Prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and its association with body dissatisfaction in adolescents

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and its association with body image dissatisfaction in adolescents. Methods Participants were 1,090 adolescents (501 male and 589 female), with mean age of 16.2 (1.1) years, who were high school students in Sao Jose-SC. In a self-administered questionnaire, adolescents answered sociodemographic questions (sex, age), sexual maturation, body dissatisfaction (figure rating scale), suicidal thoughts and behaviors (ideation, planning and attempts), and had body weight and height measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI = body weight divided by squared height). Binary logistic regression was used to data analysis. Results Greater prevalence of ideation, planning and suicidal attempts was found among female than male. Adolescents who were dissatisfied by thinness and by overweight were more likely to ideation and planning suicide. No associations between suicidal attempts and body image dissatisfaction were found. Conclusions Females had higher prevalence of ideation, planning and attempt than males. Regardless of sex, age, BMI and sexual maturation, the adolescents who were dissatisfied with their body (both by thinness and by overweight) were more likely to ideation and planning the suicide, compared to those who were satisfied. Giving that these adolescents are in school age, the school can be an agent of discussion on the subject, assisting to prevent body dissatisfaction and suicidal outcomes. Other professionals who work with adolescents and relatives need to pay attention to these issues.</p><p></p

Stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents from the Amazon

<div><p>Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stages of behavior change (SBC) for physical activity and to verify the associated demographic and economic factors, in adolescents from the Amazon. A total of 2.517 adolescents (aged 14-19 years) from public high schools participated of the study. SBC for physical activity, demographic (sex, age, school year, school shift and residence area) and economic factors (occupational status, family income and maternal schooling) were investigated. The associations between SBC and independent variables were tested by multinomial logistic regression. Most adolescents were in the maintenance stage (40.8%) and the minority was in pre-contemplation stage (9.0%). Female adolescents were more likely of being in the action (OR=1.44; CI95%=1.14-1.81), preparation (OR=2.71; CI95%=2.14-3.44), contemplation (OR=2.89; CI95%=2.25-3.69) and pre-contemplation (OR=2.91;CI 95%=2.16-4.00) stages compared to male adolescents. Adolescents aged 16-17 years were less likely of being in the action stage (OR=0.71; CI95%=0.53-0.94) and those aged 18-19 years were more likely of being in the preparation stage (OR=1.50; CI95%=1.04-2.16) compared to those aged 14-15 years. Family income of six minimum wages or more was associated to higher chances of being in the action (OR=2.09; CI95%=1.38-3.17), preparation (OR=2.02; CI95%=1.31- 3.12) and contemplation (OR=1.87; IC95%=1.18-2.95) stages. Adolescents who worked were less likely of being in the pre-contemplation stage (OR=0.45; CI95%=0.27-0.74), compared to those who do not work. Most of adolescents were in the maintenance stage for physical activity. The factors associated to SBC were female sex, age groups of 16-17 years and 18-19 years, income of six minimum wages or more and work.</p></div

QUALITY OF LIFE IN FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the quality of life in freshmen college students of Physical Education courses and compare it between sex, courses, weight status, body image and physical activity level of the participants. Participants were 198 college students (Bachelor= 104 and Licentiate= 94), with a mean age of 20.6 (4.6) years. Participants answered a questionnaire about their sex, age, body mass and height (for BMI calculation and weight status classification), body image (figure rating scale), physical activity level (IPAQ short form) and quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref). Mean score of quality of life was 74.9 points. Better quality of life was founded in physical and social domains and worst quality of life in environmental domain. Differences were observed in general quality of life, and physical, psychological and social domains between body image categories. There was also difference in general quality of life and physical and environmental domains between physical activity levels. Concluding, college students had good quality of life. Compared to peers, the ones dissatisfied with their body image had lower quality of life and the physically actives, higher. There was no difference in quality of life between sex, courses or weight status.</p><p></p

ACTIVE COMMUTING TO SCHOOL AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

<div><p>ABSTRACT Physical inactivity, considered a worldwide public health problem, has become a common behavior among adolescents. This systematic review aimed to examine the scientific evidence analyzing commuting to school in adolescents and its association with sociodemographic factors, body composition, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Articles were selected through the literature available in electronic databases (Medline, Cinahl and Web of Science). Twenty three observational studies, with samples composed of adolescents (10-19 years), all published in english language, from 2003 to 2014, were included. The majority of investigations had as main focus the active commuting and the highest prevalence of this outcome were found among boys, younger adolescents, those from lower income families and whose mothers had lower educational level. Adolescents with a healthier body composition and those with higher levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness were the most active in commuting from home to school. Despite the association between active commuting to school and better health conditions, it is necessary to encourage it among adolescents of better economic conditions, females and the older ones.</p></div

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERCEIVED STRESS IN ADOLESCENCE, BODY WEIGHT AND ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between perceived stress in adolescence, body weight and romantic relationships. Methods: Participants were 2,571 adolescents (56.1% female), with mean age of 16.6±1.2 years, who were students of public schools in Amazonas. The adolescents answered a questionnaire with sociodemographic questions (sex, age group, school year, study shift, maternal schooling and family income) and related to body weight dissatisfaction, romantic relationships (identified by the relationship status - with or without a partner) and perceived stress (dependent variable). Binary Logistic Regression was used to test the association between perceived stress, body weight dissatisfaction and romantic relationships. The analysis was adjusted by sex and age group. Results: The prevalence of perceived stress was 19.0% (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 17.5-20.3), and was higher among girls (23.2%; 95%CI 21.5-24.5) than boys (13.6%; 95%CI 12.2-14.7). Adolescents with partners (OR 1.76; 95%CI 1.14-2.71) and those who wanted to lose body weight (OR 1.53; 95%IC 1.18-1.98) were more likely to perceive themselves as stressed. Conclusions: There was an association between perceived stress, relationship status and body weight dissatisfaction. Regardless of sex and age group, the adolescents with a partner and those who wanted to lose weight were more likely to perceive themselves as stressed. Girls should receive special attention, as well as adolescents with partners and those who want to lose body weight.</p><p></p

Sarcopenia: prevalence and associated factors among elderly from a Brazilian capital

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: Sarcopenia has been currently considered a public health problem, affecting a large portion of the elderly and making them more susceptible to the risk of falls. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia in the elderly from a Brazilian capital. Methods: This is an epidemiological study with cross-sectional design involving data of 439 elderly people from Florianópolis city, Santa Catarina state. The factors potentially associated with sarcopenia (sex, age, weight status) were tested using binary logistic regression, estimating the Odds Ratio and the respective confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 33.3% (95% CI: 28.9, 36.9). Older women (75 years or more) showed less muscle mass in relation to other age groups (p < 0.05). Elderly men, individuals that are 75 years or more, and those with low weight were the subgroups at higher risk for sarcopenia. Obese individuals were less likely to have the outcome. Conclusion: More than one-third of elderly people were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Men, individuals who are older, and those with low weight had a higher risk of having sarcopenia.</p></div