U-SMILE: a brief version of the Short Multidimensional Inventory on Lifestyle Evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle Medicine comprises six domains: diet, substance use, physical activity, stress management, social connection, and sleep. The comprehensive assessment of lifestyle is challenging, but the "Short Multidimensional Inventory on Lifestyle Evaluation" (SMILE) was developed to fill out this gap. In this paper, we describe the development and the psychometric properties (internal consistency, concurrent and convergent validity) of a shorter version of the SMILE among university students. METHODS: Data from a cross-sectional study including 369 students from 10 Brazilian universities were used. Considering a theoretical nomological net, we performed exploratory factor analysis to obtain the most parsimonious, interpretable and good-fitting model. RESULTS: The final model was called U-SMILE, comprised 24 items, and presented acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.73, McDonald's ω = 0.79). To evaluate the concurrent validity of the U-SMILE, we compared it to the original SMILE and found a high correlation between the instruments (Spearman's r= 0.94). Furthermore, we evaluated convergent validity by examining the U-SMILE correlation with the PHQ-9 (Spearman's r= -0.517), and GAD-7 (Spearman's r= -0.356), two validated instruments to screen for depression and anxiety, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that the U-SMILE is a valid instrument for assessing lifestyle among university students. We recommend that the use of U-SMILE to evaluate overall lifestyle scores rather than individual domain scores. Finally, we discuss the importance of clarifying the definitions of lifestyle and related constructs in future research.

Would the Brazilian population support the alcohol policies recommended by the World Health Organization?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the support of the Brazilian population to the alcohol-policies proposed by the World Health Organization to decrease alcohol harm (specifically: to decrease alcohol availability and advertising, and to increase pricing). In addition, we evaluated the factors associated with being against those policies. METHODS: Data from 16,273 Brazilians, aged 12-65 years, interviewed in the 3rd Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use (BHSU-3) were analyzed. The BHSU-3 is a nationwide, probability survey conducted in 2015. Individuals were asked if they would be against, neutral, or in favor of seven alcohol policies grouped as: 1) Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability; 2) Enforce bans or restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion; and 3) Raise prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing. Generalized linear models were fitted to evaluate factors associated with being against each one of those policies and against all of policies. RESULTS: Overall, 28% of the Brazilians supported all the above mentioned policies, whereas 16% were against them. The highest rate of approval refers to restricting advertising (53%), the lowest refers to increasing prices (40%). Factors associated with being against all policies were: being male (AOR = 1.1; 95%CI: 1.0-1.3), not having a religion (AOR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.1-1.8), being catholic (AOR = 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.5), and alcohol dependence (AOR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian government could count on the support of most of the population to restrict alcohol advertising. This information is essential to tackle the lobby of the alcohol industry and its clever marketing strategy.

Polysubstance use in a Brazilian national sample: Correlates of co-use of alcohol and prescription drugs.

Background: Responses to problem substance use have largely focused on illicit drugs, but reports on rising prescription drug misuse worldwide raise questions about their combined use with alcohol and potential consequences. The current study assessed prevalence of alcohol in conjunction with nonmedical opioid and benzodiazepine use across a nationally representative sample of adults in Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional data on prevalence were estimated from the 2015 Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use. We estimated past month nonmedical use of benzodiazepines and alcohol and past month nonmedical use of opioids and alcohol among adults who reported any past-year alcohol use. Zero-inflated Poisson models assessed independent correlates of alcohol and nonmedical opioid use, and alcohol and nonmedical benzodiazepine use. Results: Among adults who reported past year alcohol use, 0.4% (N = 257,051) reported past month alcohol and non-medical benzodiazepine use, and 0.5% (N = 337,333) reported past month alcohol and non-medical opioid use. Factors independently associated with co-use of alcohol and benzodiazepines included having depression (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR):4.61 (95%CI 1.76-12.08)), anxiety (aPR:4.21 (95%CI 1.59-11.16)) and tobacco use (aPR: 5.48 (95%CI 2.26-13.27)). Factors associated with past-month alcohol and opioid use included having experienced physical or a threat of violence (aPR: 4.59 (95%CI 1.89-11.14)), and tobacco use (aPR:2.81(95%CI:1.29-6.12)). Conclusions: Co-use of prescription drugs with alcohol remains relatively rare among Brazilians, but findings point to a unique profile of persons at risk. Results of this study are important in light of changing dynamics and international markets of prescription drugs and the need for more research on use of these substances on a global scale.

Would the Brazilian population support the alcohol policies recommended by the World Health Organization?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the support of the Brazilian population to the alcohol-policies proposed by the World Health Organization to decrease alcohol harm (specifically: to decrease alcohol availability and advertising, and to increase pricing). In addition, we evaluated the factors associated with being against those policies. METHODS Data from 16,273 Brazilians, aged 12-65 years, interviewed in the 3rd Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use (BHSU-3) were analyzed. The BHSU-3 is a nationwide, probability survey conducted in 2015. Individuals were asked if they would be against, neutral, or in favor of seven alcohol policies grouped as: 1) Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability; 2) Enforce bans or restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion; and 3) Raise prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing. Generalized linear models were fitted to evaluate factors associated with being against each one of those policies and against all of policies. RESULTS Overall, 28% of the Brazilians supported all the above mentioned policies, whereas 16% were against them. The highest rate of approval refers to restricting advertising (53%), the lowest refers to increasing prices (40%). Factors associated with being against all policies were: being male (AOR = 1.1; 95%CI: 1.0-1.3), not having a religion (AOR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.1-1.8), being catholic (AOR = 1.3; 95%CI: 1.1-1.5), and alcohol dependence (AOR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSIONS The Brazilian government could count on the support of most of the population to restrict alcohol advertising. This information is essential to tackle the lobby of the alcohol industry and its clever marketing strategy.

Lifestyle changes and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A repeated, cross-sectional web survey.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare self-reported changes on lifestyle behaviors during two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, and to evaluate clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with lifestyles. METHODS: Two cross-sectional web surveys were conducted during lockdown (April 15-May 15, 2020) and seven months later (November 16-December 16, 2020). Lifestyle behaviors were self-reported by a multidimensional scale (SMILE-C). Two separate samples of respondents were analyzed. A multivariate regression model was performed to evaluate the association of SMILE-C scores with demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The sample comprised, 3412 participants from the first survey (S1) and in the S1 and 3635 from the second (S2). SMILE-C score decreased across surveys (p < 0.001). The rates of positive screenings for depression and anxiety were similar between the surveys, whereas those for alcohol abuse decreased (p < 0.001). Most participants in S2 reported that their lifestyle had not changed compared to those before the pandemic. Variables independently associated with an unhealthier lifestyle were working as an essential worker, lower educational level, previous mental disease, worse self-rated health, totally/moderate changes on diet, sleep or social support, as well as positive screenings for alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design and recruitment by non-probabilistic methods limit inferring causality and the external validity of the results. CONCLUSIONS: Overall lifestyle worsened seven months after the lockdown in Spain. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with lifestyle scores. The contribution of common mental disorders to unhealthier lifestyles should be considered in order to prevent the negative impact of the pandemic.

The cumulative effect of multiple dimensions of lifestyle on risky drinking during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lifestyle impacts morbidity and mortality worldwide. Herein, we evaluated the association of a multidimensional lifestyle measure and its domains (diet/nutrition, substance use, physical activity, social, stress management, sleep, environmental exposure) with risky drinking. Also, we analyzed the cumulative effect of unhealthy domains in the likelihood of presenting risky drinking. To reach these objectives, data from a web survey conducted in Brazil and Spain was analyzed. The main outcome was risky drinking assessed by the AUDIT-C. Lifestyle was measured using the Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation (SMILE). Fixed logistic models were used to evaluate associations between lifestyle and risky drinking. Between April and May 2020, 22,785 individuals answered the survey. The prevalence of risky drinking was 45.6% in Brazil and 30.8% in Spain. The SMILE score was lower (unhealthier lifestyle) among at-risk drinkers. Worse scores on Diet, Substance use, Stress management and Environment were associated with an increased likelihood of risky drinking. The higher the number of unhealthy domains, the higher the likelihood of presenting risky drinking: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for risky drinking was 1.15 (IC95% 0.98-1.35) and 23.42 (IC95% 3.08-178.02) for those presenting worse lifestyle in 1 and 5 domains, respectively. Finally, interactions suggest that improvement in lifestyle domains would have a larger effect in Spain than in Brazil. Our results suggest that future interventions aiming at reducing Risky drinking may benefit from strategies targeting multiple domains of lifestyle.

The assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multidimensional scale

Introduction: Healthy lifestyles are relevant to several diseases and to maintain individuals’ mental health. Exposure to epidemics and confinement have been consistently associated with psychological consequences, but changes on lifestyle behaviours remain under-researched.Materials and MethodsAn online survey was conducted among the general population living in Spain during the COVID-19 home-isolation. In addition to demographic and clinical data, participants self-reported changes in seven lifestyle domains. The Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation was developed specifically to evaluate changes during the confinement (SMILE-C).ResultsA total of 1254 individuals completed the survey over the first week of data collection. The internal consistency of the SMILE-C to assess lifestyles during confinement was shown (Cronbach's Alpha=0.747). Most participants reported substantial changes on outdoor time (93.6%) and physical activity (70.2%). Moreover, about one third of subjects reported significant changes on stress management, social support, and restorative sleep. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated to lifestyle scores. In the multivariate model, those independently associated with a healthier lifestyle included substantial changes on stress management (p<0.001), social support (p=0.001) and outdoor time (p<0.001), amongst others. In contrast, being an essential worker (p=0.001), worse self-rated health (p<0.001), a positive screening for depression/anxiety (p<0.001), and substantial changes on diet/nutrition (p<0.001) and sleep (p<0.001) were all associated with poorer lifestyles. (AU)

Introducción: Los estilos de vida saludables son relevantes para diversas enfermedades, así como para mantener la salud mental de los individuos. La exposición a epidemias y confinamientos se ha asociado de manera consistente a consecuencias psicológicas, pero los cambios en los comportamientos del estilo de vida siguen sin investigarse.Materiales y métodosSe realizó una encuesta online entre la población general residente en España durante el confinamiento domiciliario debido a COVID-19. Además de los datos demográficos y clínicos, los participantes auto-reportaron los cambios producidos en siete dominios del estilo de vida. Se desarrolló específicamente Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation (SMILE-C) para evaluar los cambios durante el confinamiento.ResultadosUn total de 1.254 individuos completaron la encuesta durante la primera semana de recabado de los datos. Se reflejó la consistencia interna de SMILE-C para evaluar los estilos de vida durante el confinamiento (alfa de Cronbach=0,747). La mayoría de los participantes reportó cambios sustanciales en cuanto al tiempo al aire libre (93,6%) y a la actividad física (70,2%). Además, alrededor de un tercio de los sujetos reportó cambios significativos en cuanto a gestión del estrés, respaldo social y sueño reparador. Algunos factores demográficos y clínicos se asociaron a las puntuaciones del estilo de vida. En el modelo multivariante, aquellos factores asociados de manera independiente a un estilo de vida más saludable incluyeron cambios sustanciales en cuanto a gestión del estrés (p<0,001), respaldo social (p=0,001) y tiempo al aire libre (p<0,001), entre otros. Por contra, los factores relacionados con ser un trabajador esencial (p=0,001), peor salud auto-calificada (p<0,001), cribado positivo de depresión/ansiedad (p<0,001) y cambios sustanciales en la dieta/nutrición (p<0,001) y sueño (p<0,001) estuvieron asociados a peores estilos de vida. (AU)

Substance use, self-rated health and HIV status in Brazil.

ABSTRACTWe compared the prevalence of of non-injecting drug use (NIDU) and Self-Rated Health (SRH) among individuals self-reporting as HIV-positive (PLWHA), HIV-negative and unknown at the III Brazilian Household Survey on Substance Use. Overall, 16,273 individuals, 12-65 years old, were interviewed in 2015. Prevalence and Standard Error (SE) were estimated considering the complex sample design and weight calibration. Chi-square tests with Rao-Scott adjustment were used to test independence between NIDU, SRH and HIV status. PLWHA presented higher frequencies of 12-month use for most substances than those reporting to be HIV-negative: alcohol use prevalence was 49.5% (SE 12.8) vs. 43.1% (SE 0.7), p = 0.34; tobacco 45.3% (SE 12.7) vs. 15.3% (SE 0.4), p < 0.01; amphetamines 1.7% (SE 1.7) vs. 0.3% (SE 0.1), p = 0.51; cannabis 10.5%(SE 6.7) vs. 2.5%(0.2), p = 0.06; powder cocaine 3.6% (SE 3.0) vs. 0.9% (SE 0.1), p = 0.45; crack-cocaine 5.3% (SE 3.2) vs. 0.3% (SE 0.1), p < 0.01; inhalants 3.6% (SE 3.0) vs. 0.2% (SE 0), p = 0.03; ketamine 1.7%(SE 1.7) vs. 0.1% (SE 0), p = 0.23; and opioids 1.7% (SE 1.7) vs. 1.4% (SE 0.2), p = 0.93. PLWHA also reported worse SRH. Our results and the scarcity of integrated substance use and HIV treatments call for innovative, cost-effective approaches to tackle these public health challenges.

The assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multidimensional scale.

INTRODUCTION: Healthy lifestyles are relevant to several diseases and to maintain individuals' mental health. Exposure to epidemics and confinement have been consistently associated with psychological consequences, but changes on lifestyle behaviours remain under-researched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted among the general population living in Spain during the COVID-19 home-isolation. In addition to demographic and clinical data, participants self-reported changes in seven lifestyle domains. The Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation was developed specifically to evaluate changes during the confinement (SMILE-C). RESULTS: A total of 1254 individuals completed the survey over the first week of data collection. The internal consistency of the SMILE-C to assess lifestyles during confinement was shown (Cronbach's Alpha=0.747). Most participants reported substantial changes on outdoor time (93.6%) and physical activity (70.2%). Moreover, about one third of subjects reported significant changes on stress management, social support, and restorative sleep. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated to lifestyle scores. In the multivariate model, those independently associated with a healthier lifestyle included substantial changes on stress management (p<0.001), social support (p=0.001) and outdoor time (p<0.001), amongst others. In contrast, being an essential worker (p=0.001), worse self-rated health (p<0.001), a positive screening for depression/anxiety (p<0.001), and substantial changes on diet/nutrition (p<0.001) and sleep (p<0.001) were all associated with poorer lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, sizable proportions of participants reported meaningful changes in lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Moreover, the SMILE-C was sensitive to detect these changes and presented good initial psychometric properties. Further follow-up studies should collect relevant data to promote healthy lifestyles in pandemic times.

The assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multidimensional scale.

Introduction: Healthy lifestyles are relevant to several diseases and to maintain individuals' mental health. Exposure to epidemics and confinement have been consistently associated with psychological consequences, but changes on lifestyle behaviours remain under-researched. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted among the general population living in Spain during the COVID-19 home-isolation. In addition to demographic and clinical data, participants self-reported changes in seven lifestyle domains. The Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation was developed specifically to evaluate changes during the confinement (SMILE-C). Results: A total of 1254 individuals completed the survey over the first week of data collection. The internal consistency of the SMILE-C to assess lifestyles during confinement was shown (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.747). Most participants reported substantial changes on outdoor time (93.6%) and physical activity (70.2%). Moreover, about one third of subjects reported significant changes on stress management, social support, and restorative sleep. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated to lifestyle scores. In the multivariate model, those independently associated with a healthier lifestyle included substantial changes on stress management (p < 0.001), social support (p = 0.001) and outdoor time (p < 0.001), amongst others. In contrast, being an essential worker (p = 0.001), worse self-rated health (p < 0.001), a positive screening for depression/anxiety (p < 0.001), and substantial changes on diet/nutrition (p < 0.001) and sleep (p < 0.001) were all associated with poorer lifestyles. Conclusions: In this study, sizable proportions of participants reported meaningful changes in lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Moreover, the SMILE-C was sensitive to detect these changes and presented good initial psychometric properties. Further follow-up studies should collect relevant data to promote healthy lifestyles in pandemic times.

Introducción: Los estilos de vida saludables son relevantes para diversas enfermedades, así como para mantener la salud mental de los individuos. La exposición a epidemias y confinamientos se ha asociado de manera consistente a consecuencias psicológicas, pero los cambios en los comportamientos del estilo de vida siguen sin investigarse. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una encuesta online entre la población general residente en España durante el confinamiento domiciliario debido a COVID-19. Además de los datos demográficos y clínicos, los participantes auto-reportaron los cambios producidos en siete dominios del estilo de vida. Se desarrolló específicamente Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation (SMILE-C) para evaluar los cambios durante el confinamiento. Resultados: Un total de 1.254 individuos completaron la encuesta durante la primera semana de recabado de los datos. Se reflejó la consistencia interna de SMILE-C para evaluar los estilos de vida durante el confinamiento (alfa de Cronbach = 0,747). La mayoría de los participantes reportó cambios sustanciales en cuanto al tiempo al aire libre (93,6%) y a la actividad física (70,2%). Además, alrededor de un tercio de los sujetos reportó cambios significativos en cuanto a gestión del estrés, respaldo social y sueño reparador. Algunos factores demográficos y clínicos se asociaron a las puntuaciones del estilo de vida. En el modelo multivariante, aquellos factores asociados de manera independiente a un estilo de vida más saludable incluyeron cambios sustanciales en cuanto a gestión del estrés (p < 0,001), respaldo social (p = 0,001) y tiempo al aire libre (p < 0,001), entre otros. Por contra, los factores relacionados con ser un trabajador esencial (p = 0,001), peor salud auto-calificada (p < 0,001), cribado positivo de depresión/ansiedad (p < 0,001) y cambios sustanciales en la dieta/nutrición (p < 0,001) y sueño (p < 0,001) estuvieron asociados a peores estilos de vida. Conclusiones: En este estudio, proporciones considerables de participantes reportaron cambios significativos en los comportamientos del estilo de vida durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en España. Además, la escala SMILE-C fue sensible a la hora de detectar dichos cambios, y presentó buenas propiedades psicométricas iniciales. Los estudios de seguimiento futuros deberán recopilar datos relevantes para promover estilos de vida saludables en tiempos de pandemia.

The assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic using a multidimensional scale / Evaluación de los cambios en el estilo de vida durante la pandemia de COVID-19 utilizando una escala multidimensional

INTRODUCTION: Healthy lifestyles are relevant to several diseases and to maintain individuals' mental health. Exposure to epidemics and confinement have been consistently associated with psychological consequences, but changes on lifestyle behaviours remain under-researched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted among the general population living in Spain during the COVID-19 home-isolation. In addition to demographic and clinical data, participants self-reported changes in seven lifestyle domains. The Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation was developed specifically to evaluate changes during the confinement (SMILE-C). RESULTS: A total of 1254 individuals completed the survey over the first week of data collection. The internal consistency of the SMILE-C to assess lifestyles during confinement was shown (Cronbach's Alpha=0.747). Most participants reported substantial changes on outdoor time (93.6%) and physical activity (70.2%). Moreover, about one third of subjects reported significant changes on stress management, social support, and restorative sleep. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated to lifestyle scores. In the multivariate model, those independently associated with a healthier lifestyle included substantial changes on stress management (p < 0.001), social support (p = 0.001) and outdoor time (p < 0.001), amongst others. In contrast, being an essential worker (p = 0.001), worse self-rated health (p < 0.001), a positive screening for depression/anxiety (p < 0.001), and substantial changes on diet/nutrition (p < 0.001) and sleep (p < 0.001) were all associated with poorer lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, sizable proportions of participants reported meaningful changes in lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. Moreover, the SMILE-C was sensitive to detect these changes and presented good initial psychometric properties. Further follow-up studies should collect relevant data to promote healthy lifestyles in pandemic times

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los estilos de vida saludables son relevantes para diversas enfermedades, así como para mantener la salud mental de los individuos. La exposición a epidemias y confinamientos se ha asociado de manera consistente a consecuencias psicológicas, pero los cambios en los comportamientos del estilo de vida siguen sin investigarse. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una encuesta online entre la población general residente en España durante el confinamiento domiciliario debido a COVID-19. Además de los datos demográficos y clínicos, los participantes auto-reportaron los cambios producidos en siete dominios del estilo de vida. Se desarrolló específicamente Short Multidimensional Inventory Lifestyle Evaluation (SMILE-C) para evaluar los cambios durante el confinamiento. RESULTADOS: Un total de 1.254 individuos completaron la encuesta durante la primera semana de recabado de los datos. Se reflejó la consistencia interna de SMILE-C para evaluar los estilos de vida durante el confinamiento (alfa de Cronbach=0,747). La mayoría de los participantes reportó cambios sustanciales en cuanto al tiempo al aire libre (93,6%) y a la actividad física (70,2%). Además, alrededor de un tercio de los sujetos reportó cambios significativos en cuanto a gestión del estrés, respaldo social y sueño reparador. Algunos factores demográficos y clínicos se asociaron a las puntuaciones del estilo de vida. En el modelo multivariante, aquellos factores asociados de manera independiente a un estilo de vida más saludable incluyeron cambios sustanciales en cuanto a gestión del estrés (p < 0,001), respaldo social (p = 0,001) y tiempo al aire libre (p < 0,001), entre otros. Por contra, los factores relacionados con ser un trabajador esencial (p = 0,001), peor salud auto-calificada (p < 0,001), cribado positivo de depresión/ansiedad (p < 0,001) y cambios sustanciales en la dieta/nutrición (p < 0,001) y sueño (p < 0,001) estuvieron asociados a peores estilos de vida. CONCLUSIONES: En este estudio, proporciones considerables de participantes reportaron cambios significativos en los comportamientos del estilo de vida durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en España. Además, la escala SMILE-C fue sensible a la hora de detectar dichos cambios, y presentó buenas propiedades psicométricas iniciales. Los estudios de seguimiento futuros deberán recopilar datos relevantes para promover estilos de vida saludables en tiempos de pandemia

Comparison between two race/skin color classifications in relation to health-related outcomes in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to compare the classification of race/skin color based on the discrete categories used by the Demographic Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and a skin color scale with values ranging from 1 (lighter skin) to 10 (darker skin), examining whether choosing one alternative or the other can influence measures of self-evaluation of health status, health care service utilization and discrimination in the health services. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the World Health Survey carried out in Brazil in 2003 with a sample of 5000 individuals older than 18 years. Similarities between the two classifications were evaluated by means of correspondence analysis. The effect of the two classifications on health outcomes was tested through logistic regression models for each sex, using age, educational level and ownership of consumer goods as covariables. RESULTS: Both measures of race/skin color represent the same race/skin color construct. The results show a tendency among Brazilians to classify their skin color in shades closer to the center of the color gradient. Women tend to classify their race/skin color as a little lighter than men in the skin color scale, an effect not observed when IBGE categories are used. With regard to health and health care utilization, race/skin color was not relevant in explaining any of them, regardless of the race/skin color classification. Lack of money and social class were the most prevalent reasons for discrimination in healthcare reported in the survey, suggesting that in Brazil the discussion about discrimination in the health care must not be restricted to racial discrimination and should also consider class-based discrimination. The study shows that the differences of the two classifications of race/skin color are small. However, the interval scale measure appeared to increase the freedom of choice of the respondent.