Energy Expenditure in Free-Living Physical Activities and Sedentary Behaviors in Mexican Schoolchildren.

Purpose: Metabolic equivalents for youth (METy) are derived using the estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR). However, is unknown whether this METy can be different when measured resting energy expenditure (REE) is used. The purposes of this article are to: (a) To determine whether there is equivalence between METy values calculated using measured REE (METy-mea) and METy using predicted BMR (METy-est). (b) To determine whether METy values of different activities are dependent on age, sex, and body composition. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 122 Mexican children (5-11 years old) was conducted. With indirect calorimetry, energy expenditure was measured at rest and during 16 sedentary- to vigorous-intensity physical activities. METy were obtained in two forms: METy-mea and METy-est. Equivalence testing was used to compare METy-mea and METy-est. To examine the individual-level agreement, Bland-Altman plots were graphed, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated. Linear regression models were estimated having METy as the outcome. Results: For 15 activities, there was equivalence between METy-mea and METy-est (t > 2.05, p < 0.050). However, at the individual-level, for 7 activities the agreement between METy-eREE and METy-mREE was inadequate (ICC<0.75). In the Bland-Altman plots was evident that in 8 activities METy-est was biased compared to METy-mea, METy-est had more correlations with body mass index and body fat. Conclusions: In conclusion, at group-level, for most activities METy-mea and METy-est were equivalent. However, at the individual level, METy-est of many activities is not a valid estimate of METy-mea. METy-est of many physical activities were dependent on adiposity, which could be an artifact introduced when BMR is predicted.

Development and validation of an equation to predict total energy expenditure in a sample of Mexican adults

Our aim was to develop and validate an equation to predict total energy expenditure (TEE) based on anthropometric measurements and physical activity questionnaires that can be applied among non-institutionalized Mexican adults. To meet this aim, a validation study was conducted with a sample of Mexican adults (n=115, 37% men) that were randomly divided into two groups to develop and validate new equations to estimate TEE. TEE was measured by indirect calorimetry and heart rate monitoring for at least three days. These measurements were considered as the reference method. The predictors of TEE were age, sex, fat and fatfreemass, body weight and physical activity level (PAL), which was assessed with two questions. The accuracy of factorial methods (e.g. FAO/WHO or Ainsworth’s metabolic equivalents list) and empirical equations to estimate TEE was compared. Multiple linear regression and Intra-class correlation coefficients were estimate as agreement measurement. The equation developed is as follows: TEE (kcal / d) = 1331.712 - (686.344 x sex, men: 1, women: 2) + (18,051 x body weight, kg) - (16.020 x age, years) + (894.007 x PAL). The accuracy of the equation was modest in the development (R2 = 54.4, standard error = 511.3) and validation (R2 = 59.2, standard error = 372.8) samples. However, this equation had higher accuracy than factorial methods or empirical equations. The equation was developed to estimate the TEE of Mexican adults, which can be used as a general guide to provide nutritional counselling. (AU)

Validity of equations for estimating aerobic fitness in Mexican youth.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of prediction equations for estimating maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) based on the PACER test and different adiposity indicators in Mexican youth. A convenience sample of youth aged 9-18 years from schools in Mexico City was recruited. VO2peak was evaluated with a laboratory exercise test on a treadmill and using a gas analyser and with the 20-m PACER test guidelines. The sample was randomly divided to develop new equations (n = 220) and to evaluate their validity (n = 106). Prediction equations of VO2peak were developed using multiple linear regression models. The adiposity indicators were BMI, waist circumference and body fat. The validity of the new and previously published equations was evaluated based on linear regression models, intra-class coefficient, Akaike's information criterion, mean absolute percentage error and Bland-Altman graphs. Equations with waist circumference and body fat performed better than those with BMI and without any anthropometric indicator. The accuracy of the developed equations (R2 = 57.0%-59.50%) was higher than that of previously published equations (R2 = 24.1%-56.0%). The new equations had lower bias in estimating VO2peak. In Mexican youth, the estimation of VO2peak from the 20-m PACER test is more accurate after including waist circumference or body fat than with BMI.

El auto-reporte de actividad física y comportamientos sedentarios no concuerda con la acelerometría en escolares mexicanos / Accelerometry does not match with self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors in Mexican children

Resumen: Introducción: La evaluación precisa de la actividad física (AF) en escolares es necesaria para implementar estrategias que favorezcan estilos de vida activos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la validez de un cuestionario autoadministrado de AF y actividades sedentarias y ligeras (ASL) desarrollado para escolares mexicanos, analizando las diferencias en la validez de acuerdo con el estado de nutrición. Métodos: Escolares de 8-12 años de edad contestaron un cuestionario autoaplicable en el cual se evaluaron las ASL y AF moderada y vigorosa (AFMV). Se determinaron los minutos a la semana dedicados a ASL y AFMV en niños que portaron un acelerómetro triaxial. La concordancia entre los dos métodos para detectar el tiempo que los niños invierten en ver televisión se evaluó mediante coeficientes de correlación intraclase y el método de Bland-Altman. Resultados: La estimación de AFMV por cuestionarios fue mayor que la de acelerometría por 117.6 min/semana, mientras que la estimación de ASL fue menor por 1,924.7 min/semana. No se detectó correlación entre el tiempo evaluado con acelerómetros y el reportado en el cuestionario para las ASL y AFMV. En niños con índice de masa corporal normal, se detectó una correlación baja entre el tiempo reportado y el medido por acelerometría para jugar videojuegos con las actividades sedentarias (ric = 0.29, p = 0.031). Conclusiones: Los escolares sobreestiman las AFMV y subestiman las ASL. El peso corporal puede ser un factor que influya en dichos sesgos.

Abstract: Background: An accurate assessment of physical activity in schoolchildren is necessary to implement strategies that promote active lifestyles. The objective of this study was to validate a self-administered questionnaire to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to analyze differences in the validity according to nutritional status in Mexican schoolchildren. Methods: Schoolchildren of 8-12 years of age answered a self-report physical activity and sedentary behaviors questionnaire to evaluate sedentary and light physical activity (SLPA) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The data of children who wore a triaxial accelerometer days was analyzed. Concordance between both methods to determine the time schoolchildren spend watching television was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman method. Results: The estimation of MVPA by questionnaires was higher than that of accelerometers by 117.6 minutes per week, and the estimation of SLPA was lower by 1,924.7 minutes per week. No correlation between the time assessed by accelerometers and the time reported in the questionnaires for SLPA and MVPA was detected. In normal-weighted children, a low correlation between the time dedicated to play videogames with sedentary activities (ric =0.29, p=0.031) assessed by accelerometers was observed. Conclusions: Schoolchildren over-estimate MVPA and under-estimate SLPA. Body weight can be a factor influencing such bias.

Proyecto Tuning: competencias genéricas y exigencias laborales en egresados de una licenciatura de enfermería en México / Tuning project: generic competences and job requirements in graduates of a nursing degree in Mexico

ResumenIntroducción: sin duda la formación de profesionistas competentes asegura el éxito profesional, productivo, social, cognitivo, cultural y afectivo de los mismos. Derivado de lo anterior, existe una relación estrecha entre la formación de competencias y la exigencia de las mismas en el ámbito laboral. Objetivo: analizar la relación entre el desarrollo de competencias genéricas en el ámbito educativo y la exigencia laboral en egresados de una licenciatura en enfermería en México.Metodología: se realizó un estudio transversal analítico mediante una encuesta a 73 egresados de licenciatura en enfermería entre 2000 y 2006. Por vía electrónica se envió cuestionario estructurado con las siguientes dimensiones de análisis: I. Datos generales del egresado, II. Estudios de licenciatura, III. Continuidad de la formación profesional, IV. Inserción en el mercado laboral, V. Coincidencia del trabajo con la formación académica recibida, VI. Escala del grado de exigencia y de desarrollo de las diferentes competencias. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y se calcularon los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson.Resultados: hubo una correlación positiva entre el desarrollo de competencias genéricas y la exigencia en el ámbito laboral (p < 0.05), con excepción de la capacidad de investigación (2.62 frente a 3.17). Se exige más el desarrollo de competencias en la universidad que en el ámbito laboral. Conclusión: existe una correlación positiva entre el desarrollo de competencias genéricas en el ámbito educativo con las exigencias del campo laboral; con excepción de la capacidad en investigación.

AbstractIntroduction: Undoubtedly, the training of competent professionals ensures professional, productive, social, cognitive, cultural and emotional success for them. Because of this, there is a close relationship between training competences and their requirements at the workplace.Objective: To analyze the relationship between the development of generic competences in education and work demands in graduates of a bachelor of nursing in Mexico.Methods: It was carried out a cross-sectional study using a survey administered to 73 college graduates from a bachelor of nursing between 2000 and 2006. The structured questionnaire was sent electronically. It included the following dimensions of analysis: I. Graduate general information, II. Training in bachelor of nursing, III. Continuity of professional traning, IV. Integration into the labor market, V. Coincidence of work with the academic training received, VI. Scale for the degree of demand and development of different competences. Descriptive statistics were used and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.Results: It was found a positive correlation between the development of generic competences and the demands in the workplace (p < 0.05), except for research abilities (2.62 vs 3.17). Improvement of competencies is required more at university than in the working environment. Conclusion: Excepting research abilities, there is a positive correlation between the development of generic competences in the educational environment with the demands of the work environment.

[Accelerometry does not match with self-reported physical activity and sedentary behaviors in Mexican children]. / El auto-reporte de actividad física y comportamientos sedentarios no concuerda con la acelerometría en escolares mexicanos.

BACKGROUND: An accurate assessment of physical activity in schoolchildren is necessary to implement strategies that promote active lifestyles. The objective of this study was to validate a self-administered questionnaire to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviors and to analyze differences in the validity according to nutritional status in Mexican schoolchildren. METHODS: Schoolchildren of 8-12 years of age answered a self-report physical activity and sedentary behaviors questionnaire to evaluate sedentary and light physical activity (SLPA) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The data of children who wore a triaxial accelerometer days was analyzed. Concordance between both methods to determine the time schoolchildren spend watching television was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The estimation of MVPA by questionnaires was higher than that of accelerometers by 117.6minutes per week, and the estimation of SLPA was lower by 1,924.7minutes per week. No correlation between the time assessed by accelerometers and the time reported in the questionnaires for SLPA and MVPA was detected. In normal-weighted children, a low correlation between the time dedicated to play videogames with sedentary activities (ric=0.29, p=0.031) assessed by accelerometers was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Schoolchildren over-estimate MVPA and under-estimate SLPA. Body weight can be a factor influencing such bias.