Education and cognitive function among older adults in Brazil and Mexico.

Education is protective against cognitive impairment. We used nationally representative data from Mexico and Brazil to assess the association between education and cognitive function. The sample included adults ≥ 50 years from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI) and the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Participants were classified as cognitively impaired or not impaired. We used logistic regression models to estimate the association between education and cognitive function. Education level was higher in MHAS than in ELSI. Participants with at least 1 year of education were less likely to have cognitive impairment than those with no formal education in both cohorts. Men in ELSI had higher odds for cognitive impairment compared to men in MHAS. In both cohorts, higher educational level was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education. Sex was an effect modifier in MHAS but not in ELSI. HIGHLIGHTS: Cognitive test batteries were harmonized using a regression-based approach.Even very low levels of education were associated with reduced odds of cognitive impairment compared to no formal education.Brazilians were more likely to have cognitive impairment than Mexicans given the same education level.The differences in the association of education with cognition between Brazil and Mexico were only observed among men.

Adherence to COVID-19 Guidelines among Current, Former, and Never Smokers.

Objectives: In this paper, we explore the adherence patterns to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 mitigation guidelines among current, former, and never smokers. Methods: We used an online cross-sectional survey of adults 18 years or older in 5 northeastern states of the US (N=1084). Results: Unadjusted analyses revealed that current smokers reported lower adherence to the CDC guidelines than former smokers (27.5 vs 29.4, p<.05). After accounting for sociodemographic covariates, this finding was no longer statistically significant. However, compared to former smokers, never smokers reported wearing their mask less often (OR=0.65; 95% CI=0.45-0.94) and current smokers were less likely to report always practicing illness-related hygiene skills (OR=0.60; 95% CI=0.39-0.93).Conclusions: Never smokers had poorer adherence to CDC guidelines than former smokers, namely wearing their masks, and current smokers were less likely to always follow the hygiene recommendations. Results should inform future public health efforts in targeting current smokers with lower adherence to CDC guidelines and learning from the ability of former smokers to demonstrate high adherence.

Meat intake among adults: a population-based study in the city of Campinas, Brazil. A cross-sectional study / Ingestão de carnes em adultos: estudo de base populacional na cidade de Campinas, Brasil. Um estudo transversal

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Meat is a food with high nutritional density that has significant participation in the Brazilian diet. However, in excess it can cause harm to health. The aim of this study was to analyze the meat intake (g/day) among adults according to sociodemographic, behavioral and health situation characteristics, and to assess the types of meat most consumed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008 and 2009. METHODS: Two-stage cluster sampling was used. The analysis included 948 adults between 20 and 59 years, who were participants in the Campinas Health Survey. Meat intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: The mean meat intake adjusted for sex and age was 182.3 g (95% CI: 170.6-193.9 g), with significantly lower intake among women, individuals aged 50 years or over, those with the presence of two or more self-reported chronic diseases and those with three or more health complaints. Higher meat intake was found in segments with intermediate monthly family income (between 1 and 3 minimum wages), those with 16 or more appliances per household and those who consumed soft drinks seven days a week. Beef was consumed most frequently (44%) among the meats in the diet, followed by poultry, fish and pork. CONCLUSION: The data from this study reveal high meat intake in the population of Campinas and identify the segments that need to be prioritized for strategies directed towards appropriate meat intake.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: As carnes são alimentos com elevada densidade nutricional, apresentam expressiva participação na dieta dos brasileiros, porém em excesso provocam prejuízos à saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a ingestão de carnes (g/dia) entre adultos segundo características sociodemográficas, comportamentais e de situação de saúde, além de avaliar os tipos de carnes mais consumidos. DESENHO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal de base populacional, realizado em Campinas, SP, Brasil, em 2008 e 2009. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi obtida por conglomerados e em dois estágios. Foram analisados 948 adultos (20-59 anos), participantes do Inquérito de Saúde de Campinas. O recordatório alimentar de 24 horas foi utilizado para estimar a ingestão de carnes. RESULTADOS: A ingestão média de carnes ajustada por sexo e idade foi de 182,3 g (IC 95%: 170,6-193,9 g), sendo significativamente menor nas mulheres, nos indivíduos com 50 anos ou mais, nos que relataram duas ou mais doenças crônicas e nos que apresentavam três ou mais queixas de saúde. Maior ingestão de carnes foi encontrada nos segmentos com renda familiar mensal intermediária entre 1 e 3 salários mínimos, com 16 ou mais equipamentos no domicílio, assim como aqueles que ingeriam refrigerantes nos 7 dias da semana. A carne bovina foi a mais frequente (44%) entre as carnes presentes na dieta, seguida de aves, processadas, peixes e suínas. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados desta pesquisa revelam elevada ingestão de carnes na população de Campinas e identificam os segmentos que devem ser priorizados para estratégias direcionadas a adequar a ingestão desse alimento.

Meat intake among adults: a population-based study in the city of Campinas, Brazil. A cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Meat is a food with high nutritional density that has significant participation in the Brazilian diet. However, in excess it can cause harm to health. The aim of this study was to analyze the meat intake (g/day) among adults according to sociodemographic, behavioral and health situation characteristics, and to assess the types of meat most consumed. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional population-based study conducted in the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008 and 2009. METHODS: Two-stage cluster sampling was used. The analysis included 948 adults between 20 and 59 years, who were participants in the Campinas Health Survey. Meat intake was assessed using 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: The mean meat intake adjusted for sex and age was 182.3 g (95% CI: 170.6-193.9 g), with significantly lower intake among women, individuals aged 50 years or over, those with the presence of two or more self-reported chronic diseases and those with three or more health complaints. Higher meat intake was found in segments with intermediate monthly family income (between 1 and 3 minimum wages), those with 16 or more appliances per household and those who consumed soft drinks seven days a week. Beef was consumed most frequently (44%) among the meats in the diet, followed by poultry, fish and pork. CONCLUSION: The data from this study reveal high meat intake in the population of Campinas and identify the segments that need to be prioritized for strategies directed towards appropriate meat intake.