Clustering of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Associated With Body Composition in Brazilian Older Adults.

This study described the clustering patterns of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time (ST) according to handgrip strength and investigated the association between identified clusters of fat and lean mass in older adults from southern Brazil. Objective measures were used for moderate to vigorous physical activity, ST, and body composition outcomes. Two-step cluster and linear regression analyses were conducted according to handgrip strength. Three clusters were identified: all-day sitters, sitters, and active sitters. The prevalence of clusters in the low-strength group was 58.2%, 22.8%, and 19.0%, respectively, while the prevalence of clusters in the high-strength group was 42.1%, 34.8%, and 23.1%, respectively. All-day sitters had 2.6% more fat mass than active sitters with low strength. High levels of ST characterized all cluster profiles; low strength, lack of moderate to vigorous physical activity, and high ST levels among older adults may indicate a subpopulation at a greater risk of overweight and obesity-related diseases.

Personal, social and environmental correlates of physical activity in adults from Curitiba, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Leisure-time physical activity is a complex behavior influenced by factors at multiple levels. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental factors and leisure-time walking (LTW) and leisure-time physical activities (LTPA), excluding walking. We also examined the moderating effect of sociodemographic characteristics on these associations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1461 adults from Curitiba, Brazil (63.7% women). LTW and LTPA were assessed through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a cutoff point of ≥ 150 min/week was used. Associations were examined through multilevel logistic regressions. RESULTS: LTW was positively associated with self-efficacy, enjoyment, social support from family and friends, presence of public places for leisure and neighborhood esthetics. LTPA was associated with self-efficacy, enjoyment, social support from family and friends, safety from crime and neighborhood esthetics. Safety from crime was a predictor of LTPA among older adults only. CONCLUSIONS: Factors at multiple levels were associated with LTW and LTPA. Interventions to promote LTPA would likely benefit from considering personal, social and environmental factors and different levels of influence.

Associations between fruit and vegetable intakes and incident depression in middle-aged and older adults from 10 diverse international longitudinal cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Emerging observational evidence supports a role for higher fruit and vegetable intake in protecting against the development of depression. However, there is a scarcity of research in older adults or in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: Participants were 7801 community-based adults (mean age 68.6 ± 8.0 years, 55.8 % female) without depression, from 10 diverse cohorts, including four cohorts from LMICs. Fruit and vegetable intake was self-reported via comprehensive food frequency questionnaire, short food questionnaire or diet history. Depressive symptoms were assessed using validated measures, and depression defined applying validated cut-offs. The associations between baseline fruit and vegetable intakes and incident depression over a follow-up period of three to nine years were examined using Cox regression. Analyses were performed by cohort with results meta-analysed. RESULTS: There were 1630 cases of incident depression (21 % of participants) over 40,258 person-years of follow-up. Higher intake of fruit was associated with a lower risk of incident depression (HR 0.87, 95%CI [0.77, 0.99], I2 = 4 %). No association was found between vegetable intake and incident depression (HR 0.93, 95%CI [0.84, 1.04], I2 = 0 %). LIMITATIONS: Diverse measures used across the different cohorts and the modest sample size of our study compared with prior studies may have prevented an association being detected for vegetable intake. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports a role for fruit, but not vegetable intake in protecting against depression. Research investigating different types of fruits and vegetables using standardised measures in larger cohorts of older adults from low- and middle-income countries is warranted.

Quality of life and physical activity among adults: population-based study in Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between leisure-time physical activity (PA) (walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity activities) and transport (active commuting) with quality of life (QoL) domains (physical, social relations, environmental and psychological). METHODS: Participants were 1,461 adults (18-65 years) living in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. QoL was assessed using the abbreviated WHOQoL questionnaire and PA through the IPAQ long version. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between PA types (walking, moderate and vigorous) and domains (leisure and transport) with QoL domains. RESULTS: Walking for leisure was positively associated with social relations (ß = 1.5; P = 0.011) and environment (ß = 3.3; P = 0.015) domains among men and with physical (ß = 3.2; P = 0.04), environment (ß = 4.1; P = 0.011) and psychological (ß = 3.2; P = 0.009) domains among women. Moderate intensity PA was associated with all but the physical QoL domain among women. Among men, this association was observed only between insufficient levels of PA and the physical domain of QoL (ß = 3.0; P = 0.016). Vigorous PA was associated with social relations (ß = 3.4; P = 0.034) and psychological (ß = 4.2; P = 0.009) QoL domains. Transport PA was only associated with the physical QoL domain in men (ß = 3.1; P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: There is a positive relationship between PA and QoL, though this association varies according to the type and intensity of PA and differs across QoL domains. Unlike transport PA, leisure-time PA shows consistent association with QoL.

Is the association between sociodemographic variables and physical activity levels in adolescents mediated by social support and self-efficacy?

OBJECTIVE: Analyze whether the association between sociodemographic variables and physical activity levels is mediated by psychosocial factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of public and private high school students in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil. A total of 2540 adolescents (57.0% female) were analyzed (16.4±1.2 years). Physical activity was estimated using a questionnaire, self-efficacy, and parents' and friends' social support by scales, all previously validated. RESULTS: The association between sex and the physical activity level of adolescents was partially mediated by the social support of parents (ß=0.79; p<0.001) and friends (ß=2.96; p<0.001), and the association between age and physical activity level was partially mediated by parents' social support (ß=0.78; p<0.001). The associations between sex and age and physical activity levels of adolescents were mediated by the social support of parents and friends. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in physical activity levels between adolescent females and males and between younger and older adolescents may be partially explained by differences in social support provided by parents and friends. Implementation strategies to increase the social support of parents and friends may help reduce the differences in physical activity levels between these subgroups of adolescents.

Is the association between sociodemographic variables and physical activity levels in adolescents mediated by social support and self-efficacy? / A associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas e níveis de atividade física emadolescentes é mediada por apoio social e autoeficácia?

Abstract Objective Analyze whether the association between sociodemographic variables and physical activity levels is mediated by psychosocial factors. Methods This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of public and private high school students in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Brazil. A total of 2540 adolescents (57.0% female) were analyzed (16.4 ± 1.2 years). Physical activity was estimated using a questionnaire, self-efficacy, and parents' and friends' social support by scales, all previously validated. Results The association between sex and the physical activity level of adolescents was partially mediated by the social support of parents (β = 0.79; p < 0.001) and friends (β = 2.96; p < 0.001), and the association between age and physical activity level was partially mediated by parents' social support (β = 0.78; p < 0.001). The associations between sex and age and physical activity levels of adolescents were mediated by the social support of parents and friends. Conclusions Differences in physical activity levels between adolescent females and males and between younger and older adolescents may be partially explained by differences in social support provided by parents and friends. Implementation strategies to increase the social support of parents and friends may help reduce the differences in physical activity levels between these subgroups of adolescents.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar se a associação entre variáveis sociodemográficas e níveis de atividade física é mediada por fatores psicossociais. Métodos Este é um estudo epidemiológico transversal com estudantes do ensino médio de escolas públicas e privadas de João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil. Foram analisados 2.540 adolescentes (57,0% do sexo feminino) (16,4 ± 1,2 anos). A atividade física foi estimada por meio de questionário, autoeficácia e apoio social dos pais e amigos através de escalas, todas previamente validadas. Resultados A associação entre sexo e o nível de atividade física dos adolescentes foi parcialmente mediada pelo apoio social dos pais (β = 0,79; p < 0,001) e dos amigos (β = 2,96; p < 0,001) e a associação entre idade e nível de atividade física foi parcialmente mediada pelo apoio social dos pais (β = 0,78; p < 0,001). A associação entre sexo e idade e níveis de atividade física dos adolescentes foi mediada pelo apoio social de pais e amigos. Conclusões As diferenças nos níveis de atividade física entre adolescentes do sexo feminino e masculino e entre adolescentes mais jovens e mais velhos podem ser parcialmente explicadas pelas diferenças no apoio social fornecido pelos pais e amigos. A implantação de estratégias para aumentar o apoio social de pais e amigos pode ajudar a reduzir as diferenças nos níveis de atividade física entre esses subgrupos de adolescentes.

Fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres da associação de obesos do município de Ponta Grossa-PR / Analysis of cardiovascular risk factors in women from the obese association from Ponta Grossa-PR

Introdução: O excesso de peso e o acúmulo de gordura corporal na região abdominal estão entre os mais importantes fatores de risco para doença cardiovascular, pois aumentam diretamente ou indiretamente o fator de doença arterial cardiovascular e dislipidemia. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo investigar os fatores de risco cardiovascular em mulheres obesas integrantes de uma Associação de Obesos do município Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Métodos: A amostra foi composta de 16 mulheres obesas com idade média 46,4±8,9 anos. Variáveis antropométrica, como massa corporal e estatura para verificação do índice de massa corporal (IMC), juntamente com a circunferência abdominal (CA) foram mensuradas. As variáveis bioquímicas plasmáticas analisadas foram low density protein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglicerídeos totais (TRIG), colesterol total e glicemia de jejum. Resultados: A avaliação antropométrica apresentou osvalores médios à estatura de 153,7 ± 11,5 cm, massa corporal 97,2 ± 17,3 kg, IMC 41,39 ± 8,4 Kg/m2, CA 114 ±11,3cm; os resultados bioquímicos apresentaram níveis plasmáticos médios de LDL 100,3 ± 25,5mg/dl, HDL54,7 ± 11,1mg/dl, TRIG 156,3 ± 91,9mg/dl, colesterol total 191,3 ± 41,9mg/dl, GLI 159,1 ± 59,9mg/dl. Analisando as médias das variáveis TRIG, GLI e CA, verifica-se que o grupo apresenta valores médios acima dos recomendados, e destes valores observa-se seis indivíduos apresentando hipertrigliceridemia, cinco apresentando síndrome metabólica, cinco apresentando HDL abaixo do recomendado, todos os indivíduos apresentando CA superiores ao sugerido e em cinco indivíduos a concomitância de valores alterados em mais de um parâmetro. Conclusão: Deste modo, conclui-se que a obesidade andrógena pode trazer alterações no metabolismo de lipides revela-se necessário uma intervenção terapêutica a fim de reduzir estes fatores de risco, de modo a proporcionar uma melhor qualidade de vida a estes indivíduos...

Introduction: Overweight and excess of fat accumulation in the abdominal region is among the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, increasing directly or indirectly the coronary artery disease factor and dyslipidemia. Objective: The present study aims at investigating the cardiovascular risk factors in obese women assisted by an Obese Association from Ponta Grossa, Paraná. Methodology: The sample consisted of 16 obese women. Their mean age was 46.4 + 8.9 years. Anthropometric variables such as body mass and body height for body mass index (BMI), along with the abdominal circumference (AC) were analysed. Plasma biochemical variables such as low density protein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total triglycerides(total-TG), total cholesterol (total-TC), and fasting glucose were also analysed. Results: The anthropometric evaluation showed the following: height 153,7 + 11,5 cm, weight 97,2 + 17,3 Kg, body mass index (BMI) 41,39 + 8,4 Kg/m2, abdominal circumference (AC) 114 + 11,3 cm. Biochemical results showed the following mean serum levels: LDL 100,3 + 25,5 mg/dl; HDL 54,7 + 11,1 mg/dl; total triglycerides (total-TG) 156,3 + 91,9 mg/dl; total cholesterol 191,3 + 41,9 mg/dl; and fasting glucose (GLI) 159,1 + 59,9 mg/dl. Analyzing the mean of the following variables total-TG, GLI, and AC, we noticed that the group presents mean values above therecommended parameters; of these values, six patients had hypertriglyceridemia five had metabolic syndrome; and in five HDL was lower than the normal levels; all the individual had AC above the suggested parameter, and five individuals had altered values in more than one parameter concomitantly. Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that the androgenic obesity might cause modifications in lipid metabolism and reveal the need of a therapeutic intervention to reduce or to stabilize these risk factors, providing a better quality of life to these patients with physical activity programs or use of medicine...