Are sun exposure time, dietary patterns, and vitamin D intake related to the socioeconomic status of Portuguese children?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association among sun exposure time, vitamin D intake, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic status in Portuguese children. METHODS: Participants aged 3-11 years (50.1% females) were recruited from public and private schools (n = 118) in the districts of Coimbra (n = 2980), Lisbon (n = 3066), and Porto (n = 2426). Parents reported their children's daily sun exposure time during the summer season and reported children's food consumption, including vitamin D food sources, using standardized questionnaires. Parents' education level was used as a proxy measure to the socioeconomic status (SES). The principal component factor analysis (PCA) method was used to identify dietary patterns. The eight dietary patterns identified were labeled in: "fast food", "rich in vitamin D", "sugary drinks", "vitamin D", "candies", "supplements", "rich in calcium" and "vegetables/healthy". Linear regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between sun exposure time and dietary patterns according to SES. RESULTS: A total of 4755 children were included. Children from high SES had significantly longer sun exposure time (p < .001) and more frequently consumed vitamin D supplements (p < .001). "Fast food" pattern showed a negative association with sun exposure time in medium and high SES (p = .014 and p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Children with lower SES spend less time exposed to the sun, consume fewer dietary sources of vitamin D, and consume more foods rich in fat and sugar.

Should organized sport characteristics be considered as a strategy for meeting physical activity guidelines in children?

BACKGROUND: A clearer understanding of the relationships between specific sport context with overall physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) may contribute to the development of more accurate preventive strategies to increase children's engagement in PA. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine how different organized sports contributed to children's daily PA and ST. METHODS: PA was measured for seven days via accelerometers, in 410 children aged 6-10 years (49.8% boys). Of those, 332 (53.0% boys) were engaged in an organized sport and were further considered for statistical analyses. Parents reported children's sport participation (e.g. which sport, number of times per week, duration). The sports were classified into: indoor vs. outdoor; individuals vs. team; combat vs. individual aesthetic vs. racing vs. invasion. Children's height and weight were objectively collected. Multiple one-way analyses of covariance were used to examine the effects of sport characteristics on PA and ST. A linear regression, adjusted for children's sex, age, body mass index and father's educational level, determined the relationship between being involved in multiple PA and sedentary behaviours with Moderate to Vigorous PA (MVPA) levels. RESULTS: Although engaged in an organized sport, only 30% of the children achieved the PA recommendations. Sport (compared with active commute and active play) was the best contributor to daily MVPA. Outdoor sports (vs. indoor) contributed the most to vigorous PA (VPA) and MVPA. Team sports (vs. individual) were significantly associated with lower ST. Children in combat sports accumulated more VPA and MVPA, while those in racing sports showed a higher ST. CONCLUSIONS: Sport participation alone does not guarantee children will reach the PA guidelines, and the type of sport can influence children's PA levels. Gender-stereotypes in sports may prevent girls from achieving their 60 minutes of MVPA daily.

Nutritional Knowledge about Maternal and Newborn Health among Physiotherapists during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Adequate nutrition before and during pregnancy, as well as postpartum, is among the major contributors to maternal and newborn health. Physiotherapists' knowledge of this area is still scarce, although their clinical practice has been linked to newborns' neuropsychomotor development, which, in turn, is influenced by maternal health and nutritional status. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional knowledge of physiotherapists regarding maternal and newborn health. A total of 70 Brazilian physiotherapists (32.2 ± 6.0 years; 72.9% females) were evaluated between November 2019 and February 2020 for their sociodemographic characteristics, professional experience, and nutritional knowledge about maternal and newborn health through a validated questionnaire personally administered by the same trained researcher. Most of the physiotherapists had graduated but had no specialization in maternal and child physiotherapy (96.1% of the females and all the males). The nutritional knowledge about maternal and newborn health was significantly different between the female and male health professionals, as well as between the less and more experienced participants, i.e., female physiotherapists and the more experienced ones had more correct answers on the nutritional questionnaire than the male and less experienced physiotherapists, respectively (p < 0.05). Our results open an interesting window for the future education and training of Brazilian physiotherapists in nutrition.

Observing the neighborhood multidimensionality and overweight in children of different developmental stages-the emergence of an unusual association.

The present study examines whether the association of the neighborhood environment and overweight in children is moderated by age. This was a cross-sectional study of 832 children aged 3 to 10 years living in the city of Oporto (Portugal). Children were recruited under the scope of the project "Inequalities in Childhood Obesity: The impact of the socioeconomic crisis in Portugal from 2009 to 2015." Overweight was defined according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria. Parents completed a self-administered questionnaire capturing sociodemographic characteristics and their perceptions of their neighborhood environment. Logistic regressions were used to examine the influence of parental perceived neighborhood characteristics (latent variables: attractiveness, traffic safety, crime safety, and walkability) on overweight in children. A stratified analysis by age category was conducted. Overall, 27.8% of the children were overweight, 17.4% were aged 3 to 5 years, and 31.8% were aged 6 to 10 years. Children aged 3 to 5 years were more sensitive to the neighborhood environment than children aged 6 to 10 years. For children aged 3 to 5 years, the risk of overweight was inversely associated with neighborhood crime safety (OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.07-3.15; p = 0.030).    Conclusion: Our study suggests the existence of a sensitive age period in childhood at which exposure to a hostile neighborhood environment is most determining for weight gain. Until today, it was thought that the impact of the neighborhood environment on younger children would be less important as they are less autonomous. But it may not be true. What is Known: • The neighborhood environment may adversely affect children's weight status. However, the moderating role of child age in the association between neighborhood environment and overweight is uncertain. What is New: • The study highlights that the association between the neighborhood environment and child overweight is attenuated by age. It is stronger for preschoolers than for early school-age children.

Parental Perception of Their Child's Weight Status in Portugal: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Parental perceptions of a child's weight status may influence family readiness to foster healthy behaviors. Our aim was to observe parental perceptions of their child's weight status in two time periods and in multiple population subgroups. METHODS: Data were collected in two national projects, 2009 - 2010 (n = 6577) and 2016 - 2017 (n = 7594), in public and private kindergartens and primary schools in Portugal (children aged three to 10 years old). Parents filled out a questionnaire regarding their perception of their child's weight status, namely: 1) too thin, 2) thin, 3) normal weight, 4) with some excess weight, or 5) with a lot of excess weight. Children's height and weight were objectively collected, and the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs were used to classify overweight and obesity. Accurate and misclassification levels were calculated for children according to their sex, age, as well as child and parental weight status, while considering differences within and between the two time periods. RESULTS: Overall, accuracy in parental perception of their child's weight was higher in 2016 - 2017 than in 2009 - 2010, regardless of children's sex, age, parental weight status, and education (65.7% and 60.5%, respectively). However, the ability of parents to detect obesity was ~ 50% lower in 2016 - 2017 compared with 2009 - 2010. CONCLUSION: Even though parental perception of their child's weight was better in 2016 - 2017 than in 2009 - 2010 , the inverse result was found among children with obesity. Strategies are needed to encourage parents to improve their perception of the appropriate weight for their child.

INTRODUCTION: Parental perceptions of a child's weight status may influence family readiness to foster healthy behaviors. Our aim was to observe parental perceptions of their child's weight status in two time periods and in multiple population subgroups. METHODS: Data were collected in two national projects, 2009 - 2010 (n = 6577) and 2016 - 2017 (n = 7594), in public and private kindergartens and primary schools in Portugal (children aged three to 10 years old). Parents filled out a questionnaire regarding their perception of their child's weight status, namely: 1) too thin, 2) thin, 3) normal weight, 4) with some excess weight, or 5) with a lot of excess weight. Children's height and weight were objectively collected, and the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs were used to classify overweight and obesity. Accurate and misclassification levels were calculated for children according to their sex, age, as well as child and parental weight status, while considering differences within and between the two time periods. RESULTS: Overall, accuracy in parental perception of their child's weight was higher in 2016 - 2017 than in 2009 - 2010, regardless of children's sex, age, parental weight status, and education (65.7% and 60.5%, respectively). However, the ability of parents to detect obesity was ~ 50% lower in 2016 - 2017 compared with 2009 - 2010. CONCLUSION: Even though parental perception of their child's weight was better in 2016 - 2017 than in 2009 - 2010 , the inverse result was found among children with obesity. Strategies are needed to encourage parents to improve their perception of the appropriate weight for their child.

Effect of one or two fixed glutamate doses on follicular development, ovarian-intraovarian blood flow, ovulatory rate, and corpus luteum quality in goats with a low body condition score.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a short glutamate supply on the ovarian response in goats with low body condition scores. Twenty-one goats had their estrus and follicular waves synchronized using three injections of prostaglandin analog at seven-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups receiving 10 mg/kg LW (iv) of glutamate administered in a single dose (group LBCG1, n = 7) or in two doses five days apart (group LBCG2, n = 7). The control group (LBC; n = 7) received saline solution. Glutamate treatment did not affect glucose, cholesterol, or glutathione peroxidase levels, body weight, or adipose deposits. During the experimental period, the LBCG2 group showed a higher (P < 0.05) number of follicles (> 3 mm) and an increase in follicle diameter (P < 0.05). Glutamate supply improved (P < 0.05) the intraovarian Doppler blood area size in the LBCG groups, and the second dose in LBCG2 also induced a higher (P < 0.05) systolic and diastolic peak of the ovary artery. After ovulation induction, LBCG2 exhibited a high (P < 0.05) volume of the corpus luteum and vascularized area. We concluded that the supply of two doses of glutamate five days apart was efficient in ovarian stimulation in goats with a low body condition.

Use of monosodium-glutamate as a novel dietary supplement strategy for ovarian stimulation in goats.

This study aimed to investigate the reproductive effects of adding monosodium glutamate (MSG) to the diet of goats. Eleven adult goats received synchronized estrus and follicular waves using three prostaglandin analog injections every seven days. Goats allocated to individual pens received 1 g/kg BW of MSG in their diet for 23 days (MOGLU group, n = 6), whereas the control group (n = 5) maintained the base diet. The supplemented animals showed an increase in dry matter intake (P < 0.0001) and a reduction in heart rate (P < 0.05), respiratory rate, and ruminal movement (P < 0.001). Surface and rectal temperatures were higher in the MOGLU group, (P < 0.0001) with a significant increase in the afternoon. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in the frequency of behaviors related to rumination, defecation, and urination in the MOGLU group, and a reduction in behaviors associated with stress (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the plasma levels of proteins, albumin, urea, cholesterol, or triglycerides. Glucose levels were lower (P < 0.05) in the MOGLU group, which also showed increased glutathione peroxide levels during the induction of ovulation. Supplemented animals recorded a larger number (P < 0.05) of follicles throughout the experimental period and higher intraovarian blood perfusion (P < 0.05) during ovulation induction. We conclude that MSG exerts a positive effect on the reproductive response in goats and therefore represents an effective nutritional supplement.

FAAH rs324420 Polymorphism: Biological Pathways, Impact on Elite Athletic Performance and Insights for Sport Medicine.

Gene variation linked to physiological functions is recognised to affect elite athletic performance by modulating training and competition-enabling behaviour. The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been investigated as a good candidate for drug targeting, and recently, its single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs324420 was reported to be associated with athletic performance. Given the implications, the biological pathways of this genetic polymorphism linked to elite athletic performance, considering sport type, psychological traits and sports injuries, need to be dissected. Thus, a narrative review of the literature concerning the biological mechanisms of this SNP was undertaken. In addition to its role in athletic performance, FAAH rs324420 is also involved in important mechanisms underlying human psychopathologies, including substance abuse and neural dysfunctions. However, cumulative evidence concerning the C385A variant is inconsistent. Therefore, validation studies considering homogeneous sports modalities are required to better define the role of this SNP in elite athletic performance and its impact on stress coping, pain regulation and inflammation control.

Use of green microalgae Chlorella as a nutritional supplement to support oocyte and embryo production in goats.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of green microalgae as a nutritional supplement for oocyte and embryo production in goats. Two experiments were performed on adult goats to obtain oocytes (EVO; n = 14) and in vivo embryos (IVD; n = 14). In both, the donors were divided into control (n = 7) and Chlorella (n = 7) groups. All goats received a base diet, and donors were orally supplemented with Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CH) in the Chlorella groups. For EVO, donors received 10 g CH for 14 days, and for IVD, 20 g CH was given for six days before embryo recovery. In EVO and IVD, food intake in the CH group was comparatively low, and it showed relatively high subcutaneous adipose deposition. In addition, the CH group exhibited an increase in triglyceride, cholesterol, and plasma glucose levels. In IVD, a significant increase in peripheral glutathione peroxidase levels was noticed. In EVO, the CH group showed relatively large follicular size and an increase in intrafollicular levels of triglycerides, glucose, and glutathione peroxidase. No differences were observed in the oocyte collected, and CH oocytes showed a low intensity of MitoTracker fluorescence (MT). In IVD, the CH group had a high proportion of transferable embryos, and these structures exhibited high fluorescence intensities for MT and H2DCFDA probes. We concluded that under these conditions, CH did not enhance the quality of the recovered oocytes. However, a daily dose of 20 g CH improved the quality of embryos and stimulated their mitochondrial functionality.

Excessive Noise in Neonatal Units and the Occupational Stress Experienced by Healthcare Professionals: An Assessment of Burnout and Measurement of Cortisol Levels.

Excessive noise in the work environment has been associated with extra-auditory symptoms, which can have harmful long-term effects on individuals. The purpose of this study was to identify noise levels in neonatal intensive care units and investigate their impact on the occurrence of stress among healthcare professionals, using cortisol levels as a biomarker for Burnout Syndrome. This descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted in four public teaching hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Sound pressure levels in the environment were measured, and questionnaires were administered to collect sociodemographic data and assess perceptions of the work environment and Burnout symptoms. Saliva samples were collected at the beginning and end of work shifts for cortisol quantification. The average sound pressure ranged from 59.9 to 66.4 dB(A), exceeding the recommended levels set by Brazilian and international legislation. Among the 256 participants, the average age was 39.4 years, with 95% being female. The majority (70.9%) were nurses, and 22.7% were physicians. There was no significant association found between noise and Burnout Syndrome, nor with changes in cortisol levels. However, a significant association was observed between the perception of excessive noise and the sensation of a stressful work shift (p = 0.012). All evaluated professionals displayed symptoms of Burnout. The high sound pressure levels indicated that the assessed environments did not meet the recommended standards for acoustic comfort, and this was associated with the participants' perception of stressful work shifts. While Burnout symptoms were evident in our participants, it was not possible to confirm a correlation with high noise levels.

Association of FAAH rs324420 (C385A) Polymorphism with High-Level Performance in Volleyball Players.

Genetic variants are recognized to affect athletic performance, partially by modulating competition-facilitating behavior. In this study, the role of three genetic variants previously linked to athlete status was investigated among elite volleyball players. A total of 228 players (26.7 ± 8.1 years old) participating in the Portuguese championship and with multiple medalists in national and international competitions were evaluated in terms of anthropometrics, training regime, sports experience, and a history of sports lesions. SNP genotyping was conducted by means of TaqMan® Allelic Discrimination Methodology. Volleyball players showed significantly different anthropometric indicators and training habits according to sex (p < 0.05). The A allele of the genetic variant Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) rs324420 (C385A) was shown to be significantly associated with superior athletic achievements under a dominant genetic model (AA/AC vs. CC, odds ratio (OR) = 1.70; 95% Cl, 0.93-3.13; p = 0.026; p < 0.001 after Bootstrap), which was corroborated by a multivariable analysis (AA/AC vs. CC adjusted OR = 2.00; 95% Cl, 1.04-3.82; p = 0.037). Age and hand length were also found to be independently associated with high-level performance (p < 0.05). Our results confirm the role of FAAH in athletic performance. More investigation into this polymorphism's potential impact on stress coping, pain, and inflammation regulation in sport, particularly in the scope of lesions prevention and treatment, is required.

Is more prolonged sun exposure associated with healthier life habits and obesity indicators in Portuguese children?

OBJECTIVES: Sun exposure seems to have an indirect effect on the development of obesity through vitamin D synthesis in the skin, the primary source of this vitamin. The present study aimed to investigate associations among sun exposure time, obesity indicators, and lifestyle habits in children. METHODS: A total of 4755 children (3-10 years; 49.86% boys) from the north, center and south-central Portugal were included in the present study. During 2016/2017 children's sun exposure time, screen time, time devoted to the practice of physical activity and active play were collected through standard questionnaires answered by parents. Statistical analyses were conducted to investigate differences among sun exposure time according to the sex, age, obesity indicators and lifestyle habits. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed that sun exposure time presented a negative association with Body Mass Index (ß = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.18; -0.003; p = .042), body fat % (ß = -0.31, 95%; CI: -0.54; -0.07; p = .010), computer time (ß = -0.08, 95% CI: -0.12; - 0.05; p < .0001) and a positive association with active play time (ß = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.17; 0.27; p < .0001) and total time of physical activity practice (ß = 10.01, 95% CI: 4.52; 15.20; p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the need for future guidance on the ideal sun exposure time, especially in children, who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Standardization of criteria for classifying optimal sun exposure time in this age group, considering the parameters that affect vitamin D status, such as age and seasonality, should be considered when planning future guidelines.

Impact of high-fat diet consumption during prolonged period of pregnancy on placenta structures and umbilical vascular growth in goats.

This study aimed to verify the impact of high-fat diet consumption for a prolonged period on oxidative stress, fetal growth, umbilical vascular system, and placental structures in pregnant goats. Twenty-two pregnant goats were grouped into the control diet (n= 11) and fat diet (n = 11). Flaxseed meal was added to the fat diet, replacing the corn grain of concentrate, from gestational day 100 to delivery date. Diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, differing in fat content (2.8% vs. 6.3% dry matter). The fat group showed higher feed intake and total plasma lipid levels than the control group (P < 0.001). No difference was found in placentome, and umbilical vascular development. Fat diet-fed goats exhibited a lower systolic peak in the umbilical artery. At delivery, placental traits were similar with the exception of the cotyledon width (P = 0.0075), which was smaller in the fat group and cotyledon surface (P = 0.0047) for multiple pregnancy of fat diet. Cotyledonary epithelium showed more intense staining of lipid droplets and a greater area for lipofuscin staining in the fat group compared to control group (P < 0.001). The mean live weight of the kids was lower in the fat group in the first week after delivery than in control group. Thus, in goats, the continuous administration of a high-fat diet during pregnancy does not appear to modify the fetal-maternal vascular structures but has an impact on a part of the placental structure; therefore, its use must be carefully evaluated.

Health Professionals' Chronotype Association with Salivary Cortisol and Occupational Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

Burnout syndrome has been reported among health workers, particularly those working in critical areas, and is considered a significant public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between chronotype and work-related stress, as measured by salivary cortisol levels and burnout, among health professionals working in neonatal intensive care units. A cross-sectional study was conducted across four public hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Two hundred and fifty-six health professionals were administered the brazilian version of the Burnout Characterization Scale, the morningness-eveningness questionnaire, for chronotype, a sociodemographic questionnaire that included lifestyle habits and a salivary cortisol test. The results indicated that morning chronotype workers were significantly associated with the following: advanced age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.032), married status (p = 0.014), and having children (p = 0.030) compared to those with evening and intermediate chronotypes. However, no significant association was found between signs of burnout syndrome and chronotype (p = 0.316). Participants whose work shift did not match their chronotype had significantly higher initial salivary cortisol levels (p = 0.013). The findings suggest that adapting working hours to an individual's biological rhythm can help mitigate potential negative effects on physical and mental health. Thus, it is recommended that professionals' working hours be adjusted accordingly.

Effect of short-term nutritional supplementation of green microalgae on some reproductive indicators of Anglo-Nubian crossbred goats.

Background and Aim: Despite the wide spectrum of uses, one of the chief drawbacks to expanding microalgae as a food supplement in livestock is the lack of a regimen protocol with established dosage and time length of supplementation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term supplementation with increasing doses of microalgae on ovarian response in goats reared in northeast Brazil. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight goats had their follicular waves synchronized using three injections of a prostaglandin analog at 7-day intervals. Goats were allocated to groups that received daily oral Chlorella supplementation for 7 days, respectively: 5 g, GMA5 group (n = 7), 10 g (GMA10; n = 7), and 20 g (GMA20; n = 7). The control group (GMA 0; n = 7) received a drench of water. Results: The groups showed a quadratic increase (p = 0.0156) in kidney fat thickness but there was a significant reduction in dry matter intake in the GMA20 group. The GMA20 group showed higher glucose levels and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05). There was a decrease in plasma cholesterol (p < 0.05) in the 10 and 20 g treatments. The number of total follicles increased quadratically. Follicles <3 mm increased linearly (p = 0.0113) for microalgal supply. The GMA10 and GMA20 groups had the highest values (p < 0.05) among the treatments. After inducing ovulation, there was a significant increase in follicles >3 mm in the GMA10 group, which also showed a greater (p < 0.05) area of intraovarian blood perfusion and pulsatility index of the ovarian artery. Conclusion: We conclude that for 7 days of supplementation, the administration of 10 g of microalgae appears to be the most efficient dosage for stimulating the ovarian response in tropical goats.

Stress exposure in specific growth periods associates with children's weight, height, and body mass index.

OBJECTIVES: We investigate associations between children exposure to stressful events, considering: (1) the period in which the event took place, (2) the type of event, and (3) the cumulative effect of the events on children's weight, height and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 8429 Portuguese children (3349 exposed to at least one stressful event during their lifetime; 50.2% males; mean age = 7.21 ± 1.85 years) were included in the analysis. The occurrence of stressful (i.e., adverse) events was reported in a parental questionnaire; children's weight and height were objectively measured. RESULTS: When the stress event took place in the first 2 years of life, compared with during pregnancy or after the 2 years, children were shorter; but the association was weak and only significant for boys. After adjustment for child's birthweight, gestational age, breastfeeding duration, number of siblings, and father's education, the experience of 3+ stressful events (vs. 1 or 2) was associated with higher weight and height in boys. No interaction effect was found between stress and BMI. DISCUSSION: We found some evidence of associations between exposure to stressful events and physical growth of boys. We highlight the complex relationship between exposure to stressful experiences and children's physical growth, particularly the different effects of specific characteristics of the stress event and the sex differences.

Tri-axial accelerometer-assessed physical activity and its association with weight status in a sample of elementary-school children.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Objective assessment of physical activity (PA) using accelerometers and pedometers has become more accurate and common practice in the study of childhood overweight. The study aimed: i) to compare PA levels and body shape of boys and girls, and assess compliance of active children with the PA recommendation; ii) to analyse associations between the risk of overweight and the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children. METHODS: The sample comprised 395 children (198 girls) aged 6-10 years. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated subsequently. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to obtain seven consecutive days of MVPA, as well as the weekly time being sedentary. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the afore-mentioned relationship among the risk of obesity and MVPA, controlling for confounders. RESULTS: After controlling for wearing time, boys spent significantly more minutes in the moderate-to-vigorous portion of PA than their female counterparts. About 47% of boys were active on week days by achieve the mean value of 60 min/day of MVPA; corresponding percentage for the weekend was just 32%. Among girls, only 22% were active on week days and 29% at the weekend. MVPA was not significantly associated with the risk of being overweight nor in female neither in male children. The final regression model revealed that girls of mothers with high educational level were less likely to be classified as overweight girls. CONCLUSIONS: Findings revealed no significantly relation between MVPA and obesity risk among Portuguese children. Future research should extend similar design to other lifestyle features of children to clarify potential predictors of being overweight at early ages.

Body size, form, composition, and a healthy lifestyle associates with health-related quality of life among Portuguese children.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the relationship between body size, form, and composition, and children's lifestyle on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 1333 children (9.05 ± 0.75 years; 683 females) living in mainland Portugal. Objective anthropometric measures were collected. Parents answered a standardized questionnaire related with children's lifestyle (e.g., sport participation, screen- and sleep-time) and family socioeconomic status (e.g., parental education). HRQoL was measured using the Portuguese version of the KIDSCREEN-27. Scores were categorized into low and high using a sex-specific normative cut-off from European children. A healthier score was created including positive scores for body weight, abdominal obesity, sport participation, sleep- and screen-time. RESULTS: Body size, form and composition were correlated with children's physical wellbeing. However, sex differences were found in which parameters were associated with wellbeing. Among boys, the body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold were most correlated with wellbeing, while waist circumference and subscapular skinfold showed the strongest correlations for girls. Sleep duration and sport participation revealed a significant relationship with girls' HRQoL. A logistic regression analysis (adjusted for parental education) revealed that boys scoring 4 or 5 in the healthier index had an increased likelihood of high HRQoL level compared to those fulfilling none. CONCLUSIONS: Future programs aimed at reducing obesity, particularly central obesity, and incorporating multiple health indicators and behaviors, such as sport participation and sleep duration may help improve children's health and wellbeing.

Os Conselhos de Secretarias Municipais de Saúde e a Política Nacional de Controle do Tabaco: uma aproximação necessária / The Councils of Municipal Health Secretariats and the National Tobacco Control Policy: a necessary approach

Resumo As doenças relacionadas ao tabaco sobrecarregam todo o sistema público de saúde, nos três níveis de governança: municipal, estadual e federal. A inserção do tema do controle de tabaco nas Secretarias de Saúde estaduais e municipais é histórica, estando presente desde os debates iniciais sobre os danos sanitários, sociais, econômicos e ambientais que o tabagismo gera à população brasileira como um ciclo de doenças, pobreza e mortes precoces. Este artigo tem como proposta apresentar a importância da articulação da Política Nacional de Controle do Tabaco com os Conselhos de Secretarias Municipais de Saúde, dado o papel que essas instâncias desempenham no Sistema Único de Saúde e as contribuições que poderão somar à Política de Controle de Tabaco no Brasil, com seus constantes desafios para avançar na redução de mortes e adoecimentos causados pelos produtos de tabaco.

Abstract Tobacco-related diseases burden the entire public health system, at the three levels of governance: municipal, state and federal. The insertion of the theme of tobacco control in state and municipal Health Secretariats is historic, being present since the initial debates on the health, social, economic and environmental damage that smoking causes to the Brazilian population as a cycle of diseases, poverty and deaths precocious. This article aims to present the importance of articulating the National Tobacco Control Policy with the Councils of Municipal Health Secretariats, given the role that these instances play in the Unified Health System and the contributions that they can add to the Tobacco Control Policy in Brazil, with its constant challenges to advance in the reduction of deaths and illnesses caused by tobacco products.

FAAH rs324420 Polymorphism Is Associated with Performance in Elite Rink-Hockey Players.

Genetic factors are among the major contributors to athletic performance. Although more than 150 genetic variants have been correlated with elite athlete status, genetic foundations of competition-facilitating behavior influencing elite performances are still scarce. This is the first study designed to examine the distribution of genetic determinants in the athletic performance of elite rink-hockey players. A total of 116 of the world's top best rink-hockey players (28.2 ± 8.7 years old; more than 50% are cumulatively from the best four world teams and the best five Portuguese teams), who participated at the elite level in the National Rink-Hockey Championship in Portugal, were evaluated in anthropometric indicators/measurements, training conditions, sport experience and sport injuries history. Seven genetic polymorphisms were analyzed. Polymorphism genotyping was performed using the TaqMan® Allelic Discrimination Methodology. Rink-hockey players demonstrated significantly different characteristics according to sex, namely anthropometrics, training habits, sports injuries and genetic variants, such as Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) rs731236 (p < 0.05). The Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) rs324420 A allele was significantly associated with improved athletic performance (AA/AC vs. CC, OR = 2.80; 95% Cl, 1.23−6.35; p = 0.014; p = 0.008 after Bootstrap) and confirmed as an independent predictor among elite rink-hockey players (adjusted OR = 2.88; 95% Cl, 1.06−7.80; p = 0.038). Our results open an interesting link from FAAH-related biology to athletic performance.