Anna Carolina Cortez-Ribeiro

Aim: This community-based mixed-methods study aims to evaluate the dietary habits and physical activity patterns of the Barroso population in northern Portugal. Methods: This study was divided into two phases. The quantitative phase will be a cross-sectional study involving 416 participants from different age groups, including children, adolescents, adults, and elderly individuals. Sociodemographic and clinical, including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and quality of life, will be collected. Physical activity will be assessed wGT3X+ Actigraph accelerometers and validated questionnaires, whereas dietary habits will be evaluated via food frequency questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls, and food diaries. In the qualitative phase, participants will be selected through stratified sampling and ethnographic analysis will be conducted through observations and semi-structured interviews to explore the cultural, social, and environmental factors influencing dietary habits and physical activity in the local population. Discussion: By integrating objective measures of physical activity and diet, such as accelerometers and validated questionnaires, with qualitative data on cultural and traditional practices, this study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of lifestyle behaviors in the region and their associations with health. Additionally, the study investigated how geographical, socioeconomic, and cultural contexts influence these dietary and physical activity behaviors. The conclusions drawn will help develop public health interventions to improve health outcomes in rural communities and will contribute to the development of more effective strategies for similar populations.

This study investigates the effect of olive leaf tea (OLT) on postprandial glycemia in healthy volunteers when ingested with a high-carbohydrate meal, compared with a placebo tea (CON). Healthy adults participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and cross-over design trial receiving a high-rich carbohydrate meal with either 250 mL of OLT or CON at two different times after a washout period. The sequence order was randomized at a ratio of 1:1. Capillary blood glucose was measured in a 2 h period after ingestion. Eighteen participants were initially randomized. Of these, thirteen completed the trial and were analyzed. The consumption of OLT resulted in a delay in peak time (48.5 ± 4.2 min vs. 35.7 ± 4.0 min, p = 0.03) and a significant increase in glucose area under the curve compared to placebo (14,502.7 ± 640.8 vs. 13,633.3 ± 869.4 mg/dL·min, p = 0.03). Results are depicted as mean ± SEM. The OLT and CON palatability were generally well accepted. No adverse effects were reported. OLT did not ameliorate a glycemic curve induced by carbohydrate-rich meal ingestion, suggesting that at least when ingested acutely in a single meal, OLT does not have antihyperglycemic effects. Future studies should account for chronic consumption providing a better understanding of glycemic regulation over time.