Common mental disorders in Brazilian adolescents: association with school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods and waist-to-height ratio.

Half of all mental health problems diagnosed in adulthood have their onset before or during adolescence, especially common mental disorders (CMD). Thus, it is relevant to study the factors associated with these disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association of school characteristics, consumption of ultra-processed foods, and waist-to-height ratio with the presence of CMD in Brazilian adolescents. This is a school-based, cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 71,553 Brazilian adolescents aged 12-17 years. The prevalence of CMD in these adolescents was 17.1% (cut-off point 5 for the General Health Questionnaire-12). Associations were estimated using multilevel logistic models, with the presence of CMD as the dependent variable. The final model, adjusted for non-modifiable individual variables, modifiable individual variables and family characteristics, identified a positive association between private-funded schools (OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 1.07-1.14), advertisements for ultra-processed foods (OR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.09-1.17), the second to fourth quartiles of ultra-processed food intake and waist-to-height ratio (OR = 2.26; 95%CI: 2.03-2.52). This study demonstrated that the private-funded schools , the presence of ultra-processed food advertisements, the consumption of ultra-processed food, and an increased waist-to-height ratio are risk factors for CMD in Brazilian adolescents.

The association between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and overweight in Brazilian adolescents: an analysis based on the grade of membership.

The aim of the current research is to analyze the coexistence of modifiable risk behaviors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 12-to-17-year-old adolescents living in Brazil and their influence on overweight. National, cross-sectional, school-based epidemiological study focused on estimating the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in 12 to 17 year old adolescents enrolled in public and private schools in Brazilian counties accounting for more than 100 thousand inhabitants. The grade of membership method was used to identify the coexistence of risk factors among adolescents. The analytical sample comprised 71,552 adolescents. According to the two herein generated profiles, adolescents classified under Profile 2 have shown behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and diet rich in Ultra-processed food intake ≥ 80% of the percentage of total caloric value. In addition, adolescents presenting CVD risk profile have shown increased likelihood of being overweight. The study has found coexistence of risk factors for CVD in Brazilian adolescents, with emphasis on tobacco smoking and alcoholic beverage intake. In addition, it heads towards the analysis of the association between CVD risk factors and health outcomes, such as overweight.

The association between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and overweight in Brazilian adolescents: an analysis based on the grade of membership / A associação entre múltiplos fatores de risco cardiovascular e o excesso de peso em adolescentes brasileiros: uma análise baseada no grade of membership

Abstract The aim of the current research is to analyze the coexistence of modifiable risk behaviors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 12-to-17-year-old adolescents living in Brazil and their influence on overweight. National, cross-sectional, school-based epidemiological study focused on estimating the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in 12 to 17 year old adolescents enrolled in public and private schools in Brazilian counties accounting for more than 100 thousand inhabitants. The grade of membership method was used to identify the coexistence of risk factors among adolescents. The analytical sample comprised 71,552 adolescents. According to the two herein generated profiles, adolescents classified under Profile 2 have shown behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and diet rich in Ultra-processed food intake ≥ 80% of the percentage of total caloric value. In addition, adolescents presenting CVD risk profile have shown increased likelihood of being overweight. The study has found coexistence of risk factors for CVD in Brazilian adolescents, with emphasis on tobacco smoking and alcoholic beverage intake. In addition, it heads towards the analysis of the association between CVD risk factors and health outcomes, such as overweight.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar a coexistência de comportamentos de risco modificáveis para doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) em adolescentes de 12 a 17 anos residentes no Brasil e sua influência no excesso de peso. Estudo epidemiológico nacional, transversal, de base escolar, com foco em estimar a prevalência de fatores de risco cardiovascular e síndrome metabólica em adolescentes de 12 a 17 anos matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas de municípios brasileiros que somam mais de 100 mil habitantes. O grade of membership foi utilizado para identificar a coexistência de fatores de risco entre os adolescentes. A amostra analítica foi composta por 71.552 adolescentes. De acordo com os dois perfis gerados, os adolescentes classificados no Perfil 2 mostraram comportamentos como fumar, consumo de álcool e dieta rica em alimentos ultraprocessados ≥ 80% da porcentagem do valor calórico total. Além disso, adolescentes com perfil de risco para DCV mostraram maior probabilidade de apresentar excesso de peso. O estudo encontrou coexistência de fatores de risco para DCV em adolescentes brasileiros, com destaque para tabagismo e consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. Além disso, demonstra associação entre fatores de risco para DCV e desfechos de saúde, como o excesso de peso.

Living with parents, lifestyle pattern and common mental disorders in adolescents: a school-based study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Mental health conditions represent 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in adolescents. Promotion, protection, and restoring the mental health must be considered indispensable, especially in adolescence. This study aims to verify the association of lifestyle pattern, living with parents and the presence of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that analyzed data from 71,553 adolescents aged 12-17 years, from the Study on Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), between 2013 and 2014. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to identify lifestyle pattern, and Logistic Regression Models were performed to identify the associations between lifestyle pattern, living with parents, and presence of CMD. RESULTS: To construct the Common Mental Disorders (CMD) variable, the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire was used. The Pattern of Healthy Lifestyle Practices found was characterized by higher water consumption, lower consumption of ultra-processed foods, the habit of eating breakfast, less exposure time to screens, habit of physical activity, and longer mean sleep time in hours. Adolescents belonging to the second (OR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.65-0.82) and third (OR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.39-0.50) terciles of the pattern, that is, those who had higher belonging to the pattern had lower chances of having CMD. Adolescents who lived with neither parent (OR: 1.44; 95% CI 1.16-1.78) were associated with a higher chance to present CMD. CONCLUSION: Living with parents can contribute to better mental health among adolescents. In addition, the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, encouraged by parents and the community, can reduce the chances of CMD in Brazilian adolescents.

The coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and their associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has increased significantly in recent years. The growth of obesity is motivated by the association with modifiable behaviors, however, this behavioral are commonly evaluated individually, not considering the possibility of these factors coexisting in the individual. The purpose of this essay was to identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and to assess the factors associated with the presence of these behaviors. METHODS: This a cross-sectional, national, school-based study with data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), totaling a sample of 71,552 Brazilian adolescents. To identify the coexistence of obesogenic behaviors in adolescents, the Principal Component Analysis has been performed. To assess the association between factors that influence the coexistence of modifiable behaviors in the pattern of obesogenic behavior, logistic regression was used. The magnitude of the associations was estimated by the Odds Ratio (OR), with the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: The component was characterized by a higher percentage of ultra-processed food intake, longer in front of screens, having a habit of snacking in front of the television, and not having the habit of eating breakfast. In the adjusted logistic model, it shows that female adolescents and who declare themselves black are more likely to belong to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. As for teenagers who sometimes or almost always or always have lunch or dinner with parents or guardians, who have longer hours of sleep and who live in economically disadvantaged regions have reduced chances of belonging to the third tertile of the pattern of obesogenic behavior. CONCLUSION: The identification of obesogenic behavior patterns allows assertive interventions to eliminate or reduce these changeable behaviors, also aiming at the possibility of reducing obesity among adolescents.

School environment and obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood-juvenile obesity is a globally acknowledged public health issue. The school environment has been widely assessed because it is where adolescents stay longer during the day, and it may have impact on obesity. School became a crucial environment for obesity prevention in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to associate schools' internal environment factors and its surrounding areas with obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on data from the Study on Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. The sample comprised 2,530 adolescents in the age group 12-17 years, who were enrolled in public and private schools in Belo Horizonte City, Brazil. Obesity was the dependent variable based on the cut-off point score-z + 2 for body mass index based on age. School environment's independent variables were 'managerial dependence type', 'number of drinking fountains', 'school sports environment' and 'ready-to-eat food shops' around the school (within an 800 m buffer). RESULTS: Obesity prevailed in 7.21% in sample. The largest number of drinking fountains decrease by 9% the chances of obesity in adolescents enrolled in public and private schools; however, the second and third terciles recorded for the number of ready-to-eat food shops within the 800 m buffer around schools increased by 24% and 44% the chances of obesity, respectively. CONCLUSION: School food environment aspects such as the number of operational drinking fountains and the availability of ready-to-eat food shops around the school were associated with obesity in adolescents from a Brazilian metropolis.

Dietary patterns, breakfast consumption, meals with family and associations with common mental disorders in adolescents: a school-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a period of transition and vulnerabilities, in which mental illnesses can develop more easily. The objective of this work is to analyze the association of dietary patterns, breakfast consumption, and the practice of having meals accompanied by the family with the presence of Common Mental Disorders in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which analyzed data from 71,553 Brazilian adolescents aged 12-17 years, from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (Portuguese acronym, "ERICA"). Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify dietary patterns, and Logistic Regression Models were performed to identify the associations between Common Mental Disorders, dietary patterns, and eating practices that are breakfast consumption and practice of having meals accompanied by family. RESULTS: Two patterns were found, a Healthy Dietary Pattern and an Unhealthy Dietary Pattern. Adolescents classified in the second (OR: 0.79; 95% CI 0.70-0.89) or third (OR: 0.86; 95% CI 0.77-0.96) tercile of the Healthy Dietary Pattern had a lower chance of having Common Mental Disorders. Eating breakfast sometimes (OR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.61-0.83) or almost every day/every day (OR: 0.54; 95% CI 0.47-0.62), and the practice of having the main meals with the family sometimes (OR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.57-0.84) or almost every day/every day (OR: 0.50; 95% CI 0.44-0.58), decreased the chance for Common Mental Disorders. CONCLUSION: This study observed that healthy dietary patterns are associated with better mental health in adolescents, thus should be encouraged and promoted.

Characteristics of the School Food Environment Affect the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Adolescents.

Sugar-sweetened beverages are widely available and accessible in school environment, and their presence and characteristics of this environment can influence their consumption. This study examines the association of drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors and sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents in Brazil. This cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents that was conducted between March 2013 and December 2014. The sample comprised 71,475 adolescents aged 12-17 years from 1,247 public and private schools in Brazilian cities. Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption was the dependent variable. The main effect was the school food environment, which was evaluated based on drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors. Public and private schools that sold soft drinks were associated with higher average sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents. Our study highlights the importance of creating healthy school food environments by banning sugar-sweetened beverages in schools accordingly.

Social inequalities in the surrounding areas of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis.

BACKGROUND: Food deserts are neighborhoods with little or no access to healthy food, whereas food swamps are neighborhoods where unhealthy food options prevail over healthy ones. The main aims of the current study are to feature and compare the neighborhoods of food deserts and food swamps based on social inequality. METHODS: Ecological study carried out in Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Information about commercial food establishments derived from two different databases. It was measured by secondary governmental databases, which were virtually conferred in the present study. Census tracts were considered as analysis units and classified as food deserts and food swamps, based on the Brazilian methodology. Take into consideration the density of establishments classified as selling fresh or minimally-processed food, mixed establishments, and establishments selling ultra-processed food. The Brazilian methodology evaluates food deserts by the density of healthy establishments (establishments classified as mostly selling fresh or minimally-processed food and mixed establishments) per 10 thousand inhabitants. And the metric to evaluate food swamps considers the density of unhealthy establishments (establishments mostly selling ultra-processed food) per 10 thousand inhabitants. Information about social inequalities comprised aspects such as income, population count, number of households, number of literate individuals, race, water and energy supply, and garbage collection. The Health Vulnerability Index (HVI) was used as a synthetic social vulnerability indicator. RESULTS: Neighborhoods of food deserts presented worse essential service availability, lower income per capita, and smaller mean number of literate individuals. Census tracts classified as food swamps presented better socio-demographic conditions than those areas food deserts. Neighborhoods simultaneously classified as food deserts and food swamps presented lower income per capita and were more often observed in census sectors presenting medium and high HVI. CONCLUSION: The food environment in Belo Horizonte was featured by the strong presence of food deserts and food swamps. However, the potential influence of these areas on food intake has changed depending on social inequalities.

Coexistence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among Brazilian adolescents: Individual characteristics and school environment.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) share common and modifiable risk factors; among them, unhealthy eating, physical inactivity, alcohol intake and smoking habit. However, these factors are not observed in separate and, most often, they influence each other. Risk factors established during adolescence are highly likely to remain in adult life. The aims of the current study were to evaluate the prevalence and coexistence of risk factors for CVD, as well as to investigate individual characteristic of the adolescent and environmental factors associated with risk factors' coexistence profiles. This was a cross-sectional, national, school-based epidemiological study that estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who attended public and private schools located in Brazilian counties with a population of more than 100 thousand. For this study, thematic blocks referring to alcohol consumption, eating habits, smoking, and physical activity were used. The grade of membership method was used to identify the coexistence of risk and protective factors for CVD among adolescents. The study analytical sample comprised 71,552 adolescents. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the association between factors influencing the coexistence profile of risk factors for CVD. Based on adolescent-level variables, has shown that meeting positive criterion for Common Mental Disorders and not consuming the meals provided by the school have significantly increased the likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. On the other hand, school-level variables, show that studying in private schools and living in economically favored Brazilian regions have increased adolescents' likelihood of belonging to the CVD-risk profile. These results can be used to substantiate the inclusion of food environment variables in public policies focused on preventing CVD development among Brazilian adolescents.

Effects of HAART in the nutritional status of children and adolescents infected by HIV in Brazil: a systematic review.

The verification of factors associated with growth, body composition and nutritional and nutritional aspects after HIV infection in children or adolescents in Brazil is fundamental for progress in this area. We selected articles published until 2018, available on the platforms PubMed and Lilacs, using the keywords The following descriptors and their associations were used, extracted from MeSH: "Children", "Adolescent", "Anthropometry", "Nutritional Assessment", "HIV", "Brazil" adding the filter "and" for advanced searches. A total of 1,450 articles were found, and after selection and full reading, 19 were selected. The studies agreed that children and adolescents living with HIV present or may present alterations in bone metabolism, lipid metabolism and body composition due to infection or associated with therapy. Significant differences were observed in weight and height in infected infants compared to uninfected infants. The evaluation and monitoring of diet quality, as well as serum micronutrient monitoring, are fundamental to guarantee the clinical and treatment conditions of these patients, as well as to prevent disorders due to low nutrient intakes.

Effects of HAART in the nutritional status of children and adolescents infected by HIV in Brazil: a systematic review / Efeitos da HAART no estado nutricional de crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV no Brasil: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract The verification of factors associated with growth, body composition and nutritional and nutritional aspects after HIV infection in children or adolescents in Brazil is fundamental for progress in this area. We selected articles published until 2018, available on the platforms PubMed and Lilacs, using the keywords The following descriptors and their associations were used, extracted from MeSH: "Children", "Adolescent", "Anthropometry", "Nutritional Assessment", "HIV", "Brazil" adding the filter "and" for advanced searches. A total of 1,450 articles were found, and after selection and full reading, 19 were selected. The studies agreed that children and adolescents living with HIV present or may present alterations in bone metabolism, lipid metabolism and body composition due to infection or associated with therapy. Significant differences were observed in weight and height in infected infants compared to uninfected infants. The evaluation and monitoring of diet quality, as well as serum micronutrient monitoring, are fundamental to guarantee the clinical and treatment conditions of these patients, as well as to prevent disorders due to low nutrient intakes.

Resumo A verificação de fatores associados ao crescimento, composição corporal e aspectos alimentares e nutricionais, após a infecção pelo HIV em crianças ou adolescentes no Brasil é fundamental para avanços nesta área. Foram selecionados artigos publicados até 2018, disponibilizados nas plataformas PubMed e Lilacs, extraídas do MeSH: "Children", "Adolescent", "Anthropometry", "Nutritional Assessment", "HIV", "Brazil" adicionadas do filtro "and" para as pesquisas. Foram encontrados 1.450 artigos e após seleção e leitura integral foram selecionados 19. Os estudos concordaram que crianças e adolescentes vivendo com HIV apresentam ou podem apresentar alterações no metabolismo ósseo, de lipídeos e na composição corporal devido à infecção ou associadas à terapia. Observou-se diferença significativa do peso e estatura em crianças infectadas em relação às não infectadas. Percebe-se que a avaliação e o monitoramento da qualidade da dieta, bem como o acompanhamento sérico de micronutrientes, são fundamentais para garantir as condições clínicas e de tratamento destes pacientes, bem como para prevenir desordens por baixo consumo de nutrientes.

Prevention measures for vertical HIV transmission: monitoring infected pregnant women and exposed children / Medidas de prevenção para transmissão vertical do HIV: acompanhamento de gestantes infectadas e crianças expostas

Abstract Objectives: to present an analysis of the follow-up of exposed children and pregnant women living with HIV who are assisted in a reference public healthcare service of a Brazilian capital. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study with sociodemographic and clinical data obtainedfrom physical and electronic medical records of women living with HIV and exposed children, treated between 2000 and 2018, in a secondary healthcare service. For associations, the chi-square test at 5% significance was used. Results: the data about 183 pregnancies and 214 children from the capital or other municipalities in the state were analyzed. The women have low schooling, are brown or black, single, multiparous, diagnosed with HIV during prenatal care, with the start of follow-up from the third trimester of pregnancy and the use of prophylaxis during childbirth. As for children, the associations were significant for notification on SINAN, admission to the health service, use of prophylaxis indicating better monitoring for those who live in the state capital. Conclusions: the prevention measures recommended by the Ministry of Health, in general, were followed, but children and pregnant women who live in other cities were worse off than those ones in the capital. Unnotified cases were identified on SINAN. These issues may contribute to new cases of vertical transmission of HIV.

Resumo Objetivos: apresentar uma análise do acompanhamento de crianças expostas e gestantes vivendo com HIV atendidas em um serviço público de referência de uma capital brasileira. Métodos: trata-se de estudo transversal, com dados sociodemográficos e clínicos obtidos em prontuários físicos e eletrônicos mulheres vivendo com HIV e crianças expostas, atendidas entre 2000 a 2018 em um serviço de atenção secundária à saúde. Para as associações foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado, com significância de 5%. Resultados: foram analisados dados de 183 gestações de 150 mulheres e 214 crianças expostas a infecção pelo HIV As mulheres possuíam baixa escolaridade, eram pardas ou pretas, solteiras, multíparas, com diagnóstico de HIV durante o pré-natal, com início do acompanhamento a partir do terceiro trimestre de gestação e uso de profilaxia durante o parto. Quanto às crianças, as associações foram significativas para notificação no SINAN, admissão no serviço de saúde, uso de profilaxia indicando melhor acompanhamento para aquelas que moravam na capital do estado. Conclusões: as medidas de prevenção recomendadas pelo Ministério da Saúde, em geral, foram seguidas, porém apresentaram pior cenário as crianças e gestantes que residiam em outros munícipios quando comparadas as da capital. Foram identificados casos não notificados no SINAN. Essas questões podem contribuir para novos casos de transmissão vertical do HIV.

School Type, Eating Habits, and Screen Time are Associated With Ultra-Processed Food Consumption Among Brazilian Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may be a result of the environmental influences to which adolescents are exposed and/or habits acquired since childhood through family interactions. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate whether type of school administration (public or private), eating habits, and screen time are associated with the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to total kilocalories consumed by Brazilian adolescents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional secondary analysis of the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) performed between March 2013 and December 2014. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Overall, 71,553 adolescents from 1,247 public and private schools in 124 Brazilian cities (with a population of more than 100,000) were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured the percentage caloric contribution of UPFs to the total kilocalories consumed, obtained using one 24-hour food recall. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Generalized linear models were used, guided by the hierarchical model. Sample complexity was considered using the Stata svy command, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Overall, UPFs contributed an average of 28% (95% CI, 27.80%-28.15%) of total energy intake. Based on the final multivariate analysis, a significantly higher UPF diet was observed among adolescents from private schools (P < .001), those who do not consume meals offered by schools (P < .001), those who do not eat breakfast regularly (P < .05), those who eat in front of screens almost every day or every day (P < .001), and those who spend more time in front of screens (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that UPF consumption is associated with school type, eating habits, and screen time among Brazilian adolescents.

Health behavior patterns of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Brazilian adolescents in a nationally representative school-based study.

Studies on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption patterns can help in the individual and population level management of chronic non-communicable diseases and other conditions. This study aimed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among Brazilian adolescents from a nationally representative school-based study. A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 71,553 adolescents aged 12-17 years who attended public and private schools in Brazilian cities, from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. Principal component analysis was performed to identify health behavior patterns, and ordered logistic regression was performed to identify the association between health behavior patterns and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (mL/day) was used as the dependent variable. The analyses were performed using Stata software version 14.0 with a significance level of 0.05. Patterns 2 (alcoholic beverage and smoking habit) and 3 (ultra-processed food and screen time) of health behaviors and regularly purchasing snacks in the school cafeteria increased the odds of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, while pattern 1 (water, unprocessed and minimally processed food and physical activity) decreased these odds. The adoption of healthy habits can indirectly stimulate the adoption of other habits beneficial to health. These results indicate the importance of adopting a set of regulatory measures to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption.

Historic and teaching aspects of anatomy and Cebus genus role in Ccntemporary anatomy / Aspectos históricos y de enseñanza de la anatomía y el papel del género Cebus en la anatomía moderna

Anatomy is the science that studies the body and a basic discipline in health and biological sciences indispensable to students that study this area, and plays a important role in the comparison of species. Nowadays anatomy is falling into academic and scientific crisis. Recently, the number of papers and reviews on health science education have increased considerably. Pre-clinical disciplines are essential for all health and biological science courses; among them anatomy is considered to be the basis of morphological sciences. For that reason, throughout history, this discipline has been viewed as a factual knowledge base that must be learned in its entirety. History of anatomy demonstrated that teaching in this area is facilitated by the use of dissection of both animal and human disciplines. In absence of human cadavers, it is possible to use animals for dissection for the benefits of students. The aim of this paper is to serve as a reminder to understand that anatomy is the basis of current health science and to realize what is important in the teaching of anatomy. It is also important to learn anatomy since researchers sometimes draw wrong conclusion because of lack of anatomical knowledge.

La anatomía es la ciencia que estudia el cuerpo y una disciplina básica en ciencias de la salud y biológicas, indispensables para los estudiantes que tratan esta materia, teniendo además, un importante papel en la comparación de las especies. Actualmente, la anatomía está en una crisis académica y científica. Por otra parte, recientemente, el número de artículos y revisiones en la educación en ciencias de la salud han aumentado considerablemente. Las disciplinas pre-clínicas son esenciales para todos los cursos de salud y ciencias biológicas, entre ellas, la anatomía es considerada como la base de las ciencias morfológicas. Por esa razón, a lo largo de la historia, la anatomía ha sido considerada como una base de conocimiento de los hechos que deben ser aprendidas en su totalidad. La historia de la anatomía ha demostrado que la enseñanza en esta área se ve facilitada por el uso de la disección de animales. En ausencia de cadáveres humanos, es posible utilizar los animales para la disección, generando así beneficios para los estudiantes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue recordar el pasado para entender que la anatomía es la base de la ciencia de la salud actual y darse cuenta de la importancia de la enseñanza de esta disciplina. Finalmente, es importante recordar que los investigadores algunas veces han llegado a conclusiones erróneas debido a la falta de conocimiento sobre temas anatómicos.

Teaching embryology using models construction in practical classes / La enseñanza de embriología usando la construcción de modelos en las clases prácticas

Recently, the curriculum and the educational methodologies associated with health sciences courses are being reviewed and adapted. Pre-clinical sciences, such as anatomy and embryology are as well subjected to those changes. In human embryology courses it is common to use models to represent the different phases of development to facilitate learning, since the students can see and touch the models, obtaining knowledge by analogies. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if the construction of models by the students during practical embryology classes would improve or facilitate their learning. One year after the classes, 60 students answered a questionnaire with nine objective questions, including spaces for suggestions and observations. The student's responses suggested that the construction of models contributed to their learning.

Recientemente, el plan de estudios y las metodologías educativas asociadas a los cursos de ciencias de la salud están siendo revisados y adaptados. Ciencias pre-clínicas tales como la Anatomía y la Embriología son también sometidas a cambios. En los cursos de Embriología Humana, es común el uso de modelos para representar las diferentes fases del desarrollo, y así facilitar el aprendizaje, ya que los estudiantes pueden ver y tocar los modelos, así se realiza la obtención de conocimientos por medio de analogías. El propósito del presente estudio fue investigar si la construcción de modelos por parte de los estudiantes, durante las clases prácticas de Embriología, mejora o facilita su aprendizaje. Después de un año, 60 estudiantes respondieron a un cuestionario con nueve preguntas objetivas, incluidos los espacios para sugerencias y observaciones. De acuerdo con las respuestas de los estudiantes, la construcción de modelos han contribuido a su aprendizaje.