Weight gain and reduced energy expenditure in low-income Brazilian women living in slums: a 4-year follow-up study. Issue 3 (30th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Florêncio, Telma M. M. T.; Bueno, Nassib B.; Clemente, Ana P. G.; Albuquerque, Fabiana C. A.; Britto, Revilane P. A.; Ferriolli, Eduardo; Sawaya, Ana L.
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 114:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 462
• Page End: 471
• Publication Date: 2015-06-30
• Subjects: Weight gain, -- Energy expenditure, -- Thyroid hormone, -- Physical activity, -- Dietary intake; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515001816
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract : The present study aimed to investigate the possible changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters in low-income women living in the outskirts of Maceió (northeast Brazil), and to explore the possible role of dietary intake and physical activity in these changes. A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in a cohort of mothers of malnourished children who attended the Center for Nutritional Recovery and Education, an outreach programme of the Federal University of Alagoas. Socio-economic, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary intake data were assessed at baseline and after a follow-up period of 4 years. Energy expenditure (using doubly labelled water) and physical activity (using triaxial accelerometers) were assessed only in a subgroup of women after 4 years. A total of eighty-five women were assessed. Participants showed an altered biochemical profile, increased systolic blood pressure, decreased thyroid hormone levels, and body-weight gain. However, dietary intakes of the participants did not include large quantities of highly processed and high-glycaemic index foods. The energy intake of the participants did not differ from their total energy expenditure (7990·3 (7173·7–8806·8) v . 8798·1 (8169·0–9432·4) kJ, respectively; P = 0·084). Multivariate analyses showed a significant effect of time spent watching television (β = 0·639 (0·003 to 1·275); P = 0·048) and dietary diversity score (β = − 1·039 ( − 2·010 to − 0·067); P = 0·036) on weight gain. The present study indicates that poor women, who are mothers of malnourished children and have a reasonably balanced dietary intake, exhibit weight gain and are at risk of developing chronic diseases.