Abstract Objective: to identify cytokines and to associate them with several indexes of total and central adiposity in young female undergraduate students. Methods: 58 young female sophomore students, aged 18 to 25 years, from a Brazilian public university were evaluated. Both anthropometric measures (weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference) and body composition were assessed through DXA, and the values of android, gynoid and truncal fat mass were obtained. Cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 e TNF-α) were analyzed, and Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity Index (BAI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Conicity Index (CCI), Waist-Hip Index (WHR), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), Fat Mass Distribution Index 1 (FMI1) and Fat Mass Distribution Index 2 (FMI2) were calculated. Eventually, a linear regression was carried out to determine the regression coefficient and confidence interval (CI), having the predictor variables (cytokines) adjusted according to age and family history of obesity. The statistical significance of α = 5 % was applied. Results: a correlation between adiposity indexes and cytokines (CCI, WHR and IL-12; CCI, WHR, FMI1, FMI2and TNF-α) was identified. When it comes to the regression models, cytokines increase was related to CCI, WHR, FMI1 and FMI2 increase. Conclusion: pro-inflammatory cytokines were associated with an increase in adipose indexes. Therefore, these indexes became a feasible strategy for clinical practice in order to identify propensity to inflammatory disorders.

Resumen Objetivo: identificar citoquinas y asociarlas con los distintos índices de adiposidad total y central en estudiantes universitarias jóvenes. Métodos: se evaluaron 58 jóvenes estudiantes, de 18 a 25 años de edad, de segundo curso de carrera de una universidad pública brasileña. Se analizaron mediante densitometría (DEXA) tanto las medidas antropométricas (peso, talla, perímetro de la cintura y perímetro de la cadera) como la composición corporal, obteniéndose los valores de masa grasa androide, ginoide y troncal. Se analizaron las citoquinas (IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 y TNF-α) y se calcularon el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el índice de adiposidad corporal (IAC), el índice de adiposidad visceral (IAV), el índice de conicidad (CCI), el índice cintura-cadera (WHR), la ratio cintura-talla (WHtR), el índice de distribución de la masa grasa 1 (FMI1) y el índice de distribución de la masa grasa 2 (FMI2). Finalmente se realizó una regresión lineal para determinar el coeficiente de regresión y el intervalo de confianza (IC), ajustando las variables predictivas (citoquinas) a la edad y los antecedentes familiares de obesidad. Se aplicó una significación estadística de α = 5 %. Resultados: se detectó una correlación entre índices adiposos y citoquinas (CCI, WHR e IL-12; CCI, WHR, FMI1, FMI2 and TNF-α). Conforme a los modelos de regresión, el aumento de las citoquinas se relacionó con el aumento de CCI, WHR, FMI1 y FMI2. Conclusión: las citoquinas proinflamatorias se asociaron al aumento de los índices adiposos. Por tanto, los índices se convierten en una estrategia factible para detectar la propensión hacia los trastornos inflamatorios en la práctica clínica.

O objetivo deste texto é fomentar a reflexão e a crítica no processo de elaboração de projetos de pesquisa em nutrição clínica. São apresentados aspectos relativos a evidências, validade e confiabilidade dos resultados dos estudos nesse campo. É imprescindível que ocorra adequado planejamento da pesquisa, desde a definição do delineamento e do tipo do experimento, passando pelos aspectos éticos, escolha da população e cálculo do tamanho amostral até a avaliação da factibilidade dos riscos envolvidos na sua condução. Após a coleta das informações, as etapas seguintes correspondem à descrição dos resultados, análise estatística, verificação da consistência desses resultados e, ao final, sua adequada interpretação.

This text aims to foster the reflection and criticism in the process of developing research projects in clinical nutrition. We present aspects regarding the evidence, validity, and reliability of results of studies in this field. Appropriate study planning is critical, from defining the design and type of experiment, going through the ethical aspects, population choice, and calculation of sample size, to the assessment of the feasibility of the risks involved in study execution. Once the information is collected, the next stages correspond to the description of the results, statistical analyses, verification of the consistency of these results, and ultimately their correct interpretation.