Edmar Lacerda Mendes

Anthropometry and physical activity level in the prediction of metabolic syndrome in children

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of anthropometric measures and physical activity level in the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. DESIGN Cross-sectional study with children from public and private schools. Children underwent an anthropometric assessment, blood pressure measurement and biochemical evaluation of serum for determination of TAG, HDL-cholesterol and glucose. Physical activity level was calculated and number of steps per day obtained using a pedometer for seven consecutive days. SETTING Viçosa, south-eastern Brazil. SUBJECTS Boys and girls (n 187), mean age 9·90 (SD 0·7) years. RESULTS Conicity index, sum of four skinfolds, physical activity level and number of steps per day were accurate in predicting MetS in boys. Anthropometric indicators were accurate in predicting MetS for girls, specifically BMI, waist circumference measured at the narrowest point and at the level of the umbilicus, four skinfold thickness measures evaluated separately, the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness, the sum of four skinfolds and body fat percentage. CONCLUSIONS The sum of four skinfolds was the most accurate method in predicting MetS in both genders.

Impacto do treinamento resistido na força e hipertrofia muscular em HIV-soropositivos

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) on the strength and muscle hypertrophy in patients with HIV-seropositive. Participated in the study 45 subjects undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). They were divided into two groups: control (n=22) and RT (n=23). The RT group realized three sessions, with 10 repetitions at 80% of 1MR. The MR tests were performed pre and post 24 weeks according to Kraemer and Fry (1995) and the equations proposed by Frisancho (1984) were adopted to estimate bone-free upper arm muscle area. Compared to baseline, the RT improved the strength of 1MR in the squat exercise at 49% (21.0±4.9 vs. 31.2±5.1; P=0.001), bench press by 13% (34.3±8.1 vs. 39.8±9.4, P=0.04), leg extension in 34.1% (26.3±7.1 vs. 37.1±6.6, P=0.01), triceps in 51% (22.9±4.0 vs. 38.3±4.9, P=0.001), pulley in 31.5% (31.7±3.9 vs. 41.7±4.4, P=0.01), leg curl in 37.2% (18.9±3.4 vs. 27.3±3.2, P=0.01) and biceps in 60% (27.9±6.9 vs. 40.4±4.5, P=0.001); there were no significant differences between baseline and final at control. The Bone-free upper arm muscle area at RT group (52.8±14.5 cm2) was significant increased (P<0.05) comparing to control (39.5±12.4 cm2). Moreover, the RT resulted in significant reduction (P<0.05) in fasting blood glucose (96.5±18.3 vs. 90.5±12.6, P<0.05), systolic blood pressure (126.3±14.3 mmHg vs. 120.0±10.0 mmHg) and waist circumference (83.0±12.5 cm vs. 80.6±10.2 cm). We conclude that six months of RT resulted in improvement in strength and hypertrophy; in addition, this training contributed to regulate the metabolic variables from these patients. Since the HAART is inevitable to HIV-seropositive, Its recommended that physical exercise be realized to minimize the side effects from this therapy.

Anthropometric profile and physical performance characteristic of the Brazilian amputee football (soccer) team

Amputee football is a variation of conventional soccer in which athletes with lower limb amputation and one athelete with upper limb amputation (the goalkeeper) participate. The objective of this study was to investigate the anthropometric and physical characteristics of amputee football athletes and to verify differences between heart rate peak (HRpeak) and equations for predicting maximum heart rate (HRmax). Twelve amputee soccer players from the Brazilian team participated in this study. The body mass, height and body composition were measured. The physical tests used were: the 20 m running test, the T-square test and the Yo Yo intermitent recovery test - level 1 (YYIRT1). The percentage of fat was significantly different between midfielders and defenders. No significant differences were found between positions in the physical tests. The HRpeak was significantly lower than all of HRmax prediction equations tested. We conclude that the indicators of physical performance did not differ significantly between the different tactics roles of players, and that, after intermittent maximum effort, the cardiac response was lower when compared with the investigated HRmax prediction equations.

Different waist circumference measurements and prediction of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in children

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of three waist circumference (WC) measurement sites to predict cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MS) in Brazilian children. METHODS 187 children (mean age = 9.9 ± 0.7 years) were evaluated for weight, height, WC at three different sites: midpoint between the lower rib and iliac crest (WC1), umbilicus (WC2), and narrowest waist (WC3). Skinfolds (triceps and subscapular) and blood pressure were also measured. Analyses for triglycerides, HDL-C and glucose were carried out in 141 children. RESULTS For boys, the most accurate predictor of overweight and obesity (from body mass index, BMI) and low HDL-C levels was WC3, and for high percentage of body fat (from skinfolds) was WC1. For girls, WC2 was the most accurate predictor of MS, and hypertriglyceridemia, and for overweight and obesity, high body fat percentage, and low HDL-C levels, WC3 was the best predictor. WC1 was the most accurate in the prediction of high blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Each WC measurement site was accurate in predicting cardiovascular risk factors and MS. However, our results indicate that WC3 was the best predictor of cardiovascular risk factors and MS in boys and girls.

Exercício físico como fator de prevenção aos processos inflamatórios decorrentes do envelhecimento.

During the aging is observed complex remodeling of immune system. These changes are associated with the development of diseases responsible for much of the mortality in the elderly. Recently, the regular practice of exercise has been proposed as an intervention non-medication with broad benefits on regulation processes arising from Immunosenescence. In sense, this paper reviewed and discussed studies addressing the action of pro-inflammatory mediators chronic and possible actions of physical exercise as anti-inflammatory agent. Based on the results of studies in the literature suggest that, together, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are the main cytokines associated with atherosclerosis, sarcopenia and cognitive deficits. Though mechanisms are not fully elucidated, the Exercise reduces the activity of pro-inflammatory and increases the release of anti-inflammatory substances.

Waist circumference to height ratio predicts inflammatory risk in children

Abstract Background: The increase in obesity, especially the increase of visceral fat, has been directly associated with health risk. Additionally, a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.5) has been proposed as an indicator of early health risk. Aims: To test the association between anthropometric measurements and inflammatory mRNA expression and to evaluate the effectiveness of WHtR to predict inflammatory risk in children. Subjects and methods: Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected in 94 Brazilian children (46 boys) aged 9–11 years. Children were identified as being at inflammatory risk based on cytokine mRNA expression levels at and above the 75th percentile. Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels were determined through buff-coat using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and WHtR showed moderate-to-strong association with inflammatory cytokine mRNA gene expression. WHtR = 0.51 was the most accurate cut-off point in distinguishing children at inflammatory risk. Compared with children with WHtR <0.51, children with a WHtR ≥0.51 presented an odds ratio of 2.643 (95% CI = 1.749–3.994) for both diagnosed IL-6 and MCP-1 above the 75th percentile and 2.796 (95% CI = 1.802–4.338) for TNF-α above the 75th percentile. WHtR = 0.50 presented the same values of sensitivity and odds ratio and ∼7% lower specificity compared to WHtR = 0.51. Conclusion: Anthropometric measurements have shown a moderate-to-strong association with the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes and a WHtR of 0.5 could serve as a cut-off point, suggesting increased risk of inflammatory responses.

Fatores associados ao comportamento sedentário em escolares de 9-12 anos de idade

Studies that investigated the impacts of sedentary behavior (SB) on health are recent, especially in children. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with SB in a Brazilian school in the city of Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais. This is an epidemiological study using cross-sectional probability sample (n=649). We collected and considered as independent variables: anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biochemical, time spent in physical activity (PA). SD was considered the dependent variable, characterized by screen time (ST), and verified associated factors using Poisson regression analysis. Girls had higher skinfold, triglycerides and HDL-c, and boys have higher blood glucose concentration, attended more to the recommendation 60 min PA/day and higher SB. The TT > 2 h/day was prevalent in 76,9 % of the sample. SB was not associated with sociodemographic, health nor behavioral variables in 9- to 12-year-old school children. More research is necessary to identify the complex interrelationships between ST and associated factors.

Skinfold reference curves and their use in predicting metabolic syndrome risk in children

OBJECTIVES To draw skinfold (SF) reference curves (subscapular, suprailiac, biceps, triceps) and to determine SF cutoff points for predicting the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children aged 6-10 years old. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1480 children aged 6-10 years old, 52.2% females, from public and private schools located in the urban and rural areas of the municipality of Uberaba (MG). Anthropometry, blood pressure, and fasting blood samples were taken at school, following specific protocols. The LMS method was used to draw the reference curves and ROC curve analysis to determine the accuracy and cutoff points for the evaluated skinfolds. RESULTS The four SF evaluated (subscapular, suprailiac, biceps, and triceps) and their sum (∑4SF) were accurate in predicting MetS for both girls and boys. Additionally, cutoffs have been proposed and percentile curves (p5, p10, p25, p50, p75, p90, and p95) were outlined for the four SF and ∑4SF, for both genders. CONCLUSION SF measurements were accurate in predicting metabolic syndrome in children aged 6-10 years old. Age- and gender-specific smoothed percentiles curves of SF provide a reference for the detection of risk for MetS in children.

Time Spent Sitting Is Associated with Changes in Biomarkers of Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Sedentary behavior has gained prominence in the literature as a risk factor for health and mortality independent of physical activity level; however, little is known about the relationship of sedentary behavior with frailty in older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate if time spent sitting can be used as a discriminator of frailty in older hospitalized persons. Methods: The study included 162 hospitalized inpatients aged ≥60 years. Blood samples were taken for analyzing leukocyte counts and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP). Participants also answered a questionnaire about time spent sitting. Frailty was determined from a combination of CRP concentration and leukocyte count. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to analyse the predictive power and cut-points for time spent sitting and the presence of frailty. Results: The areas under the ROC curves indicated that time spent sitting was an independent indicator of frailty (area under curve >0.6). The cut-off points for time spent sitting as an indicator of frailty were >257 min/day for men and >330 min/day for women. Conclusions: Time spent sitting is associated with biomarkers of frailty in persons aged ≥60 years, indicating a need for interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior in this age group.

Association between Leptin, Adiponectin, and Leptin/Adiponectin Ratio with Clustered Metabolic Risk Factors in Portuguese Adolescents: The LabMed Physical Activity Study

Introduction: Circulating leptin and adiponectin levels have been associated with impaired vascular function, insulin resistance, and acute cardiovascular evens. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of leptin, adiponectin, and the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio with a clustering of metabolic risk factors (MRF) in adolescents aged 12-18 years. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis with 529 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. Blood samples were taken to analyze total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. A continuous variable of clustered MRF score (sum of Z-scores of body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, ratio TC/HDL, triglycerides, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance, and cardiorespiratory fitness*[-1]) was computed. Results: Regression analyses showed that adiponectin was a significant and negative predictor of MRF score (boys: β = -0.199; p < 0.001; girls: β = -0.200; p < 0.001); whereas leptin was a significant positive predictor of MRF score (boys: β = 0.553; p < 0.001; girls: β = 0.399; p < 0.001). The L/A ratio was also a significant positive predictor of MRF score in both sexes (boys: β = 0.593; p < 0.001; girls: β = 0.461; p < 0.001), after adjustments for age, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and socioeconomic status. In addition, adiponectin, leptin, and L/A ratio were accurate to predict MRF among adolescents, but L/A ratio showed the highest area under receiver operating characteristic curve. Conclusion: Leptin, adiponectin, and L/A ratio are associated with the clustering of MRF in adolescents after adjustments for age, sex, pubertal stage, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and socioeconomic status. L/A ratio was more strongly associated with MRF score than adiponectin or leptin.