Overweight and constipation in adolescents

Background: the association between overweight and gastrointestinal symptoms has been recently studied in the literature; however, few studies have evaluated the association between overweight and constipation in adolescents in a community-based sample. the aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of constipation and its association with being overweight in a community-based survey with adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,077 adolescents who were enrolled in five schools in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. Constipation was defined according to modified and combined Rome III criteria for adolescents and adults. Being overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) that was equal to or greater than that of the 85(th) percentile for age and gender.Results: Constipation was diagnosed in 18.2% (196/1077) of the included adolescents. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of constipation in males and females who were both younger and older than 14 years. Fecal incontinence was observed in 25 adolescents, 22 (88.0%) of whom were diagnosed as being constipated. the prevalence of being overweight was found in 13.5% (145/1077) of the study population. the prevalence of constipation was observed to be similar in adolescents who were (19.4%; 28/144) and were not (18.0%; 168/933) overweight (p = 0.764; OR = 1.10). Fecal incontinence that was associated with constipation was more frequent in adolescents who were overweight (37.0%; 8/28) than in adolescents who were not overweight (8.5%; 14/168; p = 0.005; OR = 4.40).Conclusions: the prevalence of constipation was high among the investigated adolescents. There was no association between being overweight and constipation; however, an association between being overweight and fecal incontinence in constipated adolescents was confirmed.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Pediat Gastroenterol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Pediat Gastroenterol, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Fatores associados a atividade fisica, comportamento sedentario e participacao na Educacao Fisica em estudantes do Ensino Medio em Santa Catarina, Brasil

Abstract published in English and Portuguese English title: Factors associated with physical activity, sedentary behavior, and participation in physical education among high school students in Santa Catarina State, BrazilThe objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of insufficient physical activity, sedentary behavior, and absence from physical education and associated factors. The Santa Catarina State Adolescents' Questionnaire (COMPAC, in Portuguese) was applied to a sample of 5,028 adolescents (15-19 years of age) attending public high schools in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information included demographic and socioeconomic indicators. Poisson regression analyses were used to test associations. The proportion of students with insufficient physical activity was 28.5%, associated with low consumption of fruits and vegetables (PR = 1.27; 95%CI: 1.15; 1.40) and enrollment in night classes (PR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.34; 1.54). Absence from physical education was reported by 48.6%; employment and older age were negatively associated with absence from physical education. Sedentary behavior was reported by 38.4%, but was less frequent in rural areas (PR = 0.52; 95%CI: 0.31; 0.83) and among those enrolled in absence from physical education (RP = 0.73; 95%CI: 0.56; 0.95). The results suggest interventions with specific strategies aimed at ameliorating each contributing factor. = O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as prevalências e fatores associados à atividade física insuficiente, comportamento sedentário e ausência nas aulas de Educação Física em escolares do Ensino Médio. O questionário COMPAC (Comportamento do Adolescente Catarinense) foi respondido por 5.028 estudantes (15 a 19 anos), de escolas públicas de Santa Catarina, Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados comportamentos de risco, informações demográficas e sócio-econômicas. Utilizou-se regressão de Poisson para análises das associações. A prevalência de atividade física insuficiente foi de 28,5% e associou-se a um menor consumo de frutas/verduras (RP = 1,27; IC95%: 1,15-1,40) e estudo noturno (RP = 1,44; IC95%: 1,34-1,54). A prevalência de ausência nas aulas de Educação Física foi de 48,6% e associou-se negativamente à idade e com estar trabalhando (RP = 1,52; IC95%: 1,18-2,19). A prevalência de comportamento sedentário foi de 38,4%, atingindo menos os residentes de áreas rurais (RP = 0,52; IC95%: 0,31-0,83) e que participavam de uma ausência nas aulas de Educação Física semanal (RP = 0,73; IC95%: 0,56-0,95). Os resultados sugerem intervenções com estratégias específicas para cada comportamento analisado.Kelly Samara da Silva, Markus Vinícius Nahas, Karen Glazer Peres, Adair da Silva Lope