Maximum oxygen uptake and sexual maturity of children and adolescents

<p>The objective of this study was to analyze the maximum oxygen uptake of children and adolescents during puberty. The study enrolled 779 children and adolescents of both sexes from Cotinguiba, SE, Brazil, 404 of whom were female and 379 of whom were male. Measurements were taken of weight, height and skin folds. Body fat percentage and lean body mass. Sexual maturity stages were established by self-assessment, based on appearance of pubic hair. The children's VO2max was estimated from the results of a 20 meter shuttle-run test. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient and analysis of variance (p<strong><em>²</em></strong>0.05). The results suggest that absolute VO2max (l/min) increases progressively in both sexes as maturity advances. Significant differences between sexes are observed from maturity stage P3 onwards. Correlations between absolute VO2max (l/min) and maturity stages were significant for both sexes (p&lt;0.05); while correlations between VO2max (relative to body weight and lean body mass), were negative for females (p&lt;0.05). Analyses suggest that during puberty absolute VO2max increases gradually for both sexes, that VO2max is stable with relation to body mass, and that lean mass in males and decreases in females as sexual maturity advances.</p

Nutritional status of schoolchildren in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the nutritional status of schoolchildren in public schools in Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil, in relation to age, gender and sociodemographic features in a population of low socioeconomic status. METHODS: The sample comprised 1,057 schoolchildren of low socioeconomic status of both genders, aging from 7 to 10 years, selected by stratified random sampling by sector and purposeful sampling by group. Sociodemographic data were obtained with a questionnaire. The schoolchildren were classified according to their weight-for-height into malnourished, well nourished and overweight/obese and according to their weight-for-height and height-for-age into well nourished, severely malnourished, chronically malnourished or formerly malnourished. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between males and females for weight and height. In relation to weight-for-height alone, 86.0% were normal, 4.0% were malnourished, 7.0% were overweight and 3.0% were obese. In relation to weight-for-height and height-for-age, 89% were normal, 2.5% were acutely malnourished, 7.0% were formerly malnourished and 1.5% were chronically malnourished. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malnutrition or overweight/obesity was low among elementary schoolchildren of low socioeconomic status in public schools of Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. These data can be compared with data from other Brazilian cities and regions.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o estado nutricional em escolares da rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Porto Velho (RO) em relação à idade, ao sexo e às características sócio-demográficas em uma população de baixo nível socioeconômico. MÉTODOS: A amostra constituiu-se de 1 057 escolares com baixo nível socioeconômico, de ambos os sexos, entre 7 e 10 anos, selecionada por meio de amostragem aleatória proporcional por setor e, divisão intencional por conglomerado de turma. Foi utilizado um questionário para obter informações sobre os dados sóciodemográficos. Os escolares foram classificados segundo o peso para a estatura em desnutridos, eutróficos, sobrepesos e obesos; e segundo o peso para a estatura e estatura para idade em eutróficos, desnutridos agudos, pregressos ou crônicos. RESULTADOS: Não foi observada diferença significativa entre os sexos para peso ou estatura. Em relação apenas ao peso para a estatura, 86,0% foram classificados com eutróficos, 4,0% desnutridos, 7,0% sobrepesos e 3,0% obesos. Em relação aos índices de peso para estatura e estatura para idade, 89,0% foram classificados em eutróficos, 2,5% desnutridos agudos, 7,0% desnutridos pregressos e 1,5% desnutridos crônicos. CONCLUSÃO: Os escolares do ensino fundamental da rede pública municipal de Porto Velho (RO) com baixo nível socioeconômico apresentaram baixa prevalência de desnutrição ou sobrepeso/obesidade. Estes dados encontrados podem ser comparados aos de outras cidades e regiões do Brasil.40140

Imagem corporal em universitários: associação com estado nutricional e sexo. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5016/1980-6574.2010v16n1p78

The present study investigated the body image (BI) of university students and its association with nutritional status and gender. A total of 874 students (504 men), with a mean age of 20.66 (5.48) years, participated in the study. Self-reported body weight and height were used for the calculation of BMI. Body image was evaluated using the body silhouette scale proposed by Stunkard. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test, with pO presente estudo investigou a imagem corporal (IC) em universitários e sua relação com o estado nutricional e o sexo. Participaram do estudo 874 universitários (504 homens), com média de idade de 20,66 (5,48) anos. O peso corporal e a estatura autorelatados foram utilizados para o cálculo do IMC. A IC foi avaliada através da escala de silhuetas corporais proposta por Stunkard. O teste do qui-quadrado foi utilizado para verificar associações, considerando