The influence of neighborhood safety and built environment on childhood obesity: isolated and combined effect of contextual factors

Abstract: This study aims to analyze the isolated and combined effect of objective measures concerning neighborhood safety, food, and physical activity environments on students’ obesity. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 9- and 10-year-old children enrolled in the municipal education network of a Brazilian metropolis. Environment objective measures comprised neighborhood unsafety (annual criminality and road traffic accident rates), availability of public parks and spaces for physical activity practicing, and index of establishments that predominantly sell ultra-processed food. Euclidean buffers of 1,000m around the children’s house were used as eligible geographic units. This study adopted the Principal Component Analysis and Generalized Estimation Equation models. Stratified analyses were conducted based on neighborhood unsafety and on child’s family income. In total, 717 students were assessed, 12.2% of them were children with obesity. The latent variable of the obesogenic environment (deduced by environment unsafety rates and the index of establishments that predominantly sell ultra-processed food) was a risk factor for obesity in children with lower socioeconomic levels (OR = 2.37; 95%CI: 1.06-5.19). Public parks and spaces for physical activity practicing were protective factors against childhood obesity only in locations recording the lowest environment unsafety rates (OR = 0.30; 95%CI: 0.09-0.94). Based on our findings, social conditions change the effect of the environment on childhood obesity, reinforcing the relevance of inter-sectoral policies and strategies against this condition

Condições hospitalares adquiridas e tempo de permanência no ciclo gravídico-puerperal

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HAC) in women in the puerperal and pregnancy cycle during length of stay. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 113,456 women, between July 2012 and July 2017, in Brazil’s national hospitals of the supplementary healthcare networks and philanthropists accredited to the Unified Health System (SUS). Data on hospital discharges were collected using the Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG Brasil) system. All DRGs of the major diagnostic category 14 (MDC14), including pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium, were included. The impact of HAC on length of stay was estimated by Student’s t-test, and the effect size by Cohen’s d, which allows to assess clinical relevance. RESULTS: The most prevalent diagnostic categories related to MDC14 were vaginal and cesarean deliveries without complicating diagnoses, both at institutions accredited to SUS and those for supplementary health care. The prevalence of HAC was 3.8% in supplementary health and 2.5% in SUS. Hospitals providing services to supplementary health care providers had a longer length of stay considering HAC for patients classified as DRG: cesarean section with complications or comorbidities at admission (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.74), cesarean section without complications or comorbidities at admission (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.31), postpartum and post abortion without listed procedure (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.05), and other antepartum diagnoses with medical complications (p < 0.001; Cohen’s d = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the prevalence of HAC was low both in the institutions accredited to attend by SUS and in those of supplementary health; however, its presence contributes to increasing the length of stay in cases of cesarean sections without complications or comorbidities in supplementary health institutions.OBJETIVO: Analisar o impacto das condições hospitalares adquiridas em mulheres no ciclo gravídico puerperal no tempo de permanência. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal foi conduzido com 113.456 mulheres, entre julho de 2012 e julho de 2017, em hospitais nacionais da rede suplementar de saúde e filantrópicos credenciados para atendimento pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os dados das altas hospitalares foram coletados utilizando o sistema Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG Brasil). Foram incluídos todos os DRG que compõem a grande categoria diagnóstica 14 (MDC14), abrangendo gestação, parto e puerpério. O impacto das condições hospitalares adquiridas no tempo de permanência foi estimado por meio do teste t de Student, e o tamanho do efeito pelo d de Cohen, que permite avaliar a relevância clínica. RESULTADOS: As categorias diagnósticas relacionadas à MDC14 mais prevalentes foram partos vaginais sem diagnósticos complicadores e cesáreas, tanto nas instituições credenciadas para atendimento pelo SUS quanto nas de saúde suplementar. A prevalência de condições hospitalares adquiridas foi de 3,8% na saúde suplementar e 2,5% no SUS. Observou-se maior tempo de permanência nos hospitais que prestam serviços a operadoras da saúde suplementar do Brasil na presença de CHA para as pacientes categorizadas nos DRG: cesariana com complicações ou comorbidades presentes à admissão (p < 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,74), cesariana sem complicações ou comorbidades presentes à admissão (p < 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,31), doenças puerperais e pós-aborto sem cirurgia (p < 0,001; d de Cohen = 1,05) e outras doenças da gravidez com complicações clínicas (p < 0,001; d de Cohen = 0,77). CONCLUSÕES: O presente estudo revelou que a prevalência de condições adquiridas foi baixa tanto nas instituições credenciadas para atendimento pelo SUS quanto nas de saúde suplementar; entretanto, sua presença contribui para o aumento do tempo de permanência hospitalar em casos de cesáreas sem complicações ou comorbidades nas instituições de saúde suplementar

Influence of the Bolsa Família program on nutritional status and food frequency of schoolchildren

Abstract Objective To evaluate the food frequency and nutritional status among students according to participation in the Bolsa Família program funded by the government. Methods Cross-sectional study carried out with students from the fourth grade of elementary school in the municipal capital of the southeastern region of Brazil. Food consumption and anthropometry were investigated by a questionnaire administered in school, while participation in the Bolsa Família program and other socio-economic information was obtained through a protocol applied to mothers/guardians. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney test, the chi-squared test, and Poisson regression with robust variance, and the 5% significance level was adopted. Results There were 319 children evaluated; 56.4% were male, with a median of 9.4 (8.6–11.9) years, and 37.0% were beneficiaries of Bolsa Família program. Between the two groups, there was high prevalence of regular soda consumption (34.3%), artificial juice (49.5%), and sweets (40.3%), while only 54.3% and 51.7% consumed fruits and vegetables regularly, respectively. Among participants of Bolsa Família program, a prevalence 1.24 times higher in the regular consumption of soft drinks (95% CI: 1.10–1.39) was identified compared to non-beneficiaries. The prevalence of overweight was higher in the sample (32.9%), with no difference according to participation in the program. Conclusion The study found increased consumption of soft drinks among BFP participants. The high rate of overweight and poor eating habits denote the need to develop actions to promote healthy eating, especially for the beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família program, to promote improvements in nutritional status and prevent chronic diseases throughout life

The food environment of Brazilian public and private schools

Abstract: This study’s aim was to characterize the food environment of Brazilian public and private schools. This was a national school-based cross-sectional study with 1,247 schools - among which 81.09% were public and 18.91% were private - in 124 Brazilian municipalities. The data originated from the Questionnaire on Aspects of the School Environment, used in the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents (ERICA) in 2013 and 2014. Data analysis was conducted in 2017. The chi-square test was used to compare proportions. A greater proportion of public schools offered school meals (98.15%) in comparison to private schools (8.07%) (p 0.05). These findings reveal the predominance of obesogenic environments mainly in private schools, and can contribute to the design of Brazilian public policies to promote a healthy school food environment

EXCESSO DE PESO, AMBIENTE PERCEBIDO E PRIVAÇÃO SOCIAL: UM ESTUDO DA PERCEPÇÃO DE PAIS OU RESPONSÁVEIS

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a percepção de pais ou responsáveis sobre a proximidade residencial a locais de venda de alimentos, de lazer e de atividade física segundo a privação social da vizinhança e testar associações do ambiente percebido com o excesso de peso de seus filhos. Métodos: Estudo transversal conduzido com 408 crianças e adolescentes (6 a 15 anos de idade) de escolas públicas de um município de médio porte brasileiro. A coleta de dados ocorreu de 2011 a 2014. Foram determinados a presença de excesso de peso e o tempo de deslocamento da residência dos participantes aos locais avaliados, questionados durante entrevista telefônica com instrumento de pesquisa estruturado. O indicador de privação social adotado foi o Índice de Vulnerabilidade da Saúde. Modelos de regressão logística foram construídos para predizer a proximidade percebida (privação social como variável explicativa) e para avaliar os fatores do ambiente percebido (variáveis explicativas) associados ao excesso de peso (desfecho). Resultados: Moradores de áreas com maior vulnerabilidade social apresentaram chances de percepção de proximidade 50 a 71% menores para supermercados, feiras/sacolões, parques, áreas de lazer/centros comunitários e academias de ginástica, quando comparados a residentes de áreas com menor vulnerabilidade. A percepção de proximidade a parques reduziu em 73% a chance de excesso de peso em crianças e adolescentes, com Odds Ratio (OR) de 0,27 (IC95% 0,07-0,95; p<0,05). Conclusões: A percepção ambiental sobre a infraestrutura da área residencial pode estar relacionada com a privação social da vizinhança e a presença de excesso de peso em crianças e adolescentes

Private school canteens: an analysis of the economic and financial aspects of the traditional and the healthy models

Abstract Background One of the reasons for the more prominent resistance of canteen managers to implementing healthy canteens is based on the belief in the economic infeasibility of these models. The research aimed to verify the economic and financial viability of traditional and healthy models of school canteens in a Brazilian metropolis. Methods The case study was carried out with 36 companies in the school canteen sector in a Brazilian metropolis. The classification of items sold in canteens considered the extent and purpose of food processing according to the NOVA Classification. The characterization and definition of traditional canteens and healthy canteens were proposed considering the amount of in natura or minimally processed foods and culinary preparations without the presence of ultra-processed foods; the percentage of ultra-processed foods or processed foods or culinary preparations with the presence of ultra-processed foods; and the existence of prohibited foods. The economic and financial analysis was carried out mainly through the evaluation of profitability. Data were collected through an electronic self-administered questionnaire sent to canteen managers. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare medians and the Chi-Square/Fisher’s Exact Test to compare proportions. Results The study included six companies, responsible for 36 canteen units in private schools, 30 classified in the traditional model (83.3%), and six in the healthy model (16.7%). The median percentage of natural, minimally processed foods and commercialized culinary preparations was higher among the healthy model canteens (87.9% vs. 60.0%, p < 0.001). While the median percentage of ultra-processed, processed, or preparations with the presence of ultra-processed (40.0% vs. 12.1%, p < 0.001) and prohibited foods (10.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) sold was higher in the traditional model canteens. The results indicated that the profitability in the healthy canteens was higher (p < 0.001) than in the traditional ones. Conclusions Healthy school canteens showed better financial and economic results compared to traditional canteens with emphasis on greater profitability and a shorter recovery time of the initial investment

Obesogenic neighborhood environment is associated with body fat and low-grade inflammation in Brazilian children: could the mother’s BMI be a mediating factor?

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic neighborhood environments with body fat, and pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines in Brazilian children. Design: Cross-sectional study. The body fat distribution was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Concentrations of leptin and adiponectin were measured. Four hundred meters (0·25 miles) road network buffer was the neighborhood unit used to assess the environmental characteristics around households. Obesogenic and leptogenic environments were the latent variables obtained from the observed characteristics. The mother’s BMI, ultra-processed food consumption, and physical activity before and after school, were tested as mediating variables. A hybrid model of structural equations was used to test the direct and indirect associations of obesogenic and leptogenic environments with body fat, leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Setting: Urban area of Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Participants: Children aged 8- and 9-years (n 367). Results: Obesogenic environment was directly associated with the mother’s BMI (β: 0·24, P = 0·02) and the child’s body fat (β: 0·19, P = 0·02). The mother’s BMI and body fat mediated the association of the obesogenic environment with leptin concentrations (β: 0·05, P = 0·02). Conclusions: Obesogenic neighborhood environment was directly associated with body fat and mother's BMI, and indirectly associated with leptin concentrations in Brazilian children, mediated by the mother’s BMI and body fat