This study evaluated factors associated with dietary patterns in the Brazilian population based on the Living Standards Survey conducted in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Multi-stage probability sampling was employed to select the households, and for the present analysis 5,121 adults aged 20 to 50 years were included. Pregnant women and individuals reporting chronic health conditions were excluded. Through principal component analysis, two major family dietary patterns were identified: a mixed pattern, in which all groups and foods have approximately the same factor loading, and a second pattern based main1y on rice and beans, which was called a traditional diet. Weight and height were measured in the households, and food intake was based on a 21-item semi-quantitative family questionnaire. The Northeast (as compared to the Southeast) was negatively associated with the mixed pattern. Body mass index was positively associated with the mixed pattern, whereas leisure physical activity and Black skin color were negatively associated with the mixed pattern. Schooling and income levels explained most of the dietary variance, but after adjusting for education and income, region of residence remained significantly associated and was the third most important explanatory variable.

Background: Despite interest in the glycemic index diets as an approach to weight control, few long-term evaluations are available. Objective: The objective was to investigate the long-term effect of a low-glycemic-index (LGI) diet compared with that of a highglycemic-index (HGI) diet; all other dietary components were equal. Design: After a 6-wk run-in, we randomly assigned 203 healthy women [body mass index (in kg/m 2 ): 23-30] aged 25-45 y to an LGI or an HGI diet with a small energy restriction. The primary outcome measure was weight change at 18 mo. Secondary outcomes included hunger and fasting insulin and lipids. Results: Despite requiring a run-in and the use of multiple incentives, only 60% of the subjects completed the study. The difference in glycemic index between the diets was Ȃ35-40 units (40 compared with 79) during all 18 mo of follow-up, and the carbohydrate intake from energy remained at Ȃ60% in both groups. The LGI group had a slightly greater weight loss in the first 2 mo of follow-up (Ҁ0.72 compared with Ҁ0.31 kg), but after 12 mo of follow-up both groups began to regain weight. After 18 mo, the weight change was not significantly different (P ҃ 0.93) between groups (LGI: Ҁ0.41 kg; HGI: Ҁ0.26 kg). A greater reduction was observed in the LGI diet group for triacylglycerol (difference ҃ Ҁ16.4 mg/dL; P ҃ 0.11) and VLDL cholesterol (difference ҃ Ҁ3.7 mg/dL; P ҃ 0.03). Conclusions: Long-term weight changes were not significantly different between the HGI and LGI diet groups; therefore, this study does not support a benefit of an LGI diet for weight control. Favorable changes in lipids confirmed previous results.Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:707-13. KEY WORDSLow-glycemic-index diet, weight change, Brazilian women

Objective African-Americans have been shown to have low prevalence of hypothyroidism. Brazil has a high ethnic admixture allowing further exploration into whether environmental factors can explain the ethnic differences. Design A survey, representative of the population of Rio de Janeiro, a large metropolitan city in Brazil. Factors studied included race, parity, income, schooling, and smoking. Population The survey was carried out in Rio de Janeiro whereby households (1500) were selected using three-stage probability sampling. A total of 1298 (86.5%) women participated in the survey (non-response: 13.5%). Measurements TSH from blood drawn at the households. Anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies and free T4 were also measured. Results Overall prevalence of hypothyroidism (TSH > 4 mUI/ml or taking medication) was 12.3%. Prevalence was 6.9% in black people, 8.8% in Mulatto people, and 16.7% among white people. The mean serum TSH of the population was 2.65 (95% confidence interval 2.33-2.97). The TSH distribution of black and Mulatto people was shifted to the left compared to white people. After adjustment for age, income, smoking and presence of anti-TPO, Black and Mulatto people were still protected from hypothyroidism. The adjusted odds ratio for black compared to white people was 0.45 (95% CI 0.30-0.68) and for Mulatto people was 0.34 (95% CI 0.18-0.63). Serum TSH levels were significantly lower in smokers than in non-smokers, but there was no association between number of cigarettes smoked and serum TSH level. Conclusions This is the first time it has been demonstrated that Mulatto people have a prevalence of hypothyroidism which lies between that of white and black people, independent of the prevalence of anti-TPO and smoking.

Female sea turtles rarely have been observed foraging during the nesting season. We investigated the levels of ghrelin, leptin and other physiological and nutritional parameters in nesting hawksbill sea turtles in Brazil. We found that levels of serum leptin (appetite-suppressing protein) decreased over the nesting season, while an increasing trend was observed in ghrelin (hunger-stimulating peptide). Both findings are consistent with the prediction that post-nesting females will begin to forage after the nesting season, , either during or just after their post-nesting migration.