The Similarity Degree of the Anthropometric and Body Composition Variables of Brazilian and Mozambican Schoolchildren: A New Approach Using the Smoothed Jaccard Index Surface.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brazil and Mozambique face similar socioeconomic challenges, including common indicators of undernutrition and overnutrition among children. This study evaluated the similarity degree of the anthropometric and body composition variables of Brazilian and Mozambican children by using the Jaccard index. METHODS: A total of 1831 children of both genders aged 7-10 years from three Brazilian cities (Recife, Vitoria de Santo Antao, and Lagoa do Carro) and three Mozambican cities (Maputo, Boane, and Inhambane) participated in this study. Anthropometric (height, body mass, and waist circumference) and body composition (body fat percentage [%BF], lean mass, and fat mass) variables were measured and the Smoothed Jaccard Index Surface (SJIS) was used to evaluate the similarity degree. RESULTS: Brazilian children were taller and heavier and had a higher %BF and fat mass than Mozambican children. Children living in urban areas were taller than those living in rural zones in both countries. Brazilian and Mozambican children showed high similarity only between %BF and lean mass. Children from Recife and Maputo had high similarities among waist circumference, body mass, fat mass, height, and %BF. Finally, a high SJIS degree was observed among height and %BF for schoolchildren from rural and urban zones. CONCLUSION: Brazilian and Mozambican children exhibit differences in growth characteristics but a high degree of similarity when children from rural and urban zones are compared.

Built environment and physical activity of adolescents: an approach with artificial neural networks / Ambiente construído e atividade física de adolescentes: uma abordagem com redes neurais artificiais

The objective of this study was to analyze the association of the level of physical activity (PA) and body composition in relation to the amount and distance of built environments favorable to the practice of PA in relation to the homes of adolescents in the city of Lagoa do Carro/Pernambuco, Brazil. A total of 289 adolescents (153 boys; 10 to 18 years) participated in the study, duly enrolled in schools municipality. The self-administered Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescent (PAQ-A) was used to assess the PA level. The Geographic Information System was used to assess the built environments. Buffers of 100 to 500 meters were created from the center of the built environment. The Artificial Neural Network in the Feedforward method was used to assess the association and importance of built environment and body composition variables with PA level. The different distances from the built environment to the place of residence do not present statistical differences. It is noteworthy that the number of buffers up to 500 meters away was the variable that showed the greatest importance for the PA level, along with adolescents who live in places with greater exposure in terms of built environments, being considered more active. It was possible to conclude that the main determinants of the PA level of adolescents were the amount of buffers at 500 meters, sex and the distance to the built environment. However, the variables, housing area, body mass and amounts of buffers at 100 meters were the ones with the lowest power of influence.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a associação do nível de atividade física (AF) e composição corporal em relação à quantidade e distância de ambientes construídos favoráveis à prática da AF em relação ao domicílio de adolescentes da cidade de Lagoa do Carro/Pernambuco, Brasil. Participaram do estudo 289 adolescentes (153 meninos; 10 a 18 anos), devidamente matriculados nas escolas do município. O Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) e Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescent (PAQ-A) autoaplicável foram utilizados para avaliar o nível de AF. O Sistema de Informação Geográfico foi utilizado para avaliação dos ambientes construídos. Foram criados Buffers de 100 a 500 metros de raio a partir do centro do ambiente construído. A Rede Neural Artificial no método de Feedforward foi utilizada para analisar a associação e a importância das variáveis do ambiente construído e composição corporal com o nível de AF. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o nível de AF e as distâncias do ambiente construído. Ressalta--se que a quantidade de buffers até 500 metros de distância, foi a variável que apresentou maior importância para o nível de AF, juntamente com os adolescentes que residem em locais com maior exposição em quantidade de ambientes construídos, sendo considerados mais ativos. Os principais determinantes do nível da AF dos adolescentes foram à quantidade de buffers a 500 metros, o sexo e a distância para o ambiente construído. Em contrapartida, as variáveis, zona de moradia, massa corporal e quantidades de buffers a 100 metros foram as que apresentaram um menor poder de influência.

Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods and cardiometabolic risk factors in children aged 7 to 10 years in Northeast Brazil.

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption is associated with pediatric overweight and obesity. Aim: To evaluate the UPFs consumption in children classified either as eutrophic or with excess weight (overweight and obesity). It was also described the fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the correlation between UPFs consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: A total of 139 children aged 7-10years of both sexes, living in Northeast Brazil were classified as eutrophic (n = 65) or excess weight (n = 62). Waist circumference (WC), percentage of body fatness (% BF), fat-free-mass and fat mass were evaluated. Fasting blood sample were collected for biochemical analysis. Food consumption was classified according to the degree of processing. Results: Children with excess weight had a reduction in plasma HDL concentration (45.00; IQR:36.00-54.50 mg/dL vs. 40.00; IQR:35.75-45.25 mg/dL; p = 0.021) and an increase in blood glucose (82.00; IQR:79.00-86.00 mg/dL vs. 86.00; IQR:81.00-90.00 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and TG (64.00; IQR:45.00-92.50 mg/dL vs. 81.00; IQR:57.50-111.75 mg/dL; p < 0.021) when compared with the eutrophic children. UPFs accounted for 43.43% of the total calories consumed by children. Children with excess weight had higher total energy consumption resulting from consumption of UPFs (714.30 ± 26.32 kcal vs. 848.06 ± 349.46 kcal; p = 0.011). The absolute consumption of the UPFs showed a positive correlation with WC (r = 0.202; p = 0.023) and %BF (r = 0.198; p = 0.026). Conclusion: UPFs consumption was higher for children with excess weight and positively correlated with two cardiometabolic risk factors, suggesting the need for strengthening public policies that discourage the consumption of these foods.

Food consumption habits, gestational age and birth weight are predictive for children with excess weight: An analysis based on artificial neural network.

The relationship between body weight gain and the onset of obesity is linked to environmental and behavioral factors, and may be dependent on biological predisposing. Artificial neural networks are useful predictive tools in the field of artificial intelligence, and can be used to identify risk factors related to obesity. The aim of this study is to establish, based on artificial neural networks, a predictive model for overweight/obesity in children based on the recognition and selection of patterns associated with birth weight, gestational age, height deficit, food consumption, and the physical activity level, TV time and family context. Sample consisted of 149 children (72 = eutrophic and 77 = overweight/obese). Collected data consisted of anthropometry and demographic characteristics, gestational age, birth weight, food consumption, physical activity level, TV time and family context. The gestational age, daily caloric intake and birth weight were the main determinants of the later appearance of overweight and obesity. In addition, the family context linked to socioeconomic factors, such as the number of residents in the household, had a great impact on excess weight. The physical activity level was the least important variable. Modifiable risk factors, such as the inadequate food consumption, and non-modifiable factors such as gestational age were the main determinants for overweight/obesity in children. Our data indicate that, combating excess weight should also be carried out from a social and preventive perspective during critical periods of development, such as pregnancy, lactation and early childhood, to reach a more effective strategy to combat obesity and its complications in childhood and adult life.

Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for children aged 7 to 10 years / Desenvolvimento e validação de um questionário de frequência alimentar para crianças de 7 a 10 anos de idade

ABSTRACT Objective Food and nutritional evaluation of children can support public policies to combat early overweight and obesity. This study developed and validated a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessing the dietary intake of children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of the development of a food frequency questionnaire for 130 children of both genders aged 7 to 10 years old. For the food frequency questionnaire list, 81 food items were selected. The validity of the food frequency questionnaire was evaluated by comparison with 24-hour recalls and reproducibility was performed by comparing two food frequency questionnaires. Results Most of the foods with 95% relative contribution were ultra-processed, such as packaged snacks and powdered juice. In validation, correlation coefficients were found between 0.45 (p<0.000) for lipids and 0.37 (p<0.000) for carbohydrates. An adjustment for energy reduced the correlations, but there was an increase in the correlation in calcium (r=0.75) and retinol (r=0.20). In terms of reproducibility, all macronutrients and calcium showed a satisfactory intraclass correlation coefficient (>0.400) and moderate correlations [proteins (0.54; p<0.000) and lipids (0.41; p<0.000)]. Conclusion The food frequency questionnaire developed was valid and able to assess the local food consumption by children from northeastern Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo A avaliação alimentar e nutricional de crianças pode subsidiar políticas públicas de combate ao sobrepeso e à obesidade precoce. Este estudo desenvolveu e validou um questionário quantitativo de frequência alimentar para avaliação do consumo alimentar de crianças de 7 a 10 anos. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal do desenvolvimento de um questionário de frequência alimentar que avaliou 130 crianças de ambos os sexos com idades entre 7 e 10 anos. Para a lista do questionário, foram selecionados 81 itens alimentares. A validade do instrumento foi avaliada por meio da comparação com recordatórios de 24 horas e a reprodutibilidade foi realizada pela comparação de dois questionários de frequência alimentar. Resultados A maioria dos alimentos com 95% de contribuição relativa foi ultraprocessada, como salgadinhos embalados e suco em pó. Na validação, foram encontrados coeficientes de correlação entre 0,45 (p<0,000) para lipídios e 0,37 (p<0,000) para carboidratos. Um ajuste para energia reduziu as correlações, mas houve um aumento na correlação de cálcio (r=0,75) e retinol (r=0,20). Em termos de reprodutibilidade, todos os macronutrientes e o cálcio apresentaram coeficiente de correlação intraclasse satisfatório (>0,400) e correlações moderadas [proteínas (0,54; p<0,000) e lipídios (0,41; p<0,000)]. Conclusão O questionário de frequência alimentar desenvolvido é válido e foi capaz de avaliar o consumo alimentar local de crianças do Nordeste do Brasil.

Validity and accuracy of body fat prediction equations using anthropometric measurements in children 7 - 10 years old / Validade e acurácia de equações de predição de gordura corporal usando medidas antropométricas em crianças de 7 a 10 anos

abstract Children with a deficit of growth because of perinatal malnutrition present specificities in the percentage of body fat (%BF) that could not be detected by previous fat mass-based equations. This study developed and validated predictive equations of the %BF derived from anthropometric variables in children aged 7 to 10 living in Northeast Brazil, using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference. Body composition data from 58 children were utilized. DXA was used as a reference. A stepwise (forward) multiple regression statistical model was used to develop the new equations. The Bland-Altman analysis (CI: 95%), paired Student's t-test, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to validate and compare the developed equations. Two new equations were developed for either gender: boys: %BF: 13.642 + (1.527*BMI) + (-0.345*Height) + (0.875*Triceps) + (0.290* Waist Circumference) and girls: %BF: -13.445 + (2.061*Tight). The Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement, with limits ranging from -1.33 to 1.24% for boys and -3.35 to 4.08% for girls. The paired Student's t-test showed no difference between %BF-DXA and the two new equations (p> 0.05), and the ICC was 0.948 and 0.915, respectively. DXA-based anthropometric equations provide an accurate and noninvasive method to measure changes in the %BF in children.

resumo Crianças com déficit de crescimento por desnutrição perinatal apresentam especificidades na distribuição do percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) que não puderam ser detectadas por equações anteriores baseadas no %GC. Este estudo desenvolveu e validou equações preditivas do %GC derivadas de variáveis ​​antropométricas em crianças de 7 a 10 anos residentes no Nordeste do Brasil, utilizando como referência a absorciometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA). Foram utilizados dados de composição corporal de 58 crianças. O DXA foi usado como modelo de referência. Um modelo estatístico de regressão múltipla stepwise (forward) foi usado para desenvolver as equações. A análise de Bland-Altman (IC: 95%), teste t de Student pareado e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) foram utilizados para validar e comparar as equações. Duas novas equações foram desenvolvidas para ambos os sexos: meninos: %GC: 13,642 + (1,527*IMC) + (-0,345*Altura) + (0,875*Tríceps) + (0,290* Circunferência da cintura) e meninas: %GC: - 13,445 + (2,061*coxa). A análise de Bland-Altman mostrou boa concordância, com limites variando de -1,33 a 1,24% para meninos e -3,35 a 4,08% para meninas. O teste t de Student pareado não mostrou diferença entre %GC-DXA e as duas novas equações (p>0,05), e o CCI foi de 0,948 e 0,915, respectivamente.

Can the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food Be Associated with Anthropometric Indicators of Obesity and Blood Pressure in Children 7 to 10 Years Old?

The consumption of ultra-processed foods plays an important role in the development of obesity and hypertension. The present study investigated the association between consumption of food according to the degree of processing and anthropometric indicators of obesity and blood pressure in children. This is a cross-sectional study with 164 children aged 7-10 years. The body mass index (BMI) for age, waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was evaluated. Food consumption was analyzed by three 24-h dietary recalls, and classified as: G1-unprocessed or minimally processed; G2-culinary ingredients and processed food; and G3-ultra-processed food. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations among variables. The average energy consumption was 1762.76 kcal/day, split into 45.42%, 10.88%, and 43.70%, provided by G1, G2, and G3, respectively. Adjusted linear regression analyses identified that the caloric contribution of G1 was inversely associated with DBP, showing that for each 10% increase in the energy intake of minimally processed foods, there was a reduction of 0.96 mmHg in the DBP (ß:-0.10; 95% CI:-0.19 to -0.01; r2 = 0.20). There was no association between the caloric contribution of food groups and BMI, WC, WHtR, and SBP. Increasing consumption of G1 could be a strategy for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in schoolchildren.

The mediation effect of anthropometry and physical fitness on the relationship between birthweight and basal metabolic rate in children.

BACKGROUND: Birthweight (BW) has been associated with anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness during growth and development of children. However, less is known about the mediation effect of those variables on the relationship between BW and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in children. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the mediation effect of anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness on the association between BW and BMR in children. METHODS: In total, 499 children (254 boys, 245 girls) aged 7-10 years were included. Anthropometry (weight, height, head, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (skinfolds thickness, body fat percentage), physical fitness (handgrip strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular explosive power, agility, running speed) and BMR were evaluated. The analyses were conducted by: single-mediator analysis (SMA) and multi-mediator analysis (MMA). RESULTS: The SMA indicates height, head, waist and hip circumferences and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for boys and height, hip circumference and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for girls. In MMA for girls, there were significant indirect effects for height, hip circumference and handgrip strength, with 79.08% of percent mediation. For boys, the head and waist circumferences mediation had a significant indirect effect, with 83.37% of percent mediation. CONCLUSION: The anthropometric variables associated with BW were body height, head, hip and waist circumferences for boys and body height and hip circumference for girls. The current study provides new evidence that height and handgrip strength during childhood mediated the relationship between BW and BMR.

Biological and behavioral correlates of body weight status among rural Northeast Brazilian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in youth is a public health problem worldwide; however, few studies have investigated its prevalence and correlates in children from the Brazilian Northeast region rural zone. The purpose of this study was (1) to estimate the prevalence of children's weight status according to sex, age, and birth weight categories; and (2) to investigate the links between biological and behavioral factors and weight categories. METHODS: The sample comprises 501 children (248 girls), aged 7-10 years, classified as low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obese using body mass index cut-points. Predicted variables included birth weight, percentage of body fat (%BF), fat free mass (FFM), physical fitness, and gross motor coordination. RESULTS: Data showed differences among weight groups for the predictor variables. Results of the logistic regression revealed that sex, age, %BF, FFM, physical fitness, and motor coordination seem to be relevant predictors of children's weight status, while no significant effect was observed for birth weight. CONCLUSION: Children with lower physical fitness levels as well as those with lower motor coordination quotient are more likely to be overweight and/or obese. No significant relationship was observed between birth weight and weight status in childhood. Strategies to reduce childhood obesity should consider biological, behavioral, and also environmental predictors.

Efeito do treinamento com videogame ativo sobre o nível de equilíbrio de idosas ativas: estudo de caso / Effect of active video game training on the level of active elderly balance: case study

Introdução: O processo de envelhecimento está associado a modificações no controle postural, com grande impacto sobre o equilíbrio, favorecendo a ocorrência de quedas. O exercício físico, por meio dos videogames ativos (VGAs), proporciona maior entretenimento e aumenta a movimentação física durante o jogo. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito de cinco semanas de intervenção com VGA sobre o equilíbrio de idosas. Métodos: Trata-se de relato de três casos de idosas com histórico de instabilidade e quedas. As voluntárias foram avaliadas pré e pós intervenção por meio do teste da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB). A intervenção foi realizada em dias alternados durante cinco semanas, totalizando dez sessões com o VGA Kinect Adventures. Resultados: Após cinco semanas de intervenção as idosas apresentaram diminuição no risco de quedas e desempenho satisfatório no equilíbrio, alcançando a pontuação máxima na escala EEB. Conclusão: O videogame ativo mostrou ser um instrumento viável para melhora do equilíbrio e diminui o risco de quedas. (AU)

Introduction: The aging process is associated with changes in postural control with grater impact about balance, favoring falls. The physical exercises with active videogame (AVG) provide entertainment and increase the physical movement during the game. Objective: To analyze the effect of five weeks of intervention with AVG in elderly balance. Methods: The article is about three elderly cases report with instability history and falls. The volunteers were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before and after the intervention, that was realized in five weeks with alternate days, totaling ten sessions with AVG Kinect Adventures. Results: After five weeks with AVG intervention the elderly showed decrease about falls risk and balance satisfactory performance, reached the maximum score in BBS. Conclusion: The AVG was a viable tool improves the elderly balance and prevent falls. (AU)

Twelve Weeks of Plyometric Training Improves Motor Performance of 7- to 9-Year-Old Boys Who Were Overweight/Obese: A Randomized Controlled Intervention.

Nobre, GG, de Almeida, MB, Nobre, IG, dos Santos, FK, Brinco, RA, Arruda-Lima, TR, de-Vasconcelos, KL, de-Lima, JG, Borba-Neto, ME, Damasceno-Rodrigues, EM, Santos-Silva, SM, Leandro, CG, and Moura-dos-Santos, MA. Twelve weeks of plyometric training improves motor performance of 7- to 9-year-old boys who were overweight/obese: a randomized controlled intervention. J Strength Cond Res 31(8): 2091-2099, 2017-The prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity has increased, and physical training at school may to be effective to combat this scenario. We analyzed the effects of a protocol of plyometric training on body composition and motor performance of boys who were overweight/obese aged 7-9 years. The sample was randomly assigned into 2 groups: plyometric training group (T, n = 40) and control group (C, n = 19). Training consisted of 20 min·d (twice a week, during 12 weeks) of lower extremity plyometric exercise. Health-related physical fitness was measured by handgrip strength, standing long jump (SLJ), curl-ups, sit and reach, square test, running speed, and mile run test. Gross motor coordination was evaluated by means of the Körperkoordinations-test für Kinder (KTK) tests. Baseline and postintervention differences were investigated, and effect size was estimated through Cohen's d coefficient. Both groups showed increased body weight, height, and sitting height after intervention with a negligible effect size. Only T group showed increased fat-free mass (p = 0.011) compared with baseline values with small effect size. Plyometric training improved handgrip strength (d = 0.23), sit and reach (d = 0.18), curl-ups (d = 0.39), SLJ (d = 0.80), agility (d = 0.48), and time in the mile run test (d = 0.38). For gross motor coordination results, T group showed better performance in all tests after plyometric training with moderate/large effect size. Thus, 12 weeks of PT improved health-related physical fitness components and motor coordination acquisition of 7- to 9-year-old boys who were overweight/obese.

New Insights on the Maternal Diet Induced-Hypertension: Potential Role of the Phenotypic Plasticity and Sympathetic-Respiratory Overactivity.

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and affects worldwide population. Current environment including life style coupled with genetic programming have been attributed to the rising incidence of hypertension. Besides, environmental conditions during perinatal development such as maternal malnutrition can program changes in the integration among renal, neural, and endocrine system leading to hypertension. This phenomenon is termed phenotypic plasticity and refers to the adjustment of a phenotype in response to environmental stimuli without genetic change, following a novel or unusual input during development. Human and animal studies indicate that fetal exposure to an adverse maternal environment may alter the renal morphology and physiology that contribute to the development of hypertension. Recently, it has been shown that the maternal protein restriction alter the central control of SAH by a mechanism that include respiratory dysfunction and enhanced sympathetic-respiratory coupling at early life, which may contribute to adult hypertension. This review will address the new insights on the maternal diet induced-hypertension that include the potential role of the phenotypic plasticity, specifically the perinatal protein malnutrition, and sympathetic-respiratory overactivity.