Eating habits associated with nutritional deviation in elementary school students / Hábitos alimentares associados ao desvionutricional em estudantes de educação básica

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the index of nutritional deviation in primary schoolchildrenfrom a city in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to promote healthy eating. A questionnaire and anthropometricevaluation of 540 students were carried out. Body Mass Index (BMI) was measured according to the parameters of theWorld Health Organization (WHO). The results indicated that 67.9% of the students were of adequate weight and 32%had nutritional diversion: underweight (6.6%); overweight (14.4%); or obesity (10.9%). School H showed the highestpercentage of students with deviated nutritional status (43.2%): 9.2% were obese, 21.7% were overweight, and 12.3%were underweight. However, when comparing the schools by year of study, the 8th-grade classroom A of school G showedthe greatest nutritional diversion (55%). High nutritional diversion provides evidence of a health risk, since they consumelow amount of fruits and vegetables and have high consumption of foods which have high caloric values

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar e analisar o índice de desvio nutricional em estudantes de educação básica, de ummunicípio do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), na perspectiva de promoção da alimentação saudável. Realizou-se um questionárioe avaliação antropométrica de 540 estudantes. Foi identificado Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) de acordo com osparâmetros da Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Os resultados indicaram que 67,9% dos estudantes apresentarampeso adequado e 32% tem desvio nutricional, entre baixo peso (6,6%), sobrepeso (14,4%) ou obesidade (10,9%). A escolaH foi a que apresentou um maior percentual de estudantes com desvio do estado nutricional (43,2%), sendo 9,2% comobesidade, 21,7% com sobrepeso e 12,3% com baixo peso. Porém, ao comparar as turmas, foi o 8º ano A da escola G queteve maior desvio nutricional, com 55%. O elevado desvio nutricional evidenciou risco para a saúde, visto que consomembaixa quantidade de frutas e verduras e elevado consumo de alimentos de alto valor calórico

Development of adiposity, obesity and age at menarche: an 8-year follow-up study in Portuguese schoolgirls.

AIM: It has been suggested that the decline in menarcheal age is associated with the increase of obesity prevalence. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between age at menarche and adiposity development from age 7 to 15 years. SUBJECTS: A cohort of 109 schoolgirls from Viana do Castelo (Northern Portugal). METHODS: Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses) were longitudinally obtained at 7, 8, 9, and 15 years. Waist circumference and self-reported age at menarche were obtained at age 15. Obesity was defined by the cut-off value of 30% body fat. Ages of <12 years, 12-13 years, and >13 years were classified as early menarche (EM), average menarche (AM) and late menarche (LM), respectively. RESULTS: Median menarcheal age was 12.0 years (range, 8-15 years), with 26.6% of girls classified as EM. Compared with their LM peers, EM girls were always fatter (p=0.001) and had higher waist circumference at age 15 (p=0.009). All variables showed significant negative associations with age at menarche, except subscapular to triceps skinfold ratio at all ages and height at age 15. At both ages 9 and 15 years, LM girls had the lowest prevalence of obesity (4.5% and 9.1%, respectively). The 8-year incidence of obesity in EM girls was 24.1%, while that in the AM plus LM group was 13.8% (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: EM seems to be a risk factor for the development of obesity during adolescence. However, this vulnerability may start to be programmed before menarche as girls with precocious menarche were already fatter than their late-maturing peers at age 7 years.

Scale of Auditory Behaviors and auditory behavior tests for auditory processing assessment in Portuguese children.

PURPOSE: The objective of this research was to assess the auditory abilities of Portuguese children and compare such abilities to the score of the Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB). METHODS: Fifty-one children were evaluated with audiometry, speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, and eight behavioral tests involving dichotic listening, monotic listening, temporal processing, and sound localization. Their parents filled in the SAB questionnaire adapted to European A. SAB scores and auditory tests scores were submitted to Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There is significant correlation between the score on SAB questionnaire and the auditory processing tests. The greatest coefficient was observed in temporal processing test (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: There was correlation between the score of SAB and the performance in auditory processing tests, suggesting that the SAB may be used for auditory processing screening.

Scale of Auditory Behaviors e testes auditivos comportamentais para avaliação do processamento auditivo em crianças falantes do português europeu / Scale of Auditory Behaviors and auditory behavior tests for auditory processing assessment in Portuguese children

OBJETIVO: Investigar as habilidades auditivas de crianças portuguesas e verificar se há correlação entre aquelas e o escore do Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB). MÉTODOS: Todas as crianças foram submetidas a audiometria tonal, logoaudiometria, medidas de imitância acústica e oito testes comportamentais do processamento auditivo, envolvendo tarefas de escuta dicótica, escuta monótica, processamento temporal e localização sonora. Os pais das 51 crianças portuguesas avaliadas preencheram o questionário SAB adaptado ao português europeu. Foram calculados os valores do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson entre os escores obtidos no questionário e os dos testes do processamento auditivo. RESULTADOS: Observou-se correlação significativa entre o escore do questionário e o dos testes comportamentais, tendo a maior sido observada nos testes relacionados ao processamento temporal (p=0,000). CONCLUSÃO: Houve correlação entre o escore da SAB e os resultados obtidos nos testes auditivos comportamentais em crianças portuguesas, sugerindo que este questionário pode ser utilizado em triagem do processamento auditivo.

PURPOSE: The objective of this research was to assess the auditory abilities of Portuguese children and compare such abilities to the score of the Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB). METHODS: Fifty-one children were evaluated with audiometry, speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, and eight behavioral tests involving dichotic listening, monotic listening, temporal processing, and sound localization. Their parents filled in the SAB questionnaire adapted to European A. SAB scores and auditory tests scores were submitted to Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There is significant correlation between the score on SAB questionnaire and the auditory processing tests. The greatest coefficient was observed in temporal processing test (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: There was correlation between the score of SAB and the performance in auditory processing tests, suggesting that the SAB may be used for auditory processing screening.

Valores na educação em saúde e a formação profissional / Values in health education and vocational training

O presente estudo traçou, como objetivo geral, analisar o efeito da formação na aquisição de valores em educação em saúde dos estudantes do Curso de Enfermagem de Vila Real, Região Norte, Trásos-Montes e Alto Douro, município de Vila Real, Lordelo, em Portugal, comparando com outros cursos. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, comparativo e transversal. Participaram na pesquisa 709 estudantes de sete cursos superiores, tendo-se procurado incluir atores que intervêm no processo de educação em saúde, aos quais foi aplicado um questionário de autopreenchimento, no período de outubro a dezembro de 2004. A maioria dos participantes (86,5%) considera que a educação em saúde tem valores a promover, sendo a 'responsabilidade' o valor mais indicado, por 19,2% dos estudantes. O estudo demonstrou que é nos cursos de enfermagem que ocorre a maior evolução nos valores, existindo diferenças altamente significativas (p< 0,001), sendo a média do 4º ano superior à do 1º. Esses resultados evidenciam a necessidade de, em tais cursos, se trabalhar os valores subjacentes ao processo, tão necessários no desempenho dessas profissões.

The general purpose of this study was to examine the effect of training on the acquisition of values in health education among Vila Real Nursing School students, Northern Region, in Trásos-Montes and in Alto Douro, in the municipality of Vila Real, Lordelo, Portugal, compared to those taking other courses. This is a descriptive, comparative, and transverse study. In total, 709 students from seven colleges took place in this research project, and an attempt was made to include authors intervening in the health education process, who replied to a self-completion questionnaire in the period ranging from October to December 2004. Most participants (86.5 percent) believe health education has values to promote, and 'responsibility' is the best value to 19.2 percent of the students. The study showed that it is in the nursing courses that most progress is made in terms of values, with highly significant differences (p < 0.001). Additionally, it also revealed that the 4th year students' average was higher than the 1st year's. These results are evidence of the need there is, in such courses, to work on the values underlying the process, which are so necessary for the performance of these professions.

Changes in adiposity status from childhood to adolescence: a 6-year longitudinal study in Portuguese boys and girls.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional data show high prevalence of overweight in Portuguese children, but there are few longitudinal studies describing the patterns of obesity development in the young. AIM: To examine the trajectories of obesity from late childhood to adolescence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness measurements were carried out in 288 children at age 9 (baseline) and later at age 15 (follow-up). Percentage body fat (%BF) was estimated according to Slaughter equations and the health-related definition of obesity ( ≥ 25%BF in boys and ≥ 30%BF in girls) was used. RESULTS: In boys, the prevalence of obesity decreased from 21.9% to 14.8% (p < 0.05) while in girls it increased from 14.3% to 19.5%. The incidence of obesity in the 6-year study period was 2.6% and 8.3% for boys and girls, respectively (p < 0.05). In comparison with girls, the percentage of boys that reversed obesity was more than 3-fold higher (3% vs 9.7%, p < 0.05). Obesity tracked moderately in both sexes (Kappa = 0.6, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results indicate a marked sex difference in the incidence and reversal of obesity from late childhood to adolescence that is unfavourable to girls. Consideration of this difference might be important when designing programmes for the prevention and treatment of obesity focusing on this period.

School health promotion: organization of services and roles of health professionals in seven European countries.

BACKGROUND: This comparative study is intended to provide a better understanding of how health promotion services are organized in school settings in Europe and to show how health professionals involved outside or within the school setting help to improve young people's health. METHODS: This study was based on an analysis of school health policies and the organization of school health services, where these existed, as well as on interviews with health and education professionals. The countries concerned were Belgium (French-speaking community), Denmark, France, Spain (Catalonia), Switzerland (Jura), Poland and Portugal. RESULTS: Although the provision of health services for children and adolescents varied considerably, the health services available were very similar in each of the countries. The emphasis put on particular aspects of these services varied depending on the political and institutional culture in each country. Three different types of school health service provision were identified: community-based, school-based or health needs-focused. CONCLUSION: All countries had health education and health promotion services but the provision of these services varied considerably from country to country. They were provided either by a specific category of professionals (health personnel or teachers) or considered to be the responsibility of the educational community as a whole.

Comparative study of metallic biomaterials toxicity: a histochemical and immunohistochemical demonstration in mouse spleen.

Metallic biomaterials available for orthopaedic purposes become essential to perform important physical activities, due to their low cost and excellent mechanical properties. In addition, they are frequently used in dentistry. However, corrosion phenomena of such devices are the main problems resulting in subsequent spreading of the elements through the whole body via lymph and blood. The spleen is the most important lymphoid organ and the only one included in the blood circulation. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects on spleen tissues of heavy metals released from stainless steel and Cr-Co-Mo alloys, as well as from titanium, at histochemical and immunohistochemical levels. For this purpose, metallic suspensions were obtained by electrochemical dissolution of the mentioned biomaterials: stainless steel (Fe 490 mg/L, Cr 224 mg/L, Ni 150 mg/L), Cr-Co-Mo (Cr 200 mg/L, Co 375 mg/L), and titanium (400 mg/L). Then 0.5 ml of each solution was subcutaneously administered to male Charles River mice each 72 hours during 30 days. Cryostat sections of the spleen from all groups were submitted to routine staining with haematoxylin/eosin, peroxidase detection by 3-3' diaminobenzidine (DAB), and alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) for lymphocyte detection. Several pronounced alterations were found in the spleen architecture, as manifested by irregular features within the capsule and medulla, namely depletion of T4 and B cells. Altogether these results suggest toxic alterations within the spleen induced by some of the metallic elements, indicating that the immune system may be hampered and so interfering in the body mechanisms of defence.