ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Few food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) have been validated for pregnant women, particularly those in small- and medium-sized cities in different regions of Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To validate and calibrate a semiquantitative FFQ for pregnant women. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was validated with a sample of 50 pregnant women (≥ 18 years) enrolled in Brazilian prenatal services. METHODS: An FFQ and a 24-hour recall were used to evaluate dietary intake. Dietary variables were tested for normality and log-converted when asymmetrical. Pearson's Correlation Coefficient was used to validate the questionnaire. Linear regression was applied to extract calibration factors. All variables underlying the consumption analysis were adjusted for energy. RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women was 26 years ± 6.2 years; 58% were in their first trimester, and 30% were identified as overweight/obese. The Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that the FFQ overestimated energy and nutrient intake, whose coefficients ranged from −0.15 (monounsaturated fat) to 0.50 (carbohydrate). Adjusting for energy reduced the mean values of intake coefficients, which now ranged from −0.33 (sodium) to 0.96 (folate). The calibration analysis results indicated variation in the coefficients from −0.23 (sodium) to 1.00 (folate). Calibration produced satisfactory coefficients for the FFQ compared with the reference standard for energy, macronutrients, monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, vitamins B12/C, folate, sodium, iron, and calcium. CONCLUSIONS: After validating and calibrating tests, we observed that the FFQ was adequately accurate for assessing the food consumption of the pregnant women in this study.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of contamination by pesticides and their metabolites in the milk of lactating mothers in Latin America. METHODS In this systematic review, the PubMed, LILACS, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched up to January 2022 to identify observational studies. The Mendeley software was used to manage these references. The risk of bias assessment was evaluated according to the checklist for prevalence studies and writing design, by the Prisma guidelines. RESULTS This study retrieved 1835 references and analyzed 49 studies. 69.38% of the analyzed studies found a 100% prevalence of breast milk contamination by pesticides among their sample. Main pesticides include dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its isomers (75.51%), followed by the metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (69.38%) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (46.93%). This study categorized most (65.30%) studies as having a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS This review shows a high prevalence of pesticide contamination in the breast milk of Latin American women. Further investigations should be carried out to assess contamination levels in breast milk and the possible effects of these substances on maternal and child health.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To identify the prevalence of contamination by pesticides and their metabolites in the milk of lactating mothers in Latin America. METHODS In this systematic review, the PubMed, LILACS, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched up to January 2022 to identify observational studies. The Mendeley software was used to manage these references. The risk of bias assessment was evaluated according to the checklist for prevalence studies and writing design, by the Prisma guidelines. RESULTS This study retrieved 1835 references and analyzed 49 studies. 69.38% of the analyzed studies found a 100% prevalence of breast milk contamination by pesticides among their sample. Main pesticides include dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its isomers (75.51%), followed by the metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) (69.38%) and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (46.93%). This study categorized most (65.30%) studies as having a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS This review shows a high prevalence of pesticide contamination in the breast milk of Latin American women. Further investigations should be carried out to assess contamination levels in breast milk and the possible effects of these substances on maternal and child health.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Weight retention during the post-partum period is associated with excessive weight gain. OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors associated with maternal weight retention at six months post-partum (PPWR). DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 127 women monitored using prenatal services. METHODS: The outcome variable was represented by post-partum maternal weight retention and calculated as the difference between the mother’s weight at sixth month post-partum and her pregestational weight. RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women was 26.7 ± 5.25 years old, and the post-partum maternal weight retention was 46.5%. The proximal determinants showed a direct association with PPWR after adjusting for the distal and intermediate variables: excessive gestational weight gain (odds ratio [OR]:3.34; confidence interval [CI]:1.16–9.59), greater adhesion to dietary intake pattern 2 (composed of red meats and derivatives, eggs, industrialized foods, and coffee) (OR:2.70; CI:1.16–6.32), and the absence of exclusive maternal breastfeeding in the first month (OR:3.40; CI:1.27–9.12), as well as primiparity (OR:2.36; CI:1.00–5.55), an intermediate determinant. Insufficient weight gain in pregnancy was inversely associated with the outcome (OR:0.35; CI:0.31–0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Among the hierarchical determinants, proximal factors were interrelated with maternal weight retention, indicating that excessive total weight gain, an inadequate dietary intake pattern, and the absence of exclusive maternal breastfeeding in the first month of life work as dampeners of the return to pre-gestational weight. Prepartum and post-partum care interventions can contribute to reducing excess weight in women.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar os fatores socioeconômicos e de assistência nutricional de gestantes beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família que foram atendidas em serviço de pré-natal em município do Recôncavo da Bahia. Estudo transversal realizado com 250 gestantes do serviço de pré-natal em 16 Unidades de Saúde da Família, de agosto de 2013 a dezembro de 2014. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se questionário fechado envolvendo informações socioeconômicas, antropométricas e de saúde da gestante. Identificou-se que a média de idade das gestantes foi de 28,3 anos, das quais 85,2% estudaram até o ensino médio, 72,4% das gestantes afirmaram possuir renda menor ou igual a dois salários mínimos, com uma média de 1.036,3 reais, e 26,8% declararam receber o benefício. Observou-se que 40% encontravam-se com Índice de Massa Corporal pré-gestacional de excesso de peso, 38% apresentaram um ganho de peso adequado para Idade Gestacional; 90,57% realizaram mais de 7 consultas, e 75,6% relataram que fizeram uso de bebida alcoólica ou pararam na gestação. O Programa Bolsa Família, enquanto uma estratégia integrada de inclusão social e de desenvolvimento econômico, parece exercer efeito protetor na saúde nutricional das gestantes do município.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the socioeconomic and nutritional assistance factors of pregnant women who are beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program and were attended at a prenatal service in the city of Recôncavo da Bahia. A cohort study was conducted with 250 pregnant women from the prenatal service in 16 Family Health Units from August 2013 to December 2014. A structured and previously tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Socioeconomic and nutritional variables were used. It was identified that the average age was 28.3 years, of these, 85.2% studied until high school, 72.4% of pregnant women reported having income less than or equal to two minimum wages, with a mean of 1,036.3 and 26.8% reported receiving the benefit. It was observed that 40% had a pre-gestational Body Mass Index of overweight, 38% presented adequate weight gain for Gestational Age; 90.57% performed more than 7 consultations and 75.6% reported that they made use of alcoholic beverages or stopped in the gestation. The Bolsa Família Program as an integrated strategy for social inclusion and economic development seems to have a protective effect on the nutritional health of pregnant women in the municipality.

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the dietary patterns of 125 nutrition students in 2011, from public university in Bahia State, Brazil. The students answered a structured and validated questionnaire for this specific group that addressed socioeconomic and health aspects, family Information, and food consumption. Dietary patterns were determined using factor analysis by principal components analysis. The mean age was 22.3 (SD: 3.75) years old. The majority (88%) of students were female. In relation to the dietary patterns of the students, 4 groups were identified and these patterns explained 59.8% of the total dietary variability. The pattern number 1, entitled "Traditional", consisted ofroots/tubers, legumes, dairyproducts, meat and eggs, fruit/natural juice and vegetables, and explained 21.53% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 2, labeled "Exam Days" was made up of breads/cereals, sausages and artificial beverage accounted for 13.85% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 3, entitled "End of Semester" was characterized predo-minantly by candy/sugar and snacks and represented 13.39% of the variability of food consumption. Pattern 4, labeled "Anxiety" which was made up of coffee/tea and fats, explained 11.08% of the variation of food consumption. It was observed that 38.1% of the students have inadequate food consumption because they are monotonous, and poor sources of fiber and vitamins.

Estudio transversal que tuvo por objetivo identificar los patrones alimentarios de 125 estudiantes de nutrición de una universidad pública del estado de Bahía, Brasil en el 2011. Los estudiantes respondieron un cuestionario validado para frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. Se empleo análisis factoriales para los componentes principales con el fin de identificar los principales patrones alimentarios de esos estudiantes. La media de edad fue de 22,3 años (DP=3,75). En relación a los patrones alimentarios fueron identificados cuatro patrones de consumo alimentario que explican 59,8% de la variabilidad total de la dieta. El patrón 1, nombrado "tradicional", compuesto por tubérculos, leguminosas, derivados lácteos, carnes e huevos, frutas en jugo/natural y hortalizas explicó 21,53% de la variabilidad; el patrón 2, nombrado "Días de prueba" integrado por panes/cereales, bebidas artificiales y embutidos respondió 13,85% de la variabilidad; el patrón 3, "Final de Semestre" fueron predominantes los dulces/azúcar y aperitivos este representó 13,39% de la variabilidad del consumo de alimentos: y el patrón 4 "Ansiedad" compuesto por café/te y grasas explicó 11,08% de la variación. Se observó que 38,1% de la variación del consumo de alimentos es representado por patrones de consumo de alimentos considerados inadecuados, pues son monótonos y pobres en fibra y vitaminas.

Introducción: las perspectivas de crecimiento en Brasil indican que los patrones dietéticos de la población se caracterizan por el aumento del consumo de grasas saturadas y trans, sodio, azúcares y refrescos. Este punto de vista epidemiológico y nutricional refleja el cambio en el patrón de la enfermedad y la muerte. Objetivo: este estudio tiene como objetivo identificar los patrones de consumo de alimentos y los cambios en la dieta en el primer y tercer trimestres del embarazo. Metodología: se trata de un estudio de cohorte prospectivo de 185 mujeres embarazadas del Estado de Bahía, a partir de 2012 a 2013. Se utilizó el cuestionario de frecuencia de alimentos para evaluar la ingesta alimentaria. Para identificar la norma alimentaria se adoptó el análisis factorial de componentes principales. Se utilizó la prueba de correlación de Pearson para identificar la correlación entre los patrones extraídos en cada trimestre. Resultados: se identificaron cuatro patrones de consumo de alimentos durante el embarazo. Hemos observado cambios en los patrones de alimentación durante los trimestres evaluados, especialmente para los grupos de frutas, café, grasas, frituras, azúcar y dulces. Discusión: estos cambios en la dieta durante el embarazo acompañan a los cambios fisiológicos de cada embarazo. En el primer trimestre son síntomas comunes las náuseas y los vómitos; por otro lado, también se manifiesta antojos en el mismo periodo, lo cual puede justificar el consumo de mayor cantidad de alimentos considerados saludables. Conclusion: se observaron cambios en el patrón alimentario a lo largo de los diversos trimestres del embarazo examinados, especialmente para los grupos de frutas, café, grasas, frituras, azúcar y dulces.

Introduction: the nutritional panorama in Brazil indicates that the dietary patterns of the population is characterized by the increasing inclusion of saturated and trans fats, sodium, sugars, soft drinks. This epidemiological and nutritional challenges reflects in the patterns of illness and death. Objective: this study aims to identify patterns of food consumption and dietary changes in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. Methodology: this is a prospective cohort study involving 185 pregnant women in the State of Bahia, from 2012 to 2013. We used a food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes. To identify the dietary pattern, the principal components factor analysis was adopted. We used the Pearson correlation test to identify the correlation between the patterns extracted in each trimester. Results: four patterns of food consumption during pregnancy were identified. We observed changes in the eating patterns over the trimesters evaluated, especially for the food groups of fruit, coffee, fats, fried snacks, sugar and sweets. Discussion: these dietary changes throughout the pregnancy accompany the physiological changes of each period of the pregnancy. In the first trimester, symptoms of nausea and vomiting are common, whereas in the same period cravings is reported, which may justify the consumption of a larger quantity of food deemed unhealthy. Conclusion: it was observed that there were changes in the adoption of dietary pattern throughout the evaluated trimesters of pregnancy, especially for the groups of fruit, coffee, fats, fried snacks and sugar and sweets.