Association between 9-minute walk/run test and obesity among children and adolescents: evidence for criterion-referenced cut-points.

BACKGROUND: Criterion-referenced cut-points for field-based aerobic fitness for children and adolescents are lacking. This study aimed to determine the associations between aerobic fitness and obesity to propose criterion-referenced cut-points for boys and girls (6-17 years). METHODS: A total of 61,465 children and adolescents aged 11.2 ± 2.0 years were recruited from 27 sites (all 26 states and Federal District) across Brazil. Aerobic fitness was assessed using 9-min walk/run test reported as distance attained during the test. Body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight and was used to identify obesity. RESULTS: The distance covered in the 9-min walk/run test (area under curve > 0.65) had satisfactory predictive ability for obesity. Sensitivity and specificity were moderate (>60%) to strong (>70%) for all age- and sex-specific cut-points. For boys, the optimal physical performance cut-points were, approximately, 1,200 m from 6 to 8 years, 1,300 m from 9 to 11 years, 1,380 m from 12 to 14 years, 1,520 m from 15 to 17 years. For girls, the best cut-points were, approximately, 1,070 m from 6 to 8 years, 1,160 m from 9 to 11 years and 1,200 m from 12 to 17 years. CONCLUSIONS: The 9-min walk/run test had satisfactory predictive ability for obesity in children and adolescents. The physical fitness cut-points proposed in the present study varied according to age and sex and could be useful and practical tools to identify low levels of physical fitness in children and adolescents in Brazil.

Patterns of Objectively and Self-Reported Sedentary Behavior in Children and Adolescents Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The PositHIVe Health Study.

PURPOSE: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been shown to be associated with unhealthy outcomes in children, and it is not clear whether children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) engage in different patterns of SB compared with healthy children. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare patterns of SB between children living with HIV and a healthy control group. METHODS: A group of children with HIV and a paired control group wore accelerometers for 1 week and answered a questionnaire with items related to television viewing habits and computer usage. Accelerometer-derived and self-reported SB were compared between children living with HIV and controls and between treatment-based and viral load subgroups. RESULTS: A total of 130 children (of which 53% are girls with a mean age of 12.1 y) participated in the study with 65 in each group. Children in the control group exhibited significantly more objectively measured SB daily when compared with the HIV group (515 vs 490 min/d, respectively), but no differences were found between the treatment-based and viral load subgroups. Children with HIV watched more television on weekdays, compared with the control group (P < .05). No other differences were found in comparisons of self-reported SB between the control and HIV and the treatment-based or viral load subgroups. CONCLUSION: Children living with HIV spend less time being sedentary than those in the healthy control group. Future studies are important for clarifying the causes and consequences of these differences.

Sociodemographic, biological, and psychosocial correlates of light- and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity during school time, recesses, and physical education classes.

BACKGROUND: Identifying factors associated with physical activity (PA) is useful in planning interventions and policies. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, biological, and psychosocial factors associated with PA performed in school settings. METHODS: Data collected for the present study included gender, age, socioeconomic status, body fat percentage, aerobic fitness, self-efficacy, attitudes, peer and parental support, and perception of school environment. Dependent variables were light-intensity PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) performed during school time, recesses, and physical education (PE) classes. Multiple regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Participating adolescents (n = 567, 53% female, 12.9 ± 5.3 years) spent 5% of school time in MVPA and 27% in LPA, 15% of recesses in MVPA and 44% in LPA, and 16% of PE classes in MVPA and 41% in LPA. Boys engaged in more MVPA in all categories. Age was inversely related with MVPA and LPA in all periods, whereas body fat percentage was inversely related with MVPA in school time and PE classes. Attitude was inversely related with MVPA in all periods and with LPA in recesses. Considering PA to be good and enjoyable was positively associated with MVPA in school time. CONCLUSION: Adolescents spent little time in PA during school. Future interventions should implement enjoyable activities at school.

Pattern of Sedentary Behavior in Different Periods of School Time of Brazilian Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior (SB) is related to unhealthy outcomes and is performed in many contexts, including school. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, biological, and psychosocial correlates of SB performed at school in a sample of adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents provided information regarding sex, age, socioeconomic status, and psychosocial variables related to physical activity (self-efficacy, attitudes, perception of school environment, peer and parental support). Body fat was estimated using skinfolds, and maximum aerobic capacity with a 20 m shuttle run. Adolescents wore accelerometers and SB performed during class time, physical education (PE) classes, and recesses was estimated. RESULTS: Adolescents (N = 567, 53% female, 12.9 ± 5.3 years old) spent 67% of class time, 41% of PE classes, and 41% of recesses in SB. Girls spent more time in SB, and age was negatively associated with SB. Body fat was positively associated with SB in class time and PE classes. Peer support for physical activity was negatively associated with SB in class time, whereas attitudes related to physical activity were negatively associated with SB during PE classes and recesses. CONCLUSION: Adolescents spend long periods in SB at school, even during opportunities to be active like PE classes and recesses.

Sedentary patterns, physical activity and health-related physical fitness in youth: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Strong evidence indicates that moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is positively associated with fitness in youth, independent of total sedentary-time. Sedentary-time appears negatively associated with fitness only when it replaces MVPA. However, whether different sedentary-patterns affect health-related fitness is unknown. METHODS: The associations between MVPA and sedentary-patterns with physical fitness were examined in 2698 youths (1262 boys) aged 13.4 ± 2.28 years. Sedentary-time (counts · minute-1 < 100) and PA were objectively measured by accelerometry. Each break (≥100 counts · min-1 < 2295) in sedentary-time and the frequency of daily bouts in non-prolonged (<30 min) and prolonged (≥30 min) sedentary-time were determined. The FITNESSGRAM® test battery was used to assess fitness. A standardized fitness composite-score (z-score) was calculated by summing the individual z-scores of the five tests adjusted to age and sex. RESULTS: Positive associations between MVPA and fitness were observed in both boys (ß = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.005; 0.021) and girls (ß = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.006; 0.022), independent of sedentary-patterns. Modest associations were found for the breaks in sedentary-time with fitness (ß = 0.026, 95% CI: 0.009; 0.042), independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA in boys. In girls, non-prolonged sedentary bouts were positively associated with fitness (ß = 0.014, 95% CI: 0.003; 0.024), independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: These results reinforce that, independent of the time and patterns of sedentary behavior, MVPA is consistently associated with fitness in youth. Modest and inconsistent associations were found for sedentary behaviors. Breaking-up sedentary-time in boys and non-prolonged sedentary bouts in girls were positively associated with fitness, independent of total sedentary-time and MVPA. In order to enhance youth's fitness, public health recommendations should primarily target MVPA, still, suggestion to reduce and break-up sedentary-time may also be considered.

Prediction equation for lower limbs lean soft tissue in circumpubertal boys using anthropometry and biological maturation.

Lean soft tissue (LST), a surrogate of skeletal muscle mass, is largely limited to appendicular body regions. Simple and accurate methods to estimate lower limbs LST are often used in attempts to partition out the influence of body size on performance outputs. The aim of the current study was to develop and cross-validate a new model to predict lower limbs LST in boys aged 10-13 years, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method. Total body and segmental (lower limbs) composition were assessed with a Hologic Explorer-W QDR DXA scanner in a cross-sectional sample of 75 Portuguese boys (144.8±6.4 cm; 40.2±9.0 kg). Skinfolds were measured at the anterior and posterior mid-thigh, and medial calf. Circumferences were measured at the proximal, mid and distal thigh. Leg length was estimated as stature minus sitting height. Current stature expressed as a percentage of attained predicted mature stature (PMS) was used as an estimate of biological maturity status. Backward proportional allometric models were used to identify the model with the best statistical fit: ln (lower limbs LST)  = 0.838× ln (body mass) +0.476× ln (leg length) - 0.135× ln (mid-thigh circumference) - 0.053× ln (anterior mid-thigh skinfold) - 0.098× ln (medial calf skinfold) - 2.680+0.010× (percentage of attained PMS) (R = 0.95). The obtained equation was cross-validated using the predicted residuals sum of squares statistics (PRESS) method (R2PRESS = 0.90). Deming repression analysis between predicted and current lower limbs LST showed a standard error of estimation of 0.52 kg (95% limits of agreement: 0.77 to -1.27 kg). The new model accurately predicts lower limbs LST in circumpubertal boys.

Determination of thigh volume in youth with anthropometry and DXA: agreement between estimates.

This study examined the agreement between estimates of thigh volume (TV) with anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy school children. Participants (n=168, 83 boys and 85 girls) were school children 10.0-13.9 years of age. In addition to body mass, height and sitting height, anthropometric dimensions included those needed to estimate TV using the equation of Jones & Pearson. Total TV was also estimated with DXA. Agreement between protocols was examined using linear least products regression (Deming regressions). Stepwise regression of log-transformed variables identified variables that best predicted TV estimated by DXA. The regression models were then internally validated using the predicted residual sum of squares method. Correlation between estimates of TV was 0.846 (95%CI: 0.796-0.884, Sy·x=0.152 L). It was possible to obtain an anthropometry-based model to improve the prediction of TVs in youth. The total volume by DXA was best predicted by adding body mass and sum of skinfolds to volume estimated with the equation of Jones & Pearson (R=0.972; 95%CI: 0.962-0.979; R (2)=0.945).

Body composition in taller individuals using DXA: A validation study for athletic and non-athletic populations.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) cannot be used to evaluate participants taller than the scan area. We aimed to analyse the accuracy of bone mineral content, fat mass, and lean mass assessed with DXA whole-body scan and from the sum of two scans (head and trunk plus limbs). Participants were 31 athletes (13 males and 18 females) and 65 non-athletes (34 males and 31 females), that fit within the DXA scan area. Three scans were performed using a Hologic Explorer-W fan-beam densitometer: a whole-body scan used as the reference; a head scan; and a trunk and limbs scan. The sum of the head scan and the trunk and limbs scan was used as the alternative procedure. Multiple regression and agreement analysis were performed. Non-significant differences between methods were observed for fat mass (0.06 kg) and lean mass (-0.07 kg) while bone mineral content from the alternative procedure differed from the reference scan (0.009 kg). The alternative procedure explained > 99% of the variance in the reference scan and low limits of agreement were observed. Precision analysis indicated low pure errors and the higher coefficients of variation were found for fat mass (whole-body: 3.70%; subtotal: 4.05%). The method proposed is a valid and simple solution to be used in individuals taller than the DXA scan area, including athletes engaged in sports recognised for including very tall competitors.

Anthropometric profiles of elite older triathletes in the Ironman Brazil compared with those of young Portuguese triathletes and older Brazilians.

The objective of this study was to describe the anthropometric profiles of elite older triathletes participating in the 2009 Ironman Brazil and to compare their somatotype, anthropometric and body composition characteristics with those of elite young triathletes and older non-athletes. The sample consisted of 64 males, divided into three groups: (1) older triathletes (n = 17), (2) young triathletes (n = 24), and (3) older non-athletes (n = 23). Somatotype was analysed according to the Carter and Heath ( 1990 ) method. Body mass index, sum of four skinfolds, percentage body fat, body fat mass, and fat-free mass were also estimated. Older non-athletes had higher endomorphy, sum of four skinfolds, fat percentage, and body fat mass than the athletes. Older athletes who participated in the Ironman and elite young triathletes had higher fat-free mass than older non-athletes. Older triathletes and older non-athletes were considered mainly endomorphic mesomorphs and young triathletes mainly ectomorphic mesomorphs. The findings that characterize the anthropometric profile of athletes in this sports modality could be used as a reference.

Changes in regional body composition explain increases in energy expenditure in elite junior basketball players over the season.

We aimed to analyze the association between changes in total and regional fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) over a season with resting (REE) and total energy expenditure (TEE) in elite basketball players. At the beginning of the pre-season and at the final of the competitive period, measures of total and regional FM, FFM, lean soft tissue (LST), and bone mineral estimated by DXA and REE by indirect calorimetry were obtained in eight males and nine females of the Portuguese basketball team (16-17 years). TEE was assessed by doubly labeled water. Handgrip and a vertical-jumping were used to assess strength and power. Changes were expressed as a percentage from the baseline values. Resting energy expenditure and TEE increased by 13.2 ± 12.6 and 13.3 ± 12.7% (p < 0.01), respectively. Increases in FFM (3.6 ± 2.2%) and reductions in relative FM (-4.0 ± 6.6%) were observed (p < 0.01). The strength and power increased by 14.4 ± 9.9 and 9.8 ± 10.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Alone, FFM and arms LST differences explained 25 and 23% of the total variance in REE alteration. These variables remained associated after adjusting for gender and baseline values (ß = 0.536, p = 0.042; and ß = 2.023, p = 0.016, respectively). Over the season, the REE increase was explained by changes in FFM. The increase in REE along with the strength and power improvement may suggest that a qualitative change in the metabolic active tissues occurred. Furthermore, these findings highlight the regional LST contribution, specifically located at the upper limbs, as a key component for the higher REE occurred over the season in junior basketball players.

Determinação do estado nutricional de adolescentes por meio de medidas referidas de peso e estatura: um estudo de validação / Determination of the nutritional status of adolescents through self-reported weight and height: a validation study

Este estudo verificou a validade de medidas referidas de peso e estatura para a determina-ção do estado nutricional de adolescentes. Participaram do estudo 641 escolares do ensino médio da cidade de Londrina-PR que referiram suas medidas de peso e estatura, e, em seguida, foram pesados em uma balança digital e medidos em um estadiômetro. O índice de massa corporal (IMC) foi calculado e o estado nutricional foi determinado. Em média, o IMC obtido a partir das medidas referidas foi subestimado em ambos os sexos, sendo o grau de subestimação maior nas meninas comparadas aos meninos (0,44 e 0,24 kg/m2). Houve tendência de maior subestimação do IMC entre escolares com excesso de peso (P<0,001). Um terço das meninas com excesso de peso não foram classificadas como tal pelas medidas referidas. A prevalência de excesso de peso a partir das medidas referidas foi subestimada no sexo feminino em 2,5 pontos percentuais (10,9 vs 8,4; P<0,05). Conclui-se que medidas referidas de peso e estatura subestimam o IMC de adolescentes, podendo levar a um incorreto diagnóstico do estado nutricional, principalmente em adolescentes do sexo feminino e/ou com excesso de peso corporal.

This study verified the validity of self-reported weight and height to determine the nutritional status of adolescents. A total of 641 students from high schools of Londrina-PR self reported their weight and height and, thereafter, had these variables measured with a digital scale and a stadiometer. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated from both self reported and measured weight and height and the nutritional status was determined. On average, the IMC obtained from self-reported measures was underestimated in both sexes, with a higher degree of underestimation in girls compared with boys (0.44 and 0.24kg/m2). There was a trend for stronger underestimation of BMI among those at risk of overweight (P<0.001). One third of girls at risk of overweight were misclassified from the self reported measures. The prevalence of girls at risk of overweight was underestimated in 2.5 percentage points (10.9 versus 8.4; p< 0.05). It was concluded that self reported measures of weight and height underestimate the BMI of adolescents, and misclassification of nutritional status is a concern, mainly in female and/or those at risk of overweight.

Prevalência de síndrome metabólica em homens / Metabolic syndrome prevalence in males / Prevalencia del síndrome metabólico en hombres

Objetivos Verificar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica (SM) em funcionários de uma empresa metalúrgica do Distrito Federal, por faixa etária e classificação étnico-racial; comparar indicadores bioquímicos, antropométricos e hemodinâmicos, de acordo com ausência e presença da SM. Métodos Participaram do estudo 125 homens (20-69 anos). As seguintes variáveis foram coletadas: idade, etnia, massa corporal, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência do abdômen (CA), glicemia, triglicerídeos, colesterol total (CT), lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-c) e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD). Resultados A prevalência de SM foi de 28 por cento. Os indivíduos com presença da SM apresentaram valores superiores de triglicerídeos, IMC, CA, PAS, PAD e inferiores de HDL-c. Observou-se aumento na presença de SM com o avanço da idade, em maior proporção (45,9 por cento) naqueles com idade superior a 40 anos. Conclusões A SM foi elevada em homens trabalhadores de uma empresa metalúrgica e esta se associou com a idade.

Objective Determining metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence amongst employees from a steel company in Distrito Federal according to age and ethnic-racial classification, comparing biochemical, anthropometric and hemodynamic indicators according to MS presence or absence. Methods A total of 125 men (aged 20-69) participated in the study. Data was collected regarding age, ethnic origin, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results MS prevalence was 28 percent. Subjects suffering from MS presented higher triglyceride levels, had greater BMI, waist circumference, SBP and DBP and lower HDL-c. Increased MS frequency was observed with age, having higher frequency (45.9 percent) amongst subjects aged more than 40. Conclusions MS prevalence was high amongst steel company workers; the condition was associated with age.

Objetivos Investigar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico (SM) en los empleados de una empresa metalúrgica en el Distrito Federal, por edad y clasificación etno-racial; comparar los indicadores bioquímicos, antropométricos y hemodinámicos, según la presencia o ausencia de SM. Métodos El estudio incluyó a 125 hombres (20-69 años). Se incluyeron las siguientes variables: edad, etnia, masa corporal, talla (estatura), índice de masa corporal (IMC), circunferencia abdominal (CA), glucosa, triglicéridos, colesterol total (CT), lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-c) y la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD). Resultados La prevalencia del SM fue de 28 por ciento. Los individuos con presencia del síndrome metabólico mostraron valores altos de triglicéridos, IMC, CA, PAS, PAD y bajos valores de HDL-C. Se observó también, un aumento en la presencia del SM con el avanzo de la edad y una mayor proporción (45,9 por ciento) en los mayores de 40 años de edad. Conclusiones El SM presentó una alta prevalencia en los trabajadores de una empresa metalúrgica, lo cual se asoció con la edad.

[Metabolic syndrome prevalence in males]. / Prevalência de síndrome metabólica em homens.

OBJECTIVE: Determining metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence amongst employees from a steel company in Distrito Federal according to age and ethnic-racial classification, comparing biochemical, anthropometric and hemodynamic indicators according to MS presence or absence. METHODS: A total of 125 men (aged 20-69) participated in the study. Data was collected regarding age, ethnic origin, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). RESULTS: MS prevalence was 28 %. Subjects suffering from MS presented higher triglyceride levels, had greater BMI, waist circumference, SBP and DBP and lower HDL-c. Increased MS frequency was observed with age, having higher frequency (45.9 %) amongst subjects aged more than 40. CONCLUSIONS: MS prevalence was high amongst steel company workers; the condition was associated with age.

The prevalence of physical inactivity amongst Brazilian university students: its association with sociodemographic variables / Prevalencia de sedentarismo en universitarios brasileños: asociación con variables sociodemográficas / Prevalência de sedentarismo em universitários brasileiros: associação com variáveis sociodemográficas

Objective The prevalence of physical inactivity amongst adults has been increasing worldwide; however, few studies have been conducted on university freshmen. The present investigation was aimed at determining the prevalence of physical inactivity amongst Brazilian university freshmen and its association with sociodemographic variables. Methods The database for the research project entitled, "Evaluating health-related physical fitness of students from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil," was used for this study. A total of 762 students (445 males) having 20.2 (4.7) mean age were studied. The participants' level of physical activity was measured by IPAQ; sociodemographic variables were self-reported and then recorded. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (significance level was set at p<0.05). Results The prevalence of physical inactivity was 13.8 percent amongst the students studied. Female and night-course students presented a 1.69 (CI 95 percent: 1.10-2.57) and 1.70 (CI95 percent: 1.09-2.66) times greater chance of presenting physical inactivity than male students and those on day-courses, respectively. Conclusion The main risk groups for physical inactivity were female and night-course students.

Objetivo La prevalencia de sedentarismo en adultos está incrementándose en todo el mundo. Sin embargo, pocos estudios se han llevado a cabo con universitarios que acaban de ingresar. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la prevalencia de sedentarismo entre universitarios que acaban de ingresar y su asociación com variables sociodemográficas. Métodos El estudio fue realizado teniendo en cuenta la base de datos del proyecto de investigación "Evaluación de la aptitud física relacionada con la salud de estudiantes de la Universidad Federal de Santa Catarina, Brasil". Fueron investigados 762 universitários (445 del sexo masculino), con una media de 20,2 (4,7) años de edad. Se obtuvo información sobre el nivel de actividad física y las variables sociodemográficas. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizaron las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y regresión logística binaria. El nível de significancia fue establecido en p<0,05. Resultados La prevalencia de sedentarismo en los universitarios investigados fue de 8,1 por ciento. Estudiantes del sexo femenino y estudiantes del turno nocturno presentaron 1,7 veces mayores probabilidad de sedentarismo con respecto al sexo masculino y turno diurno, respectivamente. Conclusión Los principales grupos de riesgo para presentar sedentarismo fueron los estudiantes del sexo femenino y del turno nocturno.

Objetivo A prevalência de sedentarismo em adultos vem aumentando em todo o mundo, contudo, poucos estudos têm sido realizados em universitários recém ingressos. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a prevalência de sedentarismo entre universitários recém ingressos e sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas Métodos Este estudo foi realizado com base no banco de dados do projeto de pesquisa "Avaliação da aptidão física relacionada à saúde de universitários da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brasil". Foram investigados 762 universitários (445 do sexo masculino), com média de 20,2 (4,7) anos de idade. Foram coletadas informações referentes ao nível de atividade física e variáveis sociodemográficas. Para análise estatística foram empregados os testes do qui-quadrado e regressão logística binária. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em p<0,05. Resultados A prevalência de sedentarismo dos universitários investigados foi de 13,8 por cento. Universitários do sexo feminino e estudantes do turno noturno apresentaram 1,7 vezes mais chance para sedentarismo em relação ao sexo masculino e turno diurno, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os principais grupos de risco para apresentar sedentarismo foram compostos por estudantes do sexo feminino e do turno noturno.

[Adolescents' physical quality of life: associations with physical activity and sex]. / Domínio físico da qualidade de vida entre adolescentes: associação com atividade física e sexo.

OBJECTIVE: Analysing associations between adolescents' physical activity level (PAL), alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI) and sociodemographic variables and their physical quality of life (QoL). METHODS: The sample consisted of 608 adolescents aged 14 to 20 who were fulltime students in public and private high schools in the municipality of Lapa, PR, southern Brazil. The variables analysed were the adolescents' physical QoL, PAL, alcohol consumption, BMI and sociodemographic variables. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistical regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The physical QoL of the adolescents studied here exhibited satisfactory results (74.4 mean score). Less active individuals had 1.7 times greater risk of obtaining poor physical domain scores than their active counterparts; girls were 2.8 times more likely to have a poor physical domain score compared to boys. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescent population subsets most at risk of scoring badly on the physical domain were those having low PAL and being female.

Domínio físico da qualidade de vida entre adolescentes: associação com atividade física e sexo / Dominio físico de la calidad de vida entre adolescentes: asociación con el sexo y la actividad física / Adolescents' physical quality of life: associations with physical activity and sex

Objetivo Analisar as associações do Nível de Atividade Física (NAF), consumo de álcool, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e variáveis sociodemográficas com o domínio físico da Qualidade de Vida (QV) de adolescentes. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 608 adolescentes com idades entre 14 e 20 anos, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculados na rede pública e particular do ensino médio do município da Lapa, Paraná, Brasil. Foram investigadas variáveis referentes à QV dos adolescentes (domínio físico), NAF, consumo de álcool, IMC e variáveis sociodemográficas. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva, qui-quadrado, exato de fisher e regressão logística binária. Resultados O domínio físico da QV dos adolescentes estudados apresentou resultados satisfatórios, com escore médio de 74,4. Indivíduos menos ativos tiveram 1,7 vezes mais risco para possuir domínio físico ruim do que seus pares mais ativos, bem como, moças tiveram 2,8 vezes mais chance de apresentar domínio físico ruim quando comparadas com rapazes. Conclusão Os principais subgrupos populacionais com risco de apresentar domínio físico ruim foram adolescentes que apresentaram NAF baixo e pertencentes ao sexo feminino.

Objective Analysing associations between adolescents' physical activity level (PAL), alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI) and sociodemographic variables and their physical quality of life (QoL). Methods The sample consisted of 608 adolescents aged 14 to 20 who were fulltime students in public and private high schools in the municipality of Lapa, PR, southern Brazil. The variables analysed were the adolescents' physical QoL, PAL, alcohol consumption, BMI and sociodemographic variables. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistical regression were used in the statistical analysis. Results The physical QoL of the adolescents studied here exhibited satisfactory results (74.4 mean score). Less active individuals had 1.7 times greater risk of obtaining poor physical domain scores than their active counterparts; girls were 2.8 times more likely to have a poor physical domain score compared to boys. Conclusions The adolescent population subsets most at risk of scoring badly on the physical domain were those having low PAL and being female.

Objetivo Analizar las asociaciones de nivel de actividad física (NAF), consumo de alcohol, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y las variables socio demográficas con el dominio físico de la calidad de vida (CV) de los adolescentes. Métodos La muestra se conformó con 608 adolescentes de edades comprendidas entre los 14 y 20 años, de ambos sexos, matriculados en la red pública y red privada de la educación media del municipio de Lapa, Paraná, Brasil. Se investigaron las variables referentes a la CV de los adolescentes (dominio físico), NAF, el consumo de alcohol, el IMC y las variables socio demográficas. Se utilizó la estadística descriptiva, Chi-cuadrado, Test exacto de Fisher y regresión logística binaria. Resultados El dominio físico de la CV de los adolescentes estudiados mostró resultados satisfactorios, con media de 74,4. Los individuos menos activos tuvieron 1,7 veces más riesgo de tener un dominio físico más pobre que sus pares activos; las niñas presentaron 2,8 veces más un dominio físico pobre que los varones. Conclusión Los principales subgrupos poblacionales con riesgo de presentar dominio físico pobre fueron los adolescentes femeninos con el NAF bajo.

The prevalence of physical inactivity amongst Brazilian university students: its association with sociodemographic variables.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of physical inactivity amongst adults has been increasing worldwide; however, few studies have been conducted on university freshmen. The present investigation was aimed at determining the prevalence of physical inactivity amongst Brazilian university freshmen and its association with sociodemographic variables. METHODS: The database for the research project entitled, 'Evaluating health-related physical fitness of students from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil,' was used for this study. A total of 762 students (445 males) having 20.2 (4.7) mean age were studied. The participants' level of physical activity was measured by IPAQ; sociodemographic variables were self-reported and then recorded. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (significance level was set at p<0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of physical inactivity was 13.8 % amongst the students studied. Female and night-course students presented a 1.69 (CI 95 %: 1.10-2.57) and 1.70 (CI95 %: 1.09-2.66) times greater chance of presenting physical inactivity than male students and those on day-courses, respectively. CONCLUSION: The main risk groups for physical inactivity were female and night-course students.