Time spent on social media and depressive symptoms in university students: The mediating role of psychoactive substances.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although some studies have related social media use and depressive symptoms, little is known about the role of psychoactive substance use in this relationship. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the association between time spent on social media (TSSM) and depressive symptoms and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by psychoactive substances in students. METHODS: Our cross-sectional analysis included a sample of students from a university in a large city in southern Brazil. The TSSM and tobacco frequency of consumption were self-reported. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire. Alcohol and illicit drug-related risks were assessed with the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. Hayes's PROCESS macro was used for mediation analyses, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index and physical activity. RESULTS: A total of 3161 students were included, of which, 69.0% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The association between TSSM and depressive symptoms was statistically significant and partially mediated by tobacco consumption (indirect effect [IE] = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.08), alcohol-related risk (IE = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.14-0.25), and illicit drug-related risk (IE = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.05-0.12). CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our data suggest a direct relationship between TSSM and depressive symptoms, with a partial mediation effect of psychoactive substance use. This study highlights the importance that public health initiatives aimed at preventing depressive problems in young adults should focus not only on TSSM, but also on controlling and reducing psychoactive substance use.

Association between Objective and Subjective Sleep Parameters with Postural Control Responses among Brazilian Schoolteachers.

Objective To investigate the impact of sleep quality on postural control in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study with 41 schoolteachers (mean age 45.7 ± 10.4 years). Sleep quality was assessed in two ways: objectively (through actigraphy), and subjectively (through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Postural control was assessed in an upright posture during 3 trials of 30s (bipedal and semitandem stances in rigid and foam surfaces with eyes open) with a period of rest across trials, on a force platform, based in the center of pressure measurements in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality in this study sample was 53.7% ( n = 22). No differences were found between Poor and Good sleep in the posturographic parameters (p > 0.05). Although, there was moderate correlation between postural control in the semitandem stance and subjective sleep efficiency for center of pressure area (rs = -0.424; p = 0.006) and amplitude in anteroposterior direction (rs = -0.386; p = 0.013). Discussion There is correlation between poor sleep quality and postural control in schoolteachers, as sleep efficiency decreases, postural sway increases. Poor sleep quality and postural control were investigated in other populations, but not in teachers. Several factors such as work overload, insufficient time for physical activities, among others, can contribute to a worse perception of sleep quality, as well as deterioration in postural control. Further studies with larger populations are needed to confirm these findings.

Nut consumption, body weight, and adiposity in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

CONTEXT: It seems that nut consumption does not lead to weight gain in the general population. However, fewer studies have explored this relationship in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). PURPOSE: To synthesize evidence on the effects of nut (specifically, tree nuts and peanuts) consumption on adiposity-related measures in individuals diagnosed with T2D. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: Four databases were searched up to December 31, 2020. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of nut consumption vs a control diet on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and percent body fat were included. DATA EXTRACTION: The pooled effect sizes (p-ESs) and 95%CIs of nut consumption were estimated using random effects models. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 15 randomized controlled trials including 899 individuals were included. No significant effects of nut-enriched interventions were found for body weight (p-ES = -0.04; 95%CI: -0.16 to 0.08), body mass index (p-ES = -0.05; 95%CI: -0.17 to 0.08), waist circumference (p-ES = -0.02; 95%CI: -0.20 to 0.15), or percent body fat (p-ES = -0.03; 95%CI: -0.28 to 0.21). CONCLUSION: Nut consumption has no effect, positive or negative, on weight or adiposity parameters in people with T2D.

Duración del sueño y limitación funcional en adultos mayores / Sleep duration and functional limitations in older adult

Fundamento y objetivo: Examinar la asociación entre la duración del sueño y la limitación funcional en adultos mayores de España. Sujetos y método: Estudio transversal con 3.708 personas representativas de la población de ≥ 60 años no institucionalizada de España. La duración del sueño fue autorreportada, y la limitación funcional se valoró según las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (AIVD). Resultados: Se identificaron 1.424 (38,4%) personas con ≥ 1 limitación en AIVD. En análisis ajustados por variables sociodemográficas y de estilo de vida, el porcentaje de personas con limitación en AIVD fue mayor en los que dormían ≤ 5 horas (odds ratio [OR] 1,56; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 1,18-2,06) o ≥ 10 horas (OR 2,08; IC 95% 1,67-2,60; p tendencia lineal<0,001) que en los que dormían 8 horas. La asociación entre el sueño largo (≥ 10 horas) y la limitación funcional se mantuvo después de ajustar por comorbilidad y por la calidad del sueño (OR 1,77; IC 95% 1,38-2,28), mientras que la asociación entre el sueño corto (≤ 5 horas) y la limitación funcional desapareció tras este ajuste (OR 1,10; IC 95% 0,80-1,50). Conclusión: En adultos mayores, la mayor duración del sueño es un marcador de limitación funcional independiente de la comorbilidad (AU)

Background and objective: To examine the association between sleep duration and functional limitation in older adults from Spain. Subjects and methods: Cross-sectional study with 3,708 individuals representative of the noninstitutionalized population aged 60 years in Spain. Sleep duration was self-reported, and the functional limitations in the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were assessed.Results: Functional limitations in IADL were identified in 1,424 (38.4%) participants. In analyses adjustedfor sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, the percentage of participants with limitation in IADL washigher in those who slept 5 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-2.06) or 10 hours (OR = 2.08; 95%CI = 1.67-2.60; p for trend < 0.001) than in those who slept 8 hours. Theassociation between long sleep ( 10 hours) and functional limitations held even after adjustment forcomorbidity and sleep quality (OR = 1.77; 95%CI = 1.38-2.28) while the association between short sleep( 5 hours) and functional limitation no longer held after this adjustment (OR = 1.10; 95%CI = 0.80-1.50).Conclusion: In older adults, long sleep duration is a marker of functional limitations independent ofcomorbidity (AU)

[Sleep duration and functional limitations in older adult]. / Duración del sueño y limitación funcional en adultos mayores.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between sleep duration and functional limitation in older adults from Spain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 3,708 individuals representative of the non-institutionalized population aged ≥ 60 years in Spain. Sleep duration was self-reported, and the functional limitations in the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were assessed. RESULTS: Functional limitations in IADL were identified in 1,424 (38.4%) participants. In analyses adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, the percentage of participants with limitation in IADL was higher in those who slept ≤ 5 hours (odds ratio [OR]=1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.18-2.06) or ≥ 10 hours (OR=2.08; 95%CI=1.67-2.60; p for trend<0.001) than in those who slept 8 hours. The association between long sleep (≥ 10 hours) and functional limitations held even after adjustment for comorbidity and sleep quality (OR=1.77; 95%CI=1.38-2.28) while the association between short sleep (≤ 5 hours) and functional limitation no longer held after this adjustment (OR=1.10; 95%CI=0.80-1.50). CONCLUSION: In older adults, long sleep duration is a marker of functional limitations independent of comorbidity.