ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hypertension is an important public health problem. Overweight and high salt intake are risk factors for its development. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between salt taste sensitivity threshold (STST) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study conducted in a private institution. METHODS: 104 healthy adults (aged 18-59 years) were evaluated. Sociodemographic, clinical and dietary data were collected. Nutritional status and BP were assessed using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). STST was assessed using graded saline solutions with sodium chloride concentrations ranging from 0.228 to 58.44 g/l. Identification of salty taste in solutions ≥ 3.652 g/l was used as the cutoff point for high STST. RESULTS: Participants with high STST presented higher daily average intakes for energy (2017.4 ± 641.5 versus 1650.5 ± 357.7 kcal/day; P = 0.01) and sodium (3070.2 ± 1195.1 versus 2435.2 ± 963.6 mg/day; P = 0.01) and higher BMI (P = 0.008) and WC (P = 0.002). After adjustment for age, sex, sodium and potassium intake, WC and family history of hypertension, the averages for SBP and DBP in subjects with high STST were higher than in those with normal STST (SBP: 138.2 ± 1.7 versus 119.7 ± 0.9 mmHg; P < 0.001; DBP: 81.2 ± 1.9 versus 75.1 ± 1.0 mmHg; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: High STST was associated with elevated blood pressure in healthy adults, regardless of other risk factors for hypertension.

RESUMO CONTEXTO - Constipação é um sintoma crônico que acomete grande parte da população mundial. OBJETIVO - Avaliar o efeito do consumo de bebida láctea com cultura probiótica ( Bifidobacterium animalis ) nos sintomas de constipação intestinal. MÉTODOS - Ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo cego e controlado. A amostra foi de 49 pacientes, do gênero feminino, com idade entre 20 a 50 anos e com diagnóstico de constipação intestinal conforme os critérios de ROMA III ( Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders ) e escala de Bristol. As pacientes foram divididas em dois grupos através de randomização, o grupo intervenção recebeu bebida láctea com cultura probiótica e o grupo controle recebeu bebida láctea. Estas foram orientadas a consumir 150 mL diariamente durante 60 dias. Ao final deste período, aplicaram-se novamente os critérios de ROMA III e escala de Bristol. Para avaliação dos critérios de ROMA III e escala de Bristol pré e pós-intervenção, o teste de Wilcoxon foi aplicado. O nível de significância estatística considerado foi de 5% ( P ≤0,05). RESULTADOS - No grupo intervenção houve melhora nos seguintes critérios: esforço para evacuar ( P <0,001), sensação de evacuação incompleta ( P <0,001) e dificuldade na passagem das fezes ( P =0,014), além da escala de Bristol ( P =<0,001). No grupo controle houve melhora nos seguintes critérios: esforço para evacuar ( P <0,001), sensação de evacuação incompleta ( P <0,001) e dificuldade na passagem das fezes ( P =0,025), além da escala de Bristol ( P =<0,001). Verificou-se que os critérios de Roma III e escala de Bristol não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos pós-intervenção. CONCLUSÃO - Concluiu-se que o consumo de bebida láctea auxiliou na melhora dos sintomas de constipação intestinal, independentemente da cultura probiótica.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Constipation is a chronic problem in many patients all over the world. OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the effect of consumption of a probiotic fermented milk beverage containing Bifidobacterium animalis on the symptoms of constipation. METHODS - This randomized, double-blind controlled trial included 49 female patients aged 20 to 50 years and diagnosed with constipation according to the ROME III criteria (Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders) and the Bristol Stool Form Scale. The patients were randomized into two groups: the intervention group received the probiotic fermented milk beverage and the control group received non-probiotic milk. Participants were instructed to ingest 150 mL of the beverages during 60 days. At the end of this period, patients were assessed again by the ROME III criteria and Bristol scale. The Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate pre and post-intervention results of the ROME III criteria and Bristol scale. The statistical significance level was considered as 5% ( P ≤0.05). RESULTS - The intervention group showed improvement in the following criteria: straining during a bowel movement ( P <0.001), feeling of incomplete evacuation ( P <0.001) and difficulty in passing stool ( P <0.014), in addition to Bristol scale results ( P <0.001). In the control group, improvements were observed in the following criteria: straining during a bowel movement ( P <0.001), feeling of incomplete evacuation ( P <0.001) and difficulty in passing stool ( P <0.025), in addition to Bristol scale results ( P <0.001). No statistically significant post-intervention differences were observed between the two groups for the Rome III criteria and Bristol scale. CONCLUSION - The results show that the consumption of milk resulted in the improvement of constipation symptoms, regardless of the probiotic culture.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a redução de peso promovida pelo Aparelho Intraoral de Saciedade Alimentar em paciente com diagnóstico de obesidade mórbida. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliada uma paciente do gênero feminino com diagnóstico de obesidade mórbida, frequentadora de um consultório nutricional. Realizou-se a anamnese alimentar, avaliação antropométrica e indicação de dieta hipocalórica. A avaliação do estado nutricional foi realizada através do índice de massa corporal. A paciente recebeu a indicação da utilização do Aparelho Intraoral de Saciedade Alimentar e foi encaminhada para avaliação do cirurgião dentista para descartar as contraindicações, sendo então confeccionado com material de moldagem odontológico, fio de aço inoxidável ortodôntico e acrílico termopolimerizável odontológico. A paciente utilizou o aparelho em todas as refeições, colocando-o na cavidade oral com 5 minutos de antecedência. Para análise estatística foi utilizado o software SPSS versão 17.0. RESULTADOS: Em sua primeira consulta, a paciente estava com 115 kg e altura 1,62 m, apresentando IMC = 43,82 kg/m². A perda de peso total foi de 13,3 kg, representando 11,57% em relação ao peso inicial. Em relação ao IMC, a perda total foi de 5,06 Kg/m², representando uma perda em percentual de 11,55%. CONCLUSÃO: O Aparelho Intraoral de Saciedade Alimentar pode ser considerado um método seguro e efetivo que aliado à dieta hipocalórica mostrou resultados satisfatórios, demonstrando ser uma importante opção coadjuvante no tratamento da obesidade.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the weight loss fostered by the Intra-oral Alimentary Satiety Device in a patient diagnosed as morbidly obese. METHODS: A female patient diagnosed as morbidly obese who was seeing a nutritionist was examined. Based on her medical history and anthropometric assessment, a hypocaloric diet was prescribed. The nutritional state was assessed by the Body Mass Index (BMI). The patient was advised to wear the Intra-oral Alimentary Satiety Device, and an assessment by a dentist was suggested to discard contraindications. The appliance was then manufactured with dental molding material, orthodontic stainless steel wire, and heat-cured dental acrylic resin. The patient wore the device at every meal, putting it on 5 minutes in advance. For the data analysis the SPSS Statistics 17.0 software was used. RESULTS: In her first consultation, the patient weighed 115 kg and was 1.62 m tall, with BMI = 43.82 Kg/m. Weight loss was 13.3 kg, representing 11.57% of the initial weight. In relation to the BMI, the total loss was 5.06 Kg/m, representing 11.55%. CONCLUSION: The Intra-oral Alimentary Satiety Device can be considered a safe and effective method which, together with a hypocaloric diet, shows satisfactory results, thus proving to be an important auxiliary option in the treatment of obesity.

OBJETIVO: Verificar os fatores de risco que interferem no estado nutricional dos idosos socialmente ativos de um município do interior do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, do qual participaram voluntariamente 284 idosos. Foi aplicado questionário individual estruturado contendo questões relativas aos hábitos alimentares e foram coletados os dados antropométricos (peso, altura, circunferência da cintura). RESULTADOS: 60,3% dos homens e 62,5% das mulheres estavam com sobrepeso. Com base na avaliação da circunferência da cintura, verificou-se um risco muito aumentado para o desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares em 98,5% dos homens e 92,5% das mulheres. A maioria das mulheres (56,9%) informou usar algum medicamento contínuo, enquanto que entre os homens (52,5%), a maioria respondeu não consumir nenhum medicamento. Não se observou diferença significativa entre os diferentes estados nutricionais e os hábitos alimentares investigados. Entre os casados, o sobrepeso foi encontrado em 47,1% dos homens e em 35,6% das mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: A maioria da população idosa estudada apresentou sobrepeso e circunferência da cintura elevada entre homens e mulheres. Não se observou associação entre o estado nutricional e o número de refeições, ingestão de água, consumo diário de frutas e verduras, tipo de leite ingerido, consumo semanal de carnes, doces, frituras e leguminosas.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors affecting the nutritional status of socially active elderly in a municipality in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study where 284 subjects participated voluntarily. A structured individual questionnaire containing questions relating to eating habits was administered and anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference) were collected. RESULTS: 60.3% of men and 62.5% of women were overweight. Based on the assessment of waist circumference (WC) there was increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 98.5% of men and 92.5% women. Most women (56.9%) reported some solid drug use, whereas among men (52.5%), most reported no medicine consumption. No significant difference between the different nutritional status and dietary habits investigated was observed. Among married, overweight was found in 47.1% of men and 35.6% of women. CONCLUSION: The majority of the elderly population was overweight and waist circumference was large among men and women. No association between nutritional status and the number of meals, water intake, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, type of milk consumed, weekly consumption of meat, candies, fried foods and legumes was observed.