Association between socio-economic status and physical activity is mediated by social support in Brazilian students.

This study evaluated whether the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is mediated by social support of peers and parents. A cross-sectional study included students (n = 1182) aged 11 to 18 years who were recruited in 2014 from public schools in Fortaleza, Brazil. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess all variables. Mediation analyses were performed to determine the role of parental support and peer support on the relationship between SES and MVPA. Also, moderated-mediation analyses with estimating of conditional indirect effects were performed in order to identify whether gender is a moderator of the mediating effect. A positive and significant association between SES and MVPA was found among Brazilian students, and social support of parents and peers were significant mediators of this relationship. Conditional indirect effects showed that both parental and peer support had a significant indirect effect among boys; only parental support had a significant indirect effect among girls. These results suggest that improving social support can help reduce the impact of SES on physical activity among Brazilian adolescents.

"For whom was it effective?" Moderators of the effect of a school-based intervention on potential physical activity determinants among Brazilian students.

Knowledge about the effects of school-based interventions on modifiable physical activity (PA) determinants (e.g., social support), and whether the intervention effect differs according to students' characteristics (e.g., age and gender) are relevant PA promotion topics. This study aims to answer these topics among Brazilian students. This cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 548 students in the intervention group and 537 in the control group (51.5% of boys; aged 11-18years). The four-month intervention included strategies focused on training teachers, opportunities for PA in the school environment, and health education. Potential PA determinants (attitude, self-efficacy, support of friends, parents, and teachers, perceived neighborhood environment and PA facilities in school) and moderators (gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), and PA level at baseline) were assessed using self-reported instrument. Height and weight were measured to estimate the students' body mass index (BMI) status. Generalized linear models were used. In general, there was a significant and positive intervention effect for attitude, support of friends and teachers for PA, as well as PA facilities in school; effect size was 0.29, 0.24, 0.34, and 0.29, respectively (P<0.05). Age (support of friends, parents and teachers, and PA facilities in school), SES (support of friends and PA facilities in school), and BMI status (support of friends) were moderators of the intervention effect on some outcomes. In conclusion, the intervention improved potential PA determinants, but some changes occurred differently according to students' characteristics. These findings should be considered in PA policies in the school context. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.govNCT02439827.

Promoting physical activity for children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries: An umbrella systematic review: A review on promoting physical activity in LMIC.

OBJECTIVE: It is unknown how much previous reviews on promoting physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents (aged 6-18years) take into account studies from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC, based on the World Bank definition) and the level of evidence of the effect of PA interventions in this population. This study aims to answer such questions using an umbrella systematic review approach. METHODS: We searched for peer-reviewed systematic reviews and original studies in eight electronic databases, screening of reference lists and expert contacts. Information in systematic reviews on PA interventions for children and adolescents from LMIC was discussed. Original studies on PA interventions (randomized-controlled trials [RCT], cluster-RCT and non-RCT) with children and adolescents from LMIC were eligible. We assessed the methodological quality in all studies, and the evidence level of effect on PA in intervention studies. RESULTS: Fifty systematic reviews (nine meta-analyses) and 25 original studies (20 different interventions) met eligibility criteria. Only 3.1% of mentioned studies in previous reviews were from LMIC. Strong and LMIC-specific evidence was found that school-based, multicomponent, and short-term (up to six months) interventions, focused on adolescents primarily (aged 13-18years), can promote PA in children and adolescents from LMIC. Other intervention characteristics had inconclusive evidence due to the low number of studies, low methodological quality, and/or small sample size. CONCLUSION: A minimal part of PA interventions mentioned in previous reviews are from LMIC. Our LMIC-specific analyses showed priorities of implementation and practical implication that can be used in public policies for PA promotion in LMIC.

Rationale and methods of a cluster-randomized controlled trial to promote active and healthy lifestyles among Brazilian students: the "Fortaleça sua Saúde" program.

BACKGROUND: Interventions on adolescents' lifestyle are important, but the main mechanisms that explain the changes (mediating variables) on lifestyle are unclear. This paper presents the rationale and methods of an intervention program focused on promoting active and healthy lifestyles (especially physical activity [PA] practice and reducing screen time) among Brazilian students-the Fortaleça sua Saúde program (Portuguese for "strengthen your health"). METHODS/DESIGN: This is a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial. Three intervention and three control (no intervention) full-time public schools were randomly selected in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. Students (n = 1,272) from classes in Grades 7-9 were eligible, and 1,085 (548 in the intervention and 537 in control schools) completed the baseline and follow-up measures. The program duration was approximately four months and took place in 2014. Intervention strategies focused on teacher training, activities on health in the curriculum, active opportunities in the school environment (the availability of equipment for PA), and health education (health materials for students and parents). Data collection was undertaken before and immediately after the intervention. The primary variables included the practice of PA (weekly PA volume, PA behavior change stage and preference for PA during leisure-time) and screen time (TV and computer/video games). Potential intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental mediators of PA and screen time were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. Other lifestyle components (e.g., eating habits, substance use), psychological (e.g., self-rated health, body satisfaction) and biological (general and abdominal obesity) aspects, as well as academic performance were also evaluated in the total sample. Depressive symptoms, eating disorders, sleep quality, objectively-measured PA, and sedentary time were evaluated in obese students. DISCUSSION: If effective, this program will contribute to the development of public policies for the promotion of active and healthy lifestyles in youth, especially those from low- and middle-income countries. The main intrapersonal, interpersonal and/or environmental mediators of PA and screen time may also be indicated. Finally, we anticipate that the proposed strategies may be adaptable to public schools and may even be extended to the entire school system. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02439827 . Registration date: May 3, 2015.

Gender differences in the clustering patterns of risk behaviours associated with non-communicable diseases in Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate gender differences in the clustering of risk behaviours associated with chronic non-communicable diseases in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 comprising 6529 adolescents aged 15-19years from Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Excessive screen-time, insufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), low fruit/vegetable intake and consumption of alcohol were investigated. Poisson regression was performed in the analysis of sociodemographic factors associated with the clustering of three or more risk behaviours. RESULTS: Girls presented with higher insufficient MVPA (76.3%), while boys presented with lower fruit or vegetable intake (53.0%) and greater consumption of alcohol (40.8%). A total of 21.2% of the teenagers had one risk behaviour, 37.3% had two, 28.5% had three, and 8.0% had all of the measured risk behaviours. Adolescents who did not work and boys who lived in urban areas exhibited more risk behaviours, whereas girls aged 17-19years old and boys who had mothers with ≥12years of study exhibited fewer risk behaviours. CONCLUSION: There was a difference between genders for individual risk behaviours, and a high degree of clustering in both genders. Prevention programs could focus on these behaviours in order to reduce negative health outcomes in adolescents.

The prevalence and correlates of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular health among Southern Brazil adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of health-related behaviors is an important part of adolescence. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of the isolated and simultaneous presence of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular health (BRFCH) among adolescents in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,628 adolescents (aged 11-17.9 years, 52.5% males) that were randomly selected from 44 public schools. Self-report instruments were used to assess the variables. Six BRFCH were analyzed: insufficiently active, excessive TV watching, current alcohol and tobacco use, daily soft drinks consumption and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables were studied as possible correlates of the presence of BRFCH. RESULTS: The BRFCH with the highest prevalence were insufficiently active (50.5%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 48.0-52.9) and daily soft drinks consumption (47.6%, 95% CI: 45.1-50.0). Approximately 30% of the adolescents presented three or more BRFCH simultaneously. Girls, adolescents who did not participate in organized physical activity, and who used computer/video games daily were the main high-risk subgroups for insufficiently active. Boys and those who used computer/video games daily were the high-risk subgroups for daily soft drinks consumption. For excessive TV watching, we identified to be at risk those who were from a high economic class, unemployed, and who used computer/video games daily. For current alcohol use, we identified older adolescents, who were from a high economic class and who worked to be at risk. Older adolescents, who worked and who spent little active time during a physical education class were the high-risk subgroups for current tobacco use. For inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, we identified those who did not participate in organized physical activity to be at risk. Older adolescents, who were from a high economic class, who did not participate in organized physical activity and who used computer/video games daily were the high-risk subgroups for simultaneous BRFCH. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high prevalence of BRFCH among adolescents, both isolated and simultaneously. The correlates of the presence of BRFCH can contribute to healthy policies among Brazilian adolescents, mainly focusing on high-risk subgroups for a health risk behavior.

Perception of the social and built environment and physical activity among Northeastern Brazil adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between levels of physical activity and perception of the social and built environmental in adolescents from Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: The sample comprised 2874 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years (57.8% females) enrolled in private or public secondary schools in the municipality of João Pessoa, Northeastern Brazil. Level of physical activity was measured by questionnaire. Perception of environmental characteristics was measured by means of fifteen questions rated on four-point Likert-type scales ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"). The association between physical activity and perception of environmental characteristics was investigated using multivariate binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that adolescents living in neighborhoods where other adolescents were physically active (68.7% vs. 60.1%, OR=1.20; 95%CI: 1.05-1.56, among boys only) or who lived close to places they liked to frequent (71.8% vs. 53.4%, OR=1.96; 95%CI: 1.40-2.78 among boys; and 42.0% vs. 32.3% OR=1.33; 95%CI: 1.10-1.74 among girls) were more likely to be physically active. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with positive perceptions of certain environmental characteristics were more likely to be physically active. Environmental characteristics may relate differently to levels of physical activity among boys and girls.

[Factors associated with overweight in students from tri-border region: Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay]. / Fatores associados ao excesso de peso corporal em escolares da tríplice fronteira: Argentina, Brasil e Paraguai.

The Tri-Border Region has several social and health problems among young people, however, there are no data about the overweight between adolescents. This study investigated the prevalence of overweight and associated factors in students from Tri-Border Region: Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Study participants were 1.183 students, ages from 15 to 18 years. The overweight was identified according to body mass index cut-off points proposed by the World Health Organization. The Global School-Based Student Health Survey questionnaire was used to identify sociodemographic (gender and age) and behavioral factors (physical activity outside of school, commuting to school, time watching TV and fruits, vegetables, sweet, and salty snack consumption) associated with overweight in adolescents. It was used the descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, chi-square and binary logistic regression, adopting p < 0.05. Thirteen percent of students were overweight. Boys were approximately two times more likely to have overweight than girls, independently of nationality. Brazilian students that realized passive commuting to school and Argentineans students with low consumption of vegetables (< 1 time/day) were 2.2 and 2.9 times more likely to have overweight than their counterparts who performed active commuting to school and consumed vegetables daily, respectively. These results suggest that public policies to combat overweight should attention on promoting healthy lifestyle among young people from Tri-Border Region.

Psychosocial mediators of screen time reduction after an intervention for students from schools in vulnerable areas: A cluster-randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether psychosocial variables mediate the effect of a multicomponent intervention on screen time reduction among Brazilian students from schools located in vulnerable areas. DESIGN: A cluster-randomized controlled trial with a 4-month follow-up. METHODS: This study was conducted with 1085 students (548 in the intervention group and 537 in the control group), aged 11-17years. The intervention strategies focused on training teachers, increasing opportunities for physical activity at school, and reducing screen time, as well as health education. The questionnaire was administered before and after intervention with questions about the amount of time spent on TV and computer/video games on weekdays and weekend days (combined screen time). The potential psychosocial mediators (attitude, self-efficacy, family and school support) were measured through validated scales. Socioeconomic status was used as control variable. Multilevel mediation analyses were conducted using a product-of-coefficients test. RESULTS: Psychosocial factors were not mediators of the effect of the intervention on screen time. The intervention significantly improved school support for both sexes (boys: 1.307; girls: 0.759; p<0.05) and older students (1.154; p<0.001). Attitude (boys: -0.228; 11-13years: -0.133; 14-17years: -0.152; p<0.05) and self-efficacy scales (boys: -0.040; girls: -0.104; 11-13years: -0.048; 14-17years: -0.100; p<0.05) were associated with reduced screen time. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention produced a significant improvement of school support for both sexes, as well as older students. Enhancing attitude and self-efficacy may be a useful strategy for reducing screen time among boys and students of any age groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov: NCT02439827. Registration date: May 3, 2015.

Change in overweight and obesity over a decade according to sociodemographic factors in Brazilian adolescents.

The aims were to examine changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among students from 2001 to 2011, and to verify if these changes differ according to age group, area of residence, and family income. We analyzed two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2001 and 2011 with brazilian adolescents. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were self-reported using a questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze changes in overweight and obesity between the two surveys. The nutritional status was the outcome of the present study and the surveys (2001 and 2011) were the exposure. The odds of being overweight and obese were higher among boys and girls in urban areas in the 2011 survey compared to the 2001. Boys and girls with higher income were also more likely to present overweight and obesity in the second survey compared to the first. An increase of overweight and obesity was observed over a decade. We suggest that future interventions consider the area of residence and the family income to strengthen the effectiveness of actions developed to prevent and control these indicators among adolescents.

Isolated and combined presence of elevated anthropometric indices in children: prevalence and sociodemographic correlates.

This study analyzed the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated to the isolated and combined presence of elevated anthropometric indices among children. A cross-sectional study was performed with 2,035 children (aged 6-11 years, 50.1% of girls) who were randomly selected in schools from Colombo, Brazil. Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) were classified using reference values. Age, gender, type of school, shift, and residence area were potential risk factors. Binary logistic regression was used (p < 0.05). The prevalence of children with isolated presence of elevated BMI, WHtR or WC was observed in 9.4% (confidence interval [CI] of 95%: 3.3; 15.7), 8.7% (CI 95%: 1.7; 15.9) and 4.4% (CI 95%: 1.0; 7.9), 8.7% of children, respectively. The presence of one or more elevated anthropometric index was observed in 16.9% (CI 95%: 5.4; 28.5) of children. Boys (BMI), younger children (WC) and children from public schools (BMI, WC or WHtR) were high-risk subgroups to the isolated presence of elevated anthropometric indices. Children from public schools and rural areas were high-risk subgroup to the combined presence of elevated anthropometric indices. In conclusion, Public policies to combat childhood obesity may be more effective whether they targeted at children from public schools and rural areas.

Epidemiology of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors, and unhealthy eating habits among Brazilian adolescents: a systematic review.

This systematic review analyzed the prevalence of physical inactivity, sedentary behaviors and unhealthy eating habits among Brazilian adolescents. Searches were conducted in five databases (Lilacs, SciELO, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and in the references cited in the articles retrieved. The literature search yielded 5,872 potentially relevant titles and a total of 69 studies met all the inclusion criteria. The risk behavior most often evaluated was physical inactivity (48/69; 69.6%), and its prevalence rate ranged from 2.3% to 93.5%. Twenty-eight studies estimated the prevalence of physical inactivity at over 50%. Most studies observed the prevalence of greater physical inactivity among girls. The prevalence of sedentary behaviors (lengthy screen time or TV use) was also frequently over 50%. Several variables were used to identify unhealthy eating habits, and some criteria/studies have indicated unhealthy eating habit estimates at close to 100% among adolescents. In conclusion, the estimates of these risk behaviors among Brazilians adolescents were very close to or even greater than those found in developed countries in several studies analyzed in this review.

[Anthropometric indices among schoolchildren from a municipality in Southern Brazil: a descriptive analysis using the LMS method]. / Índices antropométricos em escolares de um município no Sul do Brasil: análise descritiva utilizando o método LMS.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the percentile values for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height (WHtR) of children from Colombo, Brazil, and compare them with data of children from other countries. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 2,035 children aged 6-11 years. Age-and sex-specific smoothed percentiles curves for BMI, WC and WHtR were created using the LMS method. Values of 10(th), 50(th) and 90(th) percentiles from Brazilian children were compared with data from other countries. RESULTS: There was a trend of increasing BMI and WC with age in both sexes. WHtR remained constant with advancing age in boys and girls. Comparison of the growth pattern among countries showed clear differences. Southern Brazil boys and girls had elevated 90(th) percentile values for BMI, which was similar to German children and higher than the North American and World Health Organization percentile values. However, children from this study had intermediate values for WC and WHtR in comparison to children from other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated BMI values were observed among southern Brazilian children, but WC and WHtR percentile values were lower in southern Brazilian children than in children from other countries. Interventions at different levels should be made to avoid a probable increase of nutritional disorders (especially general obesity) in the next years.

Correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze socioeconomic indicators, physical activity (PA) opportunities, and behavioral correlates of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among Brazilian boys and girls. METHODS: A sample of 1555 adolescents was randomly selected. Age- and sex-specific standard scores were calculated for each fitness component. RESULTS: Among boys, head of household's schooling, involvement in organized PA, meeting the PA recommendations, and computer/games use were associated with cardiorespiratory fitness. Involvement in organized PA and active time in Physical Education (PE) classes were predictors of muscular fitness. Among girls, active time in PE classes and TV watching were predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness. Meeting the PA recommendations was associated with muscular fitness. CONCLUSION: PA variables and sedentary behaviors should be independently considered for physical fitness promotion in youth.

Factors associated with leisure time physical inactivity in black individuals: hierarchical model.

Background. A number of studies have shown that the black population exhibits higher levels of leisure-time physical inactivity (LTPI), but few have investigated the factors associated with this behavior. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze associated factors and the explanatory model proposed for LTPI in black adults. Methods. The design was cross-sectional with a sample of 2,305 adults from 20-96 years of age, 902 (39.1%) men, living in the city of Salvador, Brazil. LTPI was analyzed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A hierarchical model was built with the possible factors associated with LTPI, distributed in distal (age and sex), intermediate 1 (socioeconomic status, educational level and marital status), intermediate 2 (perception of safety/violence in the neighborhood, racial discrimination in private settings and physical activity at work) and proximal blocks (smoking and participation in Carnival block rehearsals). We estimated crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) using logistic regression. Results. The variables inversely associated with LTPI were male gender, socioeconomic status and secondary/university education, although the proposed model explains only 4.2% of LTPI. Conclusions. We conclude that male gender, higher education and socioeconomic status can reduce LTPI in black adults.

Time spent by Brazilian students in different modes of transport going to school: changes over a decade (2001-2011).

To examine changes in the time spent in each mode of transportation used for going to school by gender and age among adolescents from Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Two school-based surveys were performed in 2001 (N = 5,028) and 2011 (N = 6,529) in high school students (15-19 years old). The mode of transportation (on foot; by bicycle; by bus; car/motorcycle) and the time spent for commuting to school were assessed. Active commuting increased for short trips in both genders (male: 25.1% to 36.7%; female: 18.8% to 29.2%) and in all ages (15-16 years: 21% to 32.7%; 17-19 years: 21.9% to 32.4%), and declined for longer trips in males (30.5% to 21.9%) and in 15-16 years old students (25.7% to 34.7%). Car/motorcycle use has doubled for short trips in males (38.1% to 65.9%) and in 17-19 years old students (37.7% to 62.7%), while the use of buses remained stable in both genders. Our findings contribute to discussions on public policy focusing on the design of safe environments to promote active commuting to schools, particularly to decrease the use of motorized transport for short trips.

Preference for leisure activities among adolescents in southern Brazil: What changed after a decade? / Preferencia para las actividades de ocio entre adolescentes en el sur de brasil: ¿Qué cambió después de una década? / Preferência por atividades de lazer em adolescentes do sul do brasil: o que mudou após uma década?

The preference for a specific activity during leisure time can directly influence its practice, both for active and sedentary behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify changes after a decade in the preference for leisure activities according to gender and age group between two generations of adolescents from southern Brazil. It was a repeated cross-sectional study (2001-2011). Representative samples of high school students (aged 15-19 years) from public schools in the state of Santa Catarina were evaluated in 2001 (n = 5028) and 2011 (n = 6529). Students answered one question on the preferred leisure activity, organized into six groups of activities. Comparisons between surveys were based on the relative frequency and 95% condence intervals (95% CI). After a decade, there were signicant reductions (95% CI did not overlap) in the preference for practicing physical activities, cultural activities and other activities, while the preference for watching TV, playing video games and using computer increased over time. These trends were similar between boys and girls and between younger (15-16 years-old) and older (17-19 years-old) students. The magnitude of changes was bigger in the proportion of preference for using computer and for practicing physical activities. There was an increase in the preference for leisure activities that involve screen time use, but the preference for other leisure activities (e.g., physical and cultural activities) reduced after a decade. Reasons underlying the change in leisure preferences need to be examined to support future interventions

La preferencia por una actividad especíca en el ocio puede influir directamente en su práctica, tanto para los comportamientos activos como los sedentarios. Así, el objetivo de este estudio fue identicar cambios tras una década en la preferencia por actividades de ocio de acuerdo con el género y con la franja etaria entre dos generaciones de adolescentes del sur de Brasil. Para ello, se realizó un estudio transversal de repetición en 2001 y 2011. Se evaluaron muestras representativas de estudiantes de secundaria (15-19 años) de escuelas públicas del estado de Santa Catarina en 2001 (n = 5028) y 2011 (n= 6529). Los alumnos contestaron a una pregunta sobre la actividad de ocio preferida, organizada en seis grupos de actividades. Las comparaciones entre las encuestas se basaron en la frecuencia relativa y en los intervalos de conanza del 95% (IC95%). Después de una década, hubo reducciones significativas (IC95% no se solapó) en la preferencia por la practica de actividades físicas, actividades culturales y otras actividades, mientras que la preferencia por ver la televisión, jugar a los videojuegos y usar las computadoras aumentó con el paso del tiempo. Estas tendencias fueron similares entre niños y niñas y entre estudiantes más jóvenes (15-16 años) y mayores (17-19 años). La magnitud de los cambios fue mayor en la proporción de preferencia por el uso de las computadoras y por la práctica de actividades físicas. En conclusión, se observó un aumento en la preferencia por actividades de ocio que involucran el uso del tiempo de pantalla, pero la preferencia por otras actividades de ocio (por ejemplo, actividades físicas y culturales) se redujo tras una década. Las razones subyacentes al cambio en las preferencias de ocio deben ser examinadas para apoyar a futuras intervenciones

A preferência por uma atividade específica no lazer pode influenciar diretamente sua prática, tanto para comportamentos ativos quanto sedentários. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar mudanças após uma década na preferência por atividades de lazer de acordo com o gênero e a faixa etária entre duas gerações de adolescentes do sul do Brasil. Para isso, um estudo transversal de repetição foi realizado em 2001 e 2011. Amostras representativas de estudantes do ensino médio (15-19 años) de escolas públicas do estado de Santa Catarina foram avaliadas em 2001 (n = 5028) e 2011 (n = 6529). Os alunos responderam a uma pergunta sobre a atividade de lazer preferida, organizada em seis grupos de atividades. As comparações entre as pesquisas foram baseadas na frequência relativa e nos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Apósuma década, houve reduções significativas (IC95% não se sobrepôs) na preferência por praticar atividades físicas, atividades culturais e outras ativnidades, enquanto a preferência por assistir TV, jogar videogames e usar computador aumentou com o tempo. Essas tendências foram semelhantes entre rapazes e moças e entre estudantes mais jovens (15-16 anos) emais velhos (17-19 anos). A magnitude das mudanças foi maior na proporção de preferência pelo uso do computador e pela prática de atividades físicas. Como conclusão, houve um aumento na preferência por atividades de lazer que envolvem o uso do tempo de tela, mas a preferência por outras atividades de lazer (como atividades físicas e culturais) diminuiu após uma década. As razões subjacentes à mudança nas preferências de lazer precisam ser examinadas para apoiar futuras intervenções

Commuting to school and to work among high school students in Santa Catarina state, Brazil: a comparative analysis between 2001 and 2011.

BACKGROUND: Commuting reflects an important opportunity for youth to engage in physical activity. This study aimed to compare modes of commuting to school and to work and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with various modes of transportation. METHODS: Epidemiologic study with a repeated cross-sectional design. Participants included high school students (15-19 years of age) from Santa Catarina state, Brazil, in 2001 (n = 5028) and 2011 (n = 6529). A questionnaire containing information on the type of transport used to commute to school and to work was administered. RESULTS: Walking/bicycling and the use of the bus to commute to school and to work remained stable after a decade; however, the use of car/motorcycle to school (6.4% versus 12.6%) and to work (10.2% versus 19.7%) increased significantly. In both cases, females more frequently used buses, whereas males commuted to work by car/bus. Students from rural areas more commonly commuted to school by car/motorcycle, whereas those from urban areas traveled to work more by bus. There was a greater use of cars/motorcycles by young people from higher-income families. CONCLUSIONS: The use of cars/motorcycles to commute to school/work has almost doubled in the last decade. Sex, residential area and income were associated with passive commuting.

Dissatisfaction with body image among adolescent students: association with socio-demographic factors and nutritional status.

This article seeks to determine the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and its association with socio-demographic factors and nutritional status among adolescents. The following socio-demographic data, anthropometric variables, and perception of body image (n = 660) were collected. The prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image was 71.4%. Girls wished to reduce the size of their body silhouette, whereas boys wished to increase it. The desire to reduce body size was positively associated with female gender, with increased waist circumference and with excess weight. On the other hand, the desire to increase body size was negatively associated with the female gender and waist circumference, and was positively associated with ages 16, 17 and 18 + 19 years. Dissatisfaction with body image is highly prevalent among adolescents, though it is manifested differently in boys and girls. Increased abdominal fat, excess weight and female gender were predictors of dissatisfaction due to excess weight, and male gender and advanced age were predictors of dissatisfaction due to thinness.

Change in overweight and obesity over a decade according to sociodemographic factors in Brazilian adolescents / Mudança no sobrepeso e obesidade após uma década de acordo com fatores sociodemográficos em adolescentes brasileiros

Abstract The aims were to examine changes in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among students from 2001 to 2011, and to verify if these changes differ according to age group, area of residence, and family income. We analyzed two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2001 and 2011 with brazilian adolescents. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics were self-reported using a questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze changes in overweight and obesity between the two surveys. The nutritional status was the outcome of the present study and the surveys (2001 and 2011) were the exposure. The odds of being overweight and obese were higher among boys and girls in urban areas in the 2011 survey compared to the 2001. Boys and girls with higher income were also more likely to present overweight and obesity in the second survey compared to the first. An increase of overweight and obesity was observed over a decade. We suggest that future interventions consider the area of residence and the family income to strengthen the effectiveness of actions developed to prevent and control these indicators among adolescents.

Resumo Os objetivos do estudo foram examinar as mudanças na prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade entre os estudantes de 2001 a 2011 e verificar se essas alterações diferem de acordo com a faixa etária, a área de residência e a renda familiar. Analisamos dois levantamentos transversais realizados em 2001 e 2011 com adolescentes brasileiros. As características sociodemográficas e antropométricas foram autorrelatadas por meio de um questionário. Regressão logística multinomial foi utilizada para analisar as mudanças no sobrepeso e obesidade entre os dois inquéritos. O estado nutricional foi considerado o desfecho do presente estudo e os inquéritos (2001 e 2011) foram as exposições. As razões de chance de sobrepeso e obesidade foram maiores entre os meninos e meninas em áreas urbanas no inquérito de 2011 em comparação com 2001. Meninos e meninas com maior renda também apresentaram maior chance de sobrepeso e obesidade no segundo inquérito. Sugerimos que futuras intervenções considerem a área de residência e a renda familiar para fortalecer a eficácia das ações desenvolvidas para prevenir e controlar esses indicadores entre os adolescentes.