Socially unequal improvements in dental caries levels in Brazilian adolescents between 2003 and 2010.

OBJECTIVES: Although there are numerous reports on socioeconomic inequalities in dental caries, few studies have focused on whether improvements in dental status have been accompanied by changes in socioeconomic inequalities in caries. The objective of this study was to assess whether declines in caries between 2003 and 2010 were associated with reductions in inequalities in dental caries in adolescents. METHODS: Data on dental caries in adolescents aged 15-19 were used from the Brazilian National Oral Health surveys conducted in 2003 (n = 16 833) and 2010 (n = 5445). The dependent variables were Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and the percentage caries free. Household income and educational level were independent variables. Differences between surveys for DMFT and caries free were calculated, and measurement of inequality was performed using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Relative Index of Inequality (RII). RESULTS: Both DMFT and percentage caries free showed significant differences in absolute (SII) and relative (RII) inequalities between the two surveys for both education and income. The SII for DMFT rose from 0.54 to 2.01 and from 1.44 to 3.67 for income and education, respectively. For caries free, these values were 3.64-19.40 and 5.06-22.93. Regarding to RII, a similar trend has been found. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the overall reduction in DMFT and an increase in caries free, there were increases in both income and education-related inequalities in caries in Brazilian adolescents. The findings on caries differ from those for other health conditions in Brazil, where there have been reductions in inequalities.

Por uma nova ciência (nova?) / For a new science (new?)

Os fractais fazem parte da identidade visual da revista que ora debuta no campo da divulgação científica, a "Ciência Plural". Para além de mais um rótulo dentre tantos outros (ou mesmo um aparente pleonasmo) o adjetivo se coloca como aquilo que é composto, diversificado, múltiplo. Não se propõe como novo paradigma (nem poderia), mais que isso, admite a perspectiva crítica de qualquer um deles.3Pluralidade no seu sentido dialético, de realidades contraditórias. Enfim, trata-se de entender que a ciência, seja qual rótulo contiver, é destinada a tornar a passagem humana pelo planeta Terra mais confortável e divertida (AU).

[The nutritional status of schoolchildren living in the semi-arid area of northern Brazil]. / Estado Nutricional de Escolares do Semi-Arido do Nordeste Brasileiro.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at describing the nutritional status of 10 to 17 year old children enrolled in public and private schools from different regions having specific Brazilian semi-arid area characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study using a stratified probability sample (n=1 701). 900 children were male and 801 female selected from three cities, randomly chosen from 3 cities which were representative of the regions: Leste Potiguar-RLP (n=1,158), Oeste Potiguar-ROP (n=312) and Central Potiguar-RCP (n=231). They were divided into three age groups: 10 to 12 years, 13 and 14 years and e(3)15 years. Conde and Monteiro cutoff points were used for body mass index (BMI) classification. RESULTS: Regarding the regions, there was a significant difference (p<0001) in BMI distribution. RLP presented excess weight and obesity (6.8 %, 15.2 %), ROP (16.3 %, 9.6 %) and RCP (10.4 %, 3.9 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents in the most favored regions (especially students in private schools in the region) had a prevalence of being overweight and suffering from obesity.

Estado nutricional de escolares do semi-árido do nordeste brasileiro / Estado nutricional de los estudiantes de la región semiárida del noreste de Brasil / The nutritional status of schoolchildren living in the semi-arid area of northern Brazil

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o estado nutricional de crianças com idade entre 10 a 17 anos matriculados em escolas públicas e privadas de diferentes regiões com características específicas do semi-árido brasileiro. Material e métodos Estudo transversal do tipo descritivo e comparativo, com uma amostra probabilística estratificada n=1 701(900 homens e 801 mulheres), escolhidas intencionalmente em três cidades das regiões Leste Potiguar n=1 158; Oeste Potiguar n=312; e Central Potiguar n=231, divididos em três grupos etários de 10 a 12 anos, 13 e 14 anos e ³ 15 anos. Para a classificação do índice de massa corporal, foi utilizada os pontos de corte de Conde e Monteiro. Resultados Entre as regiões existe uma diferença significativa com p<0001, na distribuição do índice de massa corporal. A RLP apresentou um excesso de peso e obesidade (16,8 por cento e 15,2 por cento), a ROP (16,3 por cento y 9,6 por cento) e a RCP (10,4 por cento e 3,9 por cento) respectivamente. Conclusões Adolescentes das regiões mais favorecidas, especialmente os estudantes pertencentes às escolas privadas do estado, tem uma prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade.

Objective This study was aimed at describing the nutritional status of 10 to 17 year old children enrolled in public and private schools from different regions having specific Brazilian semi-arid area characteristics. Material and methods This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study using a stratified probability sample (n=1 701). 900 children were male and 801 female selected from three cities, randomly chosen from 3 cities which were representative of the regions: Leste Potiguar-RLP (n=1,158), Oeste Potiguar-ROP (n=312) and Central Potiguar-RCP (n=231). They were divided into three age groups: 10 to 12 years, 13 and 14 years and e ³ 15 years. Conde and Monteiro cutoff points were used for body mass index (BMI) classification. Results Regarding the regions, there was a significant difference (p<0001) in BMI distribution. RLP presented excess weight and obesity (6.8 percent, 15.2 percent), ROP (16.3 percent, 9.6 percent) and RCP (10.4 percent, 3.9 percent), respectively. Conclusions Adolescents in the most favored regions (especially students in private schools in the region) had a prevalence of being overweight and suffering from obesity.

Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es describir el estado nutricional de los niños de 10 a 17 años matriculados en escuelas públicas y privadas de diferentes regiones brasileñas semi-áridas. Material y métodos Estudio transversal, descriptivo y comparativo, con una muestra probabilística estratificada conformada por 1 701 escolares (900 varones y 801 mujeres), elegidos al azar en tres ciudades, representativas de regiones: Leste Potiguar-RLP, n=1158; Oeste Potiguar-ROP, n=312; Central y Potiguar-RCP, n= 231, divididos en tres grupos de edad, 10 a 12 años, 13 y 14 años y ³ 15 años. Se usó el método de los puntos de corte para Conde y Monteiro para clasificar el índice de masa corporal. Resultados Relativa a las regiones hubo una diferencia significativa con p<0001, en la distribución del índice de masa corporal. La RLP presenta exceso de peso y obesidad (16,8 por ciento, 15,2 por ciento), el ROP (16,3 por ciento y 9,6 por ciento) y RCP (10,4 por ciento y 3,9 por ciento) respectivamente, Conclusiones Adolescentes en las regiones más favorecidas, especialmente los estudiantes pertenecientes a las escuelas privadas en el estado, tienen una prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad.