Profile of Children with Undernutrition Admitted in Two Secondary-Level Hospitals in Maputo City, Mozambique.

Mozambique has one of the highest child undernutrition rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of children from 1 to 14 years old hospitalized for undernutrition and to explore associated risk factors. Clinical, demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental data were collected. Anthropometric measurements and stool samples were collected from a child and their caretaker. The wealth index was determined using Principal Components Analysis. A total of 449 children and their caretakers were enrolled. The children had a median age of 1.0 year [IQR: 1.0-2.0], and 53.9% (242/449) were male. Most were admitted with severe undernutrition (35.7%, 159/449 kwashiorkor and 82.0%, 368/449 with -3SD Z-score indexes). The most common co-morbidities were HIV (30.0%, 120/400), diarrhea (20.0%; 80/400), and anemia (12.5%; 50/400). Among the caretakers, 9.5% (39/409) were underweight, 10.1% (40/397) were overweight, and 14.1% (56/397) were obese. Intestinal parasites were found in 24.8% (90/363) children and in 38.5% (77/200) caretakers. The majority of children (60.7%, 85/140) came from low- to middle-wealth households. Most were severely undernourished, suggesting that they seek medical care too late. The finding of overweight/obese caretakers in combination with undernourished children confirms that Mozambique is facing a double burden of malnutrition.

Biopsychosocial Effects of a Conventional Exercise Program and Culturally Relevant Activities in Older Women From Mozambique.

AIM: This randomized controlled trial compared the effects of a Conventional Exercise Program (CEP) and Culturally Relevant Activities (CRA) on body mass, cardiovascular risk, functional fitness (strength, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and agility), self-efficacy, and self-esteem in older women dwelling in Mozambique. METHODS: Fifty-seven women (67 [7] y) underwent 60-minute sessions of CEP (n = 28) or CRA (n = 29) performed 3 days per week for 12 weeks. CRA included Mozambican traditional dances and games (intensity corresponding to scores 3-4 of BORG-CR10 scale), and CEP included 20-minute stationary cycling (65%-75% heart rate reserve) and a resistance training circuit (8 exercises, 15-repetition maximum). RESULTS: CEP and CRA (P < .05) showed increased percent fat (3.4% and 5.3%), waist circumference (3.3% and 5.8%), and cardiorespiratory fitness (14.4% and 9.4%), and decreased triglycerides (-20.0% and -77.8%). In CEP (P < .05), body mass (2.9%), body mass index (3.2%), and high-density lipoprotein (10.0%) increased, while glycemia (-4.8%) and total cholesterol (-9.8%) decreased. Blood pressure slightly increased in CEP (6.2%, P > .05) and CRA (4.3%, P < .05). Self-efficacy and self-esteem increased to similar levels in both groups (15%, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: CEP and CRA were capable to improve biopsychosocial health-related variables in Mozambican older women. Culturally referenced PA interventions should be considered as an alternative in African countries.

Energy Expenditure, Intensity, and Perceived Effort in Recreational Functional Training.

Background: Functional training (FT) has become popular and seems to provoke health benefits. However, there are unsubstantiated claims regarding energy expenditure (EE) vs. weight-loss and cardiorespiratory improvements linked to FT. Objective: This study quantified the EE and intensity during FT performed in a conventional fitness center. Additionally, data of FT and moderate continuous walking (WLK) were compared. Methods: Healthy individuals with no previous experience with FT [n = 25, 11 males/14 females, 38.8 ± 9.3 years; 73.9 ± 13.8 Kg; 168.5 ± 8.5 cm; 26.0 ± 4.5 Kg/m2; 16 overweight (BMI >25 Kg/m2)] performed three FT sessions interspersed with 48 h (two familiarization, one assessment). The circuit included 4 rounds of 12 exercises performed at all-out intensity for 20 s with 1-min intervals between rounds. WLK was performed for 25 min with intensity corresponding to scores 3-5 on Borg CR-10 Scale. Outcomes were EE (kcal), movement counts estimated by triaxial accelerometry, heart rate reserve (%HRR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: On average, FT sessions lasted 24 min and EE ranged between 124 and 292 kcal (188 ± 41 kcal), corresponding to 5-8 METs (6.1 ± 0.6 METs), and 70-80%HRR (74 ± 8%). Accelerometry (counts/min) showed that vigorous predominated over moderate intensity during FT and WLK (p = .01), with similar EE. The relative intensity and RPE were higher in FT vs. WLK (74% vs. 55%HRR and Borg 5-8 vs. 3-5, respectively; p < .0001). Conclusion: FT and WLK elicited EE consistent with recommendations to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but only FT achieved relative intensities compatible with cardiorespiratory improvement. FT should be considered an option in health-oriented exercise programs for the general population.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Young Adults (18-25 Years) in Mozambique.

The life course development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the undergoing epidemiological transition in Mozambique highlight the importance of monitoring the cardiovascular risk profile in young adults. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a population aged 18-25 years living in Mozambique. A total of 776 young adults from a nationally representative sample were evaluated in 2014/2015 following the World Health Organization's STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance. Current smoking was the most prevalent among rural men (10.8%, 95%CI: 6.3-17.8), and drinking was most prevalent among urban men (38.6%, 95%CI: 29.3-48.8). The proportion of young adults not engaging in at least 75 min of vigorous physical activity per week ranged between 14.5% in rural men and 61.6% in urban women. The prevalence of being overweight/obese and hypertension were highest among urban women (21.6%, 95%CI: 14.7-30.6) and urban men (25.2%, 95%CI: 15.9-37.6), respectively. Education >8 years (vs. none) was independently associated with lower odds of being a current smoker, and increased monthly household income was associated with increased odds of low levels of physical activity. This study shows that important CVD risk factors are already common in the young adult population of Mozambique.

Efficacy of government laws to contain SARS-CoV-2 spread in Mozambique.

Background: The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) containment measures implemented in Mozambique and the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from March 17, 2020, to September 30, 2021. Materials and Methods: The number of SARS-CoV-2 tests conducted, the positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2, the daily hospitalization due to COVID-19, and the average number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 each day were all documented in a database, from which the positivity rate and weekly growth rate were calculated. Seven milestones were specified, each corresponding to a critical date in the legal measures linked to confinement and relaxation of measures. To compare SARS-CoV-2 data, three periods were created for each milestone: Period 1 = 15 days before the date of the decree; Period 2 = Date of the decree to the 15th day after; and Period 3 = from the 16th day to the 30th day of the decree date. ANOVA was used to compare the average values for each indicator between the three times for each milestone. Results: A comparison of all indicators in each milestone's three periods reveals no consistent significant impact of the measures, regardless of the tendency to lockdown or provide relief. Conclusion: No relationship was discovered between the legal measures for SARS-CoV-2 pandemic control and the positive rate and growth rates, as well as the number of hospitalized people. Because it was not feasible to determine the degree of efficacy of each specific measure, this conclusion is related to the measures as a whole.

Body composition, physical fitness and physical activity in Mozambican children and adolescents living with HIV.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the effectiveness of antiretroviral drugs (ART), HIV/AIDS has become a chronic disease, which has enabled children living with HIV to reach adolescence and adulthood. However, the long exposure to both the disease and ART has caused undesirable effects that compromise the physiological functioning and the quality of life of the subjects. OBJECTIVE: To determine the body composition, physical fitness and habitual physical activity of children and adolescents living with HIV on ART. METHODS: A total of 79 subjects of both genders aged 8-14 years, living with HIV in ART, selected by convenience participated in the study. The subjects underwent anthropometric assessment, physical fitness assessment and physical activity assessment. RESULTS: Relative to reference norms, the values of the anthropometric indicators fell below 50th percentile (height/age = 92.4%; BMI/age 72.2%; sum of skinfolds = 51.9%; arm circumference = 63.3%). The prevalence of "low height/age" and "low weight/age" was 34.9% and 9.3%, respectively for boys, and 27.9% and 11.1%, respectively for girls. With the exception of trunk flexibility (12.3%), most subjects were considered unfit in the physical fitness tests (abdominal resistance = 76.4%; handgrip strength = 75.4%; lower limb power = 66.4%). The percentage of subjects with insufficient physical activity was 45.5% for boys and 77.8% for girls. The values for all variables were consistently and significantly lower when compared with studies done in Mozambicans boys and girls without HIV+ from both urban and rural areas. CONCLUSION: The subjects participants in the study living with HIV and undergoing ART had impaired growth, low physical fitness and low levels of habitual physical activity in relation to the reference values of their peers without HIV, which compromised their physiological functioning and their quality of life.

Physical Activity Measured by Pedometer in a Peri-Urban Mozambican Population.

AIM: This study was performed to describe physical activity behavior and its demographic associations in a peri-urban population from Mozambique, using device-based data. METHODS: Physical activity was assessed by pedometers in a sample of 15- to 64-year-old subjects from Maputo, Mozambique. Participants wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days, and physical inactivity was classified using a variety of approaches: sedentary (<5000 steps/d), physically inactive (<7500 steps/d), and no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA < 1 min/d). RESULTS: The percentage of sedentary subjects was 17.8%, and the percentage who were physically inactive was 41.8%. A total of 9.0% of participants participated in no MVPA (<1 min/d). Logistic regression analysis showed that females had a higher odds of being sedentary or inactive and having no MVPA compared with males. Unemployed participants were more sedentary and inactive than those who were employed. Socioeconomic status and body mass index did not show any significant association with physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that physical activity levels of this peri-urban African city population are insufficient relative to the amount of activity recommended to improve health. Moreover, being sedentary and inactive was associated with occupation and gender but not with other sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index.

Physical activity and active transportation behaviour among rural, peri-urban and urban children in Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria: The PAAT Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits among children and youth. However, few studies have examined how active transportation (AT) and device-based measures of PA vary within and between countries in sub-Saharan Africa. PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study sought to investigate the prevalence and correlates of AT and device-measured PA among children living in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in three African countries representing Eastern, Western and Southern regions of Africa. METHODS: 3,205 participants (53.3% girls; 46.7% boys) aged 10-12 years were recruited in Kenya, Nigeria and Mozambique. Data were collected using a child questionnaire, a parent/guardian questionnaire and PiezoRx® pedometers. ANCOVA and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine the correlates of AT and PA while controlling for gender, age, parent education and vehicle ownership. RESULTS: Participants accumulated an average of 45.6±23.5 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and 11,215±4,273 steps/day. Kenyan and Mozambican children were significantly more active than their Nigerian counterparts (p<0.001). Only 23% met the MVPA guidelines of 60 min/day. 65.1% of participants engaged in AT to school (and 67.8% for the trip back home) with no gender differences. Living in a rural area, lower parent education, lower vehicle ownership and higher motorcycle ownership were associated with higher odds of AT. Other correlates of AT were country-specific. Girls accumulated less daily MVPA than boys in all countries. MVPA was positively associated with living in less urbanized areas in Nigeria and Mozambique. In Kenya, lower parental education and AT were associated with higher MVPA. Nigerian children's daily MVPA decreased with age and the number of parent-perceived barriers to AT. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of children engaged in AT, but still failed to meet MVPA recommendations. Most correlates of AT and PA were country-specific, suggesting that strategies to encourage both behaviours should be informed by local evidence.

Social determinants and behaviors associated with overweight and obesity among youth and adults in a peri-urban area of Maputo City, Mozambique.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are important risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. NCDs are responsible for an increased number of deaths worldwide, including in developing countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth and adults in a peri-urban area of Maputo city, Mozambique, and to assess their social and behavioral determinants. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) area in Maputo city. We measured BMI and interviewed 15-64-year-old inhabitants to assess sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics using the STEPwise Approach methodology. A household wealth index was derived through Principal Component Analysis of various household assets and physical activity (PA) was measured using pedometers and accelerometers. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine associations between overweight/obesity and social and behavioral determinants. RESULTS: Among a total of 931 participants, the prevalence of overweight (BMI≥25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m2) was 30.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 28.0, 33.9) and 12.6% (95% CI = 10.4, 14.7), respectively; one in every 10 youths and adults were underweight. Being female, older and living in a wealthier household were found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Those with higher levels of education were found to have a reduced risk of being obese compared to those with no or lower levels of education. Behavioral risk factors (diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption and physical activity) did not significantly increase the risk of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent in this peri-urban part of the Mozambican capital, where underweight is still present in youth and adults, confirming that the country is facing a double burden of malnutrition. Social determinants of health should be taken into consideration in the design and implementation of NCD prevention programs.

Physical Activity Measured by Accelerometry in Mozambican Older Adult Women Attending a Regular Exercise Program.

Time spent in different Physical Activity (PA) Intensities of 72 Mozambican older adult women (67 ± 7 years old) was assessed by means of triaxial accelerometers for 7 consecutive days, and participants were stratified based on their body mass index, as being normal weight (NW, n = 23); overweight (n = 16); or obese (OB, n = 33). Overall, most daily time was spent in sedentary activities (614 ± 111 min or 69.1%) and light PA (181 ± 56 min or 20.2%). On average, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was performed during 10.6% of the day (93 ± 44 min). Time spent in MVPA was significantly higher in the NW compared to OB category (112.8 ± 51.5 vs. 81.0 ± 36.3; p = .021). The overweight group did not differ in time spent in MVPA when compared to NW and OB group. Overall, 75% of the participants spent more than 60 min a day in MVPA (NW: 83%; overweight: 81%; OB: 67%). Pearson's correlation between body mass index and total MVPA controlling for age was -.39 (p < .001). It was concluded that Mozambican older adult women living in urban and rural areas of Maputo province engaged in relatively high Physical Activity Intensities compared with individuals of similar ages in high-income countries, regardless of their nutritional status.

COVID-19 em Moçambique: Para uma Visão Holística de Saúde em Época de Pandemia / COVID-19 in Mozambique: Towards a Holistic View of Health in Pandemic season

Saúde é um estado de completo bem-estar físico, mental e social e não apenas a ausência de doença ou enfermidade (OMS, 2006). Qualquer estratégia de acção em saúde pública não se pode, em tempo de pandemia ou não, restringir a uma componente isolada sob pena de se estar a cometer um erro de elevado impacto. Controvérsias à parte, a actual epidemia do coronavírus coloca uma pressão sobre os órgãos de decisão que excede os limites da normalidade. Entre os perigos da contaminação generalizada e os efeitos nefastos das medidas que se tomem, está o grande desafio das autoridades públicas. Um desafio que será tanto mais vitorioso quanto mais se tiver em atenção o conceito de Saúde no seu todo. Em termos objectivos, trata-se de tomar medidas que mitiguem ao máximo possível a doença, mas preservem a saúde na sua globalidade

Physical activity among women of low socioeconomic status living with HIV in two major cities of Brazil and Mozambique: A cross-sectional comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) may reduce cardiovascular risk and preserve functional capacity of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, only limited research objectively measured PA in patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) in low-income countries, particularly in South America and sub-Saharan Africa. This study compared the PA assessed by accelerometers in women of low SES living with HIV under common antiretroviral therapy (cART) from two major cities in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, n=33; 40.1±6.1 years) and Mozambique (Maputo, n=50; 38.8±8.7 years). METHODS: Eligible women wore triaxial accelerometers during seven consecutive days, to estimate their habitual PA and daily energy expenditure. RESULTS: The proportion of participants with overweight/obesity was greater in Rio than Maputo (57% vs. 30%; p=0.021), as well as those classified as sedentary based on steps/day (45% vs. 22%; p=0.02). Sedentary time was prevalent (Median±IQD: Rio-1236±142 vs. Maputo-1192±135 min/day; p=0.15). Time spent in PA was short, but Brazilians exhibited lower amount of light (111±56 vs. 145±51 min/day; p<0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (88±3 vs. 64±36 min/day; p=0.001) vs. Mozambicans. The proportion of patients performing 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA were 58% (Rio) and 82% (Maputo), respectively. Despite of this, estimated daily energy expenditure was equivalent in both groups (1976±579 vs. 1933±492 kcal; p=0.731). CONCLUSIONS: Women with low SES living with HIV in Maputo were more active vs. patients from Rio de Janeiro. Albeit sedentary behavior was prevalent, the proportion of patients complying with the minimum recommended PA for health was higher than values usually reported in developed countries.

Prevalence and correlates of objectively measured weight status among urban and rural Mozambican primary schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of undernutrition (thinness) and overnutrition (overweight/obesity) among children and adolescents is a public health concern in low-middle-income countries. Accurate prevalence estimates of thinness and overweight/obesity among children and adolescents are unavailable in many low-middle-income countries due to lack of data. Here we describe the prevalences and examine correlates of objectively measured weight status among urban and rural schoolchildren in Mozambique. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was applied to recruit 9-11-year-old schoolchildren (n = 683) from 17 urban and rural primary schools in Mozambique. Body mass index (BMI) was computed from objectively measured height and weight and participants' weight categories were determined using the World Health Organization cut-points. Actigraph GT3X + accelerometers were worn 24 hours per day for 7 days to assess movement behaviours. Multilevel multivariable modelling was conducted to estimate odds ratios and confidence intervals. RESULTS: Combined prevalence of overweight/obesity (11.4%) was significantly higher among urban participants compared to rural participants (5.7%; χ2 = 7.1; p = 0.008). Conversely, thinness was more prevalent among rural (6.3%) compared to urban (4.2%) participants. Passive school commute, not meeting daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) guidelines, and maternal BMI >25 kg/m2 were associated with overweight/obesity while possessing one or more functional cars at home, maternal BMI >25 kg/m2 and being an older participant were associated with thinness in the present sample. The proportion of total variance in the prevalences of obesity and/or thinness occurring at the school level was 8.7% and 8.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Prevalences of thinness, overweight/obesity and other key variables differ between urban and rural schoolchildren in Mozambique. MVPA, active transport and mother's BMI are important modifiable correlates of weight status among Mozambican schoolchildren. Results from this study demonstrate important differences between urban and rural schoolchildren that should not be ignored when designing interventions to manage malnutrition, formulating public health strategies, and interpreting findings.

Along the Indian Ocean Coast: Genomic Variation in Mozambique Provides New Insights into the Bantu Expansion.

The Bantu expansion, which started in West Central Africa around 5,000 BP, constitutes a major migratory movement involving the joint spread of peoples and languages across sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the rich linguistic and archaeological evidence available, the genetic relationships between different Bantu-speaking populations and the migratory routes they followed during various phases of the expansion remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze the genetic profiles of southwestern and southeastern Bantu-speaking peoples located at the edges of the Bantu expansion by generating genome-wide data for 200 individuals from 12 Mozambican and 3 Angolan populations using ∼1.9 million autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms. Incorporating a wide range of available genetic data, our analyses confirm previous results favoring a "late split" between West and East Bantu speakers, following a joint passage through the rainforest. In addition, we find that Bantu speakers from eastern Africa display genetic substructure, with Mozambican populations forming a gradient of relatedness along a North-South cline stretching from the coastal border between Kenya and Tanzania to South Africa. This gradient is further associated with a southward increase in genetic homogeneity, and involved minimum admixture with resident populations. Together, our results provide the first genetic evidence in support of a rapid North-South dispersal of Bantu peoples along the Indian Ocean Coast, as inferred from the distribution and antiquity of Early Iron Age assemblages associated with the Kwale archaeological tradition.

Body mass index and movement behaviors among schoolchildren from 13 countries across a continuum of human development indices: A multinational cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the distributions of body mass index (BMI) and movement behaviors among schoolchildren from 13 countries across a continuum of human development. METHODS: Data were from a cross-sectional study of 9-11-year-old children (n = 8055) recruited from 269 urban schools in 13 countries, and an additional 7 rural schools in one of these countries (Mozambique). BMI was derived from objectively measured heights and weights. Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (SED), and sleep duration were assessed by waist-worn Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Linear models were used to describe the distributions of BMI z-scores, MVPA, SED, and sleep among sites across varying Human Development Indices (HDIs). RESULTS: Mean MVPA, SED, and sleep duration were 63.1 ± 27.3 minutes/day, 508.7 ± 72.4 minutes/day, and 8.8 ± 0.9 hours/night, respectively. Overall, 2.1% of the sample were thin, 19.5% overweight, and 11.7% were obese. Density curves (BMI z-scores and SED) for urban children in Mozambique showed significantly higher mean values compared with rural children. Boys had significantly higher mean MVPA compared with girls. Mean BMI z-scores were positively associated (ß = .02; P = .004) with HDI, mean daily MVPA minutes were negatively associated (ß = -.38; P = .025) with HDI, and mean SED time was positively associated with HDI (ß = 1.18; P = .049). No significant association (ß = .01; P = .29) was observed between sleep duration and HDI. CONCLUSION: Our findings show distinct differences in BMI and movement behavior profiles between urban and rural children in Mozambique. Mean BMI z-scores, MVPA, and SED differed by country HDI. These findings support the need to include both rural and urban participants in study samples.

Physical activity among women of low socioeconomic status living with HIV in two major cities of Brazil and Mozambique: A cross-sectional comparative study

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) may reduce cardiovascular risk and preserve functional capacity of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, only limited research objectively measured PA in patients with low socioeconomic status (SES) in low-income countries, particularly in South America and sub-Saharan Africa. This study compared the PA assessed by accelerometers in women of low SES living with HIV under common antiretroviral therapy (cART) from two major cities in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, n=33; 40.1±6.1 years) and Mozambique (Maputo, n=50; 38.8±8.7 years). METHODS: Eligible women wore triaxial accelerometers during seven consecutive days, to estimate their habitual PA and daily energy expenditure. RESULTS: The proportion of participants with overweight/obesity was greater in Rio than Maputo (57% vs. 30%; p=0.021), as well as those classified as sedentary based on steps/day (45% vs. 22%; p=0.02). Sedentary time was prevalent (Median±IQD: Rio-1236±142 vs. Maputo-1192±135 min/day; p=0.15). Time spent in PA was short, but Brazilians exhibited lower amount of light (111±56 vs. 145±51 min/day; p<0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (88±3 vs. 64±36 min/day; p=0.001) vs. Mozambicans. The proportion of patients performing 60 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous PA were 58% (Rio) and 82% (Maputo), respectively. Despite of this, estimated daily energy expenditure was equivalent in both groups (1976±579 vs. 1933±492 kcal; p=0.731). CONCLUSIONS: Women with low SES living with HIV in Maputo were more active vs. patients from Rio de Janeiro. Albeit sedentary behavior was prevalent, the proportion of patients complying with the minimum recommended PA for health was higher than values usually reported in developed countries.

Development of Physical Performance Tasks during Rapid Growth in Brazilian Children: The Cariri Healthy Growth Study.

Growth and physical performance scores were studied around three years of attainment of peak height velocity (PHV). We aimed to estimate the age at peak velocity, or at peak rate, in physical performance tasks, and sex-differences when aligned by biological age. A total of 131 boys and 123 girls, 8 to 14 years of age were recruited from the Cariri region of Brazil. A mixed longitudinal design was used with four overlapping age cohorts: 8, 10, 12, and 14 years, followed for three years, with measurements performed at 6 month intervals. Height, 12 min run (12mR), handgrip strength (HG), standing long jump (SLJ), and shuttle run (SR) velocities were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. Age at PHV was 13.4 ± 1.6 years in boys compared with 12.2 ± 2.3 years in girls. Maximal velocity in SLJ was attained 6 and 3 months prior to PHV in boys and girls, respectively. For HG, peaks were attained 9 months after PHV in boys and 15 months after PHV in girls. Maximal velocity in 12mR was attained 6 months before PHV in boys and at PHV in girls, whereas a peak in SR occurred 12 months after PHV in both sexes. In conclusion, dynamic changes in physical performance relative to PHV appear similar in both sexes, although sex differences were evident in some motor tests.

Prevalence and correlates of adherence to movement guidelines among urban and rural children in Mozambique: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient physical activity, short sleep duration, and excessive recreational screen time are increasing globally. Currently, there are little to no data describing prevalences and correlates of movement behaviours among children in low-middle-income countries. The few available reports do not include both urban and rural respondents, despite the large proportion of rural populations in low-middle-income countries. We compared the prevalence of meeting 24-h movement guidelines and examined correlates of meeting the guidelines in a sample of urban and rural Mozambican schoolchildren. METHODS: This is cross-sectional study of 9-11 year-old children (n = 683) recruited from 10 urban and 7 rural schools in Mozambique. Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sleep duration were measured by waist-worn Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers. Accelerometers were worn 24 h/day for up to 8 days. Recreational screen time was self-reported. Potential correlates of meeting 24-h movement guidelines were directly measured or obtained from validated items of context-adapted questionnaires. Multilevel multivariable logit models were used to determine the correlates of movement behaviours. Meeting 24-h movement guidelines was defined as ≥60 min/day of MVPA, ≤2 h/day of recreational screen time, and between 9 and 11 h/night of sleep. RESULTS: More rural (17.7%) than urban (3.6%) children met all three 24-h movement guidelines. Mean MVPA was lower (82.9 ± 29.5 min/day) among urban than rural children (96.7 ± 31.8 min/day). Rural children had longer sleep duration (8.9 ± 0.7 h/night) and shorter recreational screen time (2.7 ± 1.9 h/day) than their urban counterparts (8.7 ± 0.9 h/night and 5.0 ± 2.3 h/day respectively). Parental education (OR: 0.37; CI: 0.16-0.87), school location (OR: 0.21; CI: 0.09-0.52), and outdoor time (OR: 0.67; CI: 0.53-0.85) were significant correlates of meeting all three 24-h movement guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and correlates of meeting movement guidelines differed between urban and rural schoolchildren in Mozambique. On average, both groups had higher daily MVPA minutes, shorter sleep duration, and higher recreational screen time than the 24-h movement guidelines recommend. These findings (e.g., higher than recommended mean daily MVPA minutes) differ from those from high-income countries and highlight the need to sample from both urban and rural areas.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mozambique in 2005 and 2015.

OBJECTIVE: The ongoing demographic, nutritional and epidemiological transitions in sub-Saharan Africa highlight the importance of monitoring overweight and obesity. We aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mozambique in 2014/2015 and compare the estimates with those obtained in 2005. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2014/2015, following the WHO Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS). Prevalence estimates with 95 % CI were computed for different categories of BMI and abdominal obesity, along with age-, education- and income-adjusted OR. The age-standardized prevalence in the age group 25-64 years was compared with results from a STEPS survey conducted in 2005. SETTING: Mozambique. PARTICIPANTS: Representative sample of the population aged 18-64 years (n 2595). RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2014/2015, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 18·3 to 30·5 % (P < 0·001) in women and from 11·7 to 18·2 % (P < 0·001) in men. Abdominal obesity increased among women (from 9·4 to 20·4 %, P < 0·001), but there was no significant difference among men (1·5 v. 2·1 %, P = 0·395). In 2014/2015, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was more than twofold higher in urban areas and in women; in the age group 18-24 years, it was highest in urban women and lowest in rural men. CONCLUSIONS: In Mozambique, there was a steep increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults between 2005 and 2014/2015. Overweight and obesity are more prevalent in urban areas and among women, already affecting one in five urban women aged 18-24 years.

Familial aggregation and heritability of markers of metabolic risk, physical activity, and physical fitness in nuclear families from Muzambinho (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigated the familial aggregation and heritability of markers of metabolic risk, physical activity, and physical fitness in nuclear families from Muzambinho (Minas Gerais, Brazil). Subjects and methods The study included members of 139 families, comprising 97 fathers (aged 40 ± 7 years), 129 mothers (35 ± 6 years), 136 sons (12 ± 4 years), and 121 daughters (12 ± 5 years). Evaluated markers included (A) body mass index, waist circumference, glycemia, and cholesterolemia, as metabolic risk markers; (B) total weekly volume of physical activity, as a physical activity marker; and (C) relative muscle strength, as a physical fitness marker. Correlations between family members and heritability (h2) were estimated using the software S.A.G.E. Results Significant familial correlations were obtained between parents-offspring for glycemia and cholesterolemia (both ρ = 0.21, p < 0.05) and relative muscle strength (ρ = 0.23, p < 0.05), and between siblings for waist circumference, glycemia, total weekly volume of physical activity, and relative muscle strength (ρ variation 0.25 to 0.36, p < 0.05). Heritability values were significant for almost all variables (h2 variations: 20% to 57% for metabolic risk markers, 22% for the total weekly volume of physical activity, and 50% for relative muscle strength), except for waist circumference (h2 = 15%, p = 0.059). Conclusion The presence of significant correlations between family members and/or significant heritability strengthens the possible genetic and/or common familial environment influence on metabolic risk markers, total weekly volume of physical activity, and relative muscle strength.