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Objectives: The association of vitamin D status with high body adiposity is poorly investigated in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. The aim of the present study was to describe vitamin D status and to identify body adiposity predictors of vitamin D deficiency, in a nondialyzed CKD population inhabiting a tropical city., Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with CKD, defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min, regularly treated by an interdisciplinary team in an outpatient university clinic, set in a Brazilian city (latitude: 22°54'S; 43°12'W). Adiposity parameters analyzed were body mass index (BMI), total body adiposity (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] and body adiposity index [BAI]), and central body adiposity (DXA-trunk fat and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]). Laboratory parameters included serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, phosphate, parathyroid hormone, and insulin (insulin resistance [IR evaluation: homeostasis model assessment; HOMA])., Results: We studied 244 patients (54.9% men; n = 134) with median eGFR = 29.1 mL/min and BMI 26.1 kg/m 2 , comprising 58.2% (n = 142) with overweight/obesity. The vitamin D status was sufficient (≥30 ng/dL) in 43%, insufficient (20-30 ng/dL) in 37%, and deficient (<20 ng/dL) in 20%. Total body adiposity was the independent predictor of vitamin D deficiency (DXA: odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-5; P = 0.03; BAI: OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1-3.8; P = 0.02), whereas BMI, DXA-trunk fat, and WHtR showed no correlation. Higher serum phosphorus and hyperparathyroidism were related (P < 0.05) to vitamin D deficiency. IR was not independently associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration., Conclusions: Just under half of the CKD population presented sufficient concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Total body adiposity, independent of age and eGFR, regardless if evaluated by DXA or BAI, was the predictor of vitamin D deficiency, which in turn was associated with higher serum phosphorus and hyperparathyroidism, but not with IR., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and nutritional status is one of the major prognostic factors of ALS. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and progression of disease in ALS patients, as well as sex differences in TDEE., Methods: Patients with ALS (N = 370) were diagnosed according to El Escorial criteria and categorized into stage 2, 3, or 4 using a clinical staging system. TDEEs were calculated by summing resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity. REE was calculated using equations of Harris-Benedict or Mifflin St. Jeor, and physical activity was calculated using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised, a physical activity coefficient, or adding 30% of REE., Results: TDEE significantly decreased with progression of ALS stage and did not vary by sex. Actual energy intake was lower than TDEE in patients in all stages and lowest in patients with stage 3 ALS. Comparing TDEEs 1 to 5, TDEE 2 decreased with progression of ALS stage and was similar to the average TDEE., Conclusions: The present study suggests that TDEE decreases with progression of ALS, and patients consume insufficient energy compared with required intake at all stages, particularly at stage 3, suggesting that nutrition support should be started at least before stage 3. Additionally, among the five equations for TDEE, TDEE 2 could be the best for evaluating the nutritional status of patients with ALS., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Although strong evidence supports the antioxidant potential of flavonoids in vitro, the effect of flavonoids at physiological concentrations on the overall antioxidant status in humans is inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine cross-sectional associations between total flavonoid consumption, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in apparently healthy women., Methods: Through a multistage cluster sampling, 170 women ages 20 to 48 y were recruited. The usual dietary flavonoid intake was estimated using a semiquantitive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by matching food items with the US Department of Agriculture flavonoid databases. General linear models were used to compare the biochemical parameters across tertiles of flavonoid intakes., Results: As dietary anthocyanin intake rose from the lowest to the highest tertile, the multivariate-adjusted mean TAC concentrations significantly increased from 1.08 to 1.28 (Ptrend = 0.01). This association was still significant after adjustment for fruit and vegetable intake and antioxidant vitamins (Ptrend = 0.03). The highest tertile of total flavonoid intake and theaflavins had higher mean concentrations of TAC than did the lowest tertile, but there was no linear trend (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant positive relationships between dietary intake of grapes and eggplant as main food sources of anthocyanins and serum TAC (P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). No significant associations were found between MDA and flavonoids intakes (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The findings of the present study support the attribution of anthocyanins to overall antioxidant status. However, further research is needed to confirm these observed associations., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Iodine deficiency has severe pathological repercussions. The aim of this study was to evaluate iodine intake and status in adults in Benin, West Africa., Methods: We randomly selected 420 participants ages 25 to 64 y and free of visible goiter from urban and rural settings of South Benin. The participants had a diet based on carbohydrates and fish. Urine was collected over a 24-h period and samples were assayed for iodine analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry., Results: We studied 401 urinary iodine samples. The overall median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in 24-h urine was 62.9 μg/L (interquartile range: 40-96.2 μg/L). UIC was significantly lower in women than men (56.5 versus 78.6 μg/L; P < 0.001) and in rural versus urban areas (54.7 versus 77.8 μg/L; P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, low UIC (<100 μg/L) was positively associated with women (odds ratio, 2.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-4.26; P = 0.001) and body mass index <25 kg/m(2) (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-3.54; P = 0.008)., Conclusion: Iodine intake appeared to be fairly low in the Beninese population, according to World Health Organization criteria, and factors associated with low iodine intake were identified. Public health interventions to increase iodine intake, such as iodization of commercial salt and/or fortification of selected nutrients, should be strengthened at the national level., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Systemic inflammation, therapy with corticosteroids, and reduced physical activity may increase the predisposition to accumulate body fat in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and food intake of patients with SLE., Methods: One hundred seventy women with SLE were evaluated consecutively in a cross-sectional study. Nutritional status was assessed by subjective global assessment and body mass index. Food intake was assessed by a 24-h recall and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), considering P < 0.05 as significant., Results: The mean ± SD age of the patients was 39.14 ± 9.98 y, and the duration of the disease was 9.94 ± 6.18 y. Approximately 91.8% patients were classified as being well nourished; 6.5% were classified as suspected or moderately malnourished, and 1.8% were classified as severely malnourished. In terms of body mass index, malnutrition was found in 1.2% of the patients, normal weight in 35.9%, overweight in 35.3%, and obesity in 27.7%. Most patients reported food consumption below the estimated needs for energy. Calcium was the nutrient with the most inadequate intake. Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products and a high consumption of oils and fats were reported., Conclusion: The results showed that patients with SLE have inadequate nutritional status and food intake., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional zinc (Zn) status of elite swimmers during different training periods., Methods: A longitudinal paired study was performed at the University of Sao Paulo in eight male swimmers 18 to 25 y old who had been swimming competitively at the state and national levels for at least 5 y. The swimmers were evaluated over a total period of 14 wk: before the basic and specific preparatory period (BSPP-baseline), at the end of the basic and specific preparatory period (post-BSPP), and at the end of the polishing period (PP). Levels of Zn were determined in the plasma, erythrocyte, urine, and saliva by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anthropometric measurements and a 3-d food record were also evaluated., Results: The median plasma Zn concentration was below the reference value in all training periods (BSPP-baseline 59 μg/dL, post-BSPP 55.9 μg/dL, after PP 58.8 μg/dL, P > 0.05), as were threshold values for erythrocytes (BSPP-baseline 36.5 μg of Zn/g of hemoglobin, post-BSPP 42 μg of Zn/g of hemoglobin, after PP 40.7 μg of Zn/g of hemoglobin, P > 0.05), urinary Zn (BSPP-baseline 280 μg/24 h, post-BSPP 337 μg/24 h, after PP 284 μg/24 h, P > 0.05), and salivary Zn (BSPP-baseline 66.1 μg/L, post-BSPP 54.1 μg/L, after PP 79.7 μg/L, P > 0.05). Salivary Zn did not correlate with plasma and erythrocyte Zn levels., Conclusion: The results suggest that the elite swimmers studied presented a possible Zn deficiency and that salivary Zn was not adequate to evaluate the Zn nutritional status., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: We assessed whether disease activity was associated with dietary habits, nutritional status, adipokines, and oxidative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis., Methods: The subjects were 37 patients with RA. The assessment of the nutritional status included anthropometric and biochemical parameters. A food-frequency questionnaire and a 3-d diet record to assess dietary intake were used. The serum levels of adipokines and oxidative stress markers in sera and saliva were measured. The disease activity was determined using the 28 Disease Activity Score (DAS28). We divided the subjects into high (DAS28 ≥3.2) and low (DAS28 <3.2) disease activity groups., Results: The serum leptin and albumin levels were significantly lower, whereas the inflammatory markers were increased, in the high disease activity group. The dietary intake assessment showed a lower intake of fish oil and a lower ratio of monounsaturated fatty acid intake in the high disease activity group. There was a negative correlation between the DAS28 and the dietary intake of the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acid to total fatty acid intake. The serum oxidative stress marker (reactive oxygen metabolites) showed a positive correlation to the DAS28. The salivary reactive oxygen metabolites also correlated with C-reactive protein and serum reactive oxygen metabolites., Conclusion: Altered serum adipokine levels with decreased albumin may reflect the deterioration that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. An increased oxidative stress was observed in sera and saliva. Intakes of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, fish oil, and monounsaturated fatty acid seem to affect disease activity and may have beneficial effects by decreasing inflammation., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The existence of concurrent micronutrient deficiencies in Indian women of reproductive age has received little attention. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the micronutrient status of nonpregnant rural and tribal women 18-30 y from central India., Methods: Participants (n = 109) were randomly selected using a stratified (rural-tribal) proportionate-to-population size cluster sampling method from 12 subcenters in Ramtek block, Nagpur. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical data, including blood and urine samples, were obtained., Results: Tribal and rural women had similar sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric status; 63% of women had a body mass index <18.5 kg/m(2). The median urinary iodine concentration was 215 μg/L (IQR: 127, 319). The mean (SD) concentration of hemoglobin, serum zinc, retinol, and folate was 112 (13) g/L, 10.8 (1.6) μmol/L, 1.2 (0.3) μmol/L, 18.4 (8.4) nmol/L, respectively, with a geometric mean serum vitamin B(12) concentration of 186 pmol/L. The percentage of women with low values for hemoglobin (<120 g/L), serum zinc (<10.7 μmol/L), vitamin B(12) (<148 pmol/L), retinol (<0.7 μmol/L), and folate (<6.8 nmol/L) was 66%, 52%, 34%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Tribal women had a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency (58% versus 39%, P = 0.054) and concurrent deficiency of any two micronutrients (46% versus 26%; P = 0.034), including zinc and anemia (38% versus 21%, P = 0.024)., Conclusion: Zinc, vitamin B(12), and iron constitute the principal micronutrient deficiencies in these women. Existing supplementation programs should be extended to include 18- to 30-y-old nonpregnant women as the majority of childbearing occurs within this timeframe., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The dietary intake was investigated and food sources were identified among Tunisian ethnic groups from Jerba Island in the south of Tunisia., Methods: Ninety-four subjects of moderate socioeconomic status (47 Berbers and 47 Arabs) aged 32 to 64 y completed a 1-mo qualitative food-frequency questionnaire and a single 24-h dietary recall, and dietary intakes and demographic status were observed from 2006 to 2007., Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was not significantly associated with Arab men compared with Berber men. Therefore, obesity was significantly associated with Berber women (P<0.001). Height was significantly different between Arab and Berber women (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in energy intake between men and women. Protein intake was not significantly different between ethnic groups. Milk and dairy products in the Berber group were significantly different from the Arab group. Intakes of calcium, zinc, iron, and folate were below recommended nutrient intakes in men and women in the two ethnic groups. Vitamin E intake was greater in Berbers than in Arabs (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Ethnicity was significantly associated with dietary intakes in the two ethnic groups of Jerba Island.