Resistance training presents beneficial effects on bone development of adolescents engaged in swimming but not in impact sports: ABCD Growth Study.

BACKGROUND: Sports practice during adolescence is important to enhance bone development, although it may provide different effects depending on the mechanical impact present in the sport. Besides, resistance training (RT) may also induce bone changes directly (via muscle contractions) and indirectly (via myokines). However, there have been no studies analyzing the longitudinal influence of engaging in sport with and without added mechanical load. Thus, this study aims to analyze the combined effects of sports participation and resistance training on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) accrual in adolescent athletes participating in swimming and impact sports for 12-months. METHODS: This was a 12-month longitudinal study. The sample comprised 91 adolescents (21 females) aged 10 to 18 years, engaged in impact sports (basketball, tennis, track & field, baseball and gymnastics, n = 66) and non-impact sport (swimming, n = 25). The sample was divided according to resistance training participation: impact sports only (n = 45), impact sports + resistance training (n = 21), swimming-only (n = 17) and swimming + resistance training (n = 8). aBMD and soft tissues were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Generalized linear models analysis was used for the resistance training (RT) x type of sport interaction in predicting aBMD changes overtime, adjusting for maturation, sex and baseline aBMD. RESULTS: After 12-months, all groups showed a significant increase in aBMD, except for the swimming groups (regardless of resistant training), which showed a significant loss in spine aBMD (-0.045 [-0.085 to -0.004] g/cm2 in swimming-only and - 0.047 [-0.073 to -0.021] g/cm2 in swimming + RT). In comparisons between groups, only swimming + RT group, compared with swimming-only group presented higher upper limbs aBMD (0.096 g/cm2 [0.074 to 0.118] in swimming + RT vs. 0.046 [0.032 to 0.060] g/cm2 in swimming only; p < 0.05) and whole body less head (WBLH) aBMD (0.039 [0.024 to 0.054] g/cm2 in swimming + RT vs. 0.017 [0.007 to 0.027] g/cm2 swimming-only; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the significant gain in aBMD in all groups and body sites after 12-months, except for the spine site of swimmers, the results indicate that participation in RT seems to improve aBMD accrual in swimmers at the upper limbs and WBLH.

Age is the most important factor for change in body mass index and waist circumference in older people in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the changes in body mass index and waist circumference (WC) and their associations with sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics in non-institutionalized older people in southern Brazil over a period of ≤6 y. METHODS: This is a prospective study, with interviews conducted in 2014 and in 2019 to 2020. Of the 1451 individuals from Pelotas, Brazil, aged >60 y and interviewed in 2014, 537 were reevaluated in 2019 to 2020. An increase or decrease was defined as a variation of ≥5% in body mass index and WC in the second visit compared with the first. The association with changes in outcomes was assessed according to sociodemographic, behavioral, and health characteristics using multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 29% of the older participants lost body mass. Regarding WC, there was an increase in 25.6% in the older participants. The older participants ages ≥80 y had greater odds of losing body mass (odds ratio [OR] = 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29-9.76) and of reducing WC (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.59-6.94). Former smokers had, on average, 41% and 64% lower odds of losing and gaining body mass (95% CI, 0.37-0.95 and 95% CI, 0.19-0.68, respectively), and those who were on ≥5 medications had greater odds of gaining body mass (OR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.12-3.28) and WC (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high proportion of older people who kept their body mass index and WC stable during this period, many of them lost body mass and gained WC. The findings also highlighted the importance of age in the nutritional changes observed in the population.

Applicability of the SARC-F questionnaire by remote interview.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of the strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls (SARC-F) questionnaire by telephone to identify sarcopenia risk (SR; SARC-F ≥6) and low muscle function risk (LMFR; SARC-F ≥ 4) and their associated risk factors in a cohort of community-dwelling older adults in southern Brazil. METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out with community-dwelling older individuals from COMO VAI? STUDY: Sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related information were collected at baseline, and, in the second assessment, the SARC-F questionnaire was applied by phone or in-person interviews. Older adults identified with sarcopenia at the baseline assessment were excluded. Adjusted analysis by Poisson regression according to hierarchical levels was performed. RESULTS: Of the 1451 participants interviewed at baseline, only 951 participated in the second assessment. During the second assessment, 732 adults (77%) were interviewed by phone and 219 (23%) in person. There was no statistically significant difference for the SR (9.1 versus 9.7%, P = 0.802) and LMFR (22.4 versus 20.0%, P = 0.435) prevalence when the SARC-F questionnaire was administered in person or by phone, respectively. Age ≥80 y, presence of depressive symptoms, multimorbidity, dependence to perform one or more daily activities, and polypharmacy were factors associated with a higher risk for poor outcomes in older adults interviewed by phone. CONCLUSIONS: The similar prevalence between in-person and remote assessments suggests the feasibility of using the SARC-F questionnaire by phone interview as a reliable alternative for sarcopenia and low muscle function risk assessment without the requirement of face-to-face evaluations.

[Use of anticholinergic drugs among the elderly and a comparison between risk scales: a population-based study]. / Uso de medicamentos com ação anticolinérgica em idosos e comparação entre escalas de risco: estudo de base populacional.

The pattern of morbidity and mortality has changed in recent years due to the increase in chronic noncommunicable diseases, leading to multiple comorbidities and the use of several medications. The scope of the study was to evaluate the anticholinergic drugs used by elderly people, according to risk scales. It involved a population-based cross-sectional study with elderly people. Socioeconomic factors, health problems, and medication use were investigated in the previous 15 days. The Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) and the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB) were used for risk classification according to anticholinergic activity of the drugs. A total of 1451 elderly people were interviewed and 1305 used medications, 60.7% of which with anticholinergic action, especially among the 80-year-old age bracket and the less educated. In total, 5703 drugs were used, 1282 (22.5%) of which with anticholinergic action. Kappa agreement of 0.63 was observed when assessing the ACB and ADS risk scales. The prevalence of the use of drugs with anticholinergic action was high, and attention should be paid to the consequences related to their use, with a view to more rational decision-making in clinical practice.

O padrão de morbimortalidade tem-se modificado nos últimos anos com aumento das doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis levando a múltiplas comorbidades e ao uso de muitos medicamentos. O objetivo foi avaliar o uso de medicamentos com ação anticolinérgica por idosos. Estudo transversal de base populacional, com indivíduos de 60 anos ou mais. Foram investigados fatores socioeconômicos, problemas de saúde e utilização de medicamentos nos últimos 15 dias. Para a classificação dos medicamentos com atividade anticolinérgica foram utilizadas as escalas: Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), Anticholinergic Risc Scale (ARS), Anticolinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB). Entrevistados 1.451 idosos, destes, 1.305 utilizaram medicamentos, sendo que 60,7% usaram fármacos com ação anticolinérgica, sobretudo aqueles com mais de 80 anos e os menos escolarizados. No total, 5.703 medicamentos foram usados, 1.282 (22,5%) com ação anticolinérgica. Observou-se concordância kappa de 0,63 quando se avaliou as escalas de risco ACB e ADS. A prevalência de uso de fármacos com ação anticolinérgica foi alta, deve-se estar atento às consequências relativas ao seu uso, tendo em vista a tomada de decisão mais racional na prática clínica.

Objective and Self-Reported Physical Activity and Risk of Falling Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults From Southern Brazil.

This study evaluated prospective associations between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity (PA) and risk of falls among older adults. A cohort study started in 2014 with 1,451 community-dwelling older adults living in Pelotas, Brazil. Leisure-time PA was obtained by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and 7-day raw accelerometer data evaluated for total, light PA, and moderate to vigorous PA. In 2016-2017, participants recorded their falls in the previous 12 months. Around 23% of the 1,161 participants followed-up in 2016-2017 experienced a fall in the last 12 months. Participants who did not spend any time in self-reported leisure-time PA at baseline had on average 34% higher risk of falls, and individuals in the lowest tertile for moderate to vigorous PA had on average 51% higher risk of falls compared to those in the highest tertile. Low levels of self-reported and objectively measured moderate to vigorous PA were related to higher risk of falling among Brazilian older adults.

Uso de medicamentos com ação anticolinérgica em idosos e comparação entre escalas de risco: estudo de base populacional / Use of anticholinergic drugs among the elderly and a comparison between risk scales: a population-based study

Resumo O padrão de morbimortalidade tem-se modificado nos últimos anos com aumento das doenças crônicas não-transmissíveis levando a múltiplas comorbidades e ao uso de muitos medicamentos. O objetivo foi avaliar o uso de medicamentos com ação anticolinérgica por idosos. Estudo transversal de base populacional, com indivíduos de 60 anos ou mais. Foram investigados fatores socioeconômicos, problemas de saúde e utilização de medicamentos nos últimos 15 dias. Para a classificação dos medicamentos com atividade anticolinérgica foram utilizadas as escalas: Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), Anticholinergic Risc Scale (ARS), Anticolinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB). Entrevistados 1.451 idosos, destes, 1.305 utilizaram medicamentos, sendo que 60,7% usaram fármacos com ação anticolinérgica, sobretudo aqueles com mais de 80 anos e os menos escolarizados. No total, 5.703 medicamentos foram usados, 1.282 (22,5%) com ação anticolinérgica. Observou-se concordância kappa de 0,63 quando se avaliou as escalas de risco ACB e ADS. A prevalência de uso de fármacos com ação anticolinérgica foi alta, deve-se estar atento às consequências relativas ao seu uso, tendo em vista a tomada de decisão mais racional na prática clínica.

Abstract The pattern of morbidity and mortality has changed in recent years due to the increase in chronic noncommunicable diseases, leading to multiple comorbidities and the use of several medications. The scope of the study was to evaluate the anticholinergic drugs used by elderly people, according to risk scales. It involved a population-based cross-sectional study with elderly people. Socioeconomic factors, health problems, and medication use were investigated in the previous 15 days. The Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) and the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale (ACB) were used for risk classification according to anticholinergic activity of the drugs. A total of 1451 elderly people were interviewed and 1305 used medications, 60.7% of which with anticholinergic action, especially among the 80-year-old age bracket and the less educated. In total, 5703 drugs were used, 1282 (22.5%) of which with anticholinergic action. Kappa agreement of 0.63 was observed when assessing the ACB and ADS risk scales. The prevalence of the use of drugs with anticholinergic action was high, and attention should be paid to the consequences related to their use, with a view to more rational decision-making in clinical practice.

Relative validity of a computer-based semi-quantitative FFQ for use in the Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative validity of a FFQ developed for the Pelotas Birth Cohort Studies. DESIGN: Participants completed a ninety-two-food-item FFQ and then answered two 24-h recalls (24HR), one in-person interview and a second one by telephone, administered 14-28 d apart. Median and relative differences of energy, fifteen nutrients and eleven food groups were estimated based on the FFQ and the average of two 24HR. Nutrients were log-transformed and energy-adjusted using residual method. Validity was assessed by crude, energy-adjusted and de-attenuated Pearson and Lin's concordance correlation coefficients. Agreement of quartiles and weighted κ were performed. Differences in energy and nutrient estimations between methods were plotted in Bland-Altman graphs. SETTING: Pelotas, southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty-four participants randomly selected from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort during the 22-year follow-up (2015). RESULTS: The FFQ overestimated energy and most nutrients and food groups compared with the two 24HR. Energy-adjusted and de-attenuated Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from 0·21 to 0·66. The highest energy-adjusted and de-attenuated concordance correlation coefficients were observed for Ca (0·48), niacin (0·32), Na (0·29), vitamin C (0·28) and riboflavin (0·25). The percentage of nutrients classified into the same and opposite quartiles ranged from 36·5 to 60·3 %, and from 4·8 to 19·1 %, respectively. Weighted κ was moderate for Ca (0·51), beans and legumes (0·50) and milk and dairies (0·49). CONCLUSIONS: The FFQ provides a reasonable dietary intake assessment for habitual food consumption. However, the relative validity was weak for specific nutrients and food groups.

2 + 2 (+ 2) = 4: A new approach for appendicular muscle mass assessment by ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop new appendicular lean mass (ALM) prediction models based on ultrasound and anthropometric measurements. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional assessment of a subsample from a population-based study (COMO VAI?), conducted with community-dwelling individuals ≥60 y of age living in a southern Brazilian city. ALM was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Muscle thickness (MT) from supine participants was assessed by ultrasound on the anterior aspect of both upper and lower limbs. Such measures, along with anthropometric data, were used to develop prediction models (multivariable linear regression) through the backward stepwise method. RESULTS: The study included 190 participants composed mainly of women, white, and middle-class individuals. The best ALM predictive performance was achieved by a model based on two "lengths" (height and arm length), two circumferences (dominant arm and thigh), and two ultrasound-measured MTs (dominant arm and thigh): R2 = 0.90, limits of agreement: ±2.36 kg. Closely satisfactory results were also achieved by an "abbreviated" model composed by the two aforementioned "lengths" and MTs (R2 = 0.89, limits of agreement: ±2.51 kg). ALM estimates from both equations were unbiased and similar to DXA measurements (P = 0.13 and 0.09, respectively). Bootstrap analysis favorably suggested the validity of the models. CONCLUSIONS: Based on two ultrasound assessments and a few anthropometric measurements, the developed equations produced accurate and unbiased ALM estimates in the sample. Hence: 2 MTs + 2 lengths (+ 2 circumferences) = 4 limbs' muscle mass. Such models might represent promising alternatives for muscle assessment among older individuals.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Polypharmacy Among Brazilian Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous observations regarding association between physical activity (PA) and use of medicines among older adults are derived from self-reported PA. This study aimed to evaluate the association between objectively measured PA and polypharmacy among older adults with multimorbidity in Southern Brazil. METHODS: This study included 875 noninstitutionalized older people, aged ≥60 years. Prescribed medicines used in the 15 days prior to the interview, socioeconomic data, and the presence of comorbidities were self-reported. Accelerometers were used to evaluate PA following the interview. RESULTS: Prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 medicines) was 38.3% (95% confidence interval, 35.0-41.5); those belonging to the lowest tertile of PA used more medicines. The authors observed a significant inverse association for polypharmacy between men belonging to the second and third tertiles of PA for objectively measured overall PA and light PA compared with the most inactive tertile. For women, the association between PA and polypharmacy was significant for overall, light, and moderate to vigorous PA only in the third tertile. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, light and moderate to vigorous PA were inversely associated to polypharmacy and differed by gender. Promotion of PA in older adults may be an effective intervention to reduce the number of medicines used independent of the number of comorbidities.

Think Globally, Act Locally: The Importance of Population-Specific Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Prediction Equations for Muscle Mass Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a convenient muscle assessment method, but its accuracy highly depends on population-specific aspects of the adopted equation. We aimed to develop appendicular lean mass (ALM) prediction models for older South Americans and to compare their performances to those of reference equations in the same sample. METHODS: Cross-sectional evaluation of 192 community-dwelling Brazilian subjects ≥60 years old from the COMO VAI? STUDY: Using measurements from single-frequency and multifrequency devices (BIASF and BIAMF, respectively), new ALM prediction equations were developed (reference method: dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]). Validity was assessed by bootstrapping. Four previously established equations were also tested, and the performances were compared using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Stepwise variable selection produced the following equations: ALMSF-BIA = (2.08 × sex) + (0.04 × weight) + (0.24 × RI50 ) + (0.07 × Xc50 ) - 0.16; ALMMF-BIA = (1.85 × sex) + (0.03 × weight) + (0.31 × RI50 ) + (0.04 × Xc50 ) + (0.01 × Z5 ) - 8.16, where ALM is estimated in kg; female sex = 0 and male sex = 1; weight is measured in kg; RI50 is the resistance index at 50 kHz measured in cm2 /Ω); Xc50 is the reactance at 50 kHz measured in Ω; and Z5 is impedance at 5 kHz measured in Ω. The equations explained, respectively, 89% and 90% of the variability of ALMDXA in our sample, and their estimates were not significantly different from DXA measurements. Bland-Altman analysis revealed accurate and unbiased performances for both models, with similar limits of agreement (BIASF : ±2.58 kg; BIAMF : ±2.48 kg), and their validity was considered adequate by the bootstrap method. The reference equations, however, systematically overestimated ALM in our sample. CONCLUSION: The proposed equations might represent practical options to estimate ALM in older noninstitutionalized South Americans. Further external validation, though, is required to verify the reproducibility of our findings.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Reduces the Risk of Mortality among Brazilian Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Use of objectively measured physical activity (PA) in older adults to assess relationship between PA and risk of all-causes mortality is scarce. This study evaluated the associations of PA based on accelerometry and a questionnaire with the risk of mortality among older adults from a city in Southern Brazil. DESIGN: A cohort study. SETTING: Urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of older adults (≥60 y) from Pelotas, enrolled in 2014. MEASUREMENTS: Overall physical activity (mg), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were estimated by raw accelerometer data. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire estimated leisure time and commuting PA. Hazard ratios (excluding deaths in the first 6 mo) stratified by sex were estimated by Cox regression analysis considering adjustment for confounders. RESULTS: From the 1451 older adults interviewed in 2014, 145 died (10%) after a follow-up of an average 2.6 years. Men and women in the highest tertile of overall PA had on average a 77% and 92% lower risk of mortality than their less active counterparts (95% confidence interval [CI] = .06-.84 and 95% CI = .01-.65, respectively). The highest tertile of LPA was also related to a lower risk of mortality in individuals of both sexes (74% and 91% lower risk among men and women, respectively). MVPA statistically reduced the risk of mortality only among women (hazard ratio [HR] = .30 and HR = .07 in the second and third tertiles). Self-reported leisure-time PA was statistically associated with a lower risk of mortality only among men. Women in the highest tertiles of commuting PA showed a lower risk of mortality than those in the reference group. CONCLUSION: Accelerometry-based PA was associated with a lower risk of mortality among Brazilian older adults. Older individuals should practice any type of PA. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:137-146, 2019.

Complementarity of NUTRIC score and Subjective Global Assessment for predicting 28-day mortality in critically ill patients.

AIMS: To compare the prognostic power of nutritional screening (NUTRIC score) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), executed alone or their complementarity, for predicting 28-day mortality risk in ICU patients. We also aimed to identify the cut-off point obtained in the NUTRIC that presented the best validity parameters for predicting mortality in this population. METHODS: A sample of 159 patients was evaluated in the first 24 hours of ICU admission. Modified NUTRIC score was performed (without interleucina-6). ROC curve and Youden criterion were used to identify the best cut-off point. Poisson regression and the number needed to screen (NNS) were used to test the complementarity between the tools and their ability to predict 28-day mortality. RESULTS: A sample of 159 patients was evaluated (51% male, 56.6 ± 20 years) and the APACHE II, SOFA and NUTRIC score medians were 22 (IQR:15;26), 6 (IQR:2;9) and 3 (IQR: 2;5), respectively. Almost 60% of the patients were malnourished (SGA B or C) and 32.7% died during 28-day follow-up. The area under ROC curve for NUTRIC score was 0.79. Using a new cutoff (NUTRIC score ≥ 4), patients with nutritional risk have a 28-day mortality risk almost 6 times higher than subjects without nutritional risk. Patients classified as SGA C showed a 28-day mortality risk 2.19 times higher compared to nourished ones. Evaluating the complementarity of the tools, patients classified as nutritional risk (NUTRIC score ≥ 4) and SGA C showed a 28-day mortality risk 7 times higher and a lower NNS when compared to those patients with a NUTRIC < 4 and any SGA category. CONCLUSIONS: A new cutoff value was identified for this population. Simultaneous SGA assessment in patients with nutritional risk may enhance the predictive power of 28-day mortality, providing better identification of higher risk patients who may benefit from a more aggressive nutritional therapy.

Are consumption of dairy products and physical activity independently related to bone mineral density of 6-year-old children? Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses in a birth cohort from Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of consumption of dairy products and physical activity (PA) with bone mineral density (BMD). DESIGN: Cohort study with children from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort. SETTING: Pelotas, a medium-sized Brazilian city. SUBJECTS: The study started in 2004 and mothers/children were interviewed/measured periodically from birth to age 6 years. PA was measured by maternal proxy at 4 and 6 years and by accelerometry at 6 years. Consumption of dairy products was measured using 24 h food recall (at 4 years) and FFQ (at 6 years). Total-body and lumbar-spine BMD (g/cm2) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: At 6 years, BMD was measured in 3444 children and 2636 children provided data on objectively measured PA by accelerometry. Consumption of dairy products at 4 years was associated with higher lumbar-spine BMD at 6 years in boys, while current consumption was positively associated with BMD in both sexes (P < 0·001). PA assessed by maternal report at 4 and 6 years of age was associated with higher BMD at 6 years in boys. PA assessed by accelerometry was positively related to total-body and lumbar-spine BMD in boys and lumbar-spine BMD in girls. We did not find evidence for an interaction between PA and consumption of dairy products on BMD. CONCLUSIONS: We observed positive and independent longitudinal and cross-sectional associations between consumption of dairy products and PA with BMD in the total body and at the lumbar spine in young children.

Early feeding practices and consumption of ultraprocessed foods at 6 y of age: Findings from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between early feeding practices and consumption of ultraprocessed foods in children at age 6 y. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study using data from 3427 children who participated in the 2004 Pelotas Cohort Study and who had available food frequency questionnaire information at 6 y. Information about exclusive and total breastfeeding duration as well as age at introduction of semisolid and solid foods was used to define early feeding practices. Consumption of ultraprocessed foods was defined as proportion of total daily energy intake that came from ultraprocessed foods at age 6 y. Crude and adjusted linear regression models were employed to analyze the effect of early feeding practices on ultraprocessed foods consumption. RESULTS: It was determined that 40.3% of total daily energy intake at 6 y came from ultraprocessed foods. In crude linear regression models, early feeding practices (exclusive and total breastfeeding duration, and age at introduction of semisolid and solid foods) were negatively associated with ultraprocessed foods consumption. After adjustment, only exclusive breastfeeding duration and age at introduction of solid foods remained associated with consumption of ultraprocessed foods, although the observed effects size was small. Children exclusively breastfed for ≥3 mo and those who had solid foods introduced at ≥4 mo consumed a lower proportion of daily energy intake from ultraprocessed foods. CONCLUSION: This study supports the need to promote healthy early feeding practices including the support of breastfeeding to promote healthier eating habits later in childhood.

Prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling elderly of a medium-sized South American city: results of the COMO VAI? study.

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient data concerning sarcopenia prevalence in South America. The aim of this study was to estimate sarcopenia prevalence and its clinical subgroups in a Southern Brazilian city. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was performed among community-dwelling elderly aged 60 years or over. Subjects were evaluated according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People established criteria. Muscle mass was estimated by calf circumference (CC). Cut-off CC points were defined by a subsample's dual X-ray absorptiometry estimation of the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), which was subsequently compared with the values of a young adult population from the same city. Muscle strength was measured by manual dynamometry. Muscle performance was assessed through the 4 m gait speed test. RESULTS: The three diagnostic tests were performed in 1291 subjects. CC of ≤34 cm (males) and ≤33 cm (females) were defined as indicatives of low ASMI. The overall sarcopenia prevalence was 13.9% (CI95% 12.0; 15.8%). Its frequency was significantly higher among elderly with low schooling, without a partner, with low socioeconomic status, smokers, inactive, and with low body mass index. A higher prevalence of pre-sarcopenia was found in the youngest elderly; a higher prevalence of the clinical stages of the syndrome was found in older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in ten elderly aged 60-69 years was in the preclinical stage of the disease. This is the age group in which public policies should focus to establish early diagnosis and prevent clinical progression of the syndrome.

Phase angle and its determinants in healthy subjects: influence of body composition.

BACKGROUND: The phase angle (PA) has been used as a prognostic marker in several clinical situations. Nevertheless, its biological meaning is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: We verified how body-composition components could explain the PA. DESIGN: The trial was a cross-sectional study involving 1442 participants (women: 58.5%; Caucasian: 40.2%) from body-composition studies. Labeled tritium dilution and total-body potassium were used to estimate total-body water (TBW) and intracellular water (ICW), respectively. Extracellular water (ECW) and the ECW:ICW ratio were estimated from the difference and the ratio of these values. Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were estimated with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, underwater weighing (UWW), and TBW. The PA was estimated with the use of a single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis system. Correlations between the PA and all body-composition variables were evaluated. A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to adjust for the effects of body-composition variables on the PA variability. All analyses were performed separately by sex. RESULTS: Compared with men, women exhibited significantly larger ECW:ICW ratios and FM. The highest positive correlation was shown between the PA and FFM obtained with the use of UWW (both sexes). The highest negative correlation was shown between the PA and ECW:ICW ratios for both sexes. Age, race, height, ECW:ICW, and FFM from UWW were significant PA determinants in a multivariate linear regression model. Even after adjustment for all significant covariates, the explained PA variance was low (adjusted R(2) = 0.539 and 0.421 in men and women, respectively). The greatest impact on the total PA prediction in both men and women were age, FFM, and height. CONCLUSIONS: Age is the most significant PA predictor in men and women followed by FFM and height. The ECW:ICW contribution may explain the association of the PA observed in the clinical setting and in people who are obese.

Estimation of body fat in adults using a portable A-mode ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate equations to estimate body fat based on anthropometric measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and muscle thickness (MT) measured by A-mode ultrasound (BodyMetrix) in Brazilian adults. METHODS: Individuals (n = 206) underwent air-displacement plethysmography for body composition assessment. Arm, thigh, and calf circumferences were also obtained. SFT from triceps, biceps, subscapular, abdominal, thigh, and calf regions and MT from triceps, biceps, thigh, and calf regions were measured by BodyMetrix. Prediction equations were developed by stepwise multiple linear regression using the circumferences, weight, height, SFT, and MT. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient, mean difference, and 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were assessed in apparent and internal validity. RESULTS: The prediction equation for whole-body fat for men included thigh circumference, triceps and thigh SFT, biceps MT, weight, and height. The equation for women included age, calf circumference, abdominal and calf SFT, weight, and height. The prediction equation overestimated men's whole-body fat by 0.5 percentual points, in average, and the lower and upper 95% LOA were -6.8% and 7.7%, respectively. For women, the prediction equation overestimated whole-body fat by 0.1 percentual points, in average. Lower and upper 95% LOA were -6.5% and 6.7%, respectively. Optimism-adjusted results using 500 repetitions with same size samples have shown similar results. Body fat extremes did not influence the whole-body fat estimation. CONCLUSIONS: BodyMetrix A-mode ultrasound, in association with selected conventional anthropometric measurements, proved to be a reliable tool for the estimation of body fat percentage.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and their impact on the diet of young adults.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods, its associated factors, and its influence on nutrient intake in young adults. METHODS In 2004-2005, the individuals belonging to the Pelotas birth cohort of 1982 were identified for a home interview. A total of 4,297 individuals were interviewed and 4,202 individuals were included in the study (follow-up rate of 77.4%). Diet was assessed using a questionnaire on dietary intake and the percentage of daily caloric intake attributed to ultra-processed foods as well as the intake of macro- and micronutrients were estimated. The association between cohort characteristics and the consumption of ultra-processed foods was assessed using linear regression. Analysis of variance and Pearson's Chi-square test were used to evaluate the association between the quintiles of the consumption of ultra-processed food, nutrient intake and adequacy of nutrient intake, respectively. RESULTS The consumption of ultra-processed foods corresponded to 51.2% of the total caloric intake. The consumption of ultra-processed foods was higher among women, individuals with higher education, and individuals who were never poor and eutrophic. The increased consumption of ultra-processed foods was positively correlated with the consumption of fat, cholesterol, sodium, iron, calcium, and calories (p < 0.001) and was negatively correlated with the consumption of carbohydrates, protein, and dietary fiber (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The high consumption of ultra-processed foods and its positive correlation with the intake of sodium, cholesterol, and fats underscores the need to perform interventions aimed at decreasing the intake of this food group.