Asociación entre el índice de masa corporal y la regulación del sistema cardiovascular en estudiantes de medicina. Un estudio piloto / Association between body mass index and regulation of the cardiovascular system in medical students. A pilot study

Objetivo: determinar la existencia de una asociación entre el índice de masa corporal y la regulación cardiovascular en estudiantes de medicina. Materiales y métodos: estudio transversal con un diseño aleatorio. La muestra se compuso por 54 estudiantes de medicina (21,2 ± 1,6 años) evaluados y clasificados según el índice de masa corporal: normopeso (NP; IMC < 25 kg/m2); sobrepeso (SP; IMC≥ 25 kg/m2); obesos (OB; IMC ≥ a 30 Kg/m2). Las medidas antropométricas, presión arterial y variabilidad de frecuencia cardiaca (HRV) fueron las variables evaluadas. Resultados: el 51,9% de los estudiantes presenta sobrepeso u obesidad. El índice de masa corporal correlaciona negativamente con el parámetro de variabilidad de frecuencia cardíaca, especialmente al compararla en los dominios de tiempo de HRV (p<0,001). También se observaron diferencias en el control autonómico cardíaco al comparar los grupos de estudio en LnRMSSD (p<0,01) y LnSDNN (p<0,01). Conclusión: la implementación de medidas que disminuyan los valores de IMC posibilitará un mayor control autonómico cardíaco y mejor salud cardiovascular en estudiantes de medicina..(Au)

Objective: this study had the purpose of knowing the association of the body mass index and cardiovascular regulation of medical students. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study with a randomized design. The sample consisted of 54 medical students (21,2 ± 1,6 years) who were evaluated and classified according to the body mass index: Normal weight (NP; BMI <25 kg / m2); Overweight (SP; BMI≥ 25 kg / m2); Obese (OB; BMI ≥ 30 Kg / m2). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV) were the variables evaluated. Results: 51,9% of the students are overweight or obese. The body mass index was negatively correlated with the heart rate variability parameter, especially when compared with the HRV time domains (p <0.001). Differences were also observed in cardiac autonomic control when comparing the study groups in LnRMSSD (p <0,01) and LnSDNN (p <0,01). Conclusion: the implementation of measures that decrease BMI values will allow greater autonomic cardiac control and better cardiovascular health in medical students..(Au)

Sintomatología depresiva y calidad de vida en estudiantes de medicina en alta latitud sur / Depression and seasonal sensitivity among medical students residing in high southern latitudes

Background: There is no evidence for the association of depressive symptoms with the sense of well-being of undergraduate medical students residing in high southern latitudes (HSL). Aim: To assess the frequency of depressive symptoms and its relationship with seasonal sensitivity and quality of life in medical students residing in HSL. Material and Methods: The Beck anxiety and depressive symptoms inventory, the seasonal pattern assessment questionnaire and the quality-of-life questionnaire of the WHO were applied to 102 medical students residing in Magallanes, Chile. Results: Fifty-two percent of respondents reported some degree of depressive symptoms. These symptoms were significantly associated with the seasonal pattern score (r = 0.432, p < 0.01). They were also inversely associated with parameters of physical health and psychosocial health (r = −0.567, p < 0.01 and r = −0.708, p < 0.01, respectively). There was also a correlation between depressive and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms are common in medical students residing in HSL and they are associated with seasonal sensitivity and quality of life measures.

Percepción de conflicto intergrupal y su relación con la adhesión a creencias esencialistas / Perception of the intergroup conflict and its correlation with adherence to essentialist beliefs

La presente investigación estudia cómo se vinculan la percepción de un conflicto entre dos grupos (endogrupo y exogrupo) y la adherencia a creencias esencialistas. La hipótesis de trabajo es que la percepción de un mayor nivel de conflicto entre el endogrupo y un exogrupo se asocia a un aumento en las creencias esencialistas, es decir, se vería incrementado al pensar que los grupos existen como consecuencia de elementos profundos compartidos por sus miembros, que los convierten en grupos reales y naturales (no creados socialmente). Esta hipótesis se enmarca en una nueva orientación respecto de la aplicación de esta teoría implícita, en el sentido de tratar de comprender -más que sus consecuencias negativas- los virtuales beneficios secundarios para el grupo que opera con ellas. En dos estudios similares (N1 = 180, N2 = 162), que utilizaron un muestreo no aleatorio intencional y un diseño no experimental transversal y correlacional, se midieron las variables "percepción de conflicto" y "creencias esencialistas respecto al propio grupo y a otro grupo". Los resultados van en la dirección de nuestras predicciones e indican que, efectivamente, ambas variables se encuentran vinculadas. Se discute en torno a la posible interpretación causal de estos resultados y sus limitaciones.

This research study covers the relation between perception of conflict (in two groups: intragroup and extragroup) and adherence to essentialist beliefs. The hypothesis made Social identity states that perception of a higher conflict level between intragroup and extragroup is associated with an increase in essentialist beliefs. This means that this increase occurs pursuant to the belief that groups exist as a consequence of sharing profound elements amongst members, thus becoming real and natural (not socially created) groups. This hypothesis establishes a new approach to the application of this implicit theory, as it seeks to understand not only its negative consequences, but also its potential ancillary benefits for the groups which operate under such negative consequences. The two variables were measured in two similar studies (N1=180, N2=169) which used non-random sampling and a non-experimental cross-correlational design.The variables used were "conflict perception" and "essentialist intragroup extragroup beliefs".The results are in line with our predictions, showing that both variables are related. A discussion is presented on potential causal interpretation of these results and their limitations.

Estudio sobre la pertinencia del uso de las normas disponibles del Raven en adultos mayores chilenos / Study on the relevance of using available norms Raven in Chileans older adults / Estudo sobre a pertinência da utilização das normas disponíveis de Raven em idosos chilenos

La evaluación de la inteligencia en población adulto mayor ha aumentado su relevancia debido al incremento de la esperanza de vida. Este estudio centra su interés en la pertinencia de normas disponibles para el Test de Matrices Progresivas de Raven para dicha población. Se utilizaron normas de Colchester (1942, en Raven, Court y Raven, 2008), las más completas existentes. Participaron 102 adultos mayores voluntarios (más de 60 años). El diseño fue no experimental transversal correlacional. Los resultados indican que las normas resultan poco exigentes para ese grupo y que existen diferencias significativas entre los adultos de la tercera y cuarta edad, privilegiando a los del primer grupo. El índice de discrepancia mostró alta sensibilidad, indicando que la distribución de puntajes esperados no se corresponde al de la población general. Se discuten los resultados en torno a la necesidad de actualización de las normas y la consideración de las nuevas características de este periodo vital.

The assessment of intelligence in the elderly population has increased its importance in terms of increased life expectancy. The present study focuses its interest on the relevance of available norms for Raven Progressive Matrices Test in the evaluation of elderly population. Standards were used Colchester (1942, en Raven, Court y Raven, 2008), the most comprehensive available. The non-probability sample involved 102 elderly (aged over 60 years old) who were volunteers. The study used a non-experimental cross-correlation design. The results indicate that the current norms are not very demanding for the aging population, and that there are significant differences between adults of the third and fourth age, better for the first group. Moreover, the discrepancy index showed high sensitivity, indicating that the expected distribution of scores does not correspond to the general population. Results are discussed regarding the need to update the norms and the consideration of the new features involved in this vital period.

A avaliação da inteligência na população idosa tem aumentado sua importância devido ao aumento da expectativa de vida. Este estudo está centrado na relevância das normas disponíveis para o teste de Matrizes Progressivas de Raven para essa população. Foram utilizadas as normas de Colchester (1942, citado por Raven, Court y Raven, 2008), as mais completas disponíveis. Participaram 102 idosos voluntários (com idade superior a 60 anos). O desenho do estudo foi não experimental transversal correlacional. Os resultados indicam que as normas são pouco exigentes para esse grupo e que existem diferenças significativas entre os adultos da terceira e quarta idade, privilegiando o primeiro grupo. O índice de discrepância mostrou alta sensibilidade, indicando que a distribuição de pontuações esperadas não corresponde a da população em geral. Os resultados são discutidos em relação à necessidade de atualização das normas e da consideração das novas características desse período vital.

Habilidades sociales y rendimiento académico: una mirada desde el género / Social skills and academic achievement: a gender point of view / Habilidade sociaais e rendimento acadêmico: um olhar a partir do gênero

La relación entre habilidades sociales y rendimiento académico ha estimulado una importante cantidad de investigaciones en virtud de la importancia que estas habilidades han mostrado tener en el ámbito laboral (Edel, 2003). Sin embargo, los resultados no han sido consistentes y, mientras la mayoría de los estudios señalan la presencia de asociación entre estas variables, algunos de ellos no han logrado observarla. Presentamos dos estudios no experimentales transversales correlacionales, uno en una muestra de escolares (n = 245) y otro en una muestra de universitarios (n = 200). Los resultados revelan que los géneros exhiben perfiles diferentes de asociación entre las variables que indicarían que las habilidades interpersonales positivas se asocian al rendimiento académico particularmente en el caso de las mujeres. Estas evidencias son discutidas en torno al potencial impacto de los roles de género sobre la adaptación académica.

The relationship between social skills and academic performance has stimulated a significant amount of research based on the importance that these skills have shown to have in the workplace (Edel, 2003). However, the results have been inconsistent and although most studies report an association between these variables, some of them have failed to observe it. This paper presents two non- experimental cross- sectional, correlational studies, one in a sample of school children (n = 245) and one in a sample of university students (n = 200). The results show that participants of the two genders exhibit different profiles of association between the variables that would indicate that positive interpersonal skills are associated with academic achievement, particularly in the case of women. These evidences are discussed in terms of the potential impact of gender roles on academic adjustment.

A relação entre habilidades sociais e rendimento acadêmico estimulou uma grande quantidade de pesquisas em virtude da importância que estas habilidades mostraram ter no âmbito laboral (Edel, 2003). Porém, os resultados não foram consistentes e, enquanto a maioria dos estudos assinala a presença de associação entre estas variáveis, alguns deles não conseguiram observá-la. Apresentamos dois estudos não experimentais transversais correlacionais, um em uma mostra de escolares (n = 245) e outro em uma mostra de universitários (n = 200). Os resultados revelam que os gêneros exibem perfis diferentes de associação entre as variáveis que indicariam que as habilidades interpessoais positivas se associam ao rendimento acadêmico particularmente no caso das mulheres. Estas evidências são discutidas em torno ao potencial impacto dos papéis de gênero sobre a adaptação acadêmica.