Association of Sleep Duration and Use of Sleeping Medication with Multimorbidity in Adults: Results from the PAMPA (Brazil) Cohort Study.

Objective To analyze the association of sleep duration and use of sleeping medication with multimorbidity. Materials and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Prospective Study about Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA) cohort. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more conditions from a list of twelve health problems. Descriptive analyses were performed considering proportion and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). We performed logistic regression (to obtain odds ratios, ORs) to estimate the associations, including models adjusted for confounding factors. Results In total, 2,936 participants were included, 79,1% of them women, 54.2% aged between 18 and 39 years, and 88.9% with white skin color. Compared with regular sleep (seven to eight hours a day), five hours or less of sleep increased the odds of multimorbidity by 145% (95%CI: 1.90-3.14), and 9 hours or more of sleep increased the odds by 49% (95%CI: 1.14-1.95) for the crude model; the results remained significant even in the adjusted models. Discussion Consumption of sleeping medication was associated with multimorbidity. Short and prolonged sleep duration increased the odds of multimorbidity, regardless of the sociodemographic and behavior characteristics. The regular use of sleeping medication was also associated with multimorbidity. The results of the present study are important but require caution due to reverse causality, and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Incidence of memory complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Brazil: findings from PAMPA cohort.

Population-level studies investigating the incidence of memory complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to examine the incidence of memory complaints over 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults from Southern Brazil. Methods: Data from the PAMPA (Prospective Study about Mental and Physical Health in Adults) cohort, a longitudinal study with adults residing in Southern Brazil, were analyzed. An online-based, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess self-rated memory. Participants rated their memories as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. Incident memory complaints were defined as worse memory perception from baseline to follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors associated with the increased risk of memory complaints. Results: During follow-up, a cumulative incidence of 57.6% for memory complaints was observed. Female sex (hazard ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.16-1.94), lack of access to prescribed medicine (HR: 1.54; 95%CI 1.06-2.23), and worsened anxiety symptoms (HR: 1.81; 95%CI 1.49-2.21) were associated with an increased risk of memory complaints. Regular practice of physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of memory complaints (HR: 0.65; 95%CI 0.57-0.74). Conclusion: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, 6 in 10 adults in Southern Brazil have developed memory complaints. Factors including sex and lack of medications increased the risk of incident memory complaints. Physical activity reduced the risk of incident memory complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Estudos em nível populacional que investiguem a incidência de queixa na memória durante a pandemia de COVID-19 são escassos. Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi examinar a incidência de queixa na memória, ao longo de 15 meses durante a pandemia de COVID-19, em adultos do Sul do Brasil. Métodos: Foram analisados dados da coorte Estudo Prospectivo sobre Saúde Mental e Física em Adultos (PAMPA), um estudo longitudinal com adultos residentes no Sul do Brasil. Um questionário autoadministrado online foi usado para avaliar a memória autorreferida. Os participantes classificaram sua memória como excelente, muito boa, boa, regular ou ruim. A queixa na memória incidente foi definida como pior percepção de memória desde a linha de base até o acompanhamento. Modelos de risco proporcional de Cox foram usados para identificar fatores associados ao aumento do risco de queixa na memória incidente. Resultados: Durante o seguimento, observou-se incidência cumulativa de 57,6% para queixa na memória. Sexo feminino (hazard ratio ­ HR 1,49; intervalo de confiança ­ IC 95% 1,16­1,94), falta de acesso ao medicamento prescrito (HR: 1,54; IC95% 1,06­2,23) e sintomas de ansiedade (HR: 1,81; IC95% 1,49­2,21) foram associados a risco aumentado de queixa na memória incidente. A prática regular de atividade física foi vista como fator protetor (HR: 0,65; IC95% 0,57­0,74). Conclusões: Desde a pandemia de COVID-19, seis em cada dez adultos no Sul do Brasil desenvolveram queixa na memória. Fatores como sexo e falta de medicamentos aumentaram o risco de queixa na memória incidente. A atividade física reduziu o risco de queixa na memória incidente durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Status and Trends of Physical Activity Surveillance, Policy, and Research in 164 Countries: Findings From the Global Observatory for Physical Activity-GoPA! 2015 and 2020 Surveys.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) surveillance, policy, and research efforts need to be periodically appraised to gain insight into national and global capacities for PA promotion. The aim of this paper was to assess the status and trends in PA surveillance, policy, and research in 164 countries. METHODS: We used data from the Global Observatory for Physical Activity (GoPA!) 2015 and 2020 surveys. Comprehensive searches were performed for each country to determine the level of development of their PA surveillance, policy, and research, and the findings were verified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. Trends were analyzed based on the data available for both survey years. RESULTS: The global 5-year progress in all 3 indicators was modest, with most countries either improving or staying at the same level. PA surveillance, policy, and research improved or remained at a high level in 48.1%, 40.6%, and 42.1% of the countries, respectively. PA surveillance, policy, and research scores decreased or remained at a low level in 8.3%, 15.8%, and 28.6% of the countries, respectively. The highest capacity for PA promotion was found in Europe, the lowest in Africa and low- and lower-middle-income countries. Although a large percentage of the world's population benefit from at least some PA policy, surveillance, and research efforts in their countries, 49.6 million people are without PA surveillance, 629.4 million people are without PA policy, and 108.7 million live in countries without any PA research output. A total of 6.3 billion people or 88.2% of the world's population live in countries where PA promotion capacity should be significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Despite PA is essential for health, there are large inequalities between countries and world regions in their capacity to promote PA. Coordinated efforts are needed to reduce the inequalities and improve the global capacity for PA promotion.

Counseling to change the lifestyle of sedentary workers on musculoskeletal pain: systematic review / Aconselhamento para mudança do estilo de vida de trabalhadores sedentários sobre a dor musculoesquelética: revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in sedentary workers is a cause of absenteeism, high health costs and is relate to their lifestyle and work. Systematic reviews of interventions on the condition of MSP in this population are based on work equipment and do not present consensus on the type of intervention and its effectiveness. Terefore, the objective was to analyze the evidence of intervention studies that included education strategies to change the lifestyle of sedentary workers on the reduction of MSP. CONTENTS: This systematic review follows the recommendations of PRISMA 2020. Searches were conducted until April 2021 in the PubMed, BIREME and Scielo databases, in order to identify randomized or non-randomized clinical trials published between January 1999 and April 2021. Indexed search descriptors were used and eligibility criteria were defined according to the PICOS strategy. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale. Eight randomized clinical trials published between 2004 and 2020, conducted in Europe, Asia, the United States and Australia involving 1,871 people (35 to 52 years old) were included. Interventions ranged from two weeks to 12 months. Five studies showed a higher number of women. In addition to lifestyle counseling, three studies addressed work characteristics (time in sitting posture, body posture) and three others investigated issues related to pain (symptoms, neck/shoulder anatomy and self-management). Six interventions were effective to reduce the intensity and frequency of MSP in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine, shoulders and thoracic spine, which used counseling to increase the practice of physical activity, stress control, healthy eating, decreased alcohol consumption and smoking. Six studies presented medium/low bias risk in the following items: occult allocation, baseline comparability, blinding (individuals, therapists and evaluators), adequate follow-up and intention to treat analysis; and two studies presented medium/high risk in the same items, except in baseline comparability. CONCLUSION: Workplace interventions that include education strategies and counseling for lifestyle changes are effective for reducing the intensity and frequency of MSP in sedentary workers. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022342636. HIGHLIGHTS Lifestyle education can reduce musculoskeletal pain in workers. Physical activity and stress control contribute to reducing pain intensity. The workplace is a potent environment for decreasing musculoskeletal pain.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor musculoesquelética (DME) em trabalhadores sedentários é causa de absenteísmo, custos elevados em saúde e está relacionada ao seu estilo de vida e de trabalho. Revisões sistemáticas de intervenções sobre a condição de DME nesta população baseiam-se nos equipamentos de trabalho e não apresentam consenso quanto ao tipo de intervenção e sua efetividade. Portanto, o objetivo foi analisar as evidências dos estudos de intervenção que incluíram estratégias de educação para mudança do estilo de vida de trabalhadores sedentários para a redução da DME. CONTEÚDO: Esta revisão sistemática segue as recomendações do PRISMA 2020. Foram realizadas buscas até abril de 2021 nas bases de dados Pubmed, BIREME e Scielo, visando identificar estudos clínicos randomizados ou não randomizados publicados entre janeiro de 1999 e abril de 2021. Foram utilizados descritores de busca indexados e definidos critérios de elegibilidade segundo a estratégia PICOS. O risco de viés foi avaliado por meio da escala PEDro. Foram incluídos oito estudos clínicos randomizados publicados entre 2004 e 2020, realizados na Europa, Ásia, Estados Unidos e Austrália, que envolveram 1.871 pessoas (35 a 52 anos). As intervenções variaram de duas semanas a 12 meses. Cinco estudos apresentaram maior número de mulheres. Além dos aconselhamentos para estilo de vida, três estudos abordaram características do trabalho (tempo na postura sentada, postura corporal) e outros três investigaram questões relacionadas à dor (sintomas, anatomia pescoço/ombro e autogerenciamento). Seis intervenções foram efetivas para a redução da intensidade e da frequência de DME nas regiões cervical e lombar da coluna, nos ombros e coluna torácica, as quais utilizaram aconselhamentos para aumento da prática de atividade física, controle do estresse, alimentação saudável, diminuição do consumo de álcool e do tabagismo. Seis estudos apresentaram risco de viés médio/baixo nos itens alocação oculta, comparabilidade da linha de base, cegamento (indivíduos, terapeutas e avaliadores), acompanhamento adequado e análise de intenção de tratar; e dois estudos apresentaram risco médio/alto nos mesmos itens, exceto na comparabilidade da linha de base. CONCLUSÃO: Intervenções realizadas no local de trabalho e que incluam estratégias de educação e aconselhamentos para mudanças no estilo de vida podem ser efetivas para redução da intensidade e da frequência de DME em trabalhadores sedentários. Registro PROSPERO: CRD42022342636. DESTAQUES Educação a respeito de estilo de vida pode reduzir a dor musculoesquelética de trabalhadores. Atividade física e controle do estresse contribuem para redução da intensidade de dor. O local de trabalho é um ambiente potente para melhora na dor musculoesquelética.

Incidence of multimorbidity and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, access to healthcare services may have become difficult, which may have led to an increase in chronic diseases and multimorbidity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of multimorbidity and its associated factors among adults living in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study conducted in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: We included data from the two waves of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA). Data were collected via online questionnaires between June and July 2020 (wave 1) and between December 2020 and January 2021 (wave 2). Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more diagnosed medical conditions. RESULTS: In total, 516 individuals were included, among whom 27.1% (95% confidence interval, CI: 23.5-31.1) developed multimorbidity from wave 1 to 2. In adjusted regression models, female sex (hazard ratio, HR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.19-3.24), middle-aged adults (31-59 years) (HR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.18-2.70) and older adults (60 or over) (HR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.25-4.61) showed higher risk of multimorbidity. Back pain (19.4%), high cholesterol (13.3%) and depression (12.2%) were the medical conditions with the highest proportions reported by the participants during wave 2. CONCLUSION: The incidence of multimorbidity during a six-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic was 27.1% in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Incidence of multimorbidity and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, access to healthcare services may have become difficult, which may have led to an increase in chronic diseases and multimorbidity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence of multimorbidity and its associated factors among adults living in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cohort study conducted in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: We included data from the two waves of the Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health (PAMPA). Data were collected via online questionnaires between June and July 2020 (wave 1) and between December 2020 and January 2021 (wave 2). Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of two or more diagnosed medical conditions. RESULTS: In total, 516 individuals were included, among whom 27.1% (95% confidence interval, CI: 23.5-31.1) developed multimorbidity from wave 1 to 2. In adjusted regression models, female sex (hazard ratio, HR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.19-3.24), middle-aged adults (31-59 years) (HR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.18-2.70) and older adults (60 or over) (HR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.25-4.61) showed higher risk of multimorbidity. Back pain (19.4%), high cholesterol (13.3%) and depression (12.2%) were the medical conditions with the highest proportions reported by the participants during wave 2. CONCLUSION: The incidence of multimorbidity during a six-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic was 27.1% in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Low back pain prevalence and associated factors in nurses from Brazilian primary health units.

BACKGROUND: Primary health unit (PHU) nursing work is different when compared to hospital environment. Although low back pain (LBP) literature presents studies conducted in hospital nursing personnel, there is a lack of studies in PHU nurses. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to measure the prevalence of LBP in PHU nursing personnel in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. METHODS: Sociodemographic (age, gender, number of children, skin color, income and marital status), occupational (PHU type, formal education, professional experience, weekly workload, extra work activity, workload perception), nutritional (BMI), health (self-perceived health, smoking, sleep quality and minor psychiatric disorders, PHU physical structure perception) and behavioral (leisure-time physical activity) characteristics were assessed. LBP was defined as pain or discomfort between the last rib and gluteal fold. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the relationship among LBP and covariates. RESULTS: LBP prevalence was 65.2%. Chronic (12 weeks) and acute (7 days) LBP prevalence were 22.4%and 53.4%, respectively. LBP was associated with obesity (PR 1.39 95%CI 1.01-1.92) and poor self-perceived health (PR 2.77 95%CI 1.32-5.80). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of LBP in PHU nursing personnel is high and similar to hospital nurses. Individual characteristics such as body mass and health perception were associated with LBP.

Effects of an exercise program on health of people with epilepsy: A randomized clinical trial.

To evaluate the effects of an exercise program on the health of people with epilepsy (PWE) and seizure frequency. A randomized clinical trial was carried out in Pelotas/Brazil. Recruitment was conducted through social media, in local press, and Public Health System facilities. The intervention program was performed at the gym of the Physical Education School/Federal University of Pelotas. A total of 21 people, aged 18-60 years, diagnosed with epilepsy and who were not engaged in systematic physical exercise in the last three months were divided into two groups: (1) exercise (EG) - 12 weeks of a structured physical exercise program; (2) control (CG) - no exercise and maintenance of usual activities. The allocation rate 1:1 was used. The exercise program consisted of two 60-min weekly sessions including warm-up (5-min), aerobic training (15-25 min at 14-17 on Borg scale), resistance training (2-3 sets, 10-15 repetitions), and stretching. Sociodemographic, clinical and health variables (frequency and number of seizures, quality of life, depression, anxiety, and side effects), anthropometrics (weight, height, hip and waist circumferences), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), and strength (dynamometry) were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni posthoc tests were used for the comparison between moments and groups. Eleven participants were randomized to EG and 10 to CG. One EG participant did not complete the study. There was a reduction in frequency of epileptic seizures during the 3-month intervention period in EG (p = 0.010) with no improvement in CG. Improvement in quality of life (p = 0.004), stress levels (p = 0.017) and physical fitness (p = 0.017) were also observed in the EG compared to CG. A structured physical exercise program improved overall health of PWE and decreased seizure frequency.

What is the role of smartphones on physical activity promotion? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and evaluate the effect of interventions that used cell phones as a means to promote physical activity (PA). METHODS: The databases searched were MedLine/PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, Science Direct, Lilacs, and SciELO. After removing duplicates, applying exclusion criteria, and checking the reference lists, 45 studies were reviewed. The Downs and Black (D&B) scale measured methodological quality, and a random effect model was used to compute the meta-analysis of PA by the reported unit (minutes per day or steps per day), delivery agent (application (APP), SMS, or other), and PA measurement (questionnaire, accelerometer, pedometer). RESULTS: Mobile phone-based PA interventions were efficient in increasing both minutes [10.49; CI (3.37-17.60); p = 0.004] and steps per day [735.17; CI (227.72-1242.61); p = 0.005] in adults when compared to baseline. Furthermore, APP-based interventions were able to increase the number of steps (p = 0.04) and minutes per day of PA (p = 0.04) in adults. Also, 85% of included manuscripts were classified as moderate- to high-quality articles. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phone-based PA interventions, inclusive those delivery by APP, were effective to increase minutes and steps per day in adults.

Are physical activity levels associated with better health outcomes in people with epilepsy?

The aim of the study was to investigate the association of physical activity in three categories (inactive, insufficiently active and active) with health outcomes in people with epilepsy. The dependent variables and the instruments used in the study were: a) quality of life - measured by Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 for adults and Quality of Life in Epilepsy for Adolescents, b) side effects of medication - measured by Adverse Events Profile, c) depression - measured by Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy, and d) state and trait anxiety - measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Physical activity levels were analyzed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for adults in the commuting and leisure domains and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). Simple and multiple linear regression was used in the statistical analysis. The cross-sectional study with one hundred and one individuals was conducted in Pelotas/RS, Brazil, at the Neurology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Pelotas. In the crude analysis, physical activity was positively associated with quality of life (p<0.001) and negatively associated with depression (p=0.046), state of anxiety (p=0.014), trait of anxiety (p=0.015) and side effect of medication (p=0.01). In addition, physical activity levels explained 10% of the quality of life (R2=0.10). In the adjusted analysis, physical activity remained associated with side effect of medication (p=0.014) and was not associated with trait anxiety (p=0.066). However, quality of life showed a positive linear trend (p=0.001) while depression (p=0.033) and anxiety state (p=0.004) showed a negative trend according to physical activity levels. Physical activity was associated with health outcomes, and can be a nonpharmacological treatment in people with epilepsy for improving health and life conditions.

Atividade física em acadêmicos de Educação Física: um estudo longitudinal / Physical activity in physical education students: a longitudinal study

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar a prática de atividades físicas e os fatores a ela associados em estudantes de Educação Física. Estudo longitudinal realizado com acadêmicos de uma Universidade Federal do sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados 81 estudantes dos cursos de licenciatura e bacharelado os quais responderam um questionário padronizado aplicado em dois períodos: início da graduação (2014) e início do segundo ano de curso (2015). O instrumento abordou questões sobre dados sociodemográficos, comportamentais e nutricional. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado nos domínios lazer e deslocamento através do International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) versão longa. A análise estatística utilizou teste de qui-quadrado para comparação de proporções e teste de McNemar para dados pareados. A amostra apresentou maior frequência de ativos entre os indivíduos do sexo masculino, solteiros e não fumantes. Não houve diferença significativa de ativos entre cursos e entre os períodos avaliados. O período de um ano após o ingresso na universidade não mostrou diferenças na prática de atividade física, no entanto as baixas prevalências no domínio do lazer alertam para uma continuidade no acompanhamento, visto que esses indivíduos, além de se beneficiarem deste comporta-mento saudável, serão futuros disseminadores do mesmo.

The aim of the study was to verify the physical activity pratice and associated factors in physical education students. A longitudinal study was conducted with academics from a federal university in southern Brazil. We evaluated 81 students of bachelor's degree and licentiate's degree who answered a standardized questionnaire applied in two periods: early graduation (2014) and beginning of the second year course (2015). The questionnaire included sociodemographic, behavioral and nutritional questions. The level of physical activity was assessed in leisure and commuting domains through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long version. The statistical analysis used chis-quare test to compare proportions and McNemar test for paired data. The sample showed a higher frequency of actives among males, singles and nonsmokers. There was no significant difference in actives between courses and between periods. The period of one year after entry into the university showed no differences in physical activity, however the low prevalence in the leisure domain warn of continuity in monitoring, since these individuals, as well as to benefit from this healthy behavior, will be forthcoming disseminators of it.

The effects of the Pilates method in the elderly: a systematic review.

Several studies show the benefits of including muscle strength and aerobic physical activity in the routine of elderly people. Among the various possibilities of physical activity, the Pilates method has become a popular modality in recent years, through a system of exercises enabling to work the whole body and that corrects posture and realigns the muscles, developing the body stability needed for a healthier life. The aim of this study was to review the current evidence on the effects of the practice of the Pilates method in the elderly. A systematic literature review was conducted in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs/Bireme, Scopus, Pedro and Isi of Knowledge, from descriptors pilates, elderly, old adults, aging. In the selection of studies the following inclusion criteria were used: original articles in English, Portuguese and Spanish languages. All selection and evaluation processes of the articles were performed by peers and the quality was verified by the Downs and Black scale. Twenty-one studies were included. The year of publication ranged from 2003 to 2014 and the size of the sample varied from 8 to 311 elderly subjects, aged at least 60 years old. The intervention period was from 4 weeks to 12 months of Pilates exercise practice. It was concluded that despite the studies pointing to physical and motor benefits of the Pilates method in the elderly, we cannot state whether or not the method is effective, in view of the poor methodological quality of the studies included in this review.

[Factors associated with the consumption of high-fat foods among adults in a Southern Brazilian city]. / Fatores associados ao consumo de dietas ricas em gordura em adultos de uma cidade no sul do Brasil.

The scope of this study was to describe the frequency of consumption of high-fat foods among adults aged 20 to 69 years and to identify associated factors. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 972 adults in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The consumption of high-fat foods in the previous twelve months was evaluated using the Block questionnaire comprising fifteen food items scored according to the frequency of consumption of high-fat foods. Approximately one in every three adults (32.7%) reported the regular consumption of high-fat diets. Among individuals of both sexes, the regular consumption of fat was associated with younger ages and the regular intake of non-diet soft drinks, and only for men, to the A/B economic levels. The conclusion reached is that the consumption of high-fat food among adults is above current Ministry of Health recommendations. Interventions aimed at stimulating healthy diets are urgently needed.

[Working and health conditions of preschool teachers of the public school network of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil]. / Condições de trabalho e saúde de professores pré-escolares da rede pública de ensino de Pelotas, RS, Brasil.

This study describes the working and health conditions of preschool teachers from the public school network in Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul. A descriptive census was conducted in schools of the city and the state that offered preschool classes. The questionnaire included social and demographic, behavioral, nutritional, health and work issues. All teachers were female, more than 55% were classified as being overweight, 12.6% were smokers and 73% were not sufficiently physically active during their leisure time. With respect to the working conditions, 66.7% reported working in an uncomfortable posture, 40.5% considered the desks and furniture inadequate, 50.5% replied that the intervals between classes and activities are insufficient for resting. The prevalence of back, thoracic, neck and shoulder pain was high, and 17.8% tested positive for minor psychiatric disorders. The prevalence rates for occupational exposure and poor health conditions of preschool teachers are significant and can interfere in the quality of life and work of these individuals.

Acute low back pain in high school adolescents in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute low back pain (ALBP) and associated factors in high school students from a Southern Brazilian city. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional and interviewed 1,233 students 13- to 19-year-olds, attending high schools. A total of 25 schools were included in the sample (15 state institutions, 7 private, 2 federal and 1 municipal). The ALBP was evaluated using two questions. The outcome was LBP in the previous 30 days. RESULTS: The prevalence of ALBP was 13.7%. Non-white students, who commuted to school walking, showed a higher prevalence of ALBP. The prevalence of ALBP is relatively high. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies with follow-ups to adulthood are needed to investigate whether physical cumulative loads on the lumbar spine (for example, duration/transport, school bags and inadequate school furniture) during adolescence, may influence the development of ALBP later in life.

[Prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among southern Brazilian adults: cross-sectional population-based study]. / Prevalência e fatores associados a sintomas depressivos em adultos do sul do Brasil: estudo transversal de base populacional.

To identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms and examine associated factors in a Southern Brazilian adult population, a cross-sectional population-based study was carried out, including 972 subjects, men and women, aged 20 to 69 years, living in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The sampling strategy relied on the census tracts of the city as primary sampling units and households as the secondary units. The questionnaire included socio-demographic, behavioral and nutritional variables. The prevalence of sadness, anxiety, loss of energy, lack of will to do things, thinking about the past, and wishing to stay at home were 29.4%, 57.6%, 37.4%, 40.4%, 33.8%, and 54.3%, respectively. Female gender, older ages, smokers and obese individuals showed association with depressive symptoms. Population-based studies using longitudinal designs may help to clarify the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and depressive symptoms.

Aging male's symptoms in a Southern Brazil population: lifestyle effects after the age of 40.

BACKGROUND: The interest of epidemiological research about male's aging increased in recent years along with the need to evaluate health-related quality of life. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study to identify the prevalence of aging male's symptoms (AMS) and factors associated to this condition. METHODS: The study included 421 men aged 40 years or older, living in the urban area of Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The questionnaire covered sociodemographic, behavioral, and health variables, and to verify the aging male's symptoms, the AMS Scale was used. RESULTS: Moderate/severe male's symptoms was considered positive (AMS scores equal or above 37 points) in 20% of men (95% CI 16.1; 24.3). After controlling for confounders, the AMS was significantly associated with aging, self-perceived health status and smoking. The symptoms were more severe among physically inactive men. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the necessity to maintain healthy behaviors like not smoking and regular physical activity since such changeable behaviors could reduce the AMS acceleration and increase life quality and expectancy.

[Shortage of ocular health care in the public system: a population-based study]. / Carência de atenção à saúde ocular no setor público: um estudo de base populacional.

This cross-sectional population-based study investigated the prevalence of eye care services utilization and the association with socioeconomic and demographic factors, need for health care, and type of service payment. The study evaluated 2,960 adults aged 20 and older. In the previous 5 years, 46% of the sample and 30% of those aged 50 and older had not visited an eye care service. Among the persons who used a service, 18% went to an optical store and only 17% used the public health system. The main reason for using eye care services was poor vision (69.5%). Lack of money (29%) and time (24.6%) were the most frequently cited reasons for non-utilization. Age, education, and economic status were directly associated with the outcome. Female gender, cataract, glaucoma, prescription eyewear, and private appointments were also associated with the outcome. It is necessary to increase the public health system's role, integrating ocular health with all levels of health care, expanding participation by other health professionals, and intensifying screening and prevention of eye problems.

Correlates of leisure-time physical activity differ by body-mass-index status in Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels in adults and their association with sex, age, and education level across categories of body mass index (BMI). METHODS: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional study including 3100 individuals age >20 years living in Pelotas, Brazil. PA was assessed using the leisure-time section of the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. "No PA" was defined as zero minutes of activity/ week; "insufficient PA" was defined as <150 minutes of activity/week; "high PA" was defined as > or =500 minutes of activity/week. BMI was categorized into normal (<25 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (>or =30 kg/m2). RESULTS: The prevalence of insufficient PA was 71.6% among normal BMI subjects, 71.3% among overweight individuals, and 73.7% among obese ones (P = .67). No PA and high PA were also not associated with BMI. The associations between sex, age, and education level and PA levels tended to be stronger among normal-weight individuals compared with overweight and obese individuals. Among the obese, most associations were not significant. Among normal-weight individuals, higher PA levels were observed in men, young adults, and those with higher education. CONCLUSIONS: Variables associated with leisure-time PA differed between normalweight, overweight, and obese individuals. Studies on PA correlates might benefit from stratifying by BMI.