Christiane Leite Cavalcanti

Programa de intervenção nutricional associado à atividade física: discurso de idosas obesas

Obesity is a complex nutritional problem with social and psychological dimensions, which affects individuals of all ages. In addition to presenting risk factors for some diseases, obesity may interfere with the quality of life of the elderly. This qualitative study of an exploratory nature investigated the discourse of obese elderly women regarding their participation in a nutritional intervention program associated with physical activity. Eighteen obese elderly women attending Centers of Reference and Citizenship in the city of João Pessoa, state of Paraiba, Brazil were enlisted in the study. Interviews using a series of questions that addressed the core issue pertaining to the scope of the study was the technique used for data collection. The data obtained were analyzed by the collective subject discourse (CSD) technique. The following central ideas emerged from CSD: changes in lifestyle, in eating habits, in health and in self-esteem. The core ideas reflected the value attributed to the aforesaid program for promotion of health of the group of elderly women who participated in the study. It is hoped that this research might elicit further investigation in the area of health of the elderly.

Short Communication: In vitro assessment of Erosive Potential of Energy Drinks

AIM: This in vitro study was to evaluate the endogenous pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids content (TSSC) and nonreducing sugars of energy drinks. METHODS: Nine energy drinks (Bad Boy Power Drink, Red Bull, Red Bull Sugar Free, Flying Horse, Burn, Night Power, Flash Power, Flying Horse Light and 220V) were evaluated by a randomised experiment with 3 repetitions on each sample. pH analysis performed by potentiometry and buffering capacity was assessed by dilution of each drink. Increments of 0.1 N KOH were titrated until neutrality reached. TSSC readings were performed by Brix refractometry using an Abbé refractometer. RESULTS: pH values ranged from 1.52 (Flash Power) to 3.20 (Red Bull) and all drinks showed pH 5.5. Titratable acidity values ranged from 0.56 (220V) to 1.04 (Bad Boy Power Drink). Flying Horse Light presented the lowest TSSC content (1.66%) and Flying Horse presented the highest (12.58%). Non-reducing sugars values ranged from 0.00% (Red Bull Sugar Free and Flying Horse Light) to 54.33% (Flying Horse). CONCLUSION: The energy drinks evaluated have a high erosive potential, as they present low pH and a high non-reducing sugar content.

ENVELHECIMENTO E OBESIDADE: UM GRANDE DESAFIO NO SÉCULO XXI

According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of obesity in the world characterizes one global epidemic. It is a complex nutritional problem with serious social and psychological dimensions which affect individuals in all ages and all socio-economic groups. Besides presenting risk factors for Non-Transmissible Chronic Diseases (NTCD), it can interfere in one’s quality of life, especially at old age. In this context, this bibliographical review was motivated by the need to have more in-depth knowledge about problems related to old population and the occurrence of obesity, based on its crescent prevalence in this age - and the importance of adequate eating habits - as a central factor to their health. This leads to the conclusion that changes in lifestyle, such as the adoption of healthy eating habits, associated with frequent workout, can be beneficial in the quality of life of these people, especially in the prevention and control of obesity.

PERFIL NUTRICIONAL, CONSUMO ALIMENTAR E INDICADORES BIOQUÍMICOS DOS FUNCIONÁRIOS DE UMA UNIDADE DE ALIMENTAÇÃO E NUTRIÇÃO

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional profile, dietary intake and biochemical indicators of a Nutrition Unit staff in Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, Joao Pessoa – PB. Methodology: It was measured weight, height and waist circumference as well as Body Mass Index of 33 employees of both genders, aged 21-59 years old. In view of evaluating habitual dietary intake and energy balance, it was used a 24-hour dietary recall. Lipid, glucose and uric acid profile were determined. Data analysis employed SPSS software version 8.0. Results: The average age was 38.36 + 9.91 years old, predominantly female gender (55%). BMI average was 26.6 + 3.77 kg/m2 and the WC average was 82.62 + 9.98 cm. The usual intake was 2,177.71 + 824.16 kcal per day, from which 59.76% were carbohydrates; 22.24% were lipids and 17.84% protein. Results of the biochemical tests were: glucose 87.42% + 15.15ml/dL; uric acid 3.08 + 0.65 and 3.95 + 0,85mg/dL for women and men, respectively; triglycerides 142.41 + 89.6 mg/dL; total cholesterol 194.14 + 46.41 mg/dL; HDL-c 47.58 + 10.01 mg/dL, and LDL-c 116.27 + 32.01 mg/dL. It was detected a strong association between BMI and WC (r = 0.841; p = 0,000), but an inverse association between BMI and carbohydrate intake was verified as well. Conclusion: Most of staff has showed to be overweight or obese, with a positive energy balance and biochemical tests within expected range. DESCRIPTORS: Food Consumption. Human resources. Food Service, Hospital.

Unnatural Deaths in Brazilian Children and Adolescents

Accidents and violence are considered an important public health problem for being the main cause of mortality among children and adolescents. Assuming the hypothesis that the deaths predominantly affect men, victims of traffic accidents, the aim of this study was to assess unnatural deaths in Brazilian children and adolescents in a city in northeastern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with analysis of 584 forensic medical reports from the Legal Medicine Institute of Campina Grande, Brazil, between January 2008 and December 2011. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test (a = 0.05). Victims were mostly males (82.4 %) and adolescents aged from 15 to 19 years (70.0 %). The main causes of unnatural deaths were aggressions (39.2 %), followed by traffic accidents (32.7 %). Significant associations between etiology and age group were observed (p<0.001), indicating high percentages of deaths due to aggressions (34.9 %) and traffic accidents (22.94 %) within the age group 15-19 years, etiology and gender of the victim (p<0.001) and type of traffic accident and victim’s age (p < 0.001). With regard to traffic accidents, there were more records of accidents involving motorcyclists (46.7 %), followed by vehicle occupants (29.8 %) and pedestrians (15.7%). Our hypothesis was confirmed, and the aggressions and traffic accidents were the most common causes of unnatural deaths, primarily affecting males aged from 15 to 19 years. Most deaths from traffic accidents involved motorcycle accidents.

Fatal Drowning in Brazilian Toddlers and Preschoolers in the City of Campina Grande

Abstract Drowning is one of the accidents with the greatest impact on health. The objective of this paper was to analyze drowning deaths involving children up to four years of age in Campina Grande, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was developed using secondary data, carried out at the Forensic Medicine Unit. All autopsy reports of children 0-4 years of age, victims of drowning in the period from 2008 to 2011 were evaluated. Data referring to the year of occurrence, victims’ gender and age, time of day, day of week and place of occurrence were collected. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (frequency distribution). Ninety-three cases of fatal drowning were identified, of which 20 (21.5%) involved children under four years of age. Most victims were male (80%), aged one year (35%). The accidents occurred predominantly during the day (85%), mostly at home (75%). The drowning victims were mostly boys in the first year of life and most cases of drowning occurred at their homes.

Head and Face Injuries in Automobile Accidents and Associated Factors in a city in Northeastern Brazil

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of head and face injuries and associated factors among victims of automobile accidents in a trauma center. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed through the analysis of 9,734 medical records of children and adults hospitalized due to external causes in the Regional Hospital of Emergency and Trauma at Campina Grande, Brazil. Data were analyzed with the SPSS software version 15, also using the Pearson’s chi-square test. The significance level adopted was 5 %. Results: Cases of automobile accidents accounted for 25.9% (n = 463) of hospitalizations due to external causes, and 83.8 % of victims were male and 16.2 % were female, representing a sex ratio of 5.1:1. As for age group, most had between 20 and 29 years (38.1%) and with respect to the day of the week, 40.8 % of incidents occurred over the weekend. The occurrence of injury was greater on the face (17.4%) than on the head (7.8%) and most victims had a single injury (58.5%). The existence of bone fractures was observed in 76.9 % of victims and 14.7 % had functional impairment. There was association between variables age (p < 0.001), sex (p < 0.001), day of the week (p < 0.001), presence of bone fractures (p < 0.001) and functional impairment (p = 0.002) with the occurrence of automobile accidents. Conclusion: The most automobile accidents occur on weekends and affect young male individuals, with frequent presence of fractures among victims. The occurrence of injury was greater on the face than on the head. Factors such as age, sex, presence of bone fractures and functional impairment was associated with automobile accidents.

Facial dog bite injuries in children: A case report.

Highlights • Dog bites are common and can affect victims of different ages, from children to the elderly.• We present a 11-year-old male with multiple and extensive lesions on the face.• The primary treatment of bites is by means of direct suture.

ESTADO NUTRICIONAL PRÉ-GESTACIONAL E GESTACIONAL: UMA ANÁLISE DE GESTANTES INTERNAS EM UM HOSPITAL PÚBLICO

Objective: To evaluate the pre-gestational and current nutritional status of pregnant women and its intercurrences that influence on the maternal health. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study had a convenience sample composed by 36 pregnant women. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire containing open questions and dichotomous and multiple-choice closed questions. Information referring to age, nutritional status, pre-gestational and gestational weight, existing pathologies and obstetric outcome was collected. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and presented by descriptive statistics. Results: The age of the pregnant women ranged from 14 to 39 years and it was observed that 11.1% of the women presented malnutrition in the pre-gestational period and this percentage increased to 27.7% during pregnancy. Overweight increased from 22.2% in the pre-gestational period to 33.3% during pregnancy. The mean pre-gestational weight was 58.8 kg (±6.77 kg) while the mean gestational weight was 68.0 kg (±12.2 kg). The mean weight gain in the patients who had vaginal delivery was 9.2 kg, while in those who had cesarean section delivery the mean weight gain was 12.2 kg. Conclusion: It was observed an increase in malnutrition and overweight during pregnancy, demonstrating the importance of having a healthy diet and a maintaining an adequate weight gain during pregnancy in order to preserve mother-child health. DESCRIPTORS: Pregnant Women. Nutritional Status. Weight Gain. Obesity.