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Nutrition Research in Latin America

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 May 2021) | Viewed by 57718

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Dr. Mauro Fisberg

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1. Instituto Pensi, Fundação José Luiz Egydio Setubal, Hospital Infantil Sabará, São Paulo 01227-200, Brazil
2. Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04023-061, Brazil
Interests: exercise science; nutrition; infant nutrition; nutrition assessment; nutrition education; feeding behavior; obesity
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Dr. Irina Kovalskys

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Carrera de Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Interests: nutritional assessment; body composition; nutritional education; clinical nutrition; nutrition; dietetics
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Prof. Dr. Luis A. Moreno

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Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: pediatric nutrition; childhood obesity; body composition; nutritional status; nutritional epidemiology; lifestyle behaviors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Latin America is a region that is usually evaluated as a whole and united combination of countries, but it is actually divided by very different situations, regarding cultural habits, socioeconomic development, as well as influences during its history and the origin of its colonizers. Scientifically, it presents a wide array of centers of research and possibilities for funding, contrasting with very poor centers and university environments. Based on the fact that each country and their own geographical regions are in different stages of nutritional, epidemiological, and aging transition, it is a very interesting field for evaluating epidemiological surveys related to malnutrition, stunting, hidden hunger, and the increase of obesity prevalence. There is also a very important research area for microbioma, nutritional deficiencies, and cultural and genetic inheritance related to food habits. This wide presentation of many aspects of regional research in the Latin American countries may give a broad perspective of the impulse of clinical, epidemiological, and applied nutrition research in the last few years. We kindly invite researchers and health professionals from Latin America to submit their research papers, previously presented at the FINUT Conference (https://finut2020.com/), in order to obtain a picture of the current nutritional situation in the area.

Dr. Mauro Fisberg
Dr. Irina Kovalskys
Prof. Dr. Luis A. Moreno
Guest Editors

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Keywords

malnutrition
hidden hunger
obesity
microbioma
epidemiological surveys

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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18 pages, 642 KiB

Open AccessArticle

International Latin American Survey on Pediatric Intestinal Failure Team

by José Vicente N. Spolidoro, Mirella C. Souza, Helena A. S. Goldani, María N. Tanzi, Veronica B. Busoni, Maria del Carmen Padilla, Nelson E. Ramirez, Colomba Cofre, Lidia P. Valdivieso, Carola Saure, Gabriela Jimenez-Arguedas, Mikaelle S. M. Mateus, Roberta Serra, Carlos Cuadros-Mendonza, Juan Rivera-Medina, Daniela Gattini, Beatriz J. dos Santos, Clara Plata and Natascha Silva Sandy

Nutrients 2021, 13(8), 2754; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082754 - 11 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4045

Abstract

There is little data on the experience of managing pediatric Intestinal Failure (IF) in Latin America. This study aimed to identify and describe the current organization and practices of the IF teams in Latin America and the Caribbean. An online survey was sent to inquire about the existence of IF teams that managed children on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Our questionnaire was based on a previously published European study with a similar goal. Twenty-four centers with pediatric IF teams in eight countries completed the survey, representing a total number of 316 children on HPN. The median number of children on parenteral nutrition (PN) at home per team was 5.5 (range 1–50). Teams consisted of the following members: pediatric gastroenterologist and a pediatric surgeon in all teams, dietician (95.8%), nurse (91.7%), social worker (79.2%), pharmacist (70.8%), oral therapist (62.5%), psychologist (58.3%), and physiotherapist (45.8%). The majority of the centers followed international standards of care on vascular access, parenteral and enteral nutrition, and IF medical and surgical management, but a significant percentage reported inability to monitor micronutrients, like vitamins A (37.5%), E (41.7%), B1 (66.7%), B2 (62.5%), B6 (62.5%), active B12 (58.3%); and trace elements—including zinc (29.2%), aluminum (75%), copper (37.5%), chromium (58.3%), selenium (58.3%), and manganese (58.3%). Conclusion: There is wide variation in how IF teams are structured in Latin America—while many countries have well-established Intestinal rehabilitation programs, a few do not follow international standards. Many countries did not report having an IF team managing pediatric patients on HPN. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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16 pages, 582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Status Impact on Diet Quality and Body Mass Index in Eight Latin American Countries: ELANS Study Results

by Georgina Gómez, Irina Kovalskys, Ana Carolina B. Leme, Dayana Quesada, Attilio Rigotti, Lilia Yadira Cortés Sanabria, Martha Cecilia Yépez García, María Reyna Liria-Domínguez, Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Regina Mara Fisberg, Agatha Nogueira Previdelli, Viviana Guajardo, Gerson Ferrari, Mauro Fisberg, Juan Carlos Brenes and on behalf of the ELANS Study Group

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2404; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072404 - 14 Jul 2021

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6291

Abstract

Poor health and diet quality are associated with living within a low socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to investigate the impact of SES on diet quality and body mass index in Latin America. Data from the “Latin American Health and Nutrition Study (ELANS)”, a multi-country, population-based study of 9218 participants, were used. Dietary intake was collected through two 24 h recalls from participants of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Diet quality was assessed using the dietary quality score (DQS), the dietary diversity score (DDS) and the nutrients adequacy ratio (NAR). Chi-squared and multivariate-variance analyses were used to estimate possible associations. We found that participants from the low SES consumed less fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber and fish and seafood and more legumes than those in the high SES. Also, the diet quality level, assessed by DQS, DDS and NAR mean, increased with SES. Women in the low SES also showed a larger prevalence of abdominal obesity and excess weight than those in the middle and high SES. Health policies and behavioral-change strategies should be addressed to reduce the impact of socioeconomic factors on diet quality and body weight, with gender as an additional level of vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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12 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Anthropometric Parameters and Sensory Processing in Typically Developing Brazilian Children with a Pediatric Feeding Disorder

by Patrícia Junqueira, Dyandra Loureiro Caron dos Santos, Mariana Célia Guerra Lebl, Maria Fernanda Cestari de Cesar, Carolina Antunes dos Santos Amaral and Thais Coelho Alves

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2253; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072253 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4285

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to relate anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). This was a retrospective study of typically developing children with a PFD. Anthropometric data were collected and indices of weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, and body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) were analyzed as z-scores. Sensory profile data were collected for auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, and oral sensory processing. We included 79 medical records of children with a PFD. There were no statistically significant (p > 0.05) relationships between the anthropometric variables (weight-, length/height-, or BMI-for-age) and the sensory variables (auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, or oral sensory processing). In conclusion, we found no relationship between anthropometric parameters and sensory processing in the sample of typically developing Brazilian children diagnosed with a PFD under study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

21 pages, 827 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Dietary Patterns with Cardiovascular and Kidney Phenotypes in an Uruguayan Population Cohort

by Paula Moliterno, Carmen Marino Donangelo, Luciana Borgarello, Matías Pécora, Alicia Olascoaga, Oscar Noboa and José Boggia

Nutrients 2021, 13(7), 2213; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13072213 - 27 Jun 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3007

Abstract

The impact of habitual diet on chronic diseases has not been extensively characterized in South America. We aimed to identify major dietary patterns (DP) in an adult cohort in Uruguay (Genotype Phenotype and Environment of Hypertension Study—GEFA-HT-UY) and to assess associations with metabolic, anthropometric characteristics, and cardiovascular and kidney phenotypes. In a cross-sectional study (n = 294), DP were derived by the principal component analysis. Blood and urine parameters, anthropometrics, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, and glomerular filtration rate were measured. Multivariable adjusted linear models and adjusted binary logistic regression were used. Three DP were identified (Meat, Prudent, Cereal and Mate) explaining 22.6% of total variance in food intake. The traditional Meat DP, characterized by red and barbecued meat, processed meat, bread, and soft drinks, was associated with worse blood lipid profile. Prudent DP, characterized by vegetables, fish, and nuts, and lower loads for bread and crackers, was associated with reduced risk of vitamin D deficiency. Cereal and Mate DP, was characterized by higher loads of cereals, bread, and crackers, and mate infusion, with higher odds of excessive body weight. No direct associations of dietary patterns with hypertension, arterial stiffness, chronic kidney disease, and nephrolithiasis were found in the studied population, nor by age categories or sex. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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16 pages, 1012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intake of Vitamin E and C in Women of Reproductive Age: Results from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS)

by Dolores Busso, Andrea David, Reyna Penailillo, Guadalupe Echeverría, Attilio Rigotti, Irina Kovalskys, Georgina Gómez, Lilia Yadira Cortés Sanabria, Martha Cecilia Yépez García, Rossina G. Pareja, Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Mauro Fisberg and on behalf of the ELANS Study Group

Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 1954; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061954 - 7 Jun 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5282

Abstract

Vitamin E was identified as a lipophilic compound essential to maintain rat pregnancy. Low vitamin E intake during early pregnancy associates with congenital malformations and embryonic loss in animals and with miscarriage and intrauterine growth restriction in humans. Vitamin E protects cell membranes from lipoperoxidation and exerts non-antioxidant activities. Its function can be restored by vitamin C; thus, intake and circulating levels of both micronutrients are frequently analyzed together. Although substantial vitamin E inadequacy was reported worldwide, its consumption in Latin America (LatAm) is mostly unknown. Using data from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (Estudio Latinoamericano de Nutrición y Salud, ELANS), we evaluated vitamin E and C intake in women of reproductive age (WRA) from eight LatAm countries and identified their main food sources. Two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls in 3704 women aged from 15 to 49 years and living in urban locations showed low average intake of vitamin E (7.9 mg/day vs. estimated average requirement (EAR) of 12 mg/day) and adequate overall vitamin C consumption (95.5 mg/day vs. EAR of 60 mg/day). The mean regional inadequacy was 89.6% for vitamin E and 36.3% for vitamin C. The primary food sources of vitamin E were fats and oils, as well as vegetables. Vitamin C intake was explained mainly by the consumption of fruit juices, fruits, and vegetables. Combined deficient intake of both vitamins was observed in 33.7% of LatAm women. Although the implications of low antioxidant vitamins’ consumption in WRA are still unclear, the combined deficient intake of both vitamins observed in one-third of ELANS participants underscores the need for further research on this topic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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17 pages, 996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Co-Occurrence and Clustering of Sedentary Behaviors, Diet, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, and Alcohol Intake among Adolescents and Adults: The Latin American Nutrition and Health Study (ELANS)

by Ana Carolina B. Leme, Gerson Ferrari, Regina M. Fisberg, Irina Kovalskys, Georgina Gómez, Lilia Yadira Cortes, Martha Cecilia Yépez Gárcia, Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Attilo Rigotti, María Reyna Liria-Domínguez and Mauro Fisberg

Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061809 - 26 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4699

Abstract

Poor diet, sedentary behaviors, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and alcohol intake seem to co-exist in complex ways that are not well understood. The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of the extent to which unhealthy behaviors cluster in eight Latin America countries. A secondary aim was to identify socio-demographic characteristics associated with these behaviors by country. Data from adolescents and adults from the “Latin American Health and Nutrition Study” was used and the prevalence of screen-time, occupational and transportation–sedentary time, socializing with friends, poor diet, SSB and alcohol intake, alone and in combination, were identified. The eight Latin America (LA) countries added to analyses were: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between ≥2 behaviors clustering, socio-demographics and weight status. Among 9218 individuals, the most prevalent behaviors were transportation and occupation–sedentary time, SSB and alcohol intake. Younger, female, married/living with a partner, low and middle-income and obese individuals had higher chances for these clustering behaviors. These results provide a multi-country level of understanding of the extent to which behaviors co-occur in the LA population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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15 pages, 2660 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Validation of an Index Based on EAT-Lancet Recommendations: The Planetary Health Diet Index

by Leandro Teixeira Cacau, Eduardo De Carli, Aline Martins de Carvalho, Paulo Andrade Lotufo, Luis A. Moreno, Isabela Martins Bensenor and Dirce Maria Marchioni

Nutrients 2021, 13(5), 1698; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051698 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 77 | Viewed by 16062

Abstract

The EAT-Lancet Commission has proposed a planetary health diet. We propose the development of the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) based on this proposed reference diet. We used baseline dietary data obtained through a 114-item FFQ from 14,779 participants of the Longitudinal Study on Adult Health, a multicenter cohort study conducted in Brazil. The PHDI has 16 components and a score from 0 to 150 points. Validation and reliability analyses were performed, including principal component analyses, association with selected nutrients, differences in means between groups (for example, smokers vs. non-smokers), correlations between components and total energy intake, Cronbach’s alpha, item-item correlations, and linear regression analysis between PHDI with carbon footprint and overall dietary quality. The mean PHDI was 60.4 (95% CI 60.2:60.5). The PHDI had six dimensions, was associated in an expected direction with the selected nutrients and was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in smokers (59.0) than in non-smokers (60.6). Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.51. All correlations between components were low, as well as between components and PHDI with total energy intake. After adjustment for age and sex, the PHDI score remained associated (p < 0.001) with a higher overall dietary quality and lower carbon footprint. Thus, we confirmed the PHDI validity and reliability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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17 pages, 853 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Latin American Considerations for Infant and Young Child Formulae

by Liliana Ladino, Nathalia Sánchez, Rodrigo Vázquez-Frias and Berthold Koletzko

Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 3942; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113942 - 4 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7130

Abstract

Infant formula is the only acceptable substitute for breastmilk from 0 to 6 months old when human milk cannot be provided in sufficient amounts. Manufacturers have developed options that intend to meet the changing needs of the child aged from six to twelve months (follow-on formulae) and after the age of one year (young child formulae). The international code for marketing breast milk substitute stipulates standards for marketing practices of these products. In Latin America there are local variations of marketing practices. Novel marketing strategies such as advertising through social media and influencers pose new threats for breastfeeding success in Latin America. This review aims to examine variations in local regulations for marketing of infant formulae and to analyze the emerging phenomenon of influencer advertising. We reviewed the local norms for Latin American countries and examined differences and possible gaps. Emerging evidence of influencer marketing was explored. The results indicate that national regulations differ among Latin American countries, particularly with respect to product labelling and the requirement to use a local native language, highlighting the cost of the product, and different regulations prohibiting certain messages and illustrations. Regarding new marketing strategies, there is limited evidence on advertising infant formula through social media influencers, where different categories of marketing strategies can be described. More transparent reporting of social marketing by formula providers and more independent research on novel marketing strategies are needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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14 pages, 777 KiB

Open AccessReview

Intersection between Obesity, Dietary Selenium, and Statin Therapy in Brazil

by Ligia M. Watanabe, Anderson M. Navarro and Lucia A. Seale

Nutrients 2021, 13(6), 2027; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13062027 - 12 Jun 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4601

Abstract

Obesity is among the most alarming health concerns, impacting public health and causing a socioeconomic challenge, especially in developing countries like Brazil, where approximately one quart of the population presents obesity. As an established risk factor for numerous comorbidities with a multifactorial etiology, obesity is a consequence of energy-dense overfeeding, however with significant undernourishment, leading to excessive adipose tissue accumulation and dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and micronutrient deficiencies. About 60% of patients with obesity take statins, a cholesterol-lowering medication, to curb dyslipidemia, with ~10% of these patients presenting various myopathies as side effects. Statins act upon the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver, which is a pathway providing intermediates to the synthesis of selenoproteins, i.e., enzymes containing the micronutrient selenium. Statins have been postulated to negatively impact selenoprotein synthesis, particularly in conditions of selenium deficiency, and potentially implicated in the myopathies occurring as side effects of statins. The Brazilian population is prone to selenium deficiency, hence could be considered more susceptible to statin side effects. This review examines the specific consequences to the Brazilian population of the harmful intersection between obesity development and concomitant micronutrient deficiencies, particularly selenium, combined with statin treatment in the context of nutrition in Brazil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition Research in Latin America)

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