Identification of obesity in children and teenagers.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a condition that increases the risk of developing several health problems, resulting in high health care costs worldwide. Therefore, it is important to investigate several avenues for the control of this condition. This study aimed to identify a dermatoglyphical condition that distinguishes obesity individuals from those of appropriate weight. METHODS: The sample comprised 2172 children and teenagers between the ages of 10 and 19 years, female and male, from public and private schools of the municipality of Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil. RESULTS: In a comparison of qualitative variables, i.e., patterns, significant differences were observed between groups, including a higher frequency of ulnar loops (LU) on the index and middle fingers (MET2 and MET3) in the appropriate weight group. In the obesity group, a greater frequency of whorls (W) on fingers MET2 and MET3 was observed in males. In females, there were statistically significant correlations between the presence of radial loops (LR) on MET3 in the appropriate weight group and arches (A) in the obesity group. CONCLUSIONS: The study uncovered dermatoglyphical marks characteristic of obesity individuals.

Effects of low-intensity training on the brain and muscle in the congenital muscular dystrophy 1D model.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital Muscular Dystrophy type 1D (MDC1D) is characterized by a hypoglycosylation of α-dystroglycan protein (α-DG), and this may be strongly implicated in increased skeletal muscle tissue degeneration and abnormal brain development, leading to cognitive impairment. However, the pathophysiology of brain involvement is still unclear. Low-intensity exercise training (LIET) is known to contribute to decreased muscle degeneration in animal models of other forms of progressive muscular dystrophies. AIM: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of LIET on cognitive involvement and oxidative stress in brain tissue and gastrocnemius muscle. METHODS: Male homozygous (Largemyd-/-), heterozygous (Largemyd+/-), and wild-type mice were used. To complete 28 days of life, they were subjected to a low-intensity exercise training (LIET) for 8 weeks. After the last day of training, 24 h were expected when the animals were submitted to inhibitory avoidance and open-field test. The striatum, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cortex, and gastrocnemius were collected for evaluation of protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. RESULTS: LIET was observed to reverse the alteration in aversive and habituation memory. Increased protein carbonylation in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus and lipid peroxidation in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were also reversed by LIET. In the evaluation of the antioxidant activity, LIET increased catalase activity in the hippocampus and cortex. In the gastrocnemius, LIET decreased the protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation and increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it can be inferred that LIET for 8 weeks was able to reverse the cognitive damage and oxidative stress in brain tissue and gastrocnemius muscle in MDC1D animals.

Swimming Improves Memory and Antioxidant Defense in an Animal Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disease associated with progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. In humans, DMD has an early onset, causes developmental delays, and is a devastating disease that drastically diminishes the quality of life of young individuals affected. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a swimming protocol on memory and oxidative stress in an animal model of DMD. Male mdx and wild-type mice aged ≥ 28 days were used in this study. The animals were trained for a stepped swimming protocol for four consecutive weeks. The swimming protocol significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in the gastrocnemius, hippocampus, and striatum in the exercised animals. It also prevented lipid peroxidation in the diaphragm. Moreover, it increased the free thiol levels in the gastrocnemius, the diaphragm, and all central nervous system structures. The results showed that the protocol that applied swimming as a low-intensity aerobic exercise for 4 weeks prevented aversive memory and habituation in mdx mice.

Obesity in people with diabetes in COVID-19 times: Important considerations and precautions to be taken.

At the end of 2019, a new disease with pandemic potential appeared in China. It was a novel coronavirus called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Later, in the first quarter of 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of this disease a pandemic. Elderly people, people with comorbidities, and health care professionals are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Obesity has been growing exponentially worldwide, affecting several age groups. It is a morbidity that is associated with genetic, epigenetic, environment factors and/or interaction between them. Obesity is associated with the development of several diseases including diabetes mellitus, mainly type 2. Diabetes affects a significant portion of the global population. Obesity and diabetes are among the main risk factors for the development of severe symptoms of COVID-19, and individuals with these conditions constitute a risk group. Based on a literature review on obesity in people with diabetes in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study presents updated important considerations and care to be taken with this population.

Effect of Aerobic Physical Exercise in an Animal Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a condition caused by an amendment to the X chromosome, inherited as a recessive trait, and affects 1:3500 live births, especially males. Low-intensity exercise is known to decrease certain parameters associated with muscular degeneration in animal models of progressive muscular dystrophies. In the present study, 28-day-old male mdx and wild-type (wild) mice were used. The animals were subjected to a low-intensity physical exercise protocol for 8 weeks. It was found that this protocol was able to reduce oxidative stress in muscle tissue and in most of the CNS structures analyzed, with a significant increase in antioxidant activity in all analyzed structures. It is thus possible to infer that this exercise protocol was able to reduce oxidative stress and improve the energy metabolism in brain tissue and in the gastrocnemius muscle of animals with DMD.

Dermatoglyphical impressions are different between children and adolescents with normal weight, overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Obesity is a health condition that causes a great impact on public health. The aim of this study was to determine the association between dermatoglyphic characteristics and excessive weight in children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in the center-west region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised of 2,172 children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years old of both sexes and from public and private teaching networks. Results: The results suggested a predictive marker of obesity, with a greater number of lines in left hand finger two (Mesql2) and a higher frequency of the whorl pattern in participants of a healthy weight, while the overweight group had a higher frequency of the radial loop pattern and the obese group had a higher frequency of the ulnar loop pattern. Conclusion: It was concluded that there may be different dermatoglyphic characteristics depending on the nutritional status of children and adolescents.

Anthropometric indicators of obesity in the prediction of high body fat in adolescents / Indicadores antropométricos de obesidade na predição de gordura corporal elevada em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anthropometric indicators of obesity in the prediction of high body fat in adolescents from a Brazilian State. METHODS: The study included 1,197 adolescents (15-17 years old). The following anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass (weight and height), waist circumference and skinfolds (triceps and medial calf). The anthropometric indicators analyzed were: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and conicity index (C-Index). Body fat percentage, estimated by the Slaughter et al equation, was used as the reference method. Descriptive statistics, U Mann-Whitney test, and ROC curve were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the four anthropometric indicators studied, BMI, WHtR and WC had the largest areas under the ROC curve in relation to relative high body fat in both genders. The cutoffs for boys and girls, respectively, associated with high body fat were BMI 22.7 and 20.1kg/m², WHtR 0.43 and 0.41, WC 75.7 and 67.7cm and C-Index 1.12 and 1.06. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric indicators can be used in screening for identification of body fat in adolescents, because they are simple, have low cost and are non-invasive. .

OBJETIVO: Determinar os indicadores antropométricos de obesidade na predição da gordura corporal elevada em adolescentes de um estado brasileiro. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 1.197 adolescentes (15-17 anos). As seguintes medidas antropométricas foram coletadas: massa corporal e estatura, perímetro da cintura e dobras cutâneas (tríceps e perna medial). Os indicadores antropométricos analisados foram: índice de massa corporal (IMC), perímetro da cintura (PC), razão cintura-estatura (RCE) e índice de conicidade (IC). A gordura corporal elevada, estimada pela equação de Slaughter et al., foi usada como método de referência. Estatística descritiva, teste U de Mann-Whitney e curva ROC foram usadas para a análise dos dados. RESULTADOS: Dos quatro indicadores antropométricos estudados, o IMC, a RCE e o PC tiveram as maiores áreas sob a curva ROC em relação à gordura corporal elevada relativa em ambos os sexos. Os pontos de corte para os rapazes e as moças, respectivamente, associados com gordura corporal elevada foram IMC 22,7 e 20,1 kg/m2, RCE 0,43 e 0,41, PC 75,7 e 67,7 cm e IC 1,12 e 1,06. CONCLUSÕES: Os indicadores antropométricos podem ser usados como ferramenta para identificação da gordura corporal em adolescentes, por serem um método simples, de baixo custo e não invasivo. .

[Anthropometric indicators of obesity in the prediction of high body fat in adolescents]. / Indicadores antropométricos de obesidade na predição de gordura corporal elevada em adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anthropometric indicators of obesity in the prediction of high body fat in adolescents from a Brazilian State. METHODS: The study included 1,197 adolescents (15-17 years old). The following anthropometric measurements were collected: body mass (weight and height), waist circumference and skinfolds (triceps and medial calf). The anthropometric indicators analyzed were: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and conicity index (C-Index). Body fat percentage, estimated by the Slaughter et al equation, was used as the reference method. Descriptive statistics, U Mann-Whitney test, and ROC curve were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the four anthropometric indicators studied, BMI, WHtR and WC had the largest areas under the ROC curve in relation to relative high body fat in both genders. The cutoffs for boys and girls, respectively, associated with high body fat were BMI 22.7 and 20.1 kg/m(2), WHtR 0.43 and 0.41, WC 75.7 and 67.7 cm and C-Index 1.12 and 1.06. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric indicators can be used in screening for identification of body fat in adolescents, because they are simple, have low cost and are non-invasive.

[Factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents in Southern Brazil]. / Fatores associados aos baixos níveis de força lombar em adolescentes do Sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study involving 601 adolescents, aged 14 to 17 years, enrolled in public schools in the western region of Santa Catarina State - Southern Brazil. Lumbar strength was analyzed by the lumbar extension test developed by the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, which proposes different cutoffs for boys and girls. Independent variables were sex, age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and aerobic fitness. For data analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used, with significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of low levels of lumbar strength was 27.3%. The population subgroups most likely to present low levels of lumbar strength were females (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.06 to 2.23), adolescents with low levels of aerobic fitness (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.11) and the overweight (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.35 to 3.81). CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of the studied students have low levels of lumbar strength. Interventions in the school population should be taken with special attention to female adolescents, those with low levels of aerobic fitness, and those with overweight, as these population subgroups were most likely to demonstrate low levels of lumbar strength.

Factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents in Southern Brazil / Fatores associados aos baixos níveis de força lombar em adolescentes do Sul do Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study involving 601 adolescents, aged 14 to 17 years, enrolled in public schools in the western region of Santa Catarina State - Southern Brazil. Lumbar strength was analyzed by the lumbar extension test developed by the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, which proposes different cutoffs for boys and girls. Independent variables were sex, age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and aerobic fitness. For data analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used, with significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of low levels of lumbar strength was 27.3%. The population subgroups most likely to present low levels of lumbar strength were females (OR: 1.54, 95% CI : 1.06 to 2.23), adolescents with low levels of aerobic fitness (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.41 to 3.11) and the overweight (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.35 to 3.81). CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of the studied students have low levels of lumbar strength. Interventions in the school population should be taken with special attention to female adolescents, those with low levels of aerobic fitness, and those with overweight, as these population subgroups were most likely to demostrate low levels of lumbar strength...

OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência e fatores associados a baixos níveis de força lombar em adolescentes. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 601 adolescentes de 14 a 17 anos, estudantes de escolas públicas do oeste de Santa Catarina - Brasil. Analisou-se a força lombar por meio do teste de extensão lombar proposto pela Sociedade Canadense de Fisiologia do Exercício que propõe pontos de corte distintos para rapazes e moças. As variáveis independentes analisadas foram: sexo, idade, nível econômico, hábitos alimentares, consumo de álcool, atividade física e aptidão aeróbia. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a regressão logística uni e multivariável com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de baixos níveis de força lombar foi de 27,3%. Os subgrupos populacionais com maiores chances de baixos níveis de força lombar foram o sexo feminino (OR: 1,54; IC95%: 1,06-2,23), adolescentes com baixo nível de aptidão aeróbia (OR: 2,10; IC95%: 1,41-3,11) e com excesso de peso (OR: 2,28; IC95%: 1,35-3,81). CONCLUSÃO: Quase um terço dos estudantes de escolas públicas do Oeste Catarinense apresentaram baixos níveis de força lombar. Intervenções na população escolar devem ser adotadas com atenção especial aos estudantes do sexo feminino, aqueles com baixos níveis de aptidão aeróbia e com excesso de peso, pois foram os subgrupos populacionais com maiores chances de baixos níveis de força lombar...

[Abdominal obesity and associated factors among adolescents: comparison of two economically different Brazilian regions]. / Obesidade abdominal e fatores associados em adolescentes: comparação de duas regiões brasileiras diferentes economicamente.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences and similarities in the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents of two economically different Brazilian regions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,065 students aged 14 to 17 years, including 601 from the Center West of Santa Catarina, and 464 from the North Minas Gerais. Abdominal obesity was determined by means of the waist circumference measurement. Independent variables included sociodemographic data, body adiposity, and behavior related to physical activity. RESULTS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in the Center West of Santa Catarina (6.3%; 95%CI: 4.4-8.3) than in the North of Minas Gerais (2.1%; 95%CI: 0.8-3.5). Being a male and excess body adiposity were factors associated with abdominal obesity in the two regions. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the prevalence of abdominal obesity among adolescents from two economically distinct regions of Brazil. However, the factors associated with obesity were similar in the two regions.

Obesidade abdominal e fatores associados em adolescentes: comparação de duas regiões brasileiras diferentes economicamente / Abdominal obesity and associated factors among adolescents: comparison of two economically different Brazilian regions

OBJETIVO: Verificar as diferenças e similaridades na prevalência e fatores associados à obesidade abdominal em adolescentes de duas áreas brasileiras distintas economicamente. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 1.065 escolares de 14 a 17 anos, sendo 601 do Meio Oeste Catarinense, SC, e 464 do Norte de Minas, MG. Identificou-se a obesidade abdominal por meio da circunferência da cintura. As variáveis independentes foram as sociodemográficas, adiposidade corporal e comportamento relacionado à atividade física. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de obesidade abdominal foi maior no Meio Oeste catarinense (6,3%; IC95%: 4,4-8,3) em comparação ao Norte de Minas (2,1%; IC95%: 0,8-3,5). Os meninos e o excesso de adiposidade corporal foram fatores associados à obesidade abdominal em ambas as regiões. CONCLUSÃO: Embora existam diferenças na prevalência de obesidade abdominal em adolescentes de duas áreas distintas economicamente, os fatores associados à obesidade foram semelhantes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine differences and similarities in the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its associated factors among adolescents of two economically different Brazilian regions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,065 students aged 14 to 17 years, including 601 from the Center West of Santa Catarina, and 464 from the North Minas Gerais. Abdominal obesity was determined by means of the waist circumference measurement. Independent variables included sociodemographic data, body adiposity, and behavior related to physical activity. RESULTS: The prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in the Center West of Santa Catarina (6.3%; 95%CI: 4.4-8.3) than in the North of Minas Gerais (2.1%; 95%CI: 0.8-3.5). Being a male and excess body adiposity were factors associated with abdominal obesity in the two regions. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the prevalence of abdominal obesity among adolescents from two economically distinct regions of Brazil. However, the factors associated with obesity were similar in the two regions.

Prevalence and factors associated with high body fat in adolescents from a region of Brazil.

The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with high body fat in adolescents. A cross-sectional study conducted with 601 students from both sexes aged 14-17 years who live in Midwestern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Body adiposity was assessed by the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds. Sociodemographic variables such as lifestyle, aerobic fitness and nutritional status were assessed. For data analysis, Poisson regression multivariable was used. The prevalence of high body fat was 51.2% for girls and 31.2% for boys. Higher prevalences of high body fat were observed for girls aged 16-17 years (PR: 1.15, CI 95%: 1.07-1.24) and overweight (PR: 1.36, CI 95%: 1.27-1.44) and for boys with high socioeconomic level (PR: 1.21, CI 95%: 1.09-1.34), inadequate eating habits (PR: 1.11, CI 95%: 1.02-1.21), physically inactive (PR: 1.10, CI 95%: 1.02-1.19) and overweight (PR: 1.46, CI 95%: 1.35-1.57). The prevalence of high body fat was high and factors associated with this outcome are different for each sex; thus, interventions for prevention and control of obesity should be different for girls and boys.

Diferenças e similaridades dos estagios de mudança de comportamento para atividade fisica em adolescentes de duas areas brasileiras / Differences and similarities in stages of behavioral change related to physical activity in adolescents from two regions of Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar as diferenças e similaridades dos estagios de mudança de comportamento para atividade fisica e fatores associados em adolescentes de duas areas brasileiras. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal conduzido em escolares de 14 a 17 anos, de escolas publicas, sendo 601 do Meio Oeste Catarinense (SC) e 464 do Norte de Minas (MG). Identificaram-se os estagios de mudança de comportamento para atividade fisica por meio de questionario padronizado. Coletaram-se informações sociodemograficas, dados de adiposidade corporal e estado nutricional. Foram empregados o teste do qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher ou teste de comparação entre duas proporções e a regressão multivariavel de Poisson com variância robusta, adotando-se nivel de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A maior parte dos estudantes de Minas Gerais e de Santa Catarina encontrava-se no estagio preparação (32,8 por cento) e manutenção (41,9 por cento). Em ambas as regiões, o sexo feminino apresentou maior probabilidade de ter um comportamento inativo fisicamente (SC: RP=1,25; IC95 por cento 1,04-1,50; MG: RP=1,53; IC95 por cento 1,29-1,80). Outros grupos de risco foram sujeitos com baixo peso em Santa Catarina (RP=1,39; IC95 por cento 1,06-1,81) e com excesso de adiposidade em Minas Gerais (RP=1,21; IC95 por cento 1,02-1,49). CONCLUSÕES: Intervenções de promoção da atividade fisica que considerem caracteristicas culturais e econômicas para cada localidade são recomendadas.

OBJECTIVE: To establish differences and similarities in stages of behavioral change related to physical activity and associated factors in adolescents from two regions of Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on public school students aged 14 to 17 years, including 601 from the mid-west of Santa Catarina (SC, Brazil) and 464 from the north of Minas Gerais (MG, Brazil). Stages of behavioral change related to physical activity were identified using a standard questionnaire. Sociodemographic data, body adiposity indexes and nutritional status were collected. The following were used for data analysis: chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, comparison of proportions and multivariable analysis using Poisson regression with a robust variance, being significant p¡Ü0.05. RESULTS: Most students from Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina were in the preparation (32.8 percent) and maintenance (41.9 percent) stages. In both regions, adolescent girls presented a higher probability of a physically inactive behavior (SC: PR=1.25; 95 percentCI 1.04-1.50; MG: PR=1.53; 95 percentCI 1.29-1.80). Other risk groups were low weight adolescents from Santa Catarina (PR=1.39; 95 percentCI 1.06-1.81) and adolescents with excess body adiposity from Minas Gerais (PR=1.21; 95 percentCI 1.02-1.49). CCONCLUSIONS : Interventions to promote physical activity that consider the cultural and economic characteristics of each locality are recommended.

OBJETIVO: Determinar las diferencias y similitudes de las Etapas de Cambio de Comportamiento (ECC) para Actividad Fisica (AF) y factores asociados en adolescentes de dos ¨areas brasileñas. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal conducido en escolares de 14 a 17 años, de escuelas publicas, siendo 601 del Medio Oeste Catarinense, SC, Brasil, y 464 del Norte de Minas, MG, Brasil. Se identificaron los ECC para AF mediante cuestionario estandarizado. Se recogieron informaciones socio demograficas, datos de adiposidad corporal y estado nutricional. Se emple¨® la prueba de chi cuadrado o el Exacto de Fisher o prueba de comparaci¨on entre dos proporciones y la regresi¨on multivariable de Poisson con variancia robusta, adoptando el nivel de significancia de 5 por ciento. RESULTADOS: La mayor parte de los estudiantes de MG y SC estaban en las etapas de preparacion (32,8 por ciento) y man-tenimiento (41,9 por ciento). En ambas regiones, el sexo femenino present¨® mayor probabilidad de tener un comportamiento inactivo fisicamente (SC: RP=1,25; IC95 por ciento 1,04-1,50; MG: RP=1,53; IC95 por ciento 1,29-1,80). Otros grupos de riesgo fueron sujetos con bajo peso en SC (RP=1,39; IC95 por ciento 1,06-1,81) y con exceso de adiposidad en MG (RP=1,21; IC95 por ciento 1,02-1,49). CONCLUSIONES:Intervenciones de promocion de AF que tengan en cuenta caracteristicas culturales y economicas para cada localidad son recomendadas.