José Cazuza de Farias Júnior

Prática de atividade física e fatores associados em adolescentes no Nordeste do Brasil

OBJETIVO: Estimar a proporcao de adolescentes fisicamente ativos e identificar fatores associados. METODOS: A amostra foi composta por 2.874 estudantes de 14 a 19 anos de idade, do ensino medio (escolas publicas e privadas), em Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil. O nivel de atividade fisica foi mensurado por meio de questionario e considerado fisicamente ativo se > 300 minutos/semana. Foram analisadas variaveis sociodemograficas, estado nutricional, comportamento sedentario, autoavaliacao do estado de saude e participacao nas aulas de educacao fisica. A razao de prevalencia foi utilizada como medida de associacao, estimada por meio da regressao de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalencia de atividade fisica foi de 50,2% (IC95%: 47,3;53,1). Os jovens do sexo masculino foram fisicamente mais ativos do que as do feminino (66,3% vs. 38,5%; p < 0,001). Os fatores diretamente associados a pratica de atividade fisica foram: maior escolaridade do pai para o sexo masculino, e da mae, para o feminino; percepcao positiva de saude e participar das aulas de educacao fisica. CONCLUSOES: A maioria dos adolescentes foi classificada como fisicamente ativa, sobretudo os do sexo masculino. Adolescentes filhos de pais com maior escolaridade, com percepcao positiva de saude e que participavam das aulas de educacao fisica foram mais propensos a serem fisicamente ativos.OBJECTIVE To estimate the proportion of physically active adolescents and identify associated factors. METHODS The sample was composed of 2,874 high school students (public and private schools) aged 14 to 19 years in the city of João Pessoa, Northeastern Brazil. Physical activity level was measured by means of a questionnaire and considered physically active if > 300 minutes/week. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed, as well as nutritional status, sedentary behavior, self-report of health status and participation in physical education classes. The prevalence ratio was used as association measure, estimated by means of Poisson regression. RESULTS The prevalence of physical activity was 50.2% (95%CI: 47.3;53.1). Male adolescents were more physically active than female adolescents (66.3% vs. 38.5%; p<0.001). The factors directly associated with practice of physical activity were: fathers higher level of schooling for the male sex and mothers higher level of schooling for the female sex, positive self-reported health status, and participation in physical education classes. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the adolescents was classified as physically active, particularly the male youths. Adolescents with parents whose level of schooling was higher, with positive health status perception, and who participated in physical education classes were more likely to be physically active.

Physical activity and social support in adolescents: a systematic review

The objective of this review was to systematically synthesize the results of original studies on the association between physical activity and social support in adolescents, published until April 2011. Searches were carried out in Adolec, Eric, Lilacs, Medline, SciELO, Scopus, SportsDiscus and Web of Science electronic databases and the reference lists of selected articles. Searches for articles, data extraction and assessment of methodological quality were conducted independently by two reviewers. In total, 75 articles met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Most studies were published over the past 6 years (2006-11), conducted in high-income countries, with a cross-sectional design, using subjective measures of physical activity (e.g. questionnaires and recall) and exhibited medium to high methodological quality level. Social support was positive and consistently associated with the physical activity level of adolescents in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Those who received more overall social support as well as support from both parents, friends and family showed higher levels of physical activity. It is concluded that social support is an important factor associated with physical activity level in adolescents and should be targeted in intervention programs that aim to increase physical activity levels in this population group.

Fatores de risco cardiovascular em adolescentes: prevalência e associação com fatores sociodemográficos

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalencia de fatores de risco cardiovascular (individual e co-ocorrencia); e investigar a relacao entre esses fatores e indicadores sociodemograficos em adolescentes. METODOS: A amostra, selecionada por conglomerados em dois estagios (escolas, turmas), foi constituida de 782 adolescentes (14-17 anos de idade, 54,9% do sexo feminino) do ensino medio no municipio de Joao Pessoa - PB, Brasil. As variaveis independentes foram sexo, idade e condicao economica. Os desfechos investigados foram: niveis insuficientes de atividade fisica, habitos alimentares inadequados, pressao arterial elevada, etilismo, excesso de peso corporal e tabagismo. RESULTADOS: Niveis insuficientes de atividade fisica (59,5%) e habitos alimentares inadequados (49,5%) foram os fatores de risco cardiovascular mais prevalentes. Pressao arterial elevada, etilismo e excesso de peso foram mais prevalentes no sexo masculino, e niveis insuficientes de atividade fisica no sexo feminino. Cerca de 10% dos adolescentes nao apresentaram nenhum fator de risco, e 51,4% apresentaram dois ou mais fatores de forma simultânea. Os adolescentes do sexo masculino (OR = 1,89; 1,35 - 2,65) e aqueles que pertenciam aos estratos economicos mais pobres tiveram maiores chances de apresentar um ou mais fatores de risco biologicos (OR = 1,69; IC95% = 1,16 - 2,47). CONCLUSAO: A prevalencia de fatores de risco cardiovascular foi elevada, com destaque para a exposicao simultânea a multiplos fatores de risco. Os adolescentes do sexo masculino e os mais pobres foram os subgrupos com maior exposicao a fatores de risco biologicos de forma simultânea.

Metabolic risk factors, physical activity and physical fitness in azorean adolescents: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased over the last few decades in adolescents and has become an important health challenge worldwide. This study analyzed the relationships between metabolic risk factors (MRF) and physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) in a sample of Azorean adolescents.MethodsA cross-sectional school-based study was conducted on 417 adolescents (243 girls) aged 15-18 from the Azorean Islands, Portugal. Height, weight, waist circumference, fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure were measured. A sum of MRF was computed, and adolescents were classified into three groups: no MRF, one MRF and two or more MRF. PA was assessed by a sealed pedometer. PF was assessed using five tests from the Fitnessgram Test Battery. Dietary intake was obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.ResultsMean daily steps for girls and boys were 7427 ± 2725 and 7916 ± 3936, respectively. Fifty-nine percent of the adolescents showed at least one MRF and 57.6% were under the healthy zone in the 20 m Shuttle Run Test. Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for sex, body mass index, socio-economic status and adherence to a Mediterranean diet, adolescents who were in the highest quartile of the pedometer step/counts (≥9423 steps/day) and those who achieved the healthy zone in five tests were less likely to have one or more MRF (OR = 0.56;95%CI:0.33-0.95; OR = 0.55;95%CI:0.31-0.98, respectively).ConclusionsDaily step counts and PF levels were negatively associated with having one or more MRF among Azorean adolescents. Our findings emphasize the importance of promoting and increasing regular PA and PF to reduce the public health burden of chronic diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Development and validation of a questionnaire measuring factors associated with physical activity in adolescents

OBJECTIVES: to develop a questionnaire to measure factors associated with physical activity (PA) in adolescents and analyze its reliability and validity. METHODS: a total of 248 adolescents from 14 to 19 years old took part in this study. The factors associated with PA measured were: attitude, self-efficacy, social support of PA and perceived environment. Cronbachs alpha (α) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to test reliability, and exploratory factor analysis to evaluate validity. RESULTS: attitude was measured as a single factor (attitude: α=0.76, ICC=0.89); self-efficacy consisted of two factors: resources for PA (α=0.76, ICC=0.75) and social support and motives for engaging in PA (α=0.76, ICC=0.67); social support was measured as two factors: support for PA from friends (α=0.90, ICC=0.89) and support for PA from parents (α= 0.81, ICC=0.91); and the environment was measured as three factors: access to and attractiveness of places to engage in PA (α=0.69, ICC=0.82), security/safety when engaging in PA (α=0.73, ICC=0.67), and general infrastructure of the neighborhood (α=0.70, ICC=0.75). CONCLUSIONS: the questionnaire exhibited satisfactory validity and reliability and can be recommended for studies investigating adolescents.

Sensibilidade e especificidade de critérios de classificação do índice de massa corporal em adolescentes

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of overweight among adolescents using different body mass index (BMI) classification criteria, and to determine sensitivity and specificity values for these criteria. METHODS Weight, height, and tricipital and subscapular skinfolds in 934 adolescents (462 males and 472 females) aged 14-18 years (mean age 16.2; SD=1.0) of the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, in 2001. Percent fat estimated based on skinfold measurements (> or =25% in males and > or =30% in females) was used as a gold-standard for determining specificity and sensitivity of BMI classification criteria among adolescents. RESULTS The different cutoff points used for classifying BMI in general resulted in similar prevalence of overweight (p>0.05). Sensitivity of the evaluated criteria was high for males (85.4% to 91.7%) and low for females (33.8 to 52.8%). Specificity of all criteria was high for both sexes (83.6% to 98.8%). CONCLUSIONS Estimates of prevalence of obesity among adolescents using different BMI classification criteria were similar and highly specific for both sexes, but sensitivity for females was low.

Sensitivity and specificity of criteria for classifying body mass index in adolescents

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of overweight among adolescents using different body mass index (BMI) classification criteria, and to determine sensitivity and specificity values for these criteria. METHODS Weight, height, and tricipital and subscapular skinfolds in 934 adolescents (462 males and 472 females) aged 14-18 years (mean age 16.2; SD=1.0) of the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil, in 2001. Percent fat estimated based on skinfold measurements (> or =25% in males and > or =30% in females) was used as a gold-standard for determining specificity and sensitivity of BMI classification criteria among adolescents. RESULTS The different cutoff points used for classifying BMI in general resulted in similar prevalence of overweight (p>0.05). Sensitivity of the evaluated criteria was high for males (85.4% to 91.7%) and low for females (33.8 to 52.8%). Specificity of all criteria was high for both sexes (83.6% to 98.8%). CONCLUSIONS Estimates of prevalence of obesity among adolescents using different BMI classification criteria were similar and highly specific for both sexes, but sensitivity for females was low.

Estágios de mudança de comportamento para a atividade física em adolescentes

The objective of this study was to identify and to describe factors associated with the distribution in relation to the stages of change for physical activity (SCPA) in adolescents. This cross-sectional study was carried out through data analysis from a sample of 4,207 adolescents high-school students (14-19 years old) from the state of Pernambuco (Brazil), selected by a 2-stage cluster sampling process. The data were collected by using a previously tested questionnaire (GSHS-WHO), adopting the following classifications for SCPA: (1) maintenance - subject physically active for more than 6 months; (2) action - subject physically active for less than 6 months; (3) preparation - subject is not active, but would like to become physically active in the next 30 days; (4) contemplation - subject is not active, but would like to become physically active in the next 6 months; and (5) pre-contemplation - subject is not and does not intend to become physically active in the next 6 months. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with SCPA. It was found that 31.1% and 16.4% of subjects, respectively, were in action and maintenance stages. The boys of 14-16 years old and, adolescents who worked and lived in the coastal region of the state, regardless of gender, were more likely to be classified in the action and maintenance stages. Age for male adolescents, and region of residence and occupational status for adolescents of both genders were identified as factors associated with SCPA.

Physical activity practice and associated factors in adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Estimar a proporcao de adolescentes fisicamente ativos e identificar fatores associados. METODOS: A amostra foi composta por 2.874 estudantes de 14 a 19 anos de idade, do ensino medio (escolas publicas e privadas), em Joao Pessoa, PB, Brasil. O nivel de atividade fisica foi mensurado por meio de questionario e considerado fisicamente ativo se > 300 minutos/semana. Foram analisadas variaveis sociodemograficas, estado nutricional, comportamento sedentario, autoavaliacao do estado de saude e participacao nas aulas de educacao fisica. A razao de prevalencia foi utilizada como medida de associacao, estimada por meio da regressao de Poisson. RESULTADOS: A prevalencia de atividade fisica foi de 50,2% (IC95%: 47,3;53,1). Os jovens do sexo masculino foram fisicamente mais ativos do que as do feminino (66,3% vs. 38,5%; p < 0,001). Os fatores diretamente associados a pratica de atividade fisica foram: maior escolaridade do pai para o sexo masculino, e da mae, para o feminino; percepcao positiva de saude e participar das aulas de educacao fisica. CONCLUSOES: A maioria dos adolescentes foi classificada como fisicamente ativa, sobretudo os do sexo masculino. Adolescentes filhos de pais com maior escolaridade, com percepcao positiva de saude e que participavam das aulas de educacao fisica foram mais propensos a serem fisicamente ativos.OBJECTIVE To estimate the proportion of physically active adolescents and identify associated factors. METHODS The sample was composed of 2,874 high school students (public and private schools) aged 14 to 19 years in the city of João Pessoa, Northeastern Brazil. Physical activity level was measured by means of a questionnaire and considered physically active if > 300 minutes/week. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed, as well as nutritional status, sedentary behavior, self-report of health status and participation in physical education classes. The prevalence ratio was used as association measure, estimated by means of Poisson regression. RESULTS The prevalence of physical activity was 50.2% (95%CI: 47.3;53.1). Male adolescents were more physically active than female adolescents (66.3% vs. 38.5%; p<0.001). The factors directly associated with practice of physical activity were: fathers higher level of schooling for the male sex and mothers higher level of schooling for the female sex, positive self-reported health status, and participation in physical education classes. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the adolescents was classified as physically active, particularly the male youths. Adolescents with parents whose level of schooling was higher, with positive health status perception, and who participated in physical education classes were more likely to be physically active.

Perceived environment and public open space use: a study with adults from Curitiba, Brazil

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between the perceived environment and the use of public open spaces (POS).MethodsA cross-sectional study with household surveys was conducted in 1,461 adults from Curitiba, Brazil interviewed in person. The perceived environment was evaluated with the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale, and the POS use was evaluated using the ordinal scale (increased use).ResultsThe presence of interesting objects, heavy traffic, and the number of positive attributes of the environment was positively associated with POS use among men, and the presence of trees was associated with the use among women.ConclusionsManagers should invest in the architectural attractiveness of neighborhoods and should plant and conserve trees to encourage POS use.