Airton José Rombaldi

Conhecimento de adultos sobre o papel da atividade física na prevenção e tratamento de diabetes e hipertensão: estudo de base populacional no Sul do Brasil

The aim of this study was to evaluate public knowledge on the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and hypertension, and the factors associated with such knowledge. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Pelotas, southern Brazil, including 972 adults aged 20 to 69 years, selected with a clustering protocol. Knowledge on the preventive and curative benefits of physical activity was higher for hypertension (87.2%) than for diabetes (47.2%). Women were more knowledgeable on the role of physical activity in preventing diabetes (PR: 1.16; 95%CI: 1.03-1.31). In terms of treatment, greater knowledge was associated with female gender, current physical activity, obesity, subjects, and higher socioeconomic status. For prevention of hypertension, greater knowledge was observed in individuals with higher socioeconomic status (PR: 1.23; 95%CI: 1.11-1.36). For treatment of hypertension, physically active and obese subjects showed greater knowledge. Subjects were generally more knowledgeable on the curative role of physical activity than on its preventive benefits. Public health efforts should aim to raise public awareness on the preventive effects of physical activity against diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic non-communicable diseases.

Prevalência de dor nas costas e fatores associados em adultos do sul do Brasil: estudo de base populacional

OBJECTIVES To identify the prevalence of spinal pain and possible prognostic factors in a representative sample of Pelotas, RS, Brazil. METHODS Cross-sectional study evaluated 972 adults aged between 20 and 69 years, of both sexes, residents in a urban area. The questionnaire included socio-economic, demographics, behavioral and health-related questions. Spinal pain was defined as any pain or discomfort in the spine somewhere in the last 12 months, either in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar area. RESULTS The prevalence of spinal pain was 63.1% (95% CI 60.0 to 66.1) being lower back the most prevalent condition (40%). Female gender 1.24 (1.12 to 1.37) and poor health status(p<0.001) were the variables that remained associated with the presence of spinal pain in the final model. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of back pain is important as it is associated with activity limitation and with health care utilization.

Time trends of physical activity in Brazil (2006-2009)

OBJECTIVE To examine time trends in physical activity (PA) in Brazilian state capitals from 2006 to 2009. METHODS This analysis is based on data from the Telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases (VIGITEL) accounting for an annual sample of approximately 54,000 individuals. PA indicators were analyzed in free time (leisure), work, home and transportation, time spent in front of the television and inactivity considering all PA domains. Poisson regression models were used to measure the variation of indicators over time. We considered the changes corresponding to a regression coefficient different from zero as being statistically significant (p<0.05). RESULTS The percentage of active commuters increased from 11.7 to 14.4% (p<0.001) whereas the proportion of physically inactive individuals in the four domains decreased from 11.7 to 8.7% (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in the other indicators. Women were less active than men in all indicators, except for household chores. However, in this indicator the percentage of active women decreased from 71.4 to 67.1% (p<0.001). Between 2006 and 2009, PA levels in the Brazilian population were stable during free time and household chores, but increased in transportation, resulting in a decrease in the percentage of inactive individuals. CONCLUSION The continued monitoring and strengthening of VIGITEL are public health priorities, and PA is a key part of it. In the long run, PA evolution may be re-evaluated.

Factors associated with fruit and vegetable intake among adults in a southern Brazilian city

The study aimed to describe the frequency of fruit and vegetable intake among adults (20-69 years of age) and to identify associated factors. This population-based study in 2006 included 972 adults in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Consumption of fruits and vegetables was evaluated with three questions on habitual food intake during the year prior to the interview. The outcome variable was regular consumption of fruits and vegetables. Only one in five adults (20.9%) reported consuming fruits and vegetables regularly. Female gender, age 60 years or older, higher socioeconomic status, former smoking, and physical activity were associated with the outcome variable. According to the results, fruit and vegetable intake among adults fails to meet current Ministry of Health recommendations, particularly among male, young, poor, and physically inactive adults. Interventions to encourage healthy diet are urgently needed.

Conhecimento sobre fatores de risco para doenças crônicas: estudo de base populacional

The aim of the present study was to evaluate public awareness of the association between four behavioral factors (sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse, and inadequate diet) and eight diseases (diabetes, hypertension, AIDS, osteoporosis, lung cancer, depression, liver cirrhosis, and acute myocardial infarction). We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study including 2,096 individuals 10 years or older. A random clustered sampling strategy was used. For each behavioral factor, a knowledge score was constructed, ranging from zero to eight points. The highest mean score was observed for inadequate diet (5.3), followed by smoking (5.1), sedentary lifestyle (4.7), and alcohol abuse (4.5). Overall, higher knowledge scores were observed among people with high socioeconomic status and more schooling, and in intermediate age groups. Government health promotion strategies are needed to raise public awareness of risk factors for chronic diseases.

Prevalência e fatores associados a sintomas depressivos em adultos do sul do Brasil: estudo transversal de base populacional

To identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms and examine associated factors in a Southern Brazilian adult population, a cross-sectional population-based study was carried out, including 972 subjects, men and women, aged 20 to 69 years, living in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The sampling strategy relied on the census tracts of the city as primary sampling units and households as the secondary units. The questionnaire included socio-demographic, behavioral and nutritional variables. The prevalence of sadness, anxiety, loss of energy, lack of will to do things, thinking about the past, and wishing to stay at home were 29.4%, 57.6%, 37.4%, 40.4%, 33.8%, and 54.3%, respectively. Female gender, older ages, smokers and obese individuals showed association with depressive symptoms. Population-based studies using longitudinal designs may help to clarify the relationship between biopsychosocial variables and depressive symptoms.

Prevalence of sedentary behavior and its correlates among primary and secondary school students

Abstract Objective: To determine the students’ exposure to four different sedentary behavior (SB) indicators and their associations with gender, grade, age, economic status and physical activity level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013. The SB was collected using the HELENA instrument, composed by screen time questions (TV, video games and internet) and sitting activities on school opposite shift. The cut point of ≥2h/day was used to categorize the outcome. The Poisson regression was used for associations between the outcome and the independent variables (95% significance level), controlling for confounding variables and the possible design effect. Results: The sample was composed by 8661 students. The overall prevalence of SB was 69.2% (CI95% 68.1–70.2) on weekdays, and 79.6% (CI95% 78.7–80.5) on weekends. Females were more associated with the outcome, except to electronic games. Advanced grades students were more involved in sitting tasks when compared to the early grades. Older students were more likely to surf on net for ≥2h/day. Higher economic level students were more likely to engage in video games and internet. Active individuals were less likely to engage in SB on weekdays. Conclusions: The prevalence of SB was high, mainly on weekends. The associations with sex, age, grade and physical activity level should be considered into elaboration of more efficient interventions on SB control.

Fatores associados ao consumo de dietas ricas em gordura em adultos de uma cidade no sul do Brasil

The scope of this study was to describe the frequency of consumption of high-fat foods among adults aged 20 to 69 years and to identify associated factors. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 972 adults in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. The consumption of high-fat foods in the previous twelve months was evaluated using the Block questionnaire comprising fifteen food items scored according to the frequency of consumption of high-fat foods. Approximately one in every three adults (32.7%) reported the regular consumption of high-fat diets. Among individuals of both sexes, the regular consumption of fat was associated with younger ages and the regular intake of non-diet soft drinks, and only for men, to the A/B economic levels. The conclusion reached is that the consumption of high-fat food among adults is above current Ministry of Health recommendations. Interventions aimed at stimulating healthy diets are urgently needed.

Physical Activity throughout Adolescence and Cognitive Performance at 18 Years of Age

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to examine the prospective associations of physical activity at 11, 15, and 18 yr of age with cognitive performance in young adulthood in a large birth cohort study from Brazil. Methods Participants were part of a large birth cohort study in Pelotas, Brazil (n = 3235 participants). Physical activity was self-reported at 11, 15, and 18 yr and was also objectively measured at 18 yr. Cognitive performance was assessed using an adapted Brazilian version of the short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale at 18 yr. Results At 11 yr, participants in the middle tertile of self-reported physical activity presented a significantly higher cognitive performance score as compared with the lowest tertile. Physical activity at 15 yr of age was unrelated to cognitive performance at 18 yr. Self-reported physical activity was cross-sectionally positively associated with cognitive performance at 18 yr (P < 0.001). Data from objectively measured physical activity at 18 yr showed that those in the highest moderate-to-vigorous physical activity tertile presented lower cognitive performance scores at 18 yr as compared with those in the lowest tertile (−2.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), −3.41 to −1.48). Analyses on changes in tertiles of physical activity showed that maintaining an intermediate physical activity level from 11 to 18 yr and from 15 to 18 yr was associated with a higher cognitive performance score of 2.31 (95% CI, 0.71–3.91) and 1.84 score (95% CI, 0.25–3.42), respectively. Conclusions Physical activity throughout adolescence is associated with cognitive performance before adulthood. Adolescents who are active at moderate levels, specifically those who maintain these levels of physical activity, tend to show higher cognitive performance. However, high levels of physical activity might impair cognitive performance.

Prevalência e fatores associados à ocorrência de lesões durante a prática de atividade física

INTRODUCAO: Embora estudos demonstrem a importância da atividade fisica na prevencao e manutencao de um padrao de vida saudavel, a pratica pode determinar um aumento no risco da ocorrencia de lesoes entre aqueles praticantes de atividades desportivas.OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalencia e os fatores associados a ocorrencia de lesoes durante a pratica de atividade fisica no tempo de lazer na cidade de Pelotas, RS, Brasil.METODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado na area urbana do municipio de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Uma amostra levando em consideracao os diversos conglomerados foi selecionada. Caracteristicas sociodemograficas, economicas, comportamentais, nutricionais e relacionadas a ocorrencia de lesoes durante a pratica de atividade fisica foram coletadas por meio de questionario padronizado e pre-codificado.RESULTADOS: O percentual de lesoes em sujeitos praticantes de atividade fisica no lazer foi de 21,9% (IC95% 18,3 - 25,9). As lesoes mais prevalentes foram contusoes (39,6%), luxacoes (30,2%) e distensoes (11,3%) e a pratica de futebol e musculacao foram as atividades onde mais ocorreram lesoes. As lesoes estiveram associadas ao sexo masculino, idades mais jovens e a individuos de cor da pele preta e parda.CONCLUSAO: Embora a prevalencia de lesoes entre praticantes seja importante, os beneficios decorrentes de um estilo de vida ativo superam os riscos.