Mean ± SD and coefficient of variation for 6MWT Actual and 6MWT Predicted using different validated regression equations.

<p>*P<0.01, significantly different to actual.</p><p>Mean ± SD and coefficient of variation for 6MWT Actual and 6MWT Predicted using different validated regression equations.</p

Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients between 6MWT Actual and 6MWT Predicted using different validated regression equations.

<p>*P<0.05.</p><p>**P<0.01.</p><p>Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients between 6MWT Actual and 6MWT Predicted using different validated regression equations.</p

Waist circumference to height ratio predicts inflammatory risk in children

<p><b>Background:</b> The increase in obesity, especially the increase of visceral fat, has been directly associated with health risk. Additionally, a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (0.5) has been proposed as an indicator of early health risk.</p> <p><b>Aims:</b> To test the association between anthropometric measurements and inflammatory mRNA expression and to evaluate the effectiveness of WHtR to predict inflammatory risk in children.</p> <p><b>Subjects and methods:</b> Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood samples were collected in 94 Brazilian children (46 boys) aged 9–11 years. Children were identified as being at inflammatory risk based on cytokine mRNA expression levels at and above the 75th percentile. Inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels were determined through buff-coat using real-time polymerase chain reaction.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and WHtR showed moderate-to-strong association with inflammatory cytokine mRNA gene expression. WHtR = 0.51 was the most accurate cut-off point in distinguishing children at inflammatory risk. Compared with children with WHtR <0.51, children with a WHtR ≥0.51 presented an odds ratio of 2.643 (95% CI = 1.749–3.994) for both diagnosed IL-6 and MCP-1 above the 75th percentile and 2.796 (95% CI = 1.802–4.338) for TNF-<i>α</i> above the 75th percentile. WHtR = 0.50 presented the same values of sensitivity and odds ratio and ∼7% lower specificity compared to WHtR = 0.51.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Anthropometric measurements have shown a moderate-to-strong association with the mRNA expression of inflammatory genes and a WHtR of 0.5 could serve as a cut-off point, suggesting increased risk of inflammatory responses.</p

Waist circumference percentile in children from municipalities of developed and developing countries

<div><p>Abstract Aims: to design reference percentile curves of waist circumference (WC) in children aged 6-10 from municipalities of developed (Portugal) and developing (Brazil) countries and to compare these results with other international references. Methods: this cross-sectional study enrolled a 6-10-year-old probability sampling. Univariate analysis of covariance adjusted by height was carried out to test the main effects of age, sex, countries, and interactions. WC percentile curves were performed with the LMS Chart Maker. Results: The sample comprised 6,475 children. Portuguese children presented a curvilinear increase in WC curves and Brazilian WC curves have shown a linear increase with age both for boys and girls. Overweight and obesity prevalence was 15.9 % and 4.7 % for Portuguese children and 12.9 % 4.5% for Brazilian children, respectively. There was a main effect (p<0.0001) for age and countries, and an interaction effect for sex*age (p=0.001) and countries*age (p<0.0001). Portuguese boys and girls have shown higher values for the 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles than Brazilian boys and girls. Conclusions: WC reference percentile curves were drawn for 6-10-year-old Portuguese and Brazilian children. Portuguese children have higher WC values than Brazilian children and other children from developed countries.</p></div

Confounding effect of biologic maturation on sex differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior in adolescents

Sex differences in physical activity (PA) through pubertal maturation and the growth spurt are often attributed to changing interests. The contribution of sex differences in biological maturation to the adolescent decline has received limited attention. This study examined the contribution of somatic maturation to sex differences in objective assessments of sedentary behavior and PA in Portuguese adolescents (N = 302, aged 13-16 years). Maturation was estimated from the percentage of predicted mature stature and physically active and inactive behaviors assessed with Actigraph GT1M accelerometers. The influence of age, sex and their interaction on body size, maturation and physical behaviors were examined using factorial ANOVA and, subsequently, ANCOVA (controlling for maturation) tested the effect of sex. Males spent more time in MVPA and less time in sedentary behavior than females. However, sex differences were attenuated when maturation was controlled; thus suggesting that maturity may play an important role in adolescent behaviors

The Multifaceted Roles of PI3Kγ in Hypertension, Vascular Biology, and Inflammation

PI3Kγ is a multifaceted protein, crucially involved in cardiovascular and immune systems. Several studies described the biological and physiological functions of this enzyme in the regulation of cardiovascular system, while others stressed its role in the modulation of immunity. Although PI3Kγ has been historically investigated for its role in leukocytes, the last decade of research also dedicated efforts to explore its functions in the cardiovascular system. In this review, we report an overview recapitulating how PI3Kγ signaling participates in the regulation of vascular functions involved in blood pressure regulation. Moreover, we also summarize the main functions of PI3Kγ in immune responses that could be potentially important in the interaction with the cardiovascular system. Considering that vascular and immune mechanisms are increasingly emerging as intertwining players in hypertension, PI3Kγ could be an intriguing pathway acting on both sides. The availability of specific inhibitors introduces a perspective of further translational research and clinical approaches that could be exploited in hypertension

Additional file 1 of Effects of a physical education intervention on children’s physical activity and fitness: the PROFIT pilot study

Additional file 1: Supplementary material 1. Physical education sessions plan. Supplementary material 2. Intervention design schedule. Supplementary material 3. Nutrition intervention schedule and activities. Supplementary Table 1. Differences between followed-up and not followed-up in the experimental group

Odds-ratio for abdominal obesity according to the educational level, for adults and old adults.

<p>Odds-ratio for abdominal obesity according to the educational level, for adults and old adults.</p

Body mass index and waist circumference and prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity in the adult population of Portugal, by sex and age category, adjusted for educational level.

<p>Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; WC, waist circumference.</p><p>Results presented are adjusted for the weight factor for educational level.</p>a<p>Significant differences between gender (p<0.05).</p>b<p>Significant differences between adult and older adults (p<0.05).</p

Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese adult population.

<p>Data from the current study, adjusted for national education and for the education reported in the 2003–2005 survey, and prevalence from the 2003–2005 survey in the adult population.</p