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Biomedical subjects

D M Sigulem

Publications and source records attributed to D M Sigulem.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Anthropometry and body composition in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent girls: considerations on ethnicity and menarche.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the various anthropometric and body composition parameters based on the ethnicity and the absence or presence of menarche. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with incomplete sampling, using the subject as the evaluation unit. SUBJECTS: The final sample of 550 subjects was composed of 122 Japanese and 179 Caucasian premenarcheal adolescents, and 72 Japanese and 177 Caucasian postmenarcheal adolescents. METHODS: The variables of body composition were measured through the following methods: bioelectrical impedance analysis, near-infrared interactance (NIR), Slaughter cutaneous skinfold equations and body mass index. Weight, height and sitting height were also evaluated. RESULTS: The Japanese pre- and postmenarcheal girls presented lower weight and height values when compared with the Caucasian girls. In general, the Japanese premenarcheal girls presented less fat and fat-free mass than the premenarcheal Caucasian girls. This fact was demonstrated through NIR results. Conversely, the Japanese postmenarcheal adolescents accumulated more fat than their Caucasian counterparts. However, significant differences were solely encountered in the values of cutaneous skinfold percent body fat. With regard to menarche, it was verified that, regardless of ethnicity, all the anthropometric and body composition variables reached higher values among postmenarcheal adolescents when compared with premenarcheal adolescents. CONCLUSION: Different results of weight and height between the ethnic groups may bring back the discussion concerning separate growth curves for different ethnic groups. The results of the body composition analysis indicated high adiposity levels among postmenarcheal adolescents.

Adipose Tissue↗

Comparison of the body mass index to other methods of body fat evaluation in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the body mass index (BMI) and its relationship with other methods of body fat evaluation in pre- and post-menarcheal, Japanese and Caucasian female adolescents, using two different cut-off points for obesity: 28% and 30%. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with incomplete sampling, using the subject as the evaluation unit. SUBJECTS: A total of 436 Japanese and Caucasian female adolescents in two age groups: 10-11 (pre-menarcheal adolescent); and 16-17 (post-menarcheal adolescents). METHODS: For the BMI the cut-off point for thinness was set at the 5th percentile of the BMI distribution of the NCHS reference population and the cut-off point for overweight and obesity was set at the 85th percentile. Body composition was assessed using foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), near-infrared interactance (NIR) and Slaughter skinfold equations (SKI). The statistical comparison of the methods was performed using the kappa agreement test and the McNemar disagreement test. RESULTS: In the 10- and 11-y-old girls, the BMI was considerably and significantly correlated with the other methods. The major agreements were: in Japanese adolescents BMI x NIR=82.3% (cut-off point of 28%), BMI x BIA=85.7% (cut-off point of 30%); in Caucasian adolescents BMI x NIR=80.7% (cut-off point of 28%), BMI x BIA=87.4% (cut-off point of 30%). The disagreement above the diagonal between BMI x NIR was higher within the two groups for both the cut-off points, revealing that the girls identified as obese by the BMI were considered eutrophic by NIR. In the 16- and 17-y-old adolescents, the BMI demonstrated low or no correlation with the other methods. Furthermore, it presented disagreements below the diagonal, revealing that the BMI identified fewer obese subjects than the other methods. CONCLUSION: Among the 10- and 11-y-olds, the BMI presented a good correlation with the other methods, independent of ethnicity. The BMI can therefore be used in place of these methods, although it may underestimate obesity. Among the 16- and 17-y-olds, the BMI presented low or no agreement with the other methods, suggesting that it is probably not a suitable index for this age-group in studies focusing on the identification of obesity. In such cases the choice of one of the other methods, depending on availability, cost or technical experience, may represent a better approach.

Adipose Tissue↗

Resting energy expenditure in pre-dialysis diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic derangements of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with those of chronic renal failure (CRF) may interfere with the energy and protein balance of patients with both diseases. The aim of this study was to verify whether the resting energy expenditure (REE) of non-dialysis chronic renal failure diabetic patients differs from that of chronic renal failure patients without DM. METHODS: REE was measured by indirect calorimetry in 24 CRF diabetic patients (CRF diabetes group), matched for age, gender, and degree of renal impairment to 24 CRF patients without DM (CRF control group). RESULTS: The CRF diabetes group had a significantly higher REE (1538+/-230 kcal/day) than the CRF control group (1339+/-315 kcal/day, P = 0.009). This difference was maintained even when the REE was adjusted for lean body mass (LBM; 30.3+/-4.3 vs 26.3+/-5.4 kcal/kg LBM/day, P = 0.004). Mean protein intake was significantly higher in the CRF diabetes than in the CRF control group (0.89+/-0.20 vs 0.76+/-0.25 g/kg/day, P = 0.02). Mean protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (PNA) was also significantly higher in the CRF diabetes patients (1.21+/-0.31 vs 1.03+/-0.22 g/kg/day, P = 0.02), reflecting a higher protein intake and/or elevated protein breakdown. Accordingly, REE was directly correlated with PNA mainly in the CRF diabetes group (r = 0.57, P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Metabolic disturbances of poorly controlled DM may account for the higher REE observed in the CRF diabetes group. The role of the apparently higher protein breakdown in this increased REE remains to be clarified.

Aged↗

Overweight and obesity in Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity (OW+O) among Brazilian adolescents and to identify risks for subpopulations defined according to the five country macro-regions and situation (urban-rural) of the domiciles, income, years of school attendance, age and sex. DESIGN: A nationwide home-based survey representative of the Brazilian civilian noninstitutionalized population, performed in 1989. METHODS: The sampling plans followed a stratified, multistage, probability cluster design in The National Research of Health and Nutrition sample, which collected anthropometric data of 14,455 domiciles. In all, 13,715 adolescents ranging from 10 to 19 y of age were studied. The OW+O was defined from a body mass index (BMI) equal or superior to the 85th percentile of the reference population of the NCHS. The prevalences in the different studied groups were compared using the adjusted odds ratio in logistic regression models. RESULTS: The prevalence of OW+O was of 7.7%, reaching 10.6% within the female group and 4.8% within the male group. A direct relation could be established between the socioeconomic level and OW+O. Adolescents of the most industrialized region of the country presented a risk of OW+O 1.86 (95% CI 1.51-2.30) times higher than that found in the least developed region. Male youngsters who lived in urban areas were more liable (OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.30-2.25) to overweight than their counterparts of rural areas. The occurrence of menarche increased two and a half times (OR=2.58, 95% CI 2.11-3.15) the risk of OW+O within the female group of adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a low prevalence of OW+O among Brazilian adolescents when compared with adolescents of more industrialized regions. The OW+O is twice as high within the female group, which represents a much greater difference than the one encountered in industrialized countries, probably owing to the muscular work carried out preponderantly by male adolescents of lower socioeconomic levels. Higher prevalences in subpopulations of higher socioeconomic level and of more industrialized regions show the great need for differentiated actions to control overweight and obesity in the country.

Adolescent↗

Nutritional status of hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

The repercussions of secondary hyperparathyroidism on the nutritional status of chronic renal failure patients have not been well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the nutritional indices of hemodialysis patients with and without secondary hyperparathyroidism. Sixteen hemodialysis patients with serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels higher than 420 pg/ml (hyperparathyroidism group) were matched for gender, age and length of dialysis treatment to 16 patients with serum PTH between 64 and 290 pg/ml (control group). The following parameters were assessed: anthropometric indices (body mass index, skinfold thickness, midarm muscle circumference and body fat), 4-day food diaries, protein catabolic rate, biochemical indices (blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, albumin, ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, PTH, pH and HCO(3)) and dialysis efficiency. We did not observe differences in the anthropometric indices between the two groups. Only calcium intake was significantly different between groups (307.9 mg/day for the hyperparathyroidism group vs 475.8 mg/day for the control group). Protein catabolic rate tended to be higher in the hyperparathyroidism group compared to the control group (1.3 vs 0.9 g kg(-1) day(-1); P = 0.08). Except for blood urea nitrogen (86.4 vs 75.7 mg/dl), alkaline phosphatase (175 vs 65 U/l) and PTH (898 vs 155 pg/ml), no other differences were found between groups in the biochemical indices studied. PTH was directly correlated with protein catabolic rate (r = 0.61; P<0.05) and length of dialysis (r = 0.53; P<0.05) only in the hyperparathyroidism group. Considering the indices used, we could not demonstrate the deleterious effect of high PTH levels on the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients. Indirect evidence, however, suggests an action of PTH on protein metabolism.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of child and adolescent nutritional status]

OBJECTIVE: To present a review on the methods for the assessment of child and adolescent nutritional status, emphasizing anthropometry and the various methods for the assessment of body composition; pointing out their advantages, limitations and risks. METHODS: Chapters of textbooks, theses, and articles relevant to the topic, as well as personal files and authors previous publications were selected. RESULTS: Anthropometry, which consists of the assessment of physical dimensions and global composition of the human body, has been regarded as the most frequently used isolated method for nutritional diagnosis, especially in childhood and adolescence, due to its ease of use, low cost and innocuousness. The most frequently adopted measurements aim at determining body mass, expressed by weight; linear dimensions, especially height; body composition and reserves of energy and proteins, estimated through subcutaneous fat and muscle mass. Laboratorial methods especially developed for the assessment of body composition are presented here. The justification for the use of methods that expose children and adolescents to ionizing radiation is also presented. CONCLUSIONS: On defining methods for the assessment of nutritional status, we should select those that better detect the nutritional deficiencies we want to correct, also taking into consideration their costs, level of personal skill required for their proper application, necessary time for application, acceptability by the studied population and possible health risks.

Journal Article↗

High sodium chloride intake is associated with low bone density in calcium stone-forming patients.

BACKGROUND: Although renal stone disease has been associated with reduced bone mass, the impact of nutrient intake on bone loss is unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of nutrient intake on bone density of 85 calcium stone-forming (CSF) patients (47 male and 38 premenopausal females) aged 41+/-11 years (X+/-SD). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck sites, and low BMD was defined as a T score < -1 (WHO criteria). A 4-day dietary record and a 24-hour urine sample were obtained from each patient for the assessment of nutrient intake and urinary calcium (U(Ca)), sodium (U(Na)), phosphate and creatinine excretion. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (56%) presented normal BMD and 37 (44%) low BMD. There were no statistical differences regarding age, weight, height, body mass index, protein, calcium and phosphorus intakes between both groups. The mean U(Ca), phosphorus and nitrogen appearance also did not differ between groups. However, there was a higher percentage of hypercalciuria among low vs normal BMD patients (62 vs 33%, p < 0.05). Low BMD patients presented a higher mean sodium chloride (NaCl) intake and excretion (UNa) than normal BMD (14+/-5 vs 12+/-4 g/day and 246+/-85 vs 204+/-68 mEq/day, respectively p < 0.05). The percentage of patients presenting NaCl intake > or = 16 g/day was also higher among low vs normal BMD patients (35 vs 12%, p < 0.05). After adjustment for calcium and protein intakes, age, weight, body mass index, urinary calcium, citrate and uric acid excretion, and duration of stone disease, multiple-regression analysis showed that a high NaCl intake (> or = 16 g/day) was the single variable that was predictive of risk of low bone density in CSF patients (odds ratio = 3.8). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that reducing salt intake should be recommended for CSF patients presenting hypercalciuria and osteopenia.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Bacterial contamination of the lacteal contents of feeding bottles in metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil.

Reported are the results of a study in São Paulo, Brazil, to evaluate the bacterial contamination of the lacteal contents of feeding bottles prepared in urban households of low (LSE) and high (HSE) socioeconomic groups, involving 100 and 32 mothers of infants, respectively. Samples of the lacteal contents of the feeding bottles were cultured and the medians (25th and 75th percentiles) of the counts (bacteria per ml) were significantly higher in the LSE group: mesophilic bacteria, 555,000 (17,250-4,350,000) in the LSE group and 1615 (20-500,000) in the HSE group; coliforms, 2400 (19-150,000) in the LSE group and 7 (0-7800) in the HSE group. Escherichia coli was isolated from 26% (26/100) of the samples from the LSE group and from 6% (2/32) of those from the HSE group (P = 0.03). In the HSE group, higher coliform counts were associated with foodhandlers other than the mother, lower levels of maternal education, the use of pasteurized milk, and the addition of ingredients other than milk. In the LSE group, feeding bottles prepared using tap water and those prepared for infants aged over 6 months had higher coliform counts. In general, the feeding bottles prepared in the households studied were heavily contaminated, especially in the LSE group.

Bottle Feeding↗

[Breastfeeding in shantytowns: an educational program through home visits].

This is a study of breastfeeding length, with and without a community educational program. It was done through home visits to 125 women residing in Vila Marianaís shantytowns in the city of São Paulo. It was found that breastfeeding lasts an average of more than 6 months after the educational intervention. When comparing the group that received education with the one that didnít, it was observed that in the former the percentage of children breastfed for 6 months or longer was 64%, while in the control group it was 17% (p < 0.001). This shows a significant increase in the number of mothers who nursed their children after an educational program promoting breastfeeding.

Adult↗

[Intelligent quotient of obese children and adolescents by the Weschler scale].

The intellectual characteristics of 65 obese children and adolescents (weight for height > or = 140%), aged 8 to 13 years and 11 months, were compared to those of 35 eutrophic children and adolescents (weight for height between 90 and 110%; and stature for age > 95%) of the same age group, utilizing the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--WISC. Children and adolescents of the two groups were paired according to age groups, schooling level and socioeconomic condition. The obese group was composed of new patients assisted at the Department of Pediatrics of the Federal University of S. Paulo (Escola Paulista de Medicina), Brazil. The control group was made up of children from public primary schools, from the same geographical area as those studied. The eutrophic group presented significantly better performance in the intelligence test (Intelligence Quotient--IQ) than the obese group (average IQ--91 x 85; p < 0.05). Eutrophic children and adolescents revealed a wider range of interests, better capacity for social adaptability as well as greater speed and dexterity. Although weak, there was a positive correlation between income level, weight/stature relation (W/S) and IQ. There was no correlation between IQ and level of schooling. The eutrophic boys from higher income levels showed better perceptual and spacial organizing ability and a wider range of interests than those from the lower income groups. In spite of the fact that all the average IQ results presented consistently favored the eutrophic in relation to the obese, it is not possible to confirm one group's superiority over the other, due to the wide range of intervenient factors involved in the intelligence process.

Adolescent↗

Obesity and malnutrition in a Shantytown population in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

To investigate the prevalence of obesity and malnutrition in the poor Brazilian population we conducted a survey on the socioeconomic and nutritional status of 535 families (comprising 2,411 individuals) living in shantytowns in the city of São Paulo. There was a 30% prevalence of malnutrition in the children, with chronic malnutrition as the most predominant problem. The prevalence of obesity was 6.4% in boys and 8.7% in girls. Overweight and obesity associated with stunting was found in 5.8% of boys and 6.8% girls. Adolescents showed a higher prevalence of malnutrition when weight-for-age distribution was used (boys 46.4%, girls 40.2%), but a right deviation in the distribution was observed with an increase in obesity and a decrease of malnutrition was observed (obesity was 21% in girls and 8.8% in boys; malnutrition was 15.5% in boys and 12.6% in girls) when the weight-for-height adjustment was made. Stunting was the most predominant type of malnutrition in both sexes. Obesity associated with stunting was more common than obesity without stunting, both in younger children and adolescents. Adults had a higher prevalence of obesity than malnutrition according to both the Metropolitan Life Insurance tables (1.7% of undernutrition, 16.7% of overweight, and 14.1% of obesity) and Body Mass Index (8.5% of undernutrition, 21.9% of overweight, and 14.6% of obesity). There was an increase in the percentage of obese children when at least one adult in the family was obese and an increased percentage of malnourished children when undernourished adults were present in the family. Obesity among the adults of the family decreased the occurrence of malnutrition among the children.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Intrauterine food restriction is associated with obesity in young rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of malnutrition during the first 2 wk of intrauterine life on the regulation of energy metabolism and the activity of brown adipose tissue in rats at 53 d of age. Intrauterine malnutrition led to an imbalance in the control of energy metabolism that was influenced by gender. In males, the intrauterine malnutrition resulted in impairment of normal weight gain and fat deposition during 1 to 53 d of age, in association with low plasma total triiodothyronine concentration, in spite of normal food intake. In contrast, the intrauterine malnutrition in females led to a marked fat accumulation by 53 d of age with normal food intake, and decreased brown adipose tissue weight, protein content and cytochrome c oxidase activity, indicating a lower sympathetic activity. These data indicate that nutrient availability during the first 2 wk of intrauterine life determines the control of energy utilization during early post-weaning period.

Adipose Tissue↗

The recent revival of breast-feeding in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

A random sampling of children under age five in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1984/85, disclosed the median duration of breast-feeding to be 3.5 months and the duration of exclusive breast-feeding, 2.0 months. A comparison of these figures with those of a similar survey carried out in the same city in 1973/74 revealed a substantial increase in both the frequency and duration of breast-feeding. The trend was evident in all socioeconomic strata but most marked among women from higher income and educational levels.

Brazil↗

[Enteral feeding at home].

Enteral nutrition was used for the purpose of providing an adequate alimentary support to patients who had been discharged from the hospital. Ten of them received the enteral diet in their own homes by means of a Dobbhoff tube. Six patients, however, had been receiving it during their hospitalization period, and four had started the treatment in their own houses, thus avoiding need for hospitalization. Enteral feeding was the only nutritional support used in the case of six patients. For the others, an oral diet was free to be used, even though the enteral diet provided all the required calories and proteins. All patients did very well and improvement of their nutritional condition was observed, without any intercurrence due to the enteral nutrition. Development of this procedure allows provision of adequate nutritional support to patients in their own homes, even in more complex situations. The low-cost enteral diet is easy to prepare and administer, thus enabling low-income patients to receive it in their own homes. Furthermore, it shortens the hospitalization period, and avoids the risk of discontinuing adequate nourishment of ill persons after their discharge from the hospital.

Adult↗