Raildo da Silva Coqueiro

Insatisfação com a imagem corporal: avaliação comparativa da associação com estado nutricional em universitários

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between body image dissatisfaction and two indicators of nutritional status in Brazilian university students, and also to identify the best predictor of body image dissatisfaction in Brazilian university students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 256 university students (128 males). Data were collected on demographics (age and sex), anthropometrics (body mass, stature and skinfold thickness), and body image (current silhouette and ideal silhouette). Body mass index (< 18.5 or ≥ 25.0 kg/m2 = abnormal) and the sum of five skinfolds (≤ 30 or ≥ 62 and ≤ 43 or ≥ 76 mm = abnormal, for men and women, respectively) were then calculated. The analysis included descriptive statistics, proportionality testing, chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Mean age of the sample was 23.1 years (standard deviation = 5.3) and the frequency of body image dissatisfaction was 78.8%. Body image dissatisfaction was not associated with sex or body mass index. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the odds ratio for abnormal sum of five skinfolds was 2.56. CONCLUSION: Body mass index was not a determinant of body image dissatisfaction, whereas the sum of five skinfolds proved to be a significant predictor of this disorder, irrespective of sex.

Anthropometric measurements in the elderly of Havana, Cuba: Age and sex differences

OBJECTIVEnWe present selected anthropometric data, specific for sex and age group, from a representative sample of elderly subjects living in Havana, Cuba.nnnMETHODSnThis was a cross-sectional, population-based household survey. A total of 1905 subjects (1197 women and 708 men, > or = 60 y of age) were examined between 1999 and 2000 as selected by probabilistic sampling. Data were presented as means and percentiles for body mass; height or stature; body mass index; waist, arm, and calf circumferences; triceps skinfold thickness; and arm muscle circumference; and differences were described according to age (all variables) and sex (body mass index).nnnRESULTSnAll anthropometric variables showed a decrease in average values with aging in men and women. The age of 70 y appeared to be the decisive moment for the main anthropometric differences observed. The values in the female group were higher than those in the male group for body mass index and triceps skinfold thickness. An important segment of the population studied had a body mass index lower than normal values. Reductions in subcutaneous fat (indicated by triceps skinfold thickness) and muscle mass (verified by arm, arm muscle, and calf circumferences) with advancing age appeared to be greater among women than among men.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe present study provides information that can be used for anthropometric evaluation of elderly people in Havana and other urban areas in Cuba. The observations suggest that there is loss of muscle mass and redistribution and reduction of fat mass with age (that is more severe in women).

Fatores associados ao estado nutricional de idosos de duas regiões do Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association of nutritional status with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and health status in elderly individuals from two cities in different regions of Brazil. METHODS: Cross-sectional epidemiological home-based study, involving 477 and 316 elderly individuals (> 60 years) from the towns of Antonio Carlos (AC-SC) and Lafaiete Coutinho (LC-BA), respectively. Nutritional status was verified using the body mass index (BMI). Explanatory variables in the study were gender, age, level of schooling, living arrangements, lifelong occupation, smoking status, alcohol consumption, time spent sitting, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, respiratory diseases, and medications. Logistic regression analyses were used (crude and adjusted). RESULTS: Underweight (BMI 27.0 kg/m2) was more prevalent among individuals from AC-SC (52.8% vs. 28.2%). In AC-SC, underweigth was positively associated with older age (> 75 years) and smoking, and inversely associated with longer periods spent sitting (> 6 hrs/day). Overweigth was positively associated with longer periods spent sitting, hypertension, and arthritis, and inversely associated with older age, male gender, working in rural areas, and alcohol consumption. In LC-BA, no explanatory variable was associated with underweigth. Overweigth was positively associated with hypertension, and inversely associated with individuals aged > 75 years, and with living alone. CONCLUSION: Underweigth was more prevalent in LC-BA and overweight was more prevalent in AC-SC. Factors associated with nutritional status are specific to each municipality.

Factors associated with nutritional status of the elderly in two regions of Brazil.

OBJECTIVEnTo verify the association of nutritional status with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and health status in elderly individuals from two cities in different regions of Brazil.nnnMETHODSnCross-sectional epidemiological home-based study, involving 477 and 316 elderly individuals (≥ 60 years) from the towns of Antônio Carlos (AC-SC) and Lafaiete Coutinho (LC-BA), respectively. Nutritional status was verified using the body mass index (BMI). Explanatory variables in the study were gender, age, level of schooling, living arrangements, lifelong occupation, smoking status, alcohol consumption, time spent sitting, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, respiratory diseases, and medications. Logistic regression analyses were used (crude and adjusted).nnnRESULTSnUnderweight (BMI < 22.0 kg/m(2)) was more frequent among the elderly from LC-BA (28.9% vs. 8.2%), and overweight (BMI > 27.0 kg/m(2)) was more prevalent among individuals from AC-SC (52.8% vs. 28.2%). In AC-SC, underweight was positively associated with older age (≥ 75 years) and smoking, and inversely associated with longer periods spent sitting (≥ 6 hrs/day). Overweight was positively associated with longer periods spent sitting, hypertension, and arthritis, and inversely associated with older age, male gender, working in rural areas, and alcohol consumption. In LC-BA, no explanatory variable was associated with underweight. Overweight was positively associated with hypertension, and inversely associated with individuals aged ≥ 75 years, and with living alone.nnnCONCLUSIONnUnderweight was more prevalent in LC-BA and overweight was more prevalent in AC-SC. Factors associated with nutritional status are specific to each municipality.

Fatores associados ao sobrepeso em adultos acompanhados por uma unidade de saúde da família

The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with overweight in adults and the frequencies of these factors. The sample comprised 101 adults, all aged ≥ 18 years, 75 (74.0%) females and 26 (26.0%) males, registered at a Family Health Center (FHC) in the town of Jequie, and distributed proportionally throughout the FHC’s seven sub-areas. Patients were defi ned as overweight if their body mass index (BMI) was ≥ 25kg/m². The proportion of overweight people was calculated for the whole sample and for each of the associated variables (age, sex, occupation, educational level, number of meals per day, smoking, alcoholism, arterial hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and habitual level of physical activity). The chi-square test was applied to test associations between the variables and the proportion of overweight to a signifi cance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). the overall frequency of overweight was 28.0%, and this was more prevalent only among individuals who do not consume alcoholic beverages, although the comparison between those with and without hypertension was borderline (p = 0.052). The results of this study suggest a need for further investigation into the effect of alcoholic beverages on the nutritional status of adults and for implementation of nutritional vigilance strategies at this FHC, with special attention given to hypertense patients.

Prevalência de doenças crônicas degenerativas em usuários de uma unidade de saúde da família do município de Jequié-Ba - doi:10.5020/18061230.2007.p92

The present study had as objective to verify the prevalence of the main degenerative chronic illnesses (hypertension, diabetes, arthropaties, cancer and arteriovenous illnesses) in users of a Family Health Unit (FHU) of the city of Jequie -BA. It was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 101 adults ?18 years old, registered and proportionally distributed among the seven micro areas of FHU, being 75 (74.0%) female. From the collected data in domicile and citizens’ given information by means of a questionnaire, the prevalence of chronic illnesses was calculated in its total and by sex. The differences between sexes were verified using the chi-square test and the Fisher accurate test, with a significance level of 5%. The age of the individuals varied from 18 to 88 years old (39.9±18.5 years old), being 57% with age of 18 to 39 years old, 83% with low schooling and 68% with active occupation. Amongst the participants of the study, 40% reported presence of some type of chronic illness. The percentages of people bearing hypertension, diabetes and arthropaties were 29%, 4% and 18%, respectively; thore was not any case of cancer and only 2% related arteriovenous illnesses. There were no statistical differences between the sexes in relation to the prevalence of any illness. New studies with associations between diverse variables are suggested, so that it might be possible to develop a better understanding of factors that tend to influence in the determination of degenerative chronic illnesses.

Signs of musculoskeletal disorders in bus drivers and fare collectors

To describe the signs of musculoskeletal disorders (SMD) in drivers and fare ollectors and to investigate their association with hours worked per day, nutritional status and level of physical activity (PA). A cross-sectional study undertaken with 40 bus drivers and 39 fare collectors working intercity routes. The “Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire” was used to identify SMD. The working day was defi ned according to median values (< 8 hours or ≥ 8 hours). Level of PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Body mass index was used to verify nutritional status. The chi squared test was used to test for associations. Musculoskeletal pain during the previous 12 months was reported by 70.0% and 76.9% of drivers and fare collectors, respectively; 30.0% of the drivers and 33.3% of the fare collectors reported pain during the previous 7 days; 26.6% (drivers) and 33.3% (fare collectors) had had to miss work due to musculoskeletal pain. The highest prevalence rates (previous 12 months) were observed in the following anatomical areas: shoulders (32.5%), for drivers and lower back (48,7%), for fare collectors. There was a signifi cant difference (p = 0.029) between drivers and fare collectors in terms of reported lower back pain. The prevalence of overweight was greater among drivers (72,0%) than fare collectors (33,3%) and this difference was signifi cant (p = 0,000). Signs of musculoskeletal disorders were frequent among the workers and their symptoms did not exhibit any association with the length of working day, nutritional status or level of physical activity.