Association between physical activity level and consumption of fruit and vegetables among adolescents in northeast Brazil

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the association between low levels of physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 2,057 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years from the city of Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. We analyzed the level of physical activity, consumption of fruits and vegetables by standardized and validated questionnaires. The control variables were sex, age, socioeconomic status, maternal education, alcohol consumption and smoking. For data analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used, with a significance level of 5%.ResultsThe prevalence of low levels of physical activity was 81.9%; the inadequate consumption of fruits ocurred in 79.1% and the inadequate consumption of vegetables in 90.6%. Adolescents who consumed few fruits daily had an increase in 40% of chance of being insufficiently active and, for those who consumed few vegetable's the likelihood of being insufficiently active was 50% higher, compared to those who had adequate intake of these foods.ConclusionsLow levels of physical activity were associated with inadequate fruit and vegetable intake among adolescents in a city in northeastern Brazil. These findings suggest that insufficiently active adolescents have other unhealthy behaviors that may increase the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood

Características de crescimento, composição corporal e desempenho físico relacionado à saúde em crianças e adolescentes de 07 a 14 anos da região do Cotinguiba (SE)

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Desportos. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física.A análise das variáveis de crescimento, composição corporal e desempenho físico, tem sido feitas em diversas comunidades com a clara intenção de melhor caracterizar as mesmas no que concerne aos aspectos relacionados à saúde e a capacidade funcional. Partindo desta perspectiva, este trabalho tem por objetivo geral, definir e analisar as características de crescimento, composição corporal e desempenho físico relacionado à saúde em crianças e adolescentes do Vale do Cotinguiba (SE). Este trabalho caracterizou-se como descritivo com delineamento transversal. A população foi composta por todos os alunos regularmente matriculados na Rede Estadual de Ensino sob jurisdição da Diretoria Regional de Educação de Japaratuba - DRE'04 (Região do Cotinguiba), sendo a amostra composta por 1271 alunos, selecionados em dois estágios, onde no primeiro a amostra foi estratificada por município e, na sequência, aleatória por conglomerado de classe escolar. Foram coletados os dados de massa corporal, estatura, dobras cutâneas, capacidade aeróbia, força e resistência muscular, flexibilidade e nível de desenvolvimento maturacional. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a estatística descritiva, a análise de variância e a correlação de Pearson, sendo utilizado p £ 0,05. Como principais resultados encontrou-se que as medianas por faixa etária, nesta Região, tendem a ser maiores que as do Parâmetro Nacional e para a região Nordeste utilizados (PNSN). Foi encontrada uma prevalência de obesidade de 8% para os meninos e de 16% nas meninas quando considerados os parâmetros do Índice de adiposidade considerados para o estudo. Para as variáveis de desempenho físico relacionadas à saúde, foi verificado, em ambos os gêneros, para a flexibilidade, um aumento com o avançar da idade, atingindo pico aos 13 anos. Para a flexão de braços, foi encontrado, nas meninas pico aos 13 anos e nos meninos aos 14. Para as repetições abdominais, os meninos obtiveram aceleração a partir dos 10 anos e as meninas uma queda a partir da idade de 09 anos. Para a capacidade cardiorrespiratória foi encontrada, nas meninas, uma redução com o avançar da idade, enquanto que para os meninos foi verificada uma curva estatisticamente constante quando consideradas todas as faixas etárias. Concluindo foram propostas tabelas normativas para as variáveis tratadas neste estudo de forma a subsidiar trabalhos futuros na Região Nordeste e no Estado de Sergipe

Growth in children and adolescents: a comparative study

A monitorização do crescimento pode ser considerada como um dos mais importantes indicadores quanto à qualidade de vida de um país, ou a extensão das distorções existentes em uma mesma população em seus diferentes subgrupos. O Objetivo do presente foi analisar o comportamento de variáveis que possam evidenciar as características de crescimento em crianças e adolescentes da Região Nordeste do Brasil e comparar com outros estudos nacionais e internacionais. Para a análise foram utilizadas tabelas normativas construídas a partir das pesquisas de Silva (2002), Silva Júnior (1998), INAN (1989) e NCHS (2002). Verificou-se que, para a estatura, em ambos os gêneros, as curvas analisadas apresentam uma tendência ascendente com valores muito próximos entre si. Para a massa corporal pôde-se perceber que as curvas dos estados nordestinos apresentam valores próximos entre si, enquanto a curva do NCHS tem valores mais expressivos, ocorrendo o mesmo comportamento para o IMC. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyze the variables that evidence growth characteristics in children and adolescents from Northeast Area of Brazil and to compare with other national and international studies. The main results showed that, for the stature, in both genders, the curves presented an ascending tendency with similar values. For the body mass, the curves from the Northeastern Brazil showed similar values as well, while the NCHS curves presented higher values. The same behavior was observed for BMI

Factors Associated with Violent Behavior among Adolescents in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to identify prevalence and factors associated with violent behavior among adolescents in Aracaju and Metropolitan region. The study included 2207 adolescents (16.03 ± 1.08 years old) enrolled in high schools of the State Public Network. Violent behavior was identified from question 14 of the YRBS-2007 questionnaire with responses categorized as “never” and “one or more times.” Higher prevalence in males in relation to risk factors for adoption of violent behavior was found: cigarette consumption (7.3%), alcohol consumption (39.1%), and marijuana use (3.4%). Data analysis used descriptive statistics and logistic regression with hierarchical model at two levels: (a) sociodemographic variables and (b) behavioral variables. For both sexes, association between violent behavior and cigarette smoking (OR = 3.77, CI 95% = 2.06–6.92 and OR = 1.99, CI 95% = 1.04 to 3.81, male and female, resp.) and alcohol consumption (OR = 3.38, CI 95% = 2.22 to 5.16 and OR = 1.83, CI 95% = 1.28 to 2.63, male and female, resp.) was verified. It was concluded that violent behavior is associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes among adolescents

Television Time among Brazilian Adolescents: Correlated Factors are Different between Boys and Girls

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of excess television time and verify correlated factors in adolescent males and females. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 2,105 adolescents aged from 13 to 18 years from the city of Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. Television time was self-reported, corresponding to the time spent watching television in a typical week. Several correlates were examined including age, skin color, socioeconomic status, parent education, physical activity level, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking status, alcohol use, and sports team participation. Results. The prevalence excess television time (≥2 hours/day) in girls and boys was 70.9% and 66.2%, respectively. Girls with low socioeconomic status or inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables were more likely to have excess television time. Among boys, those >16 years of age or with black skin color were more likely to have excess television time. Conclusions. Excess television time was observed in more than two-thirds of adolescents, being more evident in girls. Correlated factors differed according to sex. Efforts to reduce television time among Brazilian adolescents, and replace with more active pursuits, may yield desirable public health benefits

Simultaneous Health Risk Behaviors in Adolescents Associated with Higher Economic Class in the Northeast of Brazil

Design. The social, cultural, and economic context can be an important variable in the perception and adoption of risk behaviors in adolescents. Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of simultaneous health risk behaviors and associated socioeconomic factors in adolescents living in the metropolitan region of Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Brazil. Methods. The sample consisted of 2,207 high school students aged 13–18 years. The risk behaviors measured were “low levels of physical activity,” “excessive daily TV time,” “high consumption of alcoholic beverages on a single occasion,” “involvement in fights,” “smoking cigarettes,” “carrying firearms,” and “marijuana consumption.” Information was obtained through self-administered questionnaire. Results. Considering the results, it was observed that female adolescents and those aged up to 16 years were less likely to have two or more health risk behaviors compared to males and those aged 17 years or more, respectively. It was also found that both high- and middle-income level adolescents had higher prevalence of having two or more health risk behaviors. Conclusions. It was concluded that male adolescents older than 16 years with better socioeconomic level were more exposed to the simultaneous presence of several health risk behaviors

Estilo de vida de acadêmicos de educação física de uma universidade pública do estado de Sergipe

Objetivou-se analisar o estilo de vida de acadêmicos de Educação Física de uma universidade pública do estado de Sergipe, Brasil. A amostra probabilística foi de 217 alunos da Universidade Federal de Sergipe com 20,6 (±3,1) anos de idade, sendo 105 da licenciatura e 112 do bacharelado. Da amostra analisada, 3,3% (IC95%: 0,9-1,6) apresentou um estilo de vida inadequado. A maior parte dos alunos, 57,4% (IC95%: 50,7-64,0), não atendeu as recomendações para atividade física. Estudantes da licenciatura estavam mais inadequados que os do bacharelado no conjunto do estilo de vida global e nas condutas de sono, cinto de segurança, estresse e sexo seguro. Os achados contribuem para que a universidade elabore campanhas e programas de extensão no campus para promoção do estilo de vida saudável