Consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras: relação com os níveis sanguíneos de homocisteína entre adolescentes

Abstract

Bigio RS. Consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras: relacao com os niveis sanguineos de homocisteina entre adolescentes / Intake of fruits and vegetables: relationship with blood levels of homocysteine among adolescents [dissertation]. Sao Paulo (BR): Faculdade de Saude Publica da Universidade de Sao Paulo; 2011. Background: Fruits and vegetables (FV) contains multiple nutrients with beneficial effects for human health. Among these, folate is one of the key nutrients involved in maintaining health, with a potential role in reducing plasma concentrations of homocysteine (hcy), recognized marker of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: To investigate the FV intake, according to socio-demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics and to relate the FV and folate intake with blood levels of hcy in adolescents. Methods: This study used data from adolescents of both sexes, aged 12 to 19, enrolled in the Health Survey ISA Capital, periodically held in Sao Paulo. The FV intake was estimated in the study conducted in 2003, comprising 812 participants. To assess the relationship between FV, folate and hcy, we used data collected in the ISA Capital, conducted between the years 2008-2010 with a sample of 183 adolescents. The FV intake and dietary folate equivalents (DFE), as well as natural folate and folic acid intake, were estimated by a 24-hour recall. Biochemical analysis of plasma hcy was performed by liquid chromatography. The cutoff point for plasma hcy was <8 mmol/L for individuals younger than 15 years and <12 mmol/L for individuals aged between 15 and 19 years. The average concentration of plasma hcy was described into tertiles of FV intake, according to the socio-demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle characteristics. All statistical analyzes were performed in STATA ® version 10.0 with 5% of significance level. Results: In the first study (2003) 20% of adolescents not consumed FV on day evaluated and only 6.5% had adequate intake. Per capita household income, head of family’s level and smoking habit influenced this consumption. In the second study (2008-2010), 56% not consumed FV and only 4.9% met the recommendations. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 9.2%. Adolescents aged 12 to 15 years had lower levels of hcy (6.9 mmol/L) compared with 16 to 19 years (8.4 mmol/L). No significant differences were found in plasma levels of hcy into tertiles of FV intake according to socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric characteristics. Foods that most contributed to DFE intake were bread (38.4%), followed by beans (11.7%) and pasta (10.1%). For natural folate, the foods that most contributed were: beans (30.3%), FV (14.9%) and breads (14.6%), and for folic acid, breads (53.3%), pasta (14.6) and biscuits (9.8%). Conclusion: FV intake by adolescents is below the recommendations and not influenced plasma concentrations of hcy.