Simpson and Simpson-inverse index, whereas beta-diversity was analyzed using the Bray–Curtis index with the PERMANOVA test. Other variables were analyzed using mixed ANOVA with an alpha level of 5%. A total of 43 individuals were included, and at the end of the study, 34 individuals (18 intervention and 16 control) had complete data and were analyzed. %UPF consumption significantly decreased in the group that restricted UPF (p-interaction = 0.01), whereas waist circumference and body fat decreased in both groups (p-moment < 0.01). It was observed an increase in phylum and family microbial alpha-diversity in both groups with a slight decrease at the genus level. The Ruminococcaceae family showed a significantly greater increase in the ER-UPF group compared to the control group (p-interaction = 0.03), as did the Faecalibacterium genus (p = 0.02). These findings highlight the complexity of interactions between diet, body composition, and gut microbiota, suggesting that UPF restriction may have positive but limited effects on microbiota modulation in the short to medium term. Registration number of Clinical Trial: RBR – 3q9vgk9.

Obesity is considered a chronic non-communicable disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat at levels harmful to health. The sedentary lifestyle marked by the absence of physical exercise is considered one of the risk factors for its development. In addition, there is an increase in the consumption of foods with addictive potential, which may favor the emergenceof food addiction. Physical exercise seems to reduce the desire for several substances with addictive potential, such as tobacco, alcohol and opioids, and can also be used in the treatment of these addictions. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether there is an association between the prevalence of food addiction and sedentary lifestyle in Brazilian university students. This is a cross-sectional study of national scope, carried out through online questionnaires. Data were self-reported, including age, sex, economic class, diagnosis of anxiety disorder, modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0) and physical exercise. A total of 5,946 participants were included, with a mean age of 24.1 ± 6.3 years, of which 4,371 (73.5%) were female and had a mean BMI of 24.4 ± 5.2 kg/m2. The prevalence of food addiction was 18.5%. An association was observed between food addiction and sedentary lifestyle (PR: 1.42; 95%CI [1.28 — 1.58]), even after adjustment (PR: 1.23; 95%CI [1.11 — 1.35]). In conclusion, individuals who reported not exercising were more likely to be diagnosed with food addiction.

Background/Objectives: It is unknown whether the negative health effects associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are due to their nutritional composition or to the extent of food processing itself. We evaluated the impact of a test meal composed only of UPF, according to the NOVA classification, compared to a similar meal without UPF in adults with obesity. Methods: This is a parallel, randomized trial. Adult individuals with obesity, according to BMI, % body fat, and/or waist circumference were included. Individuals ate one out of two test meals, matched for energy density, macronutrients, sodium, and fiber, differing in NOVA classification, as a breakfast after a 12-h fast. The rate of intake, appetite, satiety hormones, energy expenditure, and autonomic function were measured. Data were analyzed using mixed analysis of variance. Results: Forty-two individuals were included. We found a significantly faster intake rate (07:52 ± 3:00 vs. 11:07 ± 03:16 min), with less chewing and bites, and greater capacity to eat (39.68 ± 22.69 vs. 23.95 ± 18.92 mm) after the UPF meal, without observed differences in the metabolic outcomes. In an exploratory analysis, after adjusting by sex, leptin levels showed a greater decrease after the test meal in the control group. Conclusions: Although we found a faster intake rate in the UPF meal, only marginal effects were found on the participants’ capacity to eat after the UPF meal. The high similarity between meals, despite differences according to the NOVA classification, may explain these results. As our study was small, these findings require further investigation.

This study analyzed changes in ultra-processed food consumption patterns during weekends in patients in the post-metabolic and bariatric surgery periods. It is a cross-sectional study, which recruited and collected data via social media from adults who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery. The Brazil Food and Nutritional Surveillance System markers of dietary consumption and the NOVA Ultra-Processed Food Screening tools were applied to evaluate dietary patterns and ultra-processed food consumption from the previous day. A total of 1525 participants were included, with a mean age of 38 ± 8 years and a mean body mass index of 29.9 ± 5.8 kg/m². From these, 766 (50.3%) individuals answered the questionnaire referring to a weekend day. After adjusting for confounders, ultra-processed food consumption was higher on weekends compared to weekdays (NOVA Score 3.07 vs. 2.42; p < 0.01). The consumption of fruits and vegetables was lower on weekends, whereas the consumption of hamburgers/sausages, sugar-sweetened beverages, boxed/canned juice, and frozen pizza increased on weekends. Instant noodles and sandwich cookies did not show differences between weekdays and weekend days. This pattern suggests the need to monitor eating habits on weekends in individuals after metabolic and bariatric surgery.

The study’s objective was to determine the prevalence of food addiction (FA) in Brazilian university students and to verify whether there is an association with anxiety, depression, and adherence to the social distancing measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a nationwide cross-sectional study carried out through the application of online questionnaires. Self-reported data on age, sex, economic class, race/skin color, anthropometric data, depression diagnosis, anxiety, modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0), and adherence to social distancing measures were collected. 5368 participants were included, with a mean age was 24.1 ± 6.3 years, the majority were female (n = 3990; 74.3%), and the mean BMI in our sample was 24.5 ± 5.3 kg/m². The prevalence of FA was 19.1% (95%CI: 18.0; 20.0%). An association was observed between FA with depression (PR: 1.60; 95%CI: 1.43; 1.78; p < 0.01), and anxiety (3.13; 95%CI: 2.74; 3.58; p < 0.01), but not with adherence to social distancing measures (p = 0.70). In conclusion, there was a higher prevalence of FA in Brazilian university students. Besides, university students with anxiety, depression, overweight, or obesity and females are more prone to FA. Level of evidence Level V, Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Objetivo: Verificar a associação entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19 e a classe econômica, raça/cor da pele e adesão às medidas ao distanciamento social em universitários brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de abrangência nacional, realizado com universitários brasileiros. Foram coletados dados autorreferidos de idade, sexo, classe econômica, raça/cor, diagnóstico do COVID-19 e adesão às medidas de distanciamento social. Resultados: 5.984 indivíduos foram avaliados. Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19, a classe econômica e raça/cor na análise multivariável. Observamos que houve associações significativas entre o diagnóstico de COVID-19 e adesão parcial ao distanciamento social (RP: 1,35; IC 95%: 1.10–1.66; p < 0,01) e com a não adesão ao distanciamento social (RP: 1,96; IC95%: 1.29–2.97; p < 0,01). Conclusão: O diagnóstico de COVID-19 foi associado à idade, não adesão e adesão parcial às medidas de distanciamento social em universitários brasileiros, mas não se associou à raça/cor e classe econômica.

Objective: To determine, through a systematic review with meta‐analysis, the prevalence of food addiction (FA) using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and its derivatives exploring possible factors associated with the prevalence of FA in several contexts.Methods: The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, LILACS, PsycArticles, CENTRAL, Greylit.org, and OpenGrey.eu. Studies that assessed FA using YFAS were included. Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of each report. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed to calculate the weighted prevalence of FA. Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression were conducted to explore sources of heterogeneity.Results: Of the 6425 abstracts reviewed, 272 studies were included. The weighted mean prevalence of FA diagnosis was 20% (95% CI: 18%; 21%). The prevalence of FA was higher in individuals with clinical diagnosis of binge eating (55%; 95% CI 34%; 75%). The prevalence in clinical samples was higher compared to non‐clinical samples. Two studies included children only and no studies included only elderly people.Conclusions: Food addiction is a topic in which there has been a significant growth in studies. The highest prevalence was found in the group of participants with eating disorders and weight disorders. More studies with children and the elderly are needed.

There is evidence that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in anxiety and depression rates among college students. However, little is known about how generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) developed among individuals of different race/skin color. This study aimed to determine whether there are racial differences in GAD in Brazilian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a nationwide cross-sectional study, carried out through the application of online questionnaires to university students from 94 Brazilian universities. Self-reported data on age, sex, economic class, race/skin color, anthropometric data, and adherence to social distancing measures were collected. To determine the GAD, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale was applied. A total of 5879 participants were included, with a mean age of 24.1 ± 6.4 years, and the majority were female (n = 4324, 73.5%), most self-declared to be whites (n = 2945, 50.1%), followed by browns (n = 2185, 37.2%) and blacks (n = 749, 12.7%). The prevalence of GAD among black Brazilian university students (47.3% [95% CI 43.7, 50.8]) was significantly higher than that of browns (38.6% [95% CI 36.6, 40.7]) and whites (44.1% [95% CI 42.3, 45.9]), even after multivariable adjustment by other sociodemographic factors. The findings of the present study suggest a possible racial difference in GAD among Brazilian university students, in which those who declared their race/skin color as black showed a greater risk for GAD than those who declared themselves as white or brown.

Avaliar os fatores associados ao declínio da hemoglobina em pacientes com DRC. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, conduzido com mulheres submetidas à hemodiálise, excetuando-se as portadoras de doenças hemolíticas. A coleta de dados bioquímicos e antropométricos foram realizadas a partir de prontuário eletrônico das pacientes inseridas na pesquisa. Cerca de 80% das mulheres eram adultas e o agravo crônico de maior prevalência foi a Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (75,65%). Foi possível constatar que todas as categorias analisadas apresentaram média de hemoglobina com valor inferior a 12g/dL indicando a anemia como um problema em vigência no público estudado. Os fatores que mostraram associação estatisticamente significativa com os menores níveis de hemoglobina foram: Hipertensão, Diabetes mellitus e o menor tempo em hemodiálise. A presença de outros agravos no portador de Doença Renal Crônica, como diabetes, hipertensão e menor tempo de hemodiálise, contribuem para maior comprometimento dos níveis de hemoglobina.