BackgroundIn adults, there is a substantial body of evidence that physical inactivity or low cardiorespiratory fitness levels are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Although this association has been studied extensively in adults, little is known regarding this association in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels with metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adolescents.MethodsA random sample of 223 girls (mean age, 14.4 ± 1.6 years) and 233 boys (mean age, 14.6 ± 1.6 years) was selected for the study. The level of physical activity was determined by the Bouchard three-day physical activity record. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by the Leger 20-meter shuttle run test. The metabolic syndrome components assessed included waist circumference, blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose levels. Independent Student t-tests were used to assess gender differences. The associations between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness with the presence of metabolic syndrome were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender.ResultsA high prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in inactive adolescents (males, 11.4%; females, 7.2%) and adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels (males, 13.9%; females, 8.6%). A significant relationship existed between metabolic syndrome and low cardiorespiratory fitness (OR, 3.0 [1.13-7.94]).ConclusionThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high among adolescents who are inactive and those with low cardiorespiratory fitness. Prevention strategies for metabolic syndrome should concentrate on enhancing fitness levels early in life.

BackgroundThe International Index of Erectile Function has been proposed as a method for assessing sexual function assisting the diagnosis and classification of erectile dysfunction. However, IIEF was not validated for the Portuguese language. ObjectiveValidate the International Index of Erectile Function in patients with cardiopulmonary and metabolic diseases. MethodsThe sample consisted of 108 participants of to Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic program Rehabilitation (CPMR) in southern Brazil. The clarity assessment of the instrument was performed using a scale ranging from zero to 10. The construct validity was carried out by confirmatory factor analysis (KMO = 0.85; Barllet p < 0.001), internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha and reproducibility and interrater reliability via the test retest method. ResultsThe items were considered very clear with averages superior to 9. The internal consistency resulted in 0.89. The majority of items related correctly with their domains, with exception of three questions from sexual satisfaction domain, and one from erectile function. All items showed excellent stability of measure and substantial to almost perfect agreement. ConclusionThe present study showed that the IIEF is valid and reliable for use in participants of a cardiopulmonary and metabolic rehabilitation program.

BackgroundRecently, some studies have evaluated the role of adiposity measures in the prediction of hypertension risk, but the results are conflicting. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare which of the four indicators of adiposity (waist circumference–WC, body mass index–BMI, body adiposity index–BAI, and visceral adiposity index–VAI) were better associated with hypertension in a Brazilian population.Methods and findingsFor this study, were selected 1627 individuals (both genders, and aged over 18 years) resident in the municipality of Baependi, a city located in the Southeast of Brazil. WC, BMI, BAI and VAI were determined according to a standard protocol. Hypertension was defined as mean systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or antihypertensive drug use. The indicators of adiposity WC, BMI, BAI, and VAI were higher in hypertensive when compared to non-hypertensive individuals. In addition, WC and BMI were most strongly associated with hypertension in men and women, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of WC was significantly higher than VAI in men. In women, both AUC of BMI and WC showed higher discriminatory power to predict hypertension than BAI and VAI.ConclusionsThe indicators of adiposity WC and BMI were better associated with hypertension than BAI and VAI, in both genders, and it could be a useful tools for the screening of hypertensive patients.

RESUMOObjetivo: Associar o estado nutricional com os hábitos alimentares e conhecimentos em nutrição de escolares da cidade Indaial, Santa Catarina.Métodos: Foi avaliado o estado nutricional de 259 escolares com idades entre oito e dez anos, selecionados aleatoriamente dentre os alunos matriculados na 3ª e 4ª série da rede pública de ensino da cidade de Indaial, SC, no ano de 2009, fornecido pela Gerência Regional de Ensino. A avaliação e classificação do estado nutricional foram realizadas pelo índice de massa corpórea (IMC), sendo comparado às curvas propostas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (2007). Os hábitos alimentares e conhecimentos em nutrição foram avaliados por meio de questionário autoadministrado e classificados pela somatória de pontos, que variou de sete a 28 pontos para hábitos alimentares (maus, bons e ótimos) e de zero a 12 pontos para os conhecimentos em nutrição (ruins, bons e ótimos). Realizou-se teste de qui-quadrado e regressão logística binária, sendo significante p<0,05.Resultados: Dentre os 259 escolares avaliados, 63% eram eutróficos, 66% apresentavam hábitos alimentares adequados e 52% bons conhecimentos em nutrição. A obesidade associou-se significativamente aos bons hábitos alimentares. Os eutróficos, além de terem bons hábitos alimentares, tinham apropriados conhecimentos em nutrição.Conclusões: Os escolares analisados constituem um grupo saudável pela significativa presença de eutrofia, percebendose hábitos alimentares saudáveis e bons conhecimentos em Palavras-chave: estado nutricional; hábitos alimentares; criança. ABSTRACT Objective:To study the association between nutritional status with dietary habits and nutrition knowledge of students in the municipality of Indaial, in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated the nutritional status of 259 children aged between eight and ten years old. Children were randomly selected among the 3 rd and 4 th grades students of elementary public schools of the city. The evaluation and classification of their nutritional status were based on the body mass index (BMI) and compared to growth charts proposed by the World Health Organization (2007). Dietary habits and nutrition knowledge were analyzed by a self-assessed questionnaire and classified in bad, good or excellent according to the obtained score. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test and binary logistic regression, being significant p<0.05.Results: Among the 256 studied students, 63% had adequate weight for age, 66% good eating habits and 52% good nutritional knowledge. Obesity was significantly associated with good eating habits. The eutrophic students presented good eating habits and appropriate knowledge about nutrition.

Objectives: to characterize the nutritional status a n d d i e t a r y Organization. Dietary intake was calculated using the S u r v e y o f C o n s u m e r F o o d F re q u e n c y. A n a l y s i s w a s carried out using descriptive and frequency analysis, and Student's t test with p<0.05. R e s u l t s : m o s t i n d i v i d u a l s p re s e n t e d a n o r m a l n u t r i t i o n a l s t a t u s ( 8 4 % b e i n g e u t ro p h i c , 1 2 % o v e rw e i g h t / o b e s e a n d 4 % u n d e r w e i g h t ) . T h e d i e t w a s

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Artículo recibido el 10/03/09; revisado recibido el 16/06/09; aceptado el 24/09/09. ResumenFundamento: La aterosclerosis es la enfermedad coronaria que afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población adulta brasilera. Aún cuando se trata de una enfermedad predominantemente de adultos, los factores de riesgo asociados pueden surgir en individuos jóvenes.Objetivo: Verificar la asociación del nivel de actividad física (NAF) y el consumo de lípidos con los factores de riesgo para aterosclerosis en adolescentes.Métodos: Fueron evaluados 260 niños y 237 niñas con edades entre 10 y 18 años. El nivel de actividad física fue estimado a través del recordatorio propuesto por Bouchard et al. El consumo de lípidos fue evaluado mediante una encuesta alimentaria desarrollada por Sichieri y Everhart. La presión arterial se midió utilizando un esfigmomanómetro de columna de mercurio. El colesterol total, el HDL-C y los triglicéridos fueron determinados por el método enzimático-colorimétrico. El LDL-C se calculó mediante la fórmula de Friedewald. En el análisis estadístico, se empleó la regresión logística, con nivel de significancia estipulado en p < 0,05.Resultados: En cuanto al NAF, el 17,3% de los niños y el 22,6% de las niñas fueron clasificados como sedentarios. En los hábitos alimentarios, el 54% y el 48,6% de los niños y niñas, respectivamente, presentaron consumo de lípidos por encima de las recomendaciones. Niños con niveles elevados de colesterol total y de LDL-C tuvieron mayor razón de chances de ser sedentarios que sus pares más activos. La aparición de niveles elevados de LDL-C estuvo asociada al consumo excesivo de grasa saturada en ambos sexos. a una menor predisposición a los factores de riesgo para enfermedades cardiovasculares en adultos 2,4 . Sin embargo, no todos estos resultados hallados fueron confirmados en poblaciones pediátricas [5][6][7] . Estudios de prevalencia recientes han demostrado que la exposición a los factores de riesgo para aterosclerosis no se restringe a la población adulta 8,9 , contrariando, de esta forma, la creencia generalizada de que niños y adolescentes están al margen de este tipo de riesgo para la salud. ConclusiónCon datos del Bogalusa Heart Study, Berenson et al 10 demostraron la presencia de factores de riesgo, como el aumento del índice de masa corporal, presión arterial, LDL-C y triglicéridos y relataron que estos aumentos están relacionados a lesiones ateroscleróticas, aún en individuos jóvenes.Salvo en trastornos congénitos, en los que los cambios de conducta pueden no ser suficientes para la normalización metabólica de los portadores, algunos factores de riesgo son receptivos a cambios comportamentales 11 . Así, estos cambios IntroducciónLa aterosclerosis es la enfermedad coronaria que afecta con mayor frecuencia a la población adulta brasilera, y la hipertensión arterial y las dislipidemias son los principales factores de riesgo para su desarrollo 1 . Estudios publicados refieren que, independientemente del origen étnico, individuos que consumen grandes cantidades de grasas, pr...

Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). In contrast, regular physical exercise can promote adaptations to reactive oxygen species that are beneficial for patients with HF. We completed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that evaluate the influence of exercise on oxidative stress in patients with HF. Articles were searched in the PubMed, Cochrane, SciELO, and LILACS databases. The search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. We selected 12 studies with a total of 353 participants. The included patients had a left ventricle ejection fraction of < 52% and New York Heart Association functional class II or III disease. A significant increase was observed in peak oxygen consumption (between 10 and 46%) in the group that underwent training (TG). There was an improvement in the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscles in the TG, related to the positive activity of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (between 27 and 41%). An increase in the expression of the enzymes glutathione peroxidase (41%), catalase (between 14 and 42%), and superoxide dismutase (74.5%), and a decrease in lipid peroxidation (between 28.8 and 58.5%) were observed in the TG. Physical training positively influenced the cardiorespiratory capacity and enhanced the benefits of oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in patients with HF. High-intensity training promoted a 15% increase in the plasma total antioxidant capacity, whereas moderate training had no effect.