“Abstract: Foodborne Diseases (FBD) are a worldwide problem and occur after contaminated food has been ingested, signaling a lack of food quality. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused several challenges worldwide, with direct implications for food production and handling, stimulating and reinforcing the adoption of good manufacturing and food handling practices. The aim of this study was to analyze data on the notification of FBDs in Brazil in the years before (2018 and 2019) and during (2020 and 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary data from the National System of Notifiable Diseases was analyzed, evaluating: contamination sites, criteria for confirming the etiological agent, overall incidence rate, lethality, and mortality. There were 2,206 records of FBD and the mortality rate was 0.5% in both periods. The incidence rate before the pandemic was 6.48 and during the pandemic 3.92, while the mortality coefficient was 0.033 before and 0.019 during the pandemic, both per 100,000 inhabitants. There was no significant difference in the number of FBD notifica-tions in the evaluated periods. There was a migration of locations, with a significant increase in FBD notifications in hospitals and health units and a reduction of notifications in social events. There was a sig-nificant increase in the type of criteria used to confirm outbreaks, with an increase in clinical la-boratory tests and clinical reports for bromatology. The increase in notifications in hospitals and Health Units demonstrates the necessity of improving the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food handlers and healthcare professionals.”

“Introduction: School is a place where citizenship and autonomy are built, which can affect the health and lifestyle of the entire school community, especially students. Since they spend a large part of the day in the school environment, it is necessary to know the school food environment in more detail. Objective: To characterize the sale of food in and around private schools in the Federal District. Methodology: This is an ecological study that had private elementary and secondary schools in the Federal District as its unit of analysis, focusing on school canteens and street vendors located around the schools. Data collection took place from February to May 2023, in 179 private schools, through questionnaires that addressed variables that make up the school food environment. Food and drinks were evaluated using food availability indicators and compared with what is recommended by the legal provisions of the Federal District and the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population. Descriptive data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The majority of canteens were outsourced (77.7%), had a nutritionist (72.1%), offered refreshments/snacks (99.4%), and had the establishment's banner/poster as a form of advertising (98 %) and the menu (88%), accepted “pix” and cash (96% each) as a form of payment and did not receive incentive materials from suppliers (99.4%). As for street vendors, most had informal commerce as their main source of income (87.9%), were located in front of the school access gate (72.4%), worked in the afternoon (89.4%), did not sell their products in another place and/or time (75.9%) and did not suffer interference from school management (98.3%). The most frequent drinks and foods in the canteens were mineral water (90.5%), natural fruit juice (82.7%), 100% natural boxed juice (62%), cake preparation (67.6%), baked savory with ultra-processed filling (66.5%) and cheese bread (65.4%). The items most offered by street vendors were mineral water (44.8%), regular soft drinks (34.5%), natural fruit juice (6.9%), sweets (29.3%), açaí with topping and popsicle/ice cream (17.2% each). The canteens presented a greater quantity of fresh and minimally processed foods and preparations with these items and, informal commerce, a greater quantity of processed and ultra-processed foods and preparations based on these foods. Both canteens and street vendors were in non-compliance with district legal provisions. Conclusion: Greater awareness is needed about district legal provisions and the long-term benefits of healthy eating. The Federal District government must be more present and responsible for dissemination, implementation and inspection actions. The Permanent Forum on Healthy Eating in Schools is an important actor in this process, being able to provide technical support and participate in activities with the entire school community, propagating the Law and the Decree. Making the school food environment healthier is the responsibility of everyone involved. ”

“_Introduction: The spinal cord injured athlete has specific metabolic and clinical conditions, and nutritional guidance is essential to improve their quality of life and sports performance. In this regard, nutritional consultation is one of the pillars within the nutritionist service, and since 2021 the remote service (telehealth) has been authorized, enhancing access to care. However, there is still a gap about the viability of this strategy, and its impact on diet quality. Objective: evaluate the impact of remote nutritional care for athletes with spinal cord injury on diet quality indexes using the IQD-R (Índice de quelidade da dieta revisado - Health Eating Index Revised), PHDI (Planetary Health Diet Index) and GDQS (Global Diet Quality Score). Methods: the study is a paired clinical trial before and after nutritional intervention via remote care, carried out through the Microsoft Teams or Google Meet platform and follow-up for 60 days via WhatsApp, with contacts scheduled every 20 days. To obtain dietary data, two 24-hour recalls were carried out on non-consecutive days prior to the service and then repeated after the follow-up period, using the five-step methodology. To assess food quality at both moments, the IQD-R, PHDI and GDQS indexes were used. Furthermore, the quality of the service was assessed using a Likert scale questionnaire with questions about the service and personal experience. Statistical analyzes were performed with the JASP statistical software and p values <0,05 were considered statistically significant. Shapiro-Wilk tests were performed to verify the normality of the distributions. The results were presented as means and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) or medians and interquartile ranges. For comparison, ranking tests (Mann-Whitney) and Ancova analysis were applied. The Kaiser Meyer Olkin test was performed to verify the importance load of the components. Results: 26 athletes participated in the experiment (age ± 37; sex: M 77%, W 23%; BMI ± 25,2; injury: paraplegia 65%, tetraplegia 35%; sport: wheelchair rugby 54%, paracanoe 19 %, paraweightlifting 12%, rowing 4%, court tennis 4%, archery 4%, parabadminton 4%). Consumption assessed before the intervention was classified as intermediate, with an IQD-R score of 65,8/100 points, PHDI 46,2/150 points and GDQS 36/49 points. Remote nutritional care was well evaluated with an average of 4,6/5 points, and had a positive impact on the quality of the diet according to the IQD-R (p=0,047), with an increase in the score of the food groups: Saturated Fat (p<0,001), Total Fruit (p<0,009) and Fat_AA (p<0,001). Being a wheelchair rugby athlete influenced the results of the tests (p=0,041). Conclusion: athletes with spinal cord injury have a dietary pattern that requires modifications, and remote nutritional care can be used to assist these athletes, generating improvements in the quality of food consumption 

" During the Covid-19 pandemic, various behavioral changes were imposed on the entire population. Consequently, the occurrence of disorders in emotional and eating behaviors became more evident, as well as the adoption of control methods such as meditative practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate eating and emotional behavior, as an indicator of mental health, and meditative practices, during the final phase of the restrictive measures of the Covid-19 pandemic. An observational, crosssectional study was conducted with 789 adult individuals residing in Brazil, who answered an online questionnaire from September 2021 to March 2022. The self-administered questionnaire addressed issues regarding the effects of sociodemographic, anthropometric data, social isolation, implications of Covid-19 infection, body image assessment, eating behavior, sleep quality, food consumption, anxiety level, and meditative practices. The tools The three factor eating questionnaire - R21, Beck's Anxiety Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Vigitel healthy and unhealthy food questionnaire, were evaluated according to the authors' instructions. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis was conducted for sociodemographic categorical variables. Analyses of variance (ANCOV A) with Sidak post-hoc were conducted, considering age and sex as covariates, and the Mann-Whitney Test for continuous variables and Chisquare Test for categorical variables. The analyses considered a 95% confidence interval and a statistical significance value of p < 0.05. The study generated two articles: the first article, titled "Impact of Final Phase Social Isolation and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating Behavior, Sleep Quality, and Anxiety Level" published in the Nutrients journal in 2023, evaluated the effects of Covid19 on eating behavior and aspects related to mental health in the final phase of restrictive measures. The results showed that individuals infected by the coronavirus had higher weight and anxiety levels, with poorer sleep quality, exacerbated by the presence of obesity and the consumption of ultra- processed foods. The second article, "Meditation practices and their relationship with eating behavior, weight changes, and mental health in adults from different regions of Brazil: a cross-sectional study" published in the Nutrition in 2023, assessed the effect of different meditative practices on eating behavior and body weight in adults from various regions of Brazil. It is suggested that including meditative practice as part of weight management may help reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors and negative emotions that hinder this process, contributing to weight loss, especially in the long term. ln addition, the systematic review with meta-analysis titled "Sex-related differences in eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review" registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42023429718 is in the final stage of completion. The systematic review was based on the hypothesis that emotional-related eating responses and eating behavior during the pandemic varied between sexes. The search strategy for the systematic review resulted in 2387 articles, with a final selection of 85 studies. The tools used in the studies analyze aspects such as emotional eating, uncontrolled eating, and cognitive restraint, and the initial findings highlight a trend suggesting greater dysfunction in women's eating behavior, particularly associated with emotional eating. The study will identify the actual difference in eating behavior between sexes, which could direct actions towards health equity and contribute to improving eating behavior."

Ensuring an environment conducive to Food Safety permeates all links in the food chain, and an approach aimed at young people can potentially mitigate Waterborne and Foodborne Diseases. However, the target audience must be diagnosed before intervention actions are carried out. The objectives of this work were to carry out the construct validation of the instrument developed by Batista et al. (2021), test the hypothesis that both application methods (paper and pencil and online) are valid, and understand and evaluate the factors related to Food Safety from the perspective of children and adolescents from public schools in Administrative Regions of the Federal District and Sorocaba-SP. Children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 participated in the study. Firstly, a strict protocol was used to combine the online and in-person models for construct validation, resulting in five application forms. Subsequently, the validated instrument was applied to understand and evaluate factors related to food safety among the target audience. In the study developed in the Federal District, the checklist of Good Practices for School Food and Nutrition Units was also applied to understand students' risk perception in this location. In the construct validation stage, the sample consisted of 439 students aged 10 to 14 from public and private schools in the Federal District. In the following stages, 1,420 students aged 9 to 17 participated in the study, enrolled in 25 public schools in the Federal District, and 1,477 students aged 10 to 16 from seven public schools in Sorocaba. The results related to construct validation (reliability and validity) indicated that the knowledge questionnaire presented adequate stability and discriminant validity coefficients, and the self-reported practices questionnaire obtained acceptable stability and internal consistency coefficients. It was identified that a more significant proportion of students attribute a low risk of Waterborne and Foodborne Diseases to food produced and distributed in public schools. Low perception of lethality, optimistic bias, average knowledge, risky practices, and the gap between knowledge and safe food handling/consumption practices were also identified. Furthermore, in the Federal District, correlations were identified between social vulnerability and risk perception (positive) and self-reported practices (negative). In Sorocaba, there is a positive correlation between the percentage of black/brown people and risk perception and a negative correlation between per capita income and optimistic bias. The results point to the urgency of considering these individuals to guarantee Food Safety, considering that they already work in preparing food in the domestic environment. They will be future handlers at any stage of the supply chain and are in a cognitive phase conducive to forming food hygiene habits. The actions to be developed must consider the greater social vulnerability this population is exposed to, the inherent structural issues, and how these individuals can act considering their reality and with accessible tools. When formulating actions and policies, not considering the population's social, economic, and cultural aspects can lead to failure. 

“Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy and one of the main contributors to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. There are still no current summarized data that allow estimating the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy at the national level, and there are also no current data on the dietary intake of iron and folic acid in pregnant women in the Federal District considered as nutrient markers of anemia in pregnant women. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anemia in Brazilian pregnant women through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, and to evaluate iron and folic acid intake and associated factors in pregnant women in the Federal District. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA recommendations. For the original cross-sectional study, the consumption of iron and folic acid and their associated factors were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression models. Results: The prevalence of anemia reported in the articles ranged from 5 to 52.3%, and the prevalence of anemia in Brazilian pregnant women was 24% (95% CI: 20-27; I2 = 94.88%). In the cross-sectional study, the 24hR analysis showed a mean iron intake of 5.27 mg (95% CI 5.08; 5.46) and 191.99 mcg of folic acid (95% CI 181.23; 202.75 ). The factors that remained in the final multivariate model and were independently associated with iron intake were education and consumption of ultra-processed foods. Factors that remained in the final multivariate model and were independently associated with folic acid intake were education, gestational age, planned pregnancy, and consumption of ultra-processed foods. According to the standardized beta assessment, the factor that most influenced iron consumption was schooling and folic acid consumption was ultra-processed foods.”

“Introduction: Food Services are leading actors in the promotion of healthy eating, and a menu is a tool that provides access to an adequate food supply. While there is broad recognition of the importance of nutrition, diet, and menu planning for preventing NCDs and other comorbidities, the existing tools for menu analysis mostly lack a validation process. Objectives: To validate (content and criteria) the AVACARD - Menu Evaluation Index to measure the instrument's validity, reliability, and reproducibility. Methodology: The AVACARD was developed from a literature review with five dimensions, including the food laws proposed by Pedro Escudero and a Sustainability/Food Culture dimension. Content validation, internal consistency, reliability, and criteria were performed. The Delphi Technique was used for content validation, using a five-point Likert scale that verified the pertinence and understanding of the items. The instrument was applied to 32 menus practiced in Food Services in the Federal District/Brazil by two independent evaluators and compared to the results obtained by the expert evaluator to verify the reliability, internal consistency, and criterion validation. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha, and test-retest reliability between evaluators used the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Criterion validation was performed based on the correlation (Person) between the evaluation of the menus and theoretical definitions of the five dimensions that compose the instrument. Results: The final instrument has (AVACARD) 59 items and five dimensions (Quantity, Quality, Harmony, Adequacy, and Sustainability/Food Culture). The items obtained CVI> 0.80 for relevance and semantics for all dimensions in content validation. For the other stages of the validation process, AVACARD showed good reproducibility - reliability (ICC > 0.90) and excellent internal consistency (α = 0.89), and criterion validation presents a strong correlation (r = 0.98). Conclusion: The analysis offered strong evidence of AVACARD´s quality in evaluating menus, thus contributing to better planning of menus in Food Service and offering a healthier and more sustainable diet.

Effective scaling up of multisector strategies against childhood obesity has been a challenge in Brazil, the largest country in Latin America. Implementation Science methods, such as Net-Map, can identify key actors and opinion leaders (OLs) to advance the implementation and promote sustainability. This study aimed to analyze power relations between key actors and OLs who influence the scaling up of Brazilian strategies for childhood obesity at the federal and state/municipal (local) levels. A convergent mixed method study, applying the Net-Map method, collected data through virtual workshops with federal and local level stakeholders. The Net-Map combined key actor mapping, power mapping, and OL identification into four domains of power (command, funding, technical assistance, and dissemination). Network cohesion and centrality measures were calculated. A qualitative analysis was carried out to understand power relations according to nine elements for a successful scaling up (i.e. coordination, advocacy, political will legislation, funding, training and delivery, promotion, and research). A total of 121 federal key actors and 63 local key actors were identified across networks, of which 62 and 28 were identified as OLs, respectively. The command was the largest network and had the most OLs, contrasting with the funding network. All networks had low cohesion measurements, reflecting barriers in the functioning of the analyzed elements. The executive branch emerged as the main group across the networks, and the key actors from the health sectors appear to be the main OLs to scale up the agenda, especially at the local level. Our study identified the presence of OLs within the nine elements for a successful scaling up; however, multisectoral coordination across networks is lacking. Responsive and timely governance mechanisms to promote multisectoral cohesion can overcome conflicting interests and converge into sustainable funding to improve the scaling up of childhood obesity strategies in Brazil.

“ Division of responsibilities in feeding (sDOR) is a model that is based on the division of tasks between caregivers and children. It posits that caregivers provide structure and support without limiting a child's choice or autonomy to eat, and that caregivers' eating habits set an example for children to eat in a healthy way. Healthy eating is a crucial part of children's growth and development in their early years. It is important that caregivers acquire knowledge about proper nutrition and that there is support for the child's autonomy in relation to feeding. In this sense, it is verified the importance of the caregivers' eating competence in the child's eating habits, an attitudinal and behavioral concept that highlights the importance of food also as a source of pleasure. Therefore, the general objective of this study was to access data on adherence to the division of responsibility in feeding and the eating competence of caregivers of Brazilian children. Given the lack of an instrument translated and validated for Brazil, which is able to measure exclusively the adherence of parents to the division of responsibility in feeding, the present study carried out the translation and psychometric analysis of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese. The translation and backtranslation followed the protocol required by the NEEDs Center, and the approved version was named "sDOR.2-6y™ - Portuguese-Brazil" (sDOR.2-6y-BR). It was submitted to a test-retest round to verify reproducibility by means of the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). A pilot study evaluated the internal consistency of the instrument. The reproducibility analysis (n=23) showed a total ICC of 0.945. With the pilot data (n=384), the internal consistency assessment revealed an overall Cronbach's Alpha of 0.301. The second (nationwide) stage of the study assessed eating competence (via the ecSI2.0™BR) of caregivers (n = 549) of Brazilian children (age 24-72 months) and their adherence to the sDOR (via the sDOR.2-6y-BR). The scores of were described in terms of mean, standard deviation (SD), median, and interquartile range. Student's t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post hoc tests were used to compare sDOR.2-6y-BR and ecSI2.0™BR scores with variables of interest. The association between sDOR.2-6y-BR scores with ecSI2.0™BR scores was verified by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Most participants were female (n = 88.7%), 37.8 ±5.1 years old, with high education (70.31%) and high monthly income (more than 15 minimum wages - MW) (31.69%). The children in the care of the subjects were mostly girls (53.19%), with a mean age of 3.6±1.3 years. The sDOR.2-6y-BR showed good responsiveness (floor and ceiling effects = 0%). Cronbach's alpha = 0.268. Regarding the sDOR.2-6y-BR, there was no statistical difference in scores between caregiver gender, age, education, number of people living in the house, gender, or age of the child. Caregivers who reported (n = 100) that their children had some medical diagnosis (e.g., food allergy, autism, down syndrome) had lower sDOR adherence scores than caregivers who indicated that their children had no medical diagnosis (p = 0.031). With regard to the ecSI2.0™BR there was no statistical difference in scores between caregiver gender, age, occupation, and child gender and age. Caregivers with income higher than 10 MW, residing in households with more than three people and with higher education level presented higher EC scores. Caregivers considered competent eaters by ecSI2.0™BR scores differed only on education, which was more frequent among graduate participants. Overall, the sDOR.2-6y-BR had a positive association with the ecSI2.0™BR in all domains and overall, with significant correlation. The translation of the sDOR.2-6y™ into Brazilian Portuguese is the first and only tool available for the Brazilian population able to exclusively assess adherence to division of responsibilities in feeding, and its application presented good results, where competent eaters caregivers adhered more to the sDOR principles. Its application can reveal important data to be used by health professionals and authorities involved in the development of public policies related to infant feeding and eating behavior.

“THE AIM OF THIS STUDY WAS TO DEVELOP A PINEAPPLE JUICE AND CHICKPEA EXTRACT BEVERAGE SUPPLEMENTED WITH LACTOBACILLUS PARACASEI LBC-81. IN ADITTION, TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF CHICKPEA EXTRACT IN ENHANCING THE VIABILITY OF L. PARACASEI LBC-81 DURING REFRIGERATED STORAGE AND AFTER EXPOSURE TO SIMULATED GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS IN VITRO. THE FOLLOWING FORMULATIONS WERE DEVELOPED: F1: PINEAPPLE JUICE (100%); F2: PINEAPPLE JUICE (90%) + CHICKPEA EXTRACT (10%); AND F3: PINEAPPLE JUICE (80%) + CHICKPEA EXTRACT (20%). THESE FORMULATIONS WERE SUPPLEMENTED WITH L. PARACASEI CELL CONCENTRATE. THE BEVERAGES WERE EVALUATED FOR CENTESIMAL COMPOSITION AND EVALUATED BEFORE AND DURING THE 28 DAYS OF STORAGE AT 4 ºC REGARDING CHEMICAL (PH, TITRATABLE ACIDITY AND SOLUBLE SOLIDS) AND MICROBIOLOGICAL (VIABILITY OF L. PARACASEI AND MOLDS AND YEAST) VARIABLES. THE PREPARATION OF BEVERAGES WITH CHICKPEA EXTRACT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED (P < 0,05) THE PROTEIN CONTENT. THE VIABILITY OF L PARACASEI WAS SIGNIFICANTLY (P < 0,05) HIGHER IN THE FORMULATION 3 (F3) OF THE BEVERAGE THAT CONTAINED THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF CHICKPEA EXTRACT. ALL BEVERAGES SHOWED A DECREASE IN PH AND SOLUBLE SOLIDS OVER 28 DAYS OF STORAGE. IN ALL BEVERAGES, AN INCREASE IN TITRATABLE ACIDITY WAS ALSO OBSERVED DURING 28 DAYS OF STORAGE. BEVERAGES MADE WITH CHICKPEA EXTRACT SHOWED GREATER VIABILITY AFTER SEQUENTIAL EXPOSURE TO GASTRIC AND INTESTINAL JUICES. THEREFORE, CHICKPEA EXTRACT IS ABLE TO ENHANCE THE VIABILITY OF L. PARACASEI IN PINEAPPLE JUICES. THEREFORE, CHICKPEA EXTRACT IS ABLE TO ENHANCE THE VIABILITY OF L. PARACASEI IN PINEAPPLE JUICE AND ALSO THE VIABILITY AFTER SEQUENTIAL EXPOSURE TO GASTRIC AND INTESTINAL JUICES. ”

“Coffee is currently one of the most widely sold and consumed beverages in the world, with Brazil being among the leading countries in production, exportation, and consumption. Furthermore, the Brazilian savannah region has gained recognition in the coffee industry due to its high productivity and excellent edaphoclimatic conditions for coffee cultivation, despite the naturally low soil fertility. Given the need to implement more advanced agricultural techniques to improve coffee plantation management in the Brazilian Savannah (also called Cerrado), the objective of this research was to characterize Coffea arabica coffee beans produced in this region and subjected to three potassium fertilization sources in the 2021 and 2022 harvests. A total of 15 treatments from five cultivars (Aranãs, Arara, Catiguá, IPR 103, and Topázio) were analyzed, which received three potassium sources (potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, and potassium nitrate). The beans were harvested, processed, and subsequently analyzed. Physical measurements of particle size distribution and color were performed, while chemical analyses evaluated the levels of chlorogenic acid, caffeine, trigonelline, citric acid, sucrose, soluble solids, and the levels of potassium, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate ions. Additionally, the sensory evaluation involved the characterization of the descriptive profile of the coffee beans using the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) methodology for classification in the 2021 harvest. The Optimized Descriptive Profile (ODP) along with a acceptance test conducted with 116 regular coffee consumers in the 2022 harvest were used. The obtained results were analyzed, compared, and divided among the harvests and different stages of the coffee process (raw beans, roasted beans, and beverage). For the statistical analyses, ANOVA tests, Tukey's test (p<0.05), Pearson's correlation, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed. A significant increase was observed in all chemical parameters between the harvests, except for caffeine, sucrose, soluble solids, and sulfate. There were significant differences in the size of the raw beans and in the levels of citric acid, sucrose, nitrate, and sulfate, considering the treatments in both harvests. No significant differences were found in the size, chemical composition, ionic composition, or sensory attributes of the raw beans when comparing the potassium sources individually in the two harvests. Therefore, the observed variations in the treatments, in general, considering both harvests, appear to be due to differences among cultivars and harvests.Regarding the roasted beans and beverage, a significant decrease in all chemical compounds was observed compared to the raw beans, except for soluble solids. Regarding the treatments, no significant differences were found in color, but there were significant differences in all evaluated chemical compounds, except for caffeine and sucrose, both in the roasted beans and in the beverage, in the 2022 harvest. As for the potassium sources individually, no significant differences were observed in the color of the raw beans, in the chemical composition of the roasted beans and beverage, or in the acceptance of the beans in the 2022 harvest. Once again, the differences found appear to be related to variations among cultivars. Although potassium chloride has been associated with lower quality beans in previous studies, in this work, despite a significant increase in its levels between the harvests, no detrimental effect was found on the raw beans, roasted beans, or beverage associated with this source. In conclusion, potassium sources, when used individually, did not affect the physical, chemical, or sensory characteristics of the raw beans, roasted beans, or beverage. The main variations observed were related to the different cultivars and harvests. Considering the economic aspect, potassium chloride (KCl) seems to be the most advantageous in terms of cost-effectiveness. However, future studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of these sources and obtain more precise conclusions.__”

“The concept of sustainability is divided into three dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. Within the food sector, the concept of a sustainable diet with low environmental impact has been introduced, contributing to food security, nutrition, and promoting healthy living for both present and future generations. The educational sector stands out in the Brazilian scenario, directly impacting approximately 46 million students and indirectly affecting their families and staff. The substantial volume of food required to meet this demand can result in significant waste if there is not adequate planning at every stage. In this context, the present study aims to assess the Eco-inefficiency (Ely) of public schools in the Federal District. This is a cross-sectional exploratory qualitative-quantitative study, evaluating variables related to food waste in the meal production process.”

“Introduction: Meat, dairy products and eggs and their derivatives are widely used in the world's population, with world consumption estimated at 35kg/per capita for meat, between 30 and 50kg/per capita of milk and 161 eggs per year. On the other hand, a portion of the population adheres to a diet free of food of animal origin (vegan food pattern) is growing prosperously, and the market aimed at this population is also growing. However, regarding the nutritional aspect, it is estimated that there is a difference between vegan products and their respective animal equivalents, mainly associated with the content of proteins, fibers, vitamins and minerals, evidencing a problem regarding the consumption of these products. So far, there has been no study carried out in Brazil on the nutritional composition and ingredients used in vegan products sold in Brazil compared to their equivalent substitutes. Objective: To analyze the nutritional composition and main ingredients of vegan analogues of meat, dairy and eggs marketed in Brazil. Material and Methods: A study was carried out in two stages: (i) an integrative review with a systematic search for the nutritional quality of vegan meat substitutes and (ii) an experimental study that aimed to map and determine the nutritional composition of vegan beef analogues, pork and goat, poultry, fish, vegetable drinks, yogurt, cheese, mayonnaise and eggs. The systematic review was carried out based on the protocols recommended by PRISMA and five databases were consulted: Pubmed, EMBASE, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science. Google scholar and google patents were also consulted, as well as gray literature. Only articles consisting of experimental works whose objective was to quantify and analyze the nutritional composition and ingredients of vegan meat substitutes were included. The experimental study was carried out in three stages: (i) mapping of samples of vegan products analogous to meat, dairy and eggs marketed in Brazil; (ii) data collection and classification; (iii) statistical analysis of the results. Results: In the integrative review, 11 studies were included in full. Results demonstrated reduced energy values and increased amounts of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Protein values varied according to the analyzed categories, with beef substitutes presenting the highest values. Within the analyzed samples, the components of the “Parts” category had the highest protein values, while the lowest values were found in the “Seafood” category. Unlike meat, its substitutes had a higher proportion of carbohydrates in relation to proteins, with the exception of chicken substitutes. Meat substitutes showed total and saturated fat values similar to their animal origin versions. Higher concentrations were found in the “Miscellaneous” category, and lower in “Pieces”. Ingredients such as soybeans, peas and wheat were the main protein sources used in these substitutes, and vegetable oils as fat sources. Methylcellulose, gums and flavorings were the most used food additives. In general, meat substitutes had high concentrations of sodium, collaborating with excessive consumption and highlighting the need to prepare versions with reduced or sodium-free contents. Iron, zinc and vitamin B12 values were not quantified for most samples, demonstrating a limitation of the study. In the experimental study, 125 samples were included. In general, similarly to what was found in the review, it was found that the main ingredients used were soy, gluten and pea protein. Meat substitutes had similar energy (kcal) and protein values. Few differences in relation to the sodium content of vegan substitutes were found, however, these would still contribute significantly within complete meals. In addition, vegan meat substitutes had a higher concentration of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, with minimal differences in total and saturated fat content. With regard to dairy and egg substitutes, 152 samples were analyzed in total. In all categories, no differences were found in relation to total and saturated fat content, however, higher values of carbohydrates and dietary fiber were found in the vegan analogues of all samples. Vegan versions of plant-based drinks and cheeses had less protein compared to their animal-based counterparts. Cashew nuts, rice, coconut and soy were the main ingredients used in vegan versions of dairy products, while oil and starch emulsions with added vegetable proteins were predominant in egg substitutes. Conclusion: At the end of the research, the primary and secondary hypotheses were partially confirmed. From the review carried out, it was found that worldwide, meat substitutes are composed of combinations of legumes and cereals. Furthermore, food additives from the flavoring and aromatizing class, such as texture agents, especially hydrocolloids and gums, are the most used. From a nutritional point of view, these substitutes had higher concentrations of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, even when analyzed in proportion to the other nutrients present. As for protein values, it was found that they varied according to the category of product analyzed. In studies where comparisons were made with their equivalents of animal origin, no significant differences were found in relation to protein contents. Also, no differences were found with regard to total and saturated fat content, when comparing meat substitutes with their equivalents of animal origin. Furthermore, the meat substitutes had high concentrations of sodium. In the context of the experimental study, it was verified that, in a comparative way, the meat substitutes commercialized in Brazil presented nutritional values and ingredients similar to those found in the integrative review. Vegan versions of dairy require the use of better combinations of ingredients in order to improve the protein profile.”

“_The objective of this work was to evaluate consumer knowledge about food processing and consumer acceptance of processed foods. For this, a psychometric tool was developed and validated among the Brazilian public (n=200). To assess the agreement between the judges and the equivalence of the instrument, Kendall's Coefficient (W), Gwet's AC2 and Fleiss' Kappa will be calculated. For the instrument's psychometric quality, assumptions and evidence were assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The instrument's reliability was assessed based on internal consistency, obtained through Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. The instrument was subsequently applied in a crosscultural study in Brazil and Portugal and was validated through the back-translation process and the Delphi Experts method (n=22). Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega were calculated. A literature review was carried out to understand the main factors that affect consumers' perception of the quality of meat and meat products. The instrument developed showed strong evidence of validity. Strong agreement was found between the judges (AC2 of Gwet = 0.96 [clarity] and 0.81 [pertinence]), with Fleiss' Kappa equivalent to 0.78, indicating an almost perfect agreement. The instrument totaled 37 approved items (W>0.8). The exploratory factor analysis found six factors, namely: knowledge, perception of healthiness, preference for natural products, perception of homemade processes, trust and acceptance. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Index (KMO) found was 0.90. Bartlett's sphericity test was statistically significant (p<0.001). The final instrument totaled 34 items. Cronbach's Alpha was 0.92, indicating excellent reliability. After application, all items presented W>0.8. Cronbach's Alpha (0.82 - Brazil; 0.93 Portugal) and McDonald's Omega (0.72 - Brazil; 0.93 - Portugal) indicated good instrument reliability. The cross-cultural study showed that Portuguese consumers understand processing more broadly and accept more processed foods than Brazilians, influenced by confidence in regulatory institutions and perception of healthiness. Brazilian consumers perceived food processing linked to industrial operations and have less acceptance of processed foods, influenced by the preference for natural products and homemade processes. These cultural divergences provide support to support strategies in each country in order to minimize information asymmetry and promote more conscious eating. The literature review on meat and meat products showed that factors that affect nutritional quality, chemical and biological risks, animal welfare, beliefs and fraud can affect consumers' perception. Consumers positively perceive the sensory attributes and recognize the nutritional value of meat, even if they are still concerned about fat. Animal welfare and environmental impact have become important drivers of perceived consumption. The presence of chemical additives is a major concern. Information received by consumers through the media strongly influences perception and behavior. The negative stigmatization of meat and products derived from its processing generate beliefs that are often not scientifically based and shape consumer perception and acceptance._”

.

Introduction: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is defined as the coexistence of reduced muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) with excess adiposity (obesity), however there is a lack of universally recognized diagnostic criteria for its definition. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (ESPEN/EASO) published the first specific consensus for the definition of SO in 2022. This consensus has not yet been applied in the population following bariatric surgery (BS), which is at high risk for the development or aggravation of SO throughout the postoperative period. Furthermore, it is postulated that physical exercise plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of SO after BS. Objective: To study SO in individuals who underwent BS, the diagnostic method and effect of physical exercise on muscle strength. Methods: 1) Systematic review with meta-analysis addressing the effect of physical exercise on muscle strength assessed by different diagnostic methods after BS. 2) Analytical cross-sectional study to identify SO by different diagnostic criteria in individuals with two years or more of BS. To analyze body composition, multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were applied; for physical function, handgrip strength (HGS), chair-stand test (CST), timed-up and go and six-minute walk. Results: 1) Fifteen studies were included (n=638), none had a low risk of bias and the five meta-analyses performed had a low level of certainty. Physical exercise improved muscle strength evaluated by repetition maximum tests in upper and lower limbs (0.71, 95% CI 0.41–1.01, I2=0%; 1.37, 95% CI 0.84–1.91, I2=46.14, respectively), CST (0.60, 95% CI 0.20–1.01, I2=68.89%) and dynamometer (0.46, 95% CI 0.06–0.87, I2=31.03%), but not by HGS (0.11, 95% CI -0.42–0.63, I2=73.27%). 2) A total of 186 participants (90.9% female, median of 43.9 years and 6.8 years postoperatively) were evaluated, of which 60.2% (BIA) and 83.3% (DXA) had excess fat mass. The prevalence of SO by the ESPEN/EASO consensus ranged from 7.9% (95% CI 3.9-12.5; BIA) to 23.0% (95% CI 17.1-30.3; DXA). Agreement between the ESPEN/EASO consensus and other diagnostic criteria was classified as none to slight, whereas the agreement between BIA and DXA within the ESPEN/EASO consensus was moderate. Conclusion: Physical exercise, especially with a resistance training component, may improve muscle strength after BS, which is closely related to SO. A high and variable prevalence of SO was identified after two years of BS, depending on the body composition technique used; prevalence was higher when evaluated by DXA. Agreement between diagnostic criteria for SO was low.

“The expected effects of caffeine can be recorded in validated questionnaires to observe patterns favorable or not to the use of caffeine sources. Genetic polymorphisms can interfere with the way individuals metabolize caffeine (CYP1A2 gene, fast metabolizing AA alleles) and its action on adenosine receptors (ADORA2A, increased sensitivity TT alleles). The aim of the research was to analyze the ability of CaffEQ-BR, full and brief version, to distinguish the genetic profile of participants in relation to polymorphisms of the CYP1A2 and ADORA2A genes. The study consisted of six stages: (i) translation/retranslation of the instrument; (ii) content evaluation and semantic validation through the experts panel (n = 20); (iii) analysis of reproducibility and internal consistency with a convenience sample (n = 50); (iv) external validation through confirmatory factor analysis with a sample of 4,202 participants from all Federation Units; (v) development and validation of the brief version of the instrument (B-CaffEQ-BR); (vi) application of the CaffEQ-BR (full and brief version) to a sample (n = 71) of participants with previous determination for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A gene polymorphisms. The questionnaire proved to be adequate in terms of reliability, clarity and understanding. Adequate internal consistency and validation were confirmed by Cronbach's alpha (α) 0.948, and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.976 was observed. The seven factors showed a good fit for the root mean square error of approximation – RMSEA = 0.0332 (95% CI: 0.0290– 0.0375). After external validation, the CaffEQ-BR underwent statistical modeling to reduce the number of items, with 3 items per factor, keeping the 7 factors (CaffEQ-BR brief version with 21 items) with inter-observer reproducibility and internal consistency as satisfactory as the CaffEQ-BR (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.729) and global reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.915) for the entire questionnaire and its seven factors. The full and short versions were applied to individuals (n = 71) with prior determination for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A gene polymorphisms. The observed frequency of AA alleles for the CYP1A2 gene was 47.9% (n=34) and carriers of the C allele (AC and CC) was 52.1% (n=42). For the ADORA2A gene, 22.7% (n=15) were observed as carriers of the TT allele and 77.3% (n=34) as C carriers (TC and CC). Except for the “anxiety/negative physical effects” factor, the other CaffEQ-BR scores (full and brief), obtained ICC > 0.75. Individuals who scored > 4 on the Likert scale (“a little likely”) in the anxiety/negative effects factor on the B-CaffEQ-BR showed discriminatory ability for the TT allele for ADORA2A (p = 0.01) according to the ROC curve, but with very low representation (n=2). The CaffEQ-BR was not able to distinguish the genotypes for CYP1A2 and ADORA2A. It is suggested that future research replicates the research in a broader sample, with a control group composed of individuals with low or irregular caffeine consumption, calibrating the questionnaire with a greater focus on aspects of anxiety and negative effects in the search to discriminate the TT genotype for ADORA2A.”

“Introduction: In Brazil, bariatric surgery (BC) has been performed by the public healthcare system (SUS) since 1999, although most patients although most choose to operate in specialized private clinics. The socioeconomic status (SES) of users is the main factor in choosing the type of assistance and may be related to the BC outcomes. There is still no consensus on the best way to assess the long-term response to surgical treatment and, although weight loss and its maintenance are relevant, the control of comorbidities, the adequacy of the percentage of body fat, the improvement in quality of life and the absence of sarcopenic obesity can also be good evaluation criteria. This thesis is presented in two articles with different objectives and methodology. Objective: 1) To systematically review the association between SES and weight loss in individuals undergoing BS; 2) To compare markers of late therapeutic response, in addition to weight loss, in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in public and private health services. Methods: 1) Systematic review with meta-analysis with 53 observational studies. Data were collected regarding SES and weight loss in adults after at least 12 months of BC; 2) Cross-sectional and analytical study comparing late therapeutic response to RYGB in terms of weight loss, presence of excess body fat, presence of sarcopenic obesity, presence of comorbidities (biochemical tests, measured blood pressure, use of medications), lifestyle habits (use of supplements, level of physical activity; and quality of diet) and health-related quality of life (questionnaire EQ-5D-3L validated for the Brazilian population).Results: 1) White individuals showed a higher percentage of excess weight loss when compared to black individuals (95% confidence interval (CI)= 3.25-10.99, heterogeneity index [I2] = 44.87% and 95 % CI= 8.08-13.59, I2 = 0%, respectively; p < 0.01) after 12 and 24 months of BC. 2) One hundred twenty three individuals were included in the study (79, followed in the public service - SUS and 44, in the private health service - PRI). The SUS group showed higher means of age (p=0.013), postoperative period (p<0.005) and preoperative Body Mass Index (BMI) (p<0.001) and lower means of parameters related to SES (p<0.001), when compared to the PRI. Regarding the longterm outcomes related to BC, after adjustments, the PRI group had a higher risk of developing alcohol problems (OR: 3.23; 95%CI: 1.03; 10.10; p=0.044) and a lower chance of being active. and very active (OR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.87;0.63; p=0.004) when compared to PUB. Among the other variables, there was no difference between SUS and PRI (p>0.05). Conclusion: 1) Only the race/ethnicity criterion was associated with weight loss after BS. 2) There was no difference between the SUS and PRI groups regarding weight loss, however, the PRI had a higher risk of developing alcoholism and was less active. ”

“Introduction: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare disease characterized by different levels of fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. Due to mutations in several structural proteins, small mechanical traumas are sufficient to trigger the emergence of painful blisters and ulcers throughout the body, demonstrating the need for further investigation of supplementary, non-drug strategies for wound healing. In addition, the disease has an important influence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), due to its various clinical manifestations. Objectives: Systematically review the effect of oral/enteral probiotics on wound healing. To describe the HRQoL, clinical aspects and nutritional status of people with EB in Brazil. Methods: The systematic review (SR) complied with the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses” (PRISMA) checklist and was registered in the “International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews” (PROSPERO). To assess the HRQoL, people with EB, residing in Brazil, of both sexes, regardless of the clinical type of EB and their physical condition, were included. The Survey Monkey platform was used to apply two questionnaires: (1) “Quality of Life Evaluation in Epidermolysis Bullosa – Brazilian Portuguese” (QoLEB-BP) for individuals ≥ 17 years and (2) “Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI)” for those < 17 years. The clinical severity of the disease was evaluated in two periods (T1 and T2), in person, in patients from a reference service in EB, using the questionnaire “The Birmingham EB Severity Score (BEBS)”. The socio-demographic, nutritional and clinical profile was obtained through a questionnaire designed for this purpose, with an online application. Results: The SR included seven studies, involving 348 individuals, with four studies reporting positive results for improved healing after probiotic therapy, and none of the studies reporting adverse effects. As for the HRQoL, the sample evaluated (n = 129) was composed mostly of females (57%), with a median age of 15 years, of the EB simplex type (EBS), followed by the dystrophic EB (DEB). The two age groups evaluated had a moderate impact on HRQoL. By CDLQI, the mean score was 11.01 (SD = 7.31) and by QoLEB-BP, the median and interquartile range of the score was 13 points (interquartile range: 8- 19). Through the associations between HRQoL and interfering factors, in the subgroup ≥ 17 years, schooling had a positive influence on HRQoL, with family income being a factor that promoted HRQoL in both subgroups. In the subgroup ≥ 17 years, the severe impact on HRQoL was directly associated with the nutritional status of underweight. As for clinical severity, the sample (n = 10) was also mostly female (90%), with a mean age: 11.81 (SD = 11.57 years). Most of the sample presented the recessive DEB subtype (RDEB), with only one participant presenting the EBS type. In T1, the mean total score of the BEBS was 22.02 (SD = 14.34) and in the T2 period, the mean total score was higher: 23.28 (SD = 17.35). The item "area of lesions" contributed the most to clinical severity, while the items "larynx" and "skin cancer" contributed the least. Conclusion: Regarding the use of probiotics for wound healing and pain control, the few and heterogeneous studies available do not allow generating strong evidence on these aspects. The observed positive or neutral results suggest a promising field for future clinical research with adequate control of probiotic strains, wound type and target population. It was possible to describe the HRQoL, clinical aspects and nutritional status of people with EB in Brazil, as well as to assess the severity in a local subsample. The HRQoL assessment showed the DEB type as the most severely affected, with a direct association of severe impact on HRQoL with worse nutritional status and an inverse association with family income and schooling. Individuals with the RDEB subtype had greater clinical severity. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct studies that can verify the association of HRQoL with clinical severity in different periods, for a better understanding of the factors that should undergo intervention, aiming to reduce clinical severity and improve the HRQoL of this population.”