To describe the results of a nutritional intervention programme among Japanese-Brazilians according to gender.

A non-controlled experimental study.

The research included three points of clinical, nutritional and physical activity evaluation: at baseline (in 2005), after the first year and at the end of the second year (in 2007). The paired Student t test and multiple linear regression analysis were used to evaluate changes in the subjects’ profile (clinical, nutritional and physical activity variables).

Japanese-Brazilians (n 575) of both genders, aged over 30 years.

We verified statistically significant reductions in body weight (0·9 kg), waist circumference (2·9 cm), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (>3 mg/dl) and total cholesterol (>20 mg/dl) and its fractions, in both genders. We also found reductions in intake of energy (among men), protein (among women) and fat (both genders) and increases in intake of total fibre (among women) and carbohydrate (among men).

The intervention programme indicated meaningful benefits for the intervention subjects, with changes in their habits that led to a ‘healthier’ lifestyle positively impacting their nutritional and metabolic profile.

To investigate the efficacy of biscuits fortified with different doses of vitamin A on improving vitamin A deficiency (VAD), anaemia and physical growth of pre-school children.

A randomised double-masked population-based field interventional trial with a positive control group.

Banan district of Chongqing, China.

A total of 580 pre-school children aged 3–6 years were randomly recruited into four groups. Children in groups I and II were given biscuits fortified with vitamin A at 30 % of the recommended daily intake (RDA) and 100 % of the RDA once a day for 9 and 3 months, respectively. Children in group III received biscuits containing 20 000 IU of vitamin A once a week for 3 months. Initially, the children in group IV received a 200 000 IU vitamin A capsule just once. At the beginning and end of the study, blood samples were collected to measure Hb, serum retinol, retinol-binding protein and prealbumin, and weight and height were measured.

All the fortification types significantly decreased the prevalence of VAD and anaemia in each group (P < 0·05). The effect of 9-month intervention on group I was the most efficient (P < 0·0045). After intervention, the Z-scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height in all groups increased markedly compared with baseline (P < 0·05), but no significant difference was observed among the groups.

Data indicated that consuming vitamin A-fortified biscuits with daily 100 % RDA for 3 months has the same effect on the improvement of VAD, anaemia and physical growth as did the weekly 20 000 IU and single 200 000 IU administration in pre-school children.

To assess the prevalence of enlarged thyroid volume (Tvol) in Saharawi refugee children, and their urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and to identify possible sources of excess iodine intake.

A cross-sectional survey was performed during January–February 2007. Tvol was measured by ultrasound and iodine concentration was analysed in casual urine samples, in household drinking water and in milk samples from household livestock.

The study was undertaken in four refugee camps in the Algerian desert.

The subjects were 421 Saharawi children, 6–14 years old.

Enlarged Tvol was found in 56 % (Tvol-for-age) and 86 % (Tvol-for-body-surface-area) of the children. The median (25th percentile–75th percentile, P25–P75) UIC was 565 (357–887) μg/l. The median (P25–P75) iodine concentration in household drinking water was 108 (77–297) μg/l. None of the children had UIC below 100 μg/l, 16 % had UIC between 100 and 299 μg/l, and 84 % had UIC above 300 μg/l. There was a positive association between Tvol and whether the household possessed livestock.

The children are suffering from endemic goitre and high UIC caused probably by an excessive intake of iodine. The excessive iodine intakes probably originate from drinking water and milk.

To measure the occurrence and correlates of food insufficiency among HIV-infected crack-cocaine users in Atlanta and Miami, USA.

Non-probability cross-sectional sample.

Inner-city hospitals in Atlanta and Miami.

Two hundred and eighty-seven HIV-infected crack users.

One-third (34 %) of respondents experienced food insufficiency within 30 d of interview. Increased odds of food insufficiency was associated with current homelessness (adjusted OR = 3·78, 95 % CI 1·70, 8·41), living alone (adjusted OR = 2·85, 95 % CI 1·36, 5·98), religious service attendance (adjusted OR = 2·34, 95 % CI 1·02, 5·38) and presence of health insurance (adjusted OR = 2·41, 95 % CI 1·06, 5·54). Monthly income greater than $US 600 (adjusted OR = 0·19, 95 % CI 0·06, 0·58) was associated with decreased odds of food insufficiency, and less than weekly crack use was marginally associated with decreased odds of food insufficiency (adjusted OR = 0·39, 95 % CI 0·13, 1·08).

Food insufficiency is very prevalent among HIV-infected urban crack-cocaine users in Atlanta and Miami. Correlates of food insufficiency confirm the social vulnerability of these individuals. Routine assessment for food insecurity should become a routine component of treatment and prevention programmes in at-risk populations.