Background The processing of food can cause changes that turn them into risk factors for chronic diseases. A higher degree of food processing is associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the prevalence of MetS and its risk factors, focusing on a population group especially subjected to precarious living conditions and food insecurity. Method Cross-sectional population-based study with women (19 to 59 years) from Quilombola communities of Alagoas. The socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric, health status, lifestyle, and food intake (24-h recall) variables were analyzed. The dependent variable was the MetS, defined using the harmonization criteria of the Joint Interim Statement, and its components. The foods consumed were categorized according to the Nova Classification, assuming the highest UPF consumption as risk exposure. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR) and respective 95%CI, calculated by Poisson regression with robust variance. We also analyzed the association with the Nova score of UPF consumption. Results We investigated 895 women (38.9 ± 11.0 years), of whom 48.3% had MetS. On average, 15.9% of the total energy intake came from UPF. Lower Nova scores were associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes and low HDL. Higher UPF consumption was associated with a 30% higher prevalence of hypertension (PR = 1.30; 95%CI: 1.06–1.61). Conclusion The highest UPF consumption was positively associated with the prevalence of hypertension, while a lower Nova score was a protective factor against diabetes and low HDL. UPF consumption in Quilombola communities is important but lower than that observed in the Brazilian population in general. It is suggested that public health programs be implemented to promote healthy eating while valuing the existing eating habits and traditions among the remaining Brazilian Quilombola people.

Objective African ancestry seems to be a risk factor for hypertension; however, few genetic studies have addressed this issue. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms NOS3; rs1799983, IGFBP3; rs11977526 and TCF7L2; rs7903146 in Brazilian women of African descent and their association with hypertension. Results The prevalences of the less frequent genotypes were 26.5% TT genotype of NOS3; rs1799983, 16.7% AA genotype of IGFBP3; rs11977526, and 18.3% TT genotype of TCF7L2; rs7903146. For these conditions, the prevalence of hypertension and PR (adjusted) relatively to the ancestral genotype were, respectively: 52.0% vs 24.5% (PR = 1.54; p < 0.001), 62.0% vs 24.1% (PR = 1.59; p < 0.001), and 38.9% vs 27.9% (PR = 0.86; p = 0.166). Associations with hypertension were statistically significant, except for the TCF7L2; rs7903146 polymorphism, after adjusted analysis. Brazilian Afro-descendant women with the TT genotype for the NOS3 gene and the AA genotype for the IGFBP3 gene are more susceptible to hypertension. The understanding of underlying mechanisms involving the pathogenesis of hypertension can motivate research for the development of new therapeutic targets related to nitric oxide metabolism and the management of oxidative stress.

Background: African ancestry seems to be a risk factor for hypertension; however, few genetic studies have addressed this issue. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms NOS3; rs1799983, IGFBP3; rs11977526 and TCF7L2; rs7903146 in Brazilian women of African descent and their association with hypertension.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 1021 women (19–59 years old) from the quilombola communities of Alagoas (Brazil). Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure data were collected. DNA was extracted from mucosa epithelial cells of the participants’ cheek. Genotyping was performed by PCR allelic discrimination. Prevalence ratio (PR) was the measure of association, calculated by Poisson regression, with a hierarchical selection of variables.Results: The prevalences of the less frequent genotypes were 26.5% TT genotype of NOS3; rs1799983, 16.7% AA genotype of IGFBP3; rs11977526, and 18.3% TT genotype of TCF7L2; rs7903146. For these conditions, the prevalence of hypertension and PR (adjusted) relatively to the ancestral genotype were, respectively: 52.0% vs 24.5% (PR=1.54; p<0.001), 62.0% vs 24.1% (PR=1.59; p<0.001), and 38.9% vs 27.9% (PR=0.86; p=0.166). Associations with hypertension were statistically significant, except for the TCF7L2; rs7903146 polymorphism, after adjusted analysis. Conclusions: Brazilian Afro-descendant women with the TT genotype for the NOS3 gene and the AA genotype for the IGFBP3 gene are more susceptible to hypertension. The understanding of underlying mechanisms involving the pathogenesis of hypertension can motivate research for the development of new therapeutic targets related to nitric oxide metabolism and the management of oxidative stress.

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, accounting for millions of deaths each year. The reduction in the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) produced by the catalysis of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is associated with higher blood pressure (BP) levels. This reduction might be because of genetic polymorphisms. This study investigated the prevalence of the eNOS gene G894T polymorphism in women from northeast Brazil and its association with hypertension. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 810 women (aged 19-49 years). Sociodemographic, health, anthropometric, and BP data were collected. Hypertension was defined according to the following criteria: systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg, diastolic BP ≥ 90 mm Hg, the regular use of antihypertensive medication, or some combination thereof. Epithelial cells from the cheek mucosa were obtained for DNA extraction. Genotyping was performed via real-time PCR. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95% CI as calculated via Poisson regression. Results: The frequencies of the GG, GT, and TT genotypes were 57.1%, 35.7%, and 7.2%, respectively. For each of these genotypes, the prevalence of hypertension in women was 17.9%, 23.6%, and 34.4%, respectively. Relative to the GG genotype, the PRs after adjusting for cofounding factors were 1.24 (95% CI: 0.95-1.61, p = 0.11) for GT and 1.76 (95% CI: 1.16-2.67, p < 0.01) for TT. Conclusions: The T allele of the G894T polymorphisms is associated with hypertension in women. This may have implications for prevention and treatment.

Objetivo: Investigar o perfil epidemiológico de famílias residentes em municípios litorâneos do Nordeste brasileiro, considerando que estão cadastradas no Programa Brasileiro de Transferência de Renda (CTP). Métodos: Estudo transversal envolvendo amostra probabilística de 1.444 famílias representativas da região. Foi utilizado um questionário semiestruturado previamente testado, contendo questões sobre variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas, antropométricas e de saúde, e também sobre a situação de segurança alimentar e nutricional durante as visitas domiciliares. As características da família foram simultaneamente beneficiadas e não beneficiadas pelo PSF que foi comparado. Os resultados foram expressos em proporções (%), com a respectiva razão de prevalência de intervalo de confiança de 95% como medida de associação, por meio de análise de regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto de variância. Resultados: Havia 729 (50,5%) famílias cadastradas no PSF. As variáveis que melhor discriminaram as famílias beneficiadas pelo programa foram: escolaridade da dona de casa <4 anos (P = 0,010; RP: 1,16; IC 95%: 1,03-1,30); pertencer à classe econômica D ou E (P <0,001; RP: 1,30; IC 95%: 1,12-1,51); renda materna (P <0,001; RP: 0,50; IC 95%: 0,42-0,61); família em situação de insegurança alimentar (P <0,001; RP: 1,29; IC 95%: 1,13-1,47); maior número de moradores por domicílio (P <0,001; RP: 1,48; IC 95%: 1,34-1,64). Conclusões: As famílias beneficiadas pelo CTP apresentavam os piores indicadores socioeconômicos e demográficos e encontravam-se com maior frequência em situação de insegurança alimentar (72,0%).