Metabolic risk is associated with sociodemographic characteristics in adolescents from both rural and urban regions from southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of several cardiovascular metabolic disorders are increasingly cause for concern in adolescents worldwide. Given the complex interrelations between metabolic risk (MR) and sociodemographic variables, the present study aims to examine the association between the presence of MR with sociodemographic characteristics (sex, skin color, residential area, and parental socioeconomic status) in adolescents from Southern Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted with 1,152 adolescents (507 males) aged between 12 and 17 years. MR was assessed using a continuous score (cMetS; sum of Z-scores of the following variables: waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C, inverse], triglycerides [TG], and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF, inverse]). Poisson regression was used to examine associations between sociodemographic variables with the dichotomized cMetS and separate metabolic variables. The results were expressed with prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The presence of MR (evaluated by the cMetS) was observed in 8.7% of adolescents. Higher MR was less prevalent among non-white adolescents (PR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93; 0.99). Adolescents living in rural areas had a lower prevalence of the following metabolic variables; low HDL-C (PR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.94; 0.97), elevated TG (PR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92; 0.99), elevated glucose (PR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.95; 0.98), and low CRF levels (PR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.85; 0.92). Whereas, SBP was higher in those living in rural areas (PR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05; 1.17). In girls, there was a higher prevalence of raised TG (PR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02; 1.10) and lower levels of CRF (PR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.16; 1.24), but a lower prevalence of elevated glucose (PR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.97; 0.99). CONCLUSION: Higher MR prevalence was lower in those self-reporting non-white skin color and selected MR factors were less prevalent in those living in rural areas. The identification of groups at higher MR is important for early prevention and monitoring strategies for both Type 2 diabetes and later cardiovascular disease. Future studies should be conducted to assess the socio-cultural aspects of the relationships between MR and socio-cultural and lifestyle variables.

Metabolic risk associated with liver enzymes, uric acid, and hemoglobin in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The associations of renal, hepatic, and hematologic markers with metabolic risk (MR) have already been shown in adolescents. However, it is still controversial which marker best predicts metabolic changes in youth. The aim of this study was to verify the association of MR with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), uric acid, and hemoglobin (Hb) in adolescents. METHODS: We evaluated 1713 Brazilian adolescents aged 10 to 17 years. MR was calculated using a continuous metabolic risk score, including the sum of Z-scores of waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, high-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Cutoff points were set for MR prediction for five metabolic components (ALT, AST, AST/ALT ratio, uric acid, and Hb). RESULTS: MR was strongly associated with increased uric acid (odds ratio [OR]: 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-3.59), ALT (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.63-4.27), and AST levels (OR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.24-5.18). Uric acid was shown to be the best predictor for MR (sensitivity: 55.79%; specificity: 61.35%; area under the curve: 0.616). CONCLUSION: Elevated hepatic, renal, and hematological markers were associated with MR in adolescents, especially ALT, AST, and uric acid levels. IMPACT: Elevated hepatic, renal, and hematological markers were associated with metabolic risk in adolescents, especially ALT, AST, and uric acid levels. It is still controversial which marker best predicts metabolic changes in adolescents. In addition, association of Hb with metabolic risk is under-studied in this population. It is important to further investigate the relationship between elevated Hb and hepatic markers, since there are key aspects not addressed yet. Our results highlight the importance of creating public health policies aimed to child and adolescent population, to prevention of metabolic disorders from an early age.

A narrative review associating health vulnerability and environmental factors among rural workers.

BACKGROUND: Rural Brazil is known for its history of poor working and living conditions; in some regions the population becomes vulnerable to health and work problems. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between health vulnerability and environmental factors among rural workers. METHOD: Descriptive study which consisted in a narrative review of literature published from 2012 to 2017. The literature search was conducted in databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) "health," "vulnerability," "rural population" and "rural worker health." RESULTS: Six studies were retrieved which mainly associated health vulnerability to inadequate or no use of specifically required personal protective equipment, in addition to pointing out actions essential for health promotion, such as adequate diet and leisure time, physical activity, dignified working conditions, and social contacts. CONCLUSION: Rural work environmental factors are directly related with health vulnerability. Prevention of exposure to risk of disease and health promotion actions are essential to minimize health problems, especially the ones associated with exposure to agrochemicals.

INTRODUÇÃO: O Brasil rural é conhecido historicamente pelas condições de trabalho e de vida precárias; em algumas regiões, essa população torna-se vulnerável às condições de saúde e trabalho. OBJETIVO: Descrever a associação entre a vulnerabilidade à saúde e os fatores ambientais em trabalhadores rurais. MÉTODO: Estudo de caráter descritivo caracterizado como revisão narrativa de literatura, no período de 2012 a 2017. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências de Saúde (LILACS) e os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DECs) "saúde", "vulnerabilidade", "população rural" e "saúde do trabalhador rural". RESULTADOS: A pesquisa resultou em seis artigos que evidenciaram, principalmente, a vulnerabilidade à saúde relacionada com a utilização inadequada dos equipamentos de proteção individual específicos ao trabalho, ou a sua não utilização; além de apontar ações essenciais para a saúde, como manter uma alimentação adequada, ter momentos de lazer, praticar atividade física, ter condições dignas de trabalho e contato com grupos sociais. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que os fatores ambientais no trabalho rural estão diretamente interligados com a vulnerabilidade à saúde, em que práticas de prevenção na exposição ao risco de doenças e de promoção à saúde são essenciais para minimizar os agravos à saúde, principalmente quanto à exposição de agrotóxicos em trabalhadores rurais.

Differences in body posture, strength and flexibility in schoolchildren with overweight and obesity: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Body posture and its components have been widely discussed, given the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in children and adolescents. Among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity issues, these changes can be pronounced. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate whether a global exercise routine could result in positive changes in the angles and distances measured in postural assessments and in the number of abdominal and flexibility exercise repetitions performed by children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design including an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG) was used. The primary outcome variables included ratings of body posture (using SAPO software) and measures of abdominal muscle strength (number of sit-ups) and flexibility. The EG received an interdisciplinary intervention the included 48 sessions of global postural exercises performed three times a week. RESULTS: Of the 46 schoolchildren evaluated (EG, n = 23 and CG, n = 23), significant changes were observed in the EG from pre-to post-test in the thoracic angle (p = 0.001) and abdominal muscle strength (p = 0.016) for boys and in the thoracic angle (p = 0.010), abdominal muscle strength (p = 0.003) and flexibility (p = 0.010) for girls. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the exercise program led to changes in the angle and distance measurements obtained in postural evaluations and contributed to increases in the number of repetitions of abdominal and flexibility exercises, indicating improvements in the EG group's body posture and health indicators.

Uma revisão narrativa associando a vulnerabilidade à saúde e os fatores ambientais de trabalhadores rurais / A narrative review associating health vulnerability and environmental factors among rural workers

Introdução: O Brasil rural é conhecido historicamente pelas condições de trabalho e de vida precárias; em algumas regiões, essa população torna-se vulnerável às condições de saúde e trabalho. Objetivo: Descrever a associação entre a vulnerabilidade à saúde e os fatores ambientais em trabalhadores rurais. Método: Estudo de caráter descritivo caracterizado como revisão narrativa de literatura, no período de 2012 a 2017. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências de Saúde (LILACS) e os Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DECs) "saúde", "vulnerabilidade", "população rural" e "saúde do trabalhador rural". Resultados: A pesquisa resultou em seis artigos que evidenciaram, principalmente, a vulnerabilidade à saúde relacionada com a utilização inadequada dos equipamentos de proteção individual específicos ao trabalho, ou a sua não utilização; além de apontar ações essenciais para a saúde, como manter uma alimentação adequada, ter momentos de lazer, praticar atividade física, ter condições dignas de trabalho e contato com grupos sociais. Conclusão: Conclui-se que os fatores ambientais no trabalho rural estão diretamente interligados com a vulnerabilidade à saúde, em que práticas de prevenção na exposição ao risco de doenças e de promoção à saúde são essenciais para minimizar os agravos à saúde, principalmente quanto à exposição de agrotóxicos em trabalhadores rurais.

Background: Rural Brazil is known for its history of poor working and living conditions; in some regions the population becomes vulnerable to health and work problems. Objective: To investigate the association between health vulnerability and environmental factors among rural workers. Method: Descriptive study which consisted in a narrative review of literature published from 2012 to 2017. The literature search was conducted in databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) "health," "vulnerability," "rural population" and "rural worker health." Results: Six studies were retrieved which mainly associated health vulnerability to inadequate or no use of specifically required personal protective equipment, in addition to pointing out actions essential for health promotion, such as adequate diet and leisure time, physical activity, dignified working conditions, and social contacts. Conclusion: Rural work environmental factors are directly related with health vulnerability. Prevention of exposure to risk of disease and health promotion actions are essential to minimize health problems, especially the ones associated with exposure to agrochemicals.