Leisure-time and occupational physical activity and risk of cardiovascular disease incidence: a systematic-review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical activity has benefits for the cardiovascular system, however, what levels and types of activity provide optimal cardiovascular health is unclear. We aimed to determine the level of physical activity that has the most benefits against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for prospective cohort studies on leisure-time (LTPA) or occupational physical activity (OPA) as the exposure and major types of CVD (total CVD, coronary heart disease [CHD], stroke, and atrial fibrillation [AF]) incidence as the outcome. Risk of bias of studies was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. Summary hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using random-effects pairwise model. RESULTS: A total of 103 studies were included in the analysis. The highest versus the lowest LTPA was associated with a lower risk of overall CVD (HR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.77-0.86), CHD (HR = 0.83; 0.79-0.88), and stroke (HR = 0.83; 0.79-0.88), but not AF (HR = 0.98; 0.92-1.05). Linear dose-response analyses showed a 10%, 12%, 9%, and 8% risk reduction in CVD, CHD, stroke, and AF incidence, respectively, for every 20 MET-hours/week increase in LTPA. In nonlinear dose-response analyses, there were inverse associations up to 20 MET-hours/week with 19% and 20% reduction in CVD and CHD risk, and up to 25 MET-hours/week with 22% reduction in stroke, with no further risk reduction at higher LTPA levels. For AF, there was a U-shaped nonlinear association with the maximum 8% risk reduction at 10 MET-hours/week of LTPA. Higher levels of OPA were not associated with risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, or AF. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results showed an inverse dose-response relationship between LTPA and risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, and AF. Running was the most beneficial LTPA but the risk was similar among various LTPA intensities. OPA showed no benefits in total or any type of CVD.

Anthropometric trajectory in the course of life and occurrence of sarcopenia in men and women: results from the ELSA-Brasil cohort.

This study aimed to identify patterns of anthropometric trajectories throughout life and to analyse their association with the occurrence of sarcopenia in people from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). It is a cross-sectional study involving 9670 public servants, aged 38-79 years, who answered the call for new data collection and exams, conducted approximately 4 years after the study baseline (2012-2014). Data sequence analysis was used to identify patterns of anthropometric trajectory. A theoretical model was elaborated based on the directed acyclic graph (DAG) to select the variables of minimum adjustment in the analysis of the causal effect between trajectory and sarcopenia. Poisson regression with robust variance was adopted for data analysis. The patterns of change in the anthropometric trajectory were classified in stable weight (T1); change to normal weight (T2); change to excess weight (T3); weight fluctuation (T4) and change to low weight (T5). The prevalence of sarcopenia in men and women who changed the anthropometric path for the low weight was twice as large when compared to participants with a stable weight trajectory. A protective effect of the excess weight trajectory was observed for the occurrence of sarcopenia in them. The results pointed to the need for health policies that encourage the proper management of body components in order to prevent and control obesity, as well as to preserve the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass throughout life, especially in older adults.

Work from home and the association with sedentary behaviors, leisure-time and domestic physical activity in the ELSA-Brasil study.

BACKGROUND: Work from home (WFH) can impact workers´ sedentary behaviors and levels of physical activity. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between WFH and workers´ sedentary behaviors, leisure-time and domestic physical activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and verify whether age and sex may act as effect modifiers. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 2544 participants in the supplementary study on COVID-19 in the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) from July 2020 to February 2021. We assessed screen time (≤ 8 h/day versus > 8 h/day), accumulated sitting time (≤ 8 h/day versus > 8 h/day) as sedentary behaviors on a typical day, and leisure-time (active versus inactive, according to World Health Organization recommendations) and domestic (low versus high, according to median) physical activity, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), before and during social distancing. Logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Participants that were working from home during social distancing showed increased odds of screen time and sitting time greater than 8 h/day (OR = 3.12; 95%CI: 2.32-4.20 and OR = 2.68; 95%CI: 2.02-3.56, respectively) and higher odds of high domestic physical activity (OR = 1.29; 95%CI: 0.99-1.67) when compared to those not working from home. There was no association between WFH and leisure-time physical activity (OR = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.75,1.31). Age was an effect modifier in the association between WFH and leisure-time physical activity and domestic activity. Older people working from home showed higher odds of physical inactivity (OR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.07,3.16) and high domestic physical activity (OR = 1.92, 95%CI: 1.12,3.27) compared to older people not working from home. CONCLUSION: WFH was associated with sedentary behavior > 8 h/day and high domestic physical activity. In the older people, WFH was associated with physical inactivity and high domestic physical activity. As sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are consistently negatively associated with health, it is important to discuss policies to manage WFH that allow pauses from physical activities and performance of hours of work within preestablished limits to reduce sedentary behavior. In addition, individuals working from home, especially the older people, should be encouraged to engage in leisure-time physical activity as a form of health promotion.

Factors associated with leisure time physical activity among ELSA-Brasil participants: Ecological model.

The main objective of the study was identify the prevalence and factors associated with leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in adult participants of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). The LTPA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long version. A hierarchical ecological model was built with the possible factors associated with LTPA distributed across blocks. We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using logistic regression. In men, being more educated, having a high family income, living in environments with conditions and opportunities for PA, being retired and being overweight were positively associated, while current smoking, obesity and abdominal obesity were associated negatively with the LTPA. Among women, being over 60years old, being more educated, having a high family income, living in an environment with conditions and opportunities for PA practice and being retired were positively associated, while being overweight, obese and having abdominal obesity were associated negatively with the LTPA. The proposed ecological model explains the LTPA through the social, physical and personal environment and highlights gender differences in physical activity.

Association between Physical Activity and Dengue and Its Repercussions for Public Health: New Insights.

Dengue is an endemic disease in tropical countries, mainly in South America, Southwest Asia, and Africa, which, despite having a low lethality rate, can overwhelm health systems. Strengthening the immune system through regular physical activity can be an important tool to prevent contagion, worsening, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by the disease, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this point of view aims to analyze the possible association between physical activity and dengue and its repercussions on public health. Comments were made on the main characteristics of dengue as well as on the main vaccines available to date. It was also discussed the impacts of dengue on health systems, in addition to the main repercussions for public health when a very large number of people are infected. It was also commented on the main factors that contribute to the worsening of the clinical stage of dengue, in addition to discussions and reflections on physical activity, strengthening the immune system, and dengue. There are assumptions that regular physical activity can be an important public health strategy to prevent contagion, severity, and hospitalizations caused by dengue and that it needs to be promoted by governments around the world as a tool for preventing and treating not only chronic communicable diseases but also infectious diseases.

Leisure Time Physical Activity and Incidence of Arterial Hypertension in ELSA-Brasil Participants. / Atividade Física no Tempo Livre e Incidência de Hipertensão Arterial em Participantes do ELSA-Brasil.

BACKGROUND: Evidence indicates that physical activity (PA) has a protective effect against chronic diseases, including high arterial hypertension (AH). OBJECTIVE: This study investigated, longitudinally, the association between changes in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and the incidence of hypertension in ELSA-Brasil participants. METHODS: Data from 8,968 participants were analyzed at two different times (2008-2010 and 2012-2014). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long version, was used to assess LTPA. The association between LTPA and AH was tested using Poisson regression with relative risk (RR) estimation, with a significance level of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: When the LTPA level variable was categorized as sufficient and insufficient, no statistically significant associations were found between LTPA and AH incidence as a function of changes in PA during follow-up. However, when the LTPA variable was categorized as inactive, little active, active, and very active, a statistically significant association was observed between LTPA and AH in participants classified as very physically active. The risk of AH was reduced by 35% among men RR 0.65 (95% CI 0.50-0.86) and by 66% among women RR 0.34 (95% CI 0.20-0.58) who maintained high levels of LTPA at both moments of follow-up. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that maintaining high levels of PA over time is associated with a lower risk of developing AH, highlighting the importance of PA in preventing this condition, for both men and women.

FUNDAMENTO: Evidências apontam que a atividade física (AF) apresenta efeito protetor para as doenças crônicas, incluindo a hipertensão arterial (HA). OBJETIVO: Este estudo investigou, de forma longitudinal, a associação entre as mudanças na atividade física no tempo livre (AFTL) e a incidência de HA em participantes do ELSA-Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados de 8.968 participantes em dois momentos distintos (2008-2010 e 2012-2014). Foi utilizado o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), versão longa, para avaliação da AFTL. A associação entre AFTL e HA foi testada por regressão de Poisson com estimativa do risco relativo (RR), com nível de significância de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Quando a variável nível de AFTL foi categorizada em suficiente e insuficiente, não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significantes entre AFTL e a incidência HA em função das mudanças na AF durante o seguimento. No entanto, a variável AFTL quando categorizada em inativo, pouco ativo, ativo e muito ativo, observou-se associação estatisticamente significante entre AFTL e HA em participantes classificados como muito ativos fisicamente. O risco de HA foi reduzido em 35% entre homens RR 0,65 (IC 95% 0,50-0,86) e em 66% entre as mulheres RR 0,34 (IC 95% 0,20-0,58) que mantiveram altos níveis de AFTL em ambos os momentos do seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: Esses resultados sugerem que a manutenção de altos níveis de AF ao longo do tempo está associada a um menor risco de desenvolver HA, destacando a importância da AF na prevenção dessa condição, tanto para homens quanto para mulheres.

Combined Effect of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Abdominal Obesity in ELSA-Brasil Participants.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal obesity is a pattern of obesity that has been considered a public health problem. Physical activity is considered an important factor for the prevention of abdominal obesity. Increased time in sedentary behavior has been associated with negative health outcomes, including abdominal obesity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate which combination of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior contributes most to the prevention of abdominal obesity in adults participating in ELSA-Brasil (Longitudinal Study of Adult Health). METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and participants from the first follow-up of the ELSA-Brasil cohort (2012-2014) were analyzed. The independent variables were physical activity, assessed by IPAQ, and sedentary behavior, assessed by a standard questionnaire applied in ELSA-Brasil; the dependent variable was abdominal obesity, determined by waist circumference. The covariates analyzed were the following: age, education, binge drinking, smoking and menopause. The associations between the dependent variable and the independent variables were analyzed using logistic regression. The odds ratio with 95 CI% was estimated. RESULTS: For men, the combinations were more significant when they were more physically active and spent less time on the sedentary behaviors analyzed, on both a weekday and a weekend day. For menopausal women, both younger and older, all associations of the combinations between sufficient leisure-time physical activity and little time spent in sedentary behaviors contributed to the prevention of abdominal obesity. In non-menopausal women, positive associations were observed in almost all combinations between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors, with some results that were not statistically significant among younger women. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that being sufficiently active and reducing the time spent in sedentary behavior was the combination that contributed the most to the prevention of abdominal obesity, both in men and women.

Physical Activity, Empowerment of the Immune System and Public Health: What We Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The importance of physical activity for the cardiovascular, metabolic and mental health systems with its repercussions for public health has been studied for some time, although further studies are needed due to the depletion of health services observed during the COVID-19 pandemic [...].

Association between Sedentary Behavior and Cognitive Performance in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults: Cross-Sectional Results from ELSA-Brasil.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to verify the association between Sedentary Behavior (SB) and performance on cognitive function tests in middle-aged and elderly adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 6505 participants (55.2% women) of ELSA-Brasil, with a median age of 61 years. The different types of SB considered were sitting time and screen time. The scores obtained in the memory, language, and executive function tests were used to assess cognitive performance (CP). The association between SB and CP was assessed using linear regression. RESULTS: For men, sitting time was associated with better performance in memory, language, and executive function tests. Screen time on the weekend, showed a favorable association with performance in the executive function test. Occupational screen time on weekdays was positively associated with language test performance. For women, sitting time and occupational screen time were positively associated with performance on memory tests. SB was favorably associated with performance in language tests and executive function tests. CONCLUSIONS: SB seems to favor CP in this population without evident dementia and with a high level of education. The type of SB (mentally active or passive) and the schooling seem to be of particular interest for cognitive performance.

Leisure Time Physical Activity and SARS-CoV-2 Infection among ELSA-Brasil Participants.

The regular practice of physical activity (PA) can reduce the chance of aggravation of the disease and lower rates of hospitalization and mortality from COVID-19, but few studies have analyzed the association of PA with the risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between PA and self-reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. A longitudinal study was conducted with data from 4476 ELSA-Brasil participants who had their PA analyzed twice, once in 2016-2018 and again in 2020. PA was identified using the IPAQ at both follow-up moments and categorized into four groups: (a) remained physically inactive (reference); (b) remained physically active; (c) became physically active in the second moment; and (d) became physically inactive in the second moment. The variables of age, sex, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and specific protective practices against COVID-19 were tested as possible confounders. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used. Remaining physically active was associated with a 43% reduction in the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection only among those who used specific practices to protect against COVID-19, OR = 0.57 and CI = 0.32-0.99. The results suggested that regular practice of PA can reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially among those who have used specific practices to protect against COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Association between Leisure Time Physical Activity and HDL-C in the Elsa-Brasil Study Participants: Are There Any Gender Differences in the Dose-Response Effect? / Associação entre Atividade Física no Tempo Livre e HDL-C em Participantes do Elsa-Brasil: Existem Diferenças entre Homens e Mulheres no Efeito Dose-Resposta?

BACKGROUND: High levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) are known for their protective effect against cardiovascular diseases and the regular practice of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) may be associated with their increase. OBJECTIVE: To verify the existence of differences between genders in the dose-response effect regarding the association between LTPA and HDL-C in the ELSA-Brasil study cohort. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with data from wave 2 of 13,931 participants of both genders (7,607 women) from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health ELSA-Brasil. The LTPA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and classified into four categories: sedentary, low active, active and very active. The discriminatory power of LTPA at different intensities analyzed for high HDL-C was tested using ROC curves. Associations, adjusted for confounders between LTPA and HDL-C were analyzed by logistic regression. A 95% confidence interval was used. RESULTS: A positive association, with a dose-response effect, was observed between LTPA and HDL-C in both men and women. With regard to intensity, only vigorous physical activity discriminated high HDL-C in men, while both walking and moderate and vigorous physical activity discriminated high HDL-C in women. CONCLUSIONS: LTPA shows a positive association with gradient dose-response and HDL-C, but in men, the association is not observed for those classified as physically unfit. In women, both walking intensity and moderate or vigorous physical activity can discriminate high HDL-C levels, whereas only vigorous intensity-exercise discriminate elevated HDL-C levels in men, demonstrating that males need to do more physical activity for this benefit to be observed.

FUNDAMENTO: Níveis elevados de lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-C) podem ter efeitos positivos para proteção de agravos cardiovasculares, e prática regular de atividade física no tempo livre (AFTL) tem sido associada ao seu aumento. OBJETIVO: Verificar a existência de possíveis diferenças entre homens e mulheres no efeito dose-resposta na associação entre AFTL e HDL-C. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com dados de 13,931 participantes de ambos os sexos (7,607 mulheres) do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil). A AFTL foi mensurada por meio do International Physical Activity Questionnary (IPAQ) e classificada em quatro categorias: inativos, pouco ativos, ativos e muito ativos. O poder discriminatório da AFTL para HDL-C elevado, nas diferentes intensidades analisadas (caminhada, atividade física moderada e atividade física vigorosa) foi testado por meio das curvas ROC. As associações, ajustadas por variáveis de confundimento entre AFTL e HDL-C foram analisadas por meio de regressão logística, estimando-se a odds ratio (OR) com intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. RESULTADOS: Observou-se associação positiva, com efeito dose-resposta, entre AFTL e HDL-C tanto em homens quanto em mulheres. Com relação à intensidade, apenas a atividade física vigorosa discriminou o HDL-C elevado em homens, enquanto tanto a atividade física de caminhada quanto a moderada e a vigorosa discriminaram o HDL-C elevado em mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: A AFTL apresenta associação positiva com gradiente dose-resposta com HDL-C; no entanto, entre os homens, a associação não é observada para aqueles classificados como pouco ativos fisicamente. Nas mulheres, tanto a intensidade da caminhada quanto a atividade física moderada ou vigorosa podem discriminar níveis de HDL-C mais altos; já nos homens, essa relação é observada apenas na intensidade vigorosa.

Social position and anthropometric status among adults in the ELSA-Brasil study: a latent class analysis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between social position and anthropometric status in women and men Brazilian adult. This was a cross-sectional study that used baseline data collected from 2008 to 2010 for the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil, in Portuguese), in the six major Brazilian state capital cities. A total of 15,105 active and retired civil servants aged from 35 to 74 years. Two latent variables were defined by latent class analysis, social position and anthropometric status. Both constructs and the analyses were separately evaluated by sex. Associations were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age, self-reported skin color/race, and marital status. Around 44% of the women and 26% of the men were classified as overweight or obese. Social position tended to be lower in women (43.2%) and higher among men (40.4%). Heavier women were more likely to be black and brown-skinned, whereas slimmer women were more likely to be white. After adjustment, women's weight increased as social position decreased (OR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.36-1.70), whereas in men weight decreased as social position decreased (OR = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.76-0.99). Social position affected the anthropometric status of women and men differently, with body patterns also being affected by ethnicity/skin color, showing the potentiality of taking the intersectional perspective when investigating the possible social determinants of the phenomenon.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of physical fitness.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by infections from a novel human coronavirus, has been reported since December 2019 in China but was only made official in March 2020. Since then, it has had an impact worldwide, both due to its aggressiveness and its fast propagation. Society has been facing this pandemic by following the recommendations and determinations of the WHO and the strategies deployed by governmental institutions. Among these, social isolation has been shown to be the most important, because when isolating, society tends to move less, with a consequent increase in physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, affecting its levels of physical fitness. The objectives of this review were: to review the most important effects of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior on the physical fitness levels of the population during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: The role of a regular practice of activities on the levels of physical fitness is fundamental to define the balance of quality of life during a COVID-19.

Amount of physical activity necessary for a normal level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in ELSA-Brasil: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that physical activity levels can be inversely associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. However, the amount of physical activity required to maintain normal hs-CRP levels is still a matter for speculation. OBJECTIVE: To identify the amount of physical activity necessary to discriminate the hs-CRP levels in adults. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at six teaching and research institutions. METHODS: The study sample comprised 10,231 adults aged 35 to 74 years who were participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to compare the amount of physical activity in two domains (leisure time and commuting) with hs-CRP levels. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated to identify the best cutoff for physical activity level that would be needed to maintain normal levels of hs-CRP (< 3 mg/l). RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve was only statistically significant for discriminating normal levels of hs-CRP according to the amount of physical activity when the two study domains were added together. The accumulated physical activity level of 200 minutes/week was the best cutoff for discriminating normal levels of hs-CRP in adults of both sex. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity in the leisure-time and commuting domains together, of duration 200 minutes/week, was associated with normal hs-CRP values.

[Abdominal obesity in ELSA-Brasil (Brazil's Longitudinal Study of Adult Health): construction of a latent gold standard and evaluation of the accuracy of diagnostic indicators]. / Obesidade abdominal no ELSA-Brasil: construção de padrão-ouro latente e avaliação da acurácia de indicadores diagnósticos.

This study evaluated the accuracy of abdominal obesity (AO) indicators, defining a latent variable as the gold standard. The study included 12,232 participants of the ELSA-Brasil (Brazil's Longitudinal Study of Adult Health), between 35 and 74 years of age. Three AO indicators were evaluated: waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (C index). Analyses were stratified by sex and race/skin color. All groups had a high prevalence of AO, being greater among white men (~70%) and black women (~60%). A high incidence of WC was observed for men, WHR and C index between men and women for discriminating latent AO. The following cutoff points for AO indicators were identified among white, brown and black men, respectively: WC: 89.9cm; 90.2cm and 91.7cm; WHR: 0.92; 0.92 and 0.90; C index: 1.24; 1.24 and 1.24. The cutoff points identified among white, brown and black women were, respectively: WC: 80.4cm, 82.7cm and 85.4cm; WHR: 0.82; 0.83 and 0.84; C index: 1.20; 1.22 and 1.19 The WC among men and the WHR and C index among men and women presented high power to discriminate latent AO, the C index being the best indicator.

Este estudo avaliou a acurácia de indicadores de obesidade abdominal (OA), definindo uma variável latente como padrão-ouro. Foram estudados 12.232 participantes do ELSA-Brasil de 35 a 74 anos. Avaliou-se três indicadores de OA, estratificados por sexo e raça/cor: circunferência da cintura (CC), razão cintura quadril (RCQ) e índice de conicidade (Índice C). Todos os grupos mostraram elevadas prevalências de OA, maiores entre os homens brancos (~70%) e mulheres pretas (~60%). Observou-se alta acurácia da CC para homens, RCQ e índice C entre homens e mulheres para discriminar OA latente. Identificou-se os seguintes pontos de corte para os indicadores de OA entre os homens brancos, pardos e pretos, respectivamente: CC: 89,9; 90,2 e 91,7cm; RCQ: 0,92; 0,92 e 0,90; índice C: 1,24; 1,24 e 1,24. Para as mulheres brancas, pardas e pretas, respectivamente, os pontos de corte identificados foram: CC: 80,4; 82,7 e 85,4cm; RCQ: 0,82; 0,83 e 0,84; índice C: 1,20; 1,22 e 1,19. A CC entre os homens e a RCQ e índice C entre homens e mulheres apresentaram alto poder para discriminar OA latente, sendo o índice C o melhor indicador.

[Waist-height ratio compared to other anthropometric indicators of obesity as predictors of high coronary risk]. / Razão cintura/estatura comparado a outros indicadores antropométricos de obesidade como preditor de risco coronariano elevado.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the waist-height ratio (WHTR) with other anthropometric indicators of obesity: waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (Index C), and body mass index (BMI)) to discriminate the level of coronary risk (HCR). METHOD: A cross sectional study of a subgroup of participants in the project 'Monitoring of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes in Brazil' (MONIT) was carried out in Salvador, Brazil (2000). The total sample comprised 968 persons (391 male and 577 female), 30 to 74 years of age. Initially the total area under the ROC curve between the Index C, WHR, WHTR, WC, BMI and HCR was identified while using a 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity and specificity were next calculated. Analyses were carried out using STATA 7.0 program. RESULTS: Areas under the ROC curves used as indicators of obesity were Index C 0.80, WHR 0.76, WHTR 0.76, WC 0.73, and BMI 0.64 for men and Index C 0.75, WHR 0.75, WHTR 0.69, WC 0.66 and BMI 0.59 for women. CONCLUSION: Indicators of abdominal obesity are better for discriminating HCR than the usual obesity indicator (BMI). Values of WHTR are closer to those found in other studies. Further, WHTR is a measurement with statistical significance whose use is justified.

Association between sarcopenia-related phenotypes and aerobic capacity indexes of older women.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between fat-free mass (FFM), quadriceps strength and sarcopenia with aerobic fitness indexes of elderly women. A total of 189 volunteers (66.7 ± 5.46 years) underwent aerobic capacity measurement through a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine their individual ventilatory thresholds (VT) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). Quadriceps muscle strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. Also, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess FFM and cutoff values were used to classify subjects as sarcopenic or nonsarcopenic. Correlations, student t-test and analysis of variance were used to examine the data. Both FFM and quadriceps strength variables were positively and significantly correlated with the measured aerobic capacity indexes. These results were observed for peak exercise as well as for ventilatory thresholds. Individuals classified as sarcopenic presented significantly lower muscle strength and (VO2 peak) when compared to nonsarcopenic. It can be concluded that FFM and quadriceps strength are significantly related to aerobic capacity indexes in older women, and that besides presenting lower quadriceps strength, women classified as sarcopenic have lower peak oxygen consumption. Taken together, the present results indicate that both FFM and strength play a role in the age-related decline of aerobic capacity. Key pointsMaximal aerobic capacity, generally expressed as peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), declines with advancing age and this process is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases.Also, the aging process is associated with a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength and this phenomenon has been referred to as Sarcopenia. Sarcopenia has been described in both elderly men and women and has been linked to multiple negative clinical outcomes.The present study provide evidence that muscle-related phenotypes are associated with aerobic capacity of older individuals, thus suggesting that sarcopenia explains in part the decline in aerobic fitness observed with advancing age.

Association between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with cardiometabolic health in the ELSA-Brasil participants.

OBJECTIVES: To assess associations, both individually and in combination, between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior, and cardiometabolic health. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 13,931 civil servants participating in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Leisure-time physical activity was analyzed using the leisure-time domain of the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while questions related to cumulative sitting time and leisure-based screen time on a weekday and on one day on the weekend were used to establish sedentary behavior. Data analysis was performed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Following adjustment for confounding variables, high levels of leisure-time physical activity and low levels of sedentary behavior were both associated with favorable cardiometabolic health markers in both genders. When these two factors were analyzed in conjunction, taking the combination of low levels of leisure-time physical activity and high levels of sedentary behavior as the reference, the inverse associations with cardiometabolic variables became even more significant. CONCLUSION: High levels of leisure-time physical activity and low levels of sedentary behavior were both inversely associated with the cardiometabolic variables analyzed; however, the two variables when evaluated in conjunction appear to produce more consistent associations, particularly when sedentary behavior is evaluated according to leisure-based screen time.

Atividade Física no Tempo Livre e Incidência de Hipertensão Arterial em Participantes do ELSA-Brasil / Leisure Time Physical Activity and Incidence of Arterial Hypertension in ELSA-Brasil Participants

Resumo Fundamento: Evidências apontam que a atividade física (AF) apresenta efeito protetor para as doenças crônicas, incluindo a hipertensão arterial (HA). Objetivo: Este estudo investigou, de forma longitudinal, a associação entre as mudanças na atividade física no tempo livre (AFTL) e a incidência de HA em participantes do ELSA-Brasil. Métodos: Foram analisados dados de 8.968 participantes em dois momentos distintos (2008-2010 e 2012-2014). Foi utilizado o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), versão longa, para avaliação da AFTL. A associação entre AFTL e HA foi testada por regressão de Poisson com estimativa do risco relativo (RR), com nível de significância de 5% e intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: Quando a variável nível de AFTL foi categorizada em suficiente e insuficiente, não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente significantes entre AFTL e a incidência HA em função das mudanças na AF durante o seguimento. No entanto, a variável AFTL quando categorizada em inativo, pouco ativo, ativo e muito ativo, observou-se associação estatisticamente significante entre AFTL e HA em participantes classificados como muito ativos fisicamente. O risco de HA foi reduzido em 35% entre homens RR 0,65 (IC 95% 0,50-0,86) e em 66% entre as mulheres RR 0,34 (IC 95% 0,20-0,58) que mantiveram altos níveis de AFTL em ambos os momentos do seguimento. Conclusão: Esses resultados sugerem que a manutenção de altos níveis de AF ao longo do tempo está associada a um menor risco de desenvolver HA, destacando a importância da AF na prevenção dessa condição, tanto para homens quanto para mulheres.

Abstract Background: Evidence indicates that physical activity (PA) has a protective effect against chronic diseases, including high arterial hypertension (AH). Objective: This study investigated, longitudinally, the association between changes in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and the incidence of hypertension in ELSA-Brasil participants. Methods: Data from 8,968 participants were analyzed at two different times (2008-2010 and 2012-2014). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), long version, was used to assess LTPA. The association between LTPA and AH was tested using Poisson regression with relative risk (RR) estimation, with a significance level of 5% and a 95% confidence interval. Results: When the LTPA level variable was categorized as sufficient and insufficient, no statistically significant associations were found between LTPA and AH incidence as a function of changes in PA during follow-up. However, when the LTPA variable was categorized as inactive, little active, active, and very active, a statistically significant association was observed between LTPA and AH in participants classified as very physically active. The risk of AH was reduced by 35% among men RR 0.65 (95% CI 0.50-0.86) and by 66% among women RR 0.34 (95% CI 0.20-0.58) who maintained high levels of LTPA at both moments of follow-up. Conclusion: These results suggest that maintaining high levels of PA over time is associated with a lower risk of developing AH, highlighting the importance of PA in preventing this condition, for both men and women.

Predicting insulin resistance in children: anthropometric and metabolic indicators.

OBJECTIVE: To predict insulin resistance in children based on anthropometric and metabolic indicators by analyzing the sensitivity and specificity of different cutoff points. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out of 109 children aged 7 to 11 years, 55 of whom were obese, 23 overweight and 31 well-nourished, classified by body mass index (BMI) for age. Measurements were taken to determine BMI, waist and hips circumferences, waist circumference/hip circumference ratio, conicity index and body fat percentage (dual emission X-ray absorptiometry). Fasting blood samples were taken to measure triglyceridemia, glycemia and insulinemia. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the glycemic homeostasis method, taking the 90th percentile as the cutoff point. Receiver operating characteristic curves were analyzed to a 95% confidence interval in order to identify predictors of glycemic homeostasis, and sensitivity and specificity were then calculated. RESULTS: After analysis of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (confidence interval), indicators that demonstrated the power to predict insulin resistance were, in the following order: insulinemia = 0.99 (0.99-1.00), 18.7 microU mL(-1); body fat percentage = 0.88 (0.81-0.95), 41.3%; BMI = 0.90 (0.83-0.97), 23.69 kg m(2-(1)); waist circumference= 0.88 (0.79-0.96), 78.0 cm; glycemia = 0.71 (0.54-0.88), 88.0 mg dL(-1); triglyceridemia = 0.78 (0.66-0.90), 116.0 mg dL(-1) and conicity index = 0.69 (0.50-0.87), 1.23 for the whole sample; and were: insulinemia = 0.99 (0.98-1.00), 19.54 microU mL(-1); body fat percentage = 0.76 (0.64-0.89), 42.2%; BMI = 0.78 (0.64-0.92), 24.53 kg m(2-(1)); waist circumference = 0.77 (0.61-0.92), 79.0 cm and triglyceridemia = 0.72 (0.56-0.87), 127.0 mg dL(-1), for the obese subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Anthropometric and metabolic indicators appear to offer good predictive power for insulin resistance in children between 7 and 11 years old, employing the cutoff points with the best balance between sensitivity and specificity of the predictive technique.