The Similarity Degree of the Anthropometric and Body Composition Variables of Brazilian and Mozambican Schoolchildren: A New Approach Using the Smoothed Jaccard Index Surface.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Brazil and Mozambique face similar socioeconomic challenges, including common indicators of undernutrition and overnutrition among children. This study evaluated the similarity degree of the anthropometric and body composition variables of Brazilian and Mozambican children by using the Jaccard index. METHODS: A total of 1831 children of both genders aged 7-10 years from three Brazilian cities (Recife, Vitoria de Santo Antao, and Lagoa do Carro) and three Mozambican cities (Maputo, Boane, and Inhambane) participated in this study. Anthropometric (height, body mass, and waist circumference) and body composition (body fat percentage [%BF], lean mass, and fat mass) variables were measured and the Smoothed Jaccard Index Surface (SJIS) was used to evaluate the similarity degree. RESULTS: Brazilian children were taller and heavier and had a higher %BF and fat mass than Mozambican children. Children living in urban areas were taller than those living in rural zones in both countries. Brazilian and Mozambican children showed high similarity only between %BF and lean mass. Children from Recife and Maputo had high similarities among waist circumference, body mass, fat mass, height, and %BF. Finally, a high SJIS degree was observed among height and %BF for schoolchildren from rural and urban zones. CONCLUSION: Brazilian and Mozambican children exhibit differences in growth characteristics but a high degree of similarity when children from rural and urban zones are compared.

Association between Childhood Overweight and Altered Concentrations of Circulating Amino Acids.

(1) Background: Dysregulated serum amino acids (AA) are known to be associated with obesity and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in adults, and recent studies support the same notion in the pubertal age. It is, however, unknown whether childhood overweight may already display alterations of circulating AA. (2) Methods: We used liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-targeted metabolomics to determine plasma concentrations of AA and AA-related molecules in 36 children aged 7-12 years with normal weight or overweight. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured. (3) Results: Overweight in children is associated with an altered AA profile, with increased branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and decreased glycine levels, with no clinically manifested metabolic conditions. Moreover, z-BMI was positively and negatively correlated with BCAA and glycine levels, respectively, even after adjustment for age and gender. We also found a correlation between the AA profile and clinical parameters such as lipids profile and glycemia. (4) Conclusions: A pattern of low glycine, and increased BCAA is correlated to z-BMI, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight but otherwise healthy children. Our data suggest that, in childhood overweight, AA disturbances may precede other clinical parameters, thus providing an early indicator for the later development of metabolic disease.

Mastication in overweight and obese children: A comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze masticatory characteristics in children from 7 to 10 years, and to compare these characteristics among normal weight, overweight and obese children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in northeast Brazil, with a sample of 160 children, aged 7 to 10 years. The authors evaluated: nutritional and dental status; food intake; masticatory parameters and orofacial myofunctional characteristics. The children were divided according to nutritional status into normal weight (n = 101), overweight (n = 33) and obesity (n = 26) groups. Results: The results showed that Obese children had a larger bite size (g) (median = 6.0, Q1-Q3 = 4.0-9.0, p = 0.049) and performed fewer masticatory sequences (median = 3.0, Q1-Q3 = 2.0-3.2, p = 0.024) than children with normal weight (median = 5.0, Q1-Q3 = 4.0-7.0; median = 4.0, Q1-Q3 = 3.0-5.0). Furthermore, obese children finished feeding in a shorter time (s) (median = 62.5, Q1-Q3 = 50.5-70.0, p = 0.039) than normal weight children (median = 66.0, Q1-Q3 = 56.5-78.0) and overweight children (median = 66.0, Q1-Q3 = 58.0-81.5). Conclusions: The present results suggest that obese children present changes in mastication, evidenced by larger bite-size, performing fewer masticatory sequences and rapid mastication, which may contribute to increased food consumption and the development of excess weight.

Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods and cardiometabolic risk factors in children aged 7 to 10 years in Northeast Brazil.

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption is associated with pediatric overweight and obesity. Aim: To evaluate the UPFs consumption in children classified either as eutrophic or with excess weight (overweight and obesity). It was also described the fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the correlation between UPFs consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: A total of 139 children aged 7-10years of both sexes, living in Northeast Brazil were classified as eutrophic (n = 65) or excess weight (n = 62). Waist circumference (WC), percentage of body fatness (% BF), fat-free-mass and fat mass were evaluated. Fasting blood sample were collected for biochemical analysis. Food consumption was classified according to the degree of processing. Results: Children with excess weight had a reduction in plasma HDL concentration (45.00; IQR:36.00-54.50 mg/dL vs. 40.00; IQR:35.75-45.25 mg/dL; p = 0.021) and an increase in blood glucose (82.00; IQR:79.00-86.00 mg/dL vs. 86.00; IQR:81.00-90.00 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and TG (64.00; IQR:45.00-92.50 mg/dL vs. 81.00; IQR:57.50-111.75 mg/dL; p < 0.021) when compared with the eutrophic children. UPFs accounted for 43.43% of the total calories consumed by children. Children with excess weight had higher total energy consumption resulting from consumption of UPFs (714.30 ± 26.32 kcal vs. 848.06 ± 349.46 kcal; p = 0.011). The absolute consumption of the UPFs showed a positive correlation with WC (r = 0.202; p = 0.023) and %BF (r = 0.198; p = 0.026). Conclusion: UPFs consumption was higher for children with excess weight and positively correlated with two cardiometabolic risk factors, suggesting the need for strengthening public policies that discourage the consumption of these foods.

Mastication in overweight and obese children: A comparative cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze masticatory characteristics in children from 7 to 10 years, and to compare these characteristics among normal weight, overweight and obese children. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in northeast Brazil, with a sample of 160 children, aged 7 to 10 years. The authors evaluated: nutritional and dental status; food intake; masticatory parameters and orofacial myofunctional characteristics. The children were divided according to nutritional status into normal weight (n = 101), overweight (n = 33) and obesity (n = 26) groups. RESULTS: The results showed that Obese children had a larger bite size (g) (median = 6.0, Q1-Q3 = 4.0-9.0, p = 0.049) and performed fewer masticatory sequences (median = 3.0, Q1-Q3 = 2.0-3.2, p = 0.024) than children with normal weight (median = 5.0, Q1-Q3 = 4.0-7.0; median = 4.0, Q1-Q3 = 3.0-5.0). Furthermore, obese children finished feeding in a shorter time (s) (median = 62.5, Q1-Q3 = 50.5-70.0, p = 0.039) than normal weight children (median = 66.0, Q1-Q3 = 56.5-78.0) and overweight children (median = 66.0, Q1-Q3 = 58.0-81.5). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that obese children present changes in mastication, evidenced by larger bite-size, performing fewer masticatory sequences and rapid mastication, which may contribute to increased food consumption and the development of excess weight.

Maternal low-protein diet reduces skeletal muscle protein synthesis and mass via Akt-mTOR pathway in adult rats.

Several studies have demonstrated that a maternal low-protein diet induces long-term metabolic disorders, but the involved mechanisms are unclear. This study investigated the molecular effects of a low-protein diet during pregnancy and lactation on glucose and protein metabolism in soleus muscle isolated from adult male rats. Female rats were fed either a normal protein diet or low-protein diet during gestation and lactation. After weaning, all pups were fed a normal protein diet until the 210th day postpartum. In the 7th month of life, mass, contractile function, protein and glucose metabolism, and the Akt-mTOR pathway were measured in the soleus muscles of male pups. Dry weight and contractile function of soleus muscle in the low-protein diet group rats were found to be lower compared to the control group. Lipid synthesis was evaluated by measuring palmitate incorporation in white adipose tissue. Palmitate incorporation was higher in the white adipose tissue of the low-protein diet group. When incubated soleus muscles were stimulated with insulin, protein synthesis, total amino acid incorporation and free amino acid content, glucose incorporation and uptake, and glycogen synthesis were found to be reduced in low-protein diet group rats. Fasting glycemia was higher in the low-protein diet group. These metabolic changes were associated with a decrease in Akt and GSK-3ß signaling responses to insulin and a reduction in RPS6 in the absence of the hormone. There was also notably lower expression of Akt in the isolated soleus muscle of low-protein diet group rats. This study is the first to demonstrate how maternal diet restriction can reduce skeletal muscle protein and mass by downregulating the Akt-mTOR pathway in adulthood.

Food consumption habits, gestational age and birth weight are predictive for children with excess weight: An analysis based on artificial neural network.

The relationship between body weight gain and the onset of obesity is linked to environmental and behavioral factors, and may be dependent on biological predisposing. Artificial neural networks are useful predictive tools in the field of artificial intelligence, and can be used to identify risk factors related to obesity. The aim of this study is to establish, based on artificial neural networks, a predictive model for overweight/obesity in children based on the recognition and selection of patterns associated with birth weight, gestational age, height deficit, food consumption, and the physical activity level, TV time and family context. Sample consisted of 149 children (72 = eutrophic and 77 = overweight/obese). Collected data consisted of anthropometry and demographic characteristics, gestational age, birth weight, food consumption, physical activity level, TV time and family context. The gestational age, daily caloric intake and birth weight were the main determinants of the later appearance of overweight and obesity. In addition, the family context linked to socioeconomic factors, such as the number of residents in the household, had a great impact on excess weight. The physical activity level was the least important variable. Modifiable risk factors, such as the inadequate food consumption, and non-modifiable factors such as gestational age were the main determinants for overweight/obesity in children. Our data indicate that, combating excess weight should also be carried out from a social and preventive perspective during critical periods of development, such as pregnancy, lactation and early childhood, to reach a more effective strategy to combat obesity and its complications in childhood and adult life.

Validity and accuracy of body fat prediction equations using anthropometric measurements in children 7 - 10 years old / Validade e acurácia de equações de predição de gordura corporal usando medidas antropométricas em crianças de 7 a 10 anos

abstract Children with a deficit of growth because of perinatal malnutrition present specificities in the percentage of body fat (%BF) that could not be detected by previous fat mass-based equations. This study developed and validated predictive equations of the %BF derived from anthropometric variables in children aged 7 to 10 living in Northeast Brazil, using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as a reference. Body composition data from 58 children were utilized. DXA was used as a reference. A stepwise (forward) multiple regression statistical model was used to develop the new equations. The Bland-Altman analysis (CI: 95%), paired Student's t-test, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to validate and compare the developed equations. Two new equations were developed for either gender: boys: %BF: 13.642 + (1.527*BMI) + (-0.345*Height) + (0.875*Triceps) + (0.290* Waist Circumference) and girls: %BF: -13.445 + (2.061*Tight). The Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement, with limits ranging from -1.33 to 1.24% for boys and -3.35 to 4.08% for girls. The paired Student's t-test showed no difference between %BF-DXA and the two new equations (p> 0.05), and the ICC was 0.948 and 0.915, respectively. DXA-based anthropometric equations provide an accurate and noninvasive method to measure changes in the %BF in children.

resumo Crianças com déficit de crescimento por desnutrição perinatal apresentam especificidades na distribuição do percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) que não puderam ser detectadas por equações anteriores baseadas no %GC. Este estudo desenvolveu e validou equações preditivas do %GC derivadas de variáveis ​​antropométricas em crianças de 7 a 10 anos residentes no Nordeste do Brasil, utilizando como referência a absorciometria radiológica de dupla energia (DXA). Foram utilizados dados de composição corporal de 58 crianças. O DXA foi usado como modelo de referência. Um modelo estatístico de regressão múltipla stepwise (forward) foi usado para desenvolver as equações. A análise de Bland-Altman (IC: 95%), teste t de Student pareado e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) foram utilizados para validar e comparar as equações. Duas novas equações foram desenvolvidas para ambos os sexos: meninos: %GC: 13,642 + (1,527*IMC) + (-0,345*Altura) + (0,875*Tríceps) + (0,290* Circunferência da cintura) e meninas: %GC: - 13,445 + (2,061*coxa). A análise de Bland-Altman mostrou boa concordância, com limites variando de -1,33 a 1,24% para meninos e -3,35 a 4,08% para meninas. O teste t de Student pareado não mostrou diferença entre %GC-DXA e as duas novas equações (p>0,05), e o CCI foi de 0,948 e 0,915, respectivamente.

Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for children aged 7 to 10 years / Desenvolvimento e validação de um questionário de frequência alimentar para crianças de 7 a 10 anos de idade

ABSTRACT Objective Food and nutritional evaluation of children can support public policies to combat early overweight and obesity. This study developed and validated a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for assessing the dietary intake of children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of the development of a food frequency questionnaire for 130 children of both genders aged 7 to 10 years old. For the food frequency questionnaire list, 81 food items were selected. The validity of the food frequency questionnaire was evaluated by comparison with 24-hour recalls and reproducibility was performed by comparing two food frequency questionnaires. Results Most of the foods with 95% relative contribution were ultra-processed, such as packaged snacks and powdered juice. In validation, correlation coefficients were found between 0.45 (p<0.000) for lipids and 0.37 (p<0.000) for carbohydrates. An adjustment for energy reduced the correlations, but there was an increase in the correlation in calcium (r=0.75) and retinol (r=0.20). In terms of reproducibility, all macronutrients and calcium showed a satisfactory intraclass correlation coefficient (>0.400) and moderate correlations [proteins (0.54; p<0.000) and lipids (0.41; p<0.000)]. Conclusion The food frequency questionnaire developed was valid and able to assess the local food consumption by children from northeastern Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo A avaliação alimentar e nutricional de crianças pode subsidiar políticas públicas de combate ao sobrepeso e à obesidade precoce. Este estudo desenvolveu e validou um questionário quantitativo de frequência alimentar para avaliação do consumo alimentar de crianças de 7 a 10 anos. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo transversal do desenvolvimento de um questionário de frequência alimentar que avaliou 130 crianças de ambos os sexos com idades entre 7 e 10 anos. Para a lista do questionário, foram selecionados 81 itens alimentares. A validade do instrumento foi avaliada por meio da comparação com recordatórios de 24 horas e a reprodutibilidade foi realizada pela comparação de dois questionários de frequência alimentar. Resultados A maioria dos alimentos com 95% de contribuição relativa foi ultraprocessada, como salgadinhos embalados e suco em pó. Na validação, foram encontrados coeficientes de correlação entre 0,45 (p<0,000) para lipídios e 0,37 (p<0,000) para carboidratos. Um ajuste para energia reduziu as correlações, mas houve um aumento na correlação de cálcio (r=0,75) e retinol (r=0,20). Em termos de reprodutibilidade, todos os macronutrientes e o cálcio apresentaram coeficiente de correlação intraclasse satisfatório (>0,400) e correlações moderadas [proteínas (0,54; p<0,000) e lipídios (0,41; p<0,000)]. Conclusão O questionário de frequência alimentar desenvolvido é válido e foi capaz de avaliar o consumo alimentar local de crianças do Nordeste do Brasil.

A simple mathematical model for the evaluation of the long first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

We propose herein a mathematical model to predict the COVID-19 evolution and evaluate the impact of governmental decisions on this evolution, attempting to explain the long duration of the pandemic in the 26 Brazilian states and their capitals well as in the Federative Unit. The prediction was performed based on the growth rate of new cases in a stable period, and the graphics plotted with the significant governmental decisions to evaluate the impact on the epidemic curve in each Brazilian state and city. Analysis of the predicted new cases was correlated with the total number of hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19. Because Brazil is a vast country, with high heterogeneity and complexity of the regional/local characteristics and governmental authorities among Brazilian states and cities, we individually predicted the epidemic curve based on a specific stable period with reduced or minimal interference on the growth rate of new cases. We found good accuracy, mainly in a short period (weeks). The most critical governmental decisions had a significant temporal impact on pandemic curve growth. A good relationship was found between the predicted number of new cases and the total number of inpatients and deaths related to COVID-19. In summary, we demonstrated that interventional and preventive measures directly and significantly impact the COVID-19 pandemic using a simple mathematical model. This model can easily be applied, helping, and directing health and governmental authorities to make further decisions to combat the pandemic.

Training Protocols and Specific Performance in Judo Athletes: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: da Silva, LS, Neto, NRT, Lopes-Silva, JP, Leandro, CG, and Silva-Cavalcante, MD. Training protocols and specific performance in judo athletes: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2021-The aim of this systematic review was to describe different training protocols (e.g., resistance training, high-intensity interval training [HIIT], sprint IT, standard judo training [SJT], and aerobic training [AT]) used to improve neuromuscular adaptation and performance in specific tests with judo athletes. In addition, comparisons were made of the training protocols in the articles analyzed. The searches were conducted using the electronic databases PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Search terms included martial arts, judo, physical endurance, physical conditioning, training, strength training, resistance training, IT, HIIT, adults, and young adult. A total of 9,230 articles were initially identified. Based on the inclusion criteria, 19 published studies were selected. Approximately 94.7% of studies analyzed used the traditional judo training method, and 57.9% of the articles analyzed introduced the high-intensity interval protocol, whereas 57.9% of the articles analyzed used strength training, and 31.5% of the articles analyzed used AT. Of the 19 studies analyzed, 3 contained female athletes in their samples, representing 15% of the studies, and 4.3% of the athletes who participated in the analyzed studies were women. In addition, some studies reported interventions with more than 1 training method used throughout the training program. It seems that the HIIT methods and SJT promoted greater effects on physiological and neuromuscular adaptations in judo athletes than other methods.

Plyometric training increases gross motor coordination and associated components of physical fitness in children.

There is only limited evidence to suggest that training during childhood produces greater adaptations than at other ages. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of plyometric training (12 weeks, twice/week, 20 min/day) on physical fitness (PF) and gross motor coordination (GMC) in schoolboys aged 7-9 years. A total of 116 boys were assigned to two groups: plyometric training group (PT,n = 73) and control group (CG,n = 43). The CG maintained their normal daily activities. The PT consisted of twice-weekly exercises on nonconsecutive days for twelve weeks under monitored and controlled conditions. PF (handgrip strength, standing long jump (SLJ), curl-ups, sit and reach, square-test, running speed, and 1 mile run test), GMC, Korper-koordinations-test fur Kinder (KTK), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. The main results through a 2 × 2 (time × groups) repeated measures analysis variance demonstrated a significant time effect that improves PF and GMC according to the direction of the measure. A group effect was observed only in the abdominal strength test (CG = 12.06% and PT = 17.04%) and moving sideways (CG = 11.1% and PT = 12.4%) showing that independent of the group there was an improvement. A significant interaction effect (time × groups) was observed in the flexibility test (CG = -2.7% and PT = 3.5%) and STJ (CG = 3.1% and PT = 18.5%), as well as jumping sideways (CG = 16.3% and PT = 17.4%) and overall GMC score (CG = 9.8% and PT = 15.9%), showing that gains in these variables were greater in the PT group. The results suggest that 12 weeks of PT improve components of gross motor coordination and health-related physical fitness in children.

Effects of maternal low-protein diet and spontaneous physical activity on the transcription of neurotrophic factors in the placenta and the brains of mothers and offspring rats.

Maternal protein restriction and physical activity can affect the interaction mother-placenta-fetus. This study quantified the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurothrophin 4, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB/NTRK2), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1r) in the different areas of mother's brain (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cortex), placenta, and fetus' brain of rats. Female Wistar rats (n = 20) were housed in cages containing a running wheel for 4 weeks before gestation. According to the distance spontaneously traveled daily, rats were classified as inactive or active. During gestation, on continued access to the running wheel, active and inactive groups were randomized to receive normoprotein diet (18% protein) or a low-protein (LP) diet (8% protein). At day 20 of gestation, gene expression of neurotrophic factors was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in different brain areas and the placenta. Dams submitted to a LP diet during gestation showed upregulation of IGF-1r and BDNF messenger RNA in the hypothalamus, IGF-1r and NTRK2 in the hippocampus, and BDNF, NTRK2, IGF-1 and IGF-1r in the cortex. In the placenta, there was a downregulation of IGF-1. In the brain of pups from mothers on LP diet, IGF-1r and NTRK2 were downregulated. Voluntary physical activity attenuated the effects of LP diet on IGF-1r in the hypothalamus, IGF-1r and NTRK2 in the hippocampus, IGF-1 in the placenta, and NTRK2 in the fetus' brain. In conclusion, both maternal protein restriction and spontaneous physical activity influence the gene expression of BDNF, NTRK2, IGF-1, and IGF-1r, with spontaneous physical activity being able to normalize in part the defects caused by protein restriction during pregnancy.

A simple mathematical model for the evaluation of the long first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

We propose herein a mathematical model to predict the COVID-19 evolution and evaluate the impact of governmental decisions on this evolution, attempting to explain the long duration of the pandemic in the 26 Brazilian states and their capitals well as in the Federative Unit. The prediction was performed based on the growth rate of new cases in a stable period, and the graphics plotted with the significant governmental decisions to evaluate the impact on the epidemic curve in each Brazilian state and city. Analysis of the predicted new cases was correlated with the total number of hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19. Because Brazil is a vast country, with high heterogeneity and complexity of the regional/local characteristics and governmental authorities among Brazilian states and cities, we individually predicted the epidemic curve based on a specific stable period with reduced or minimal interference on the growth rate of new cases. We found good accuracy, mainly in a short period (weeks). The most critical governmental decisions had a significant temporal impact on pandemic curve growth. A good relationship was found between the predicted number of new cases and the total number of inpatients and deaths related to COVID-19. In summary, we demonstrated that interventional and preventive measures directly and significantly impact the COVID-19 pandemic using a simple mathematical model. This model can easily be applied, helping, and directing health and governmental authorities to make further decisions to combat the pandemic.

Exercise twice-a-day potentiates markers of mitochondrial biogenesis in men.

Endurance exercise begun with reduced muscle glycogen stores seems to potentiate skeletal muscle protein abundance and gene expression. However, it is unknown whether this greater signaling responses is due to performing two exercise sessions in close proximity-as a first exercise session is necessary to reduce the muscle glycogen stores. In the present study, we manipulated the recovery duration between a first muscle glycogen-depleting exercise and a second exercise session, such that the second exercise session started with reduced muscle glycogen in both approaches but was performed either 2 or 15 hours after the first exercise session (so-called "twice-a-day" and "once-daily" approaches, respectively). We found that exercise twice-a-day increased the nuclear abundance of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and potentiated the transcription of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-É£ coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor beta/delta (PPARß/δ) genes, in comparison with the once-daily exercise. These results suggest that part of the elevated molecular signaling reported with previous "train-low" approaches might be attributed to performing two exercise sessions in close proximity. The twice-a-day approach might be an effective strategy to induce adaptations related to mitochondrial biogenesis and fat oxidation.

Maternal physical activity-induced adaptive transcriptional response in brain and placenta of mothers and rat offspring.

Maternal physical activity induces brain functional changes and neuroplasticity, leading to an improvement of cognitive functions, such as learning and memory in the offspring. This study investigated the effects of voluntary maternal physical activity on the gene expression of the neurotrophic factors (NTFs): BDNF, NTF4, NTRK2, IGF-1 and IGF-1r in the different areas of mother's brain, placenta and foetus brain of rats. Female Wistar rats (n = 15) were individually housed in voluntary physical activity cages, containing a running wheel, for 4 weeks (period of adaptation) before gestation. Rats were classified as inactive (I, n = 6); active (A, n = 4) and very active (VA, n = 5) according to daily distance spontaneously travelled. During gestation, the dams continued to have access to the running wheel. At the 20th day of gestation, gene expression of NTFs was analysed in different areas of mother's brain (cerebellum, hypothalamus, hippocampus and cortex), placenta and the offspring's brain. NTFs gene expression was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Very active mothers showed upregulation of IGF-1 mRNA in the cerebellum (36.8%) and NTF4 mRNA expression in the placenta (24.3%). In the cortex, there was a tendency of up-regulation of NTRK2 mRNA (p = 0.06) in the A and VA groups when compared to I group. There were no noticeable changes in the gene expression of NTFs in the offspring's brain. Our findings suggest the existence of a developmental plasticity induced by maternal physical activity in specific areas of the brain and placenta representing the first investment for offspring during development.

The mediation effect of anthropometry and physical fitness on the relationship between birthweight and basal metabolic rate in children.

BACKGROUND: Birthweight (BW) has been associated with anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness during growth and development of children. However, less is known about the mediation effect of those variables on the relationship between BW and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in children. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the mediation effect of anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness on the association between BW and BMR in children. METHODS: In total, 499 children (254 boys, 245 girls) aged 7-10 years were included. Anthropometry (weight, height, head, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (skinfolds thickness, body fat percentage), physical fitness (handgrip strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular explosive power, agility, running speed) and BMR were evaluated. The analyses were conducted by: single-mediator analysis (SMA) and multi-mediator analysis (MMA). RESULTS: The SMA indicates height, head, waist and hip circumferences and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for boys and height, hip circumference and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for girls. In MMA for girls, there were significant indirect effects for height, hip circumference and handgrip strength, with 79.08% of percent mediation. For boys, the head and waist circumferences mediation had a significant indirect effect, with 83.37% of percent mediation. CONCLUSION: The anthropometric variables associated with BW were body height, head, hip and waist circumferences for boys and body height and hip circumference for girls. The current study provides new evidence that height and handgrip strength during childhood mediated the relationship between BW and BMR.