Anthropometry and lifestyle of children and adolescent in inland of Northeastern Brazil

Introduction: Brazil is going through a nutritional transition, which is observed decrease in malnutrition and increased excess weight.Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status and lifestyle of school children and adolescents from 4 to 17 years old resident in the interior of the Brazilian Northeast.Methods: This is a longitudinal study performed in two stages. The first stage took place during the School Health Program and anthropometric data were collected from 975 schoolchildren. In the second stage, it was used a questionnaire to assess lifestyle and diet. Participants were classified into “not overweight” and “overweight”. The significant level for the statistical tests was set at 5%.Results: In the first stage, less than 2% of students had low height for age. The prevalence of overweight and malnutrition was 22.15% and 5.23%, respectively.  Of the 134 participants of the second stage, 47.76% were not overweight and 52.24% overweight. Regarding the lifestyle, the not overweight group had a higher percentage of insufficiently active members (p = 0.017) and a lower intake of vegetables and salads (p=0.015).Conclusions: The results revealed low short stature in the population studied and overweight was more prevalent than malnutrition. Children and adolescents had sedentary habits that associated with inappropriate dietary practices favor the occurrence of overweight.

Attitudes and behaviors of diabetics about the diabetes clinical prevention and control strategies

Introdução: O Diabetes Mellitus (DM) constitui um dos principais agravos de saúde pública das doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no mundo. Atitudes adequadas dos diabéticos frente às recomendações dos profissionais da saúde são imprescindíveis para sucesso terapêutico. Ademais, o nível de conhecimento sobre a doença constitui um dos pontos principais para prevenção de complicações do diabetes. Objetivo: Avaliar atitudes e comportamentos dos diabéticos acerca das estratégias de prevenção e suas influências no controle clínico do diabetes. Casuística e Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo e exploratório realizado em duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde no interior do estado de Sergipe. A coleta de dados se deu através de questionários e realização do exame clínico. Resultados: Ao total, foram aplicados 82 questionários onde todos possuíam o DM tipo 2. A maioria dos pacientes era do sexo feminino (75,6%) com média de idade de 61,74 ± 13,06 anos, 39% analfabetos e apenas 15% trabalham. Foi observado excesso de peso em 66% e sedentarismo em 74% dos pacientes. Cerca de 10% apresentam alguma complicação do diabetes, 8% afirmaram não fazer tratamento conforme recomendado e 5% apresentam algum grau de amputação de membros inferiores associado ao DM. Mais de 90% desconheciam sinais, causas e manejo da hipoglicemia e apenas 18,29% participaram de alguma atividade educativa sobre o cuidado com o pé diabético. Conclusão: Os resultados remetem à necessidade da realização de estratégias preventivas, objetivando a educação em saúde e promoção, para aumentar o conhecimento, e melhorar atitudes e comportamento dos pacientes diabéticos.Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the main problem of public health among the chronic non transmissible diseases in several countries. The diabetic’s attitudes to the health professionals’ recommendations are essential for the success therapeutic. In addition, the knowledge about some disease aspects is one of the main points for the prevention diabetes complications. Objective: Evaluate attitudes and behaviors towards prevention strategies adopted and their influence on the clinical control of diabetes. Patients and Methods: Descriptive and exploratory cross-sectional study developed on two Public Basic Health Units in the interior of the state of Sergipe. The collection of data was done through a questionnaire and the clinical exam. Results: A total of 82 questionnaires were applied and all patients had DM type 2. The most of them were female (75.6%) with mean age of 61,74 ± 13,06 years, 39% are illiterate and only 15% are economically active. Overweight was observed in 66% of diabetics and sedentary lifestyle in 74% of them. About 10% had some type of diabetes complication, 8% referred do not follow treatment properly and 5% already presents some level of lower limb amputation associated with diabetes. More than 90% not had enough knowledge about the signs, causes and management of hypoglycemia, and only 18.29% participated of educational activities about diabetic foot care. Conclusion: The results show the necessity to develop preventive strategies focused on health education and promotions to increase knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of diabetic patients