Associação entre estágios de mudança de comportamento relacionados à atividade física e estado nutricional em universitários

Effect of a Nutritional Intervention, Based on Transtheoretical Model, on Metabolic Markers and Food Consumption of Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention, based on the transtheoretical model, on the metabolic markers and dietary intake of individuals undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

Intervention study at a nephrology clinic includes 83 individuals undergoing HD, over a period of 4 months. The nutritional intervention based on the transtheoretical model was composed of two group meetings and three individual ones, with delivery of personalized food plans and nutritional education activities. Anthropometry, dietary intake, metabolic markers, and stage of behavior change were evaluated before and after nutritional intervention.

RESULTS

There was a significant change from the stage of contemplation to the stage of action, after the intervention (P < .001). There was a significant reduction in serum concentrations of creatinine and predialysis and postdialysis urea (P < .001). Hyperphosphataemia and hyperkalemia in the group were also significantly reduced as were markers related to bone metabolism (P < .001). The markers of iron metabolism (P < .001), protein (P = .042), and globulin (P < .001) showed a significant increase. Regarding food consumption, the caloric intakes (P = .034), cholesterol (P = .034), protein, and lipid as well as intake of iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and vitamin C (P < .001) were significantly higher after intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The nutritional intervention based on the transtheoretical model promoted a change in the behavior of individuals undergoing HD, with an important improvement in their metabolic control. This can be explained by the significant change in the intake of calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients, as well as adequate use of phosphorus binders, indicating the crucial role of nutrition in this group.

Prevalence of body weight excess in undergraduate students: analysis of repeated surveys

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of excess of body weight between the surveys conducted in the years 2010, 2012 and 2014, in college students from the same institution.

METHODS

Three cross-sectional surveys were carried out in representative samples of students of a public institution. The excess of body weight was estimated by the body mass index and compared between the surveys, using the χ2 test for linear trend, in each of the categories: sociodemographic, link with the university and health-related behaviors.

RESULTS

There were 1,069, 1,074 and 1,031 participants in the surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively. Between surveys, the prevalence of overweight increased in men (2010: 30.1%; 2014: 36.4%), but not in women. There was an increased prevalence of excess body weight for the categories of sociodemographic variables link with the university and health-related behaviors in men and women.

CONCLUSION

An increasing prevalence of excess body weight in college students was observed in the surveys. The conduction of interventions aimed at maintaining body weight is essential in order to avoid possible diseases associated with the concentrations of fat in inadequate levels.

Effects of exergame training on the health promotion of young adults

Abstract Introduction: Training with exergames has been prescribed for health problems prevention, however, little is known about its influence on the self-perception of the physical condition and on the physical and motor skills (PMS). Objective: To investigate the effects of exergames (EXG) on the self-perception of the physical condition, level of physical activity and PMS in healthy young adults. Methods: Forty young adults, of both genders, were allocated by convenience into Control Group (CG, n = 20, 21.85 ± 0.62 years old), the individuals did not perform the physical training with exergames, and Intervention Group (IG, n = 20, 23.10 ± 0.61 years old), the subjects practiced exergames training (XBOX360 Kinect ®), in pairs, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements; self-perceived physical condition (International Fitness Scale-IFIS); International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and PMS (flexibility; abdominal endurance; upper limb strength and endurance, agility and velocity) were evaluated. Results: The IG presented better self-perception of the physical condition; increased physical activity level in the leisure domain and enhanced PMS after 12 weeks of intervention, compared to the CG. Conclusion: The EXG was efficient to improve skeletal muscle function, to contribute to physical exercise adherence and to promote physical health in active young adults.

Physical activity, nutrition and behavior change in Latin America: a systematic review

Physical activity (PA) and nutrition are key health behaviors underlying the design and implementation of prevention strategies for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Latin America. Nevertheless, research still reports low prevalence of PA and fruit and vegetable consumption throughout the region. This paper aims at reviewing the ways in which models of behavior change theory have been applied in study development and implementation regarding nutrition and PA in Latin America. In August 2011 we conducted a systematic literature review of the behavior change studies that targeted such NCDs risk factors published until then. Out of 4279 surveyed abstracts, only 29 corresponded to articles that met our inclusion criteria. Twenty-six articles reported the application of behavior change theory, with the trans-theoretical model (n = 12) being the most frequently used. Other theories and models included the socio-ecological model (n = 4), cognitive theory (n = 3), social cognitive theory (n = 2) and theories related to health education and counseling (n = 5). Based on this review, we recommend that the application of behavior change theory be explicitly reported in Latin American peer-reviewed articles, and that outcome evaluations include behavior change constructs so as to better assess their contribution to the effectiveness of nutrition and PA interventions in the region. Furthermore, we state the need for a better understanding of the behavior change mechanisms that may be specific to the Latin American context.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in college students: association with sociodemographic variables

OBJECTIVE

identify the modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in college students and associate these factors with their sociodemographic variables.

METHOD

cross-sectional study, involving 702 college students from Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, physical exercise data and blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels were collected.

RESULTS

the most prevalent risk factor was sedentariness, followed by overweight, central obesity, high fasting plasma glucose and arterial hypertension. A statistically significant association was found between overweight and sex (p=0.000), age (p=0.004) and marital status (p=0.012), as well as between central obesity and age (p=0.018) and marital status (p=0.007) and between high fasting plasma glucose and sex (p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

distinct risk factors were present in the study population, particularly sedentariness and overweight.

The relationship between physical aspects of quality of life and extreme levels of regular physical activity in adults

This study aimed to check for any significant differences in perceived quality of life, specifically aspects of a physical nature, among volunteers who are more physically active and those less physically active in a university community. The sample consisted of 1,966 volunteers in a university community in Brazil. To assess physical activity levels, volunteers responded to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and to analyse the perception of quality of life they responded to WHOQOL-bref, which is classified into three groups according to level of physical activity, taking into account the metabolic equivalent index (MET) over a full week. For comparison, consideration was given to the first and third tertiles, respectively, namely groups of more and less active students. The results indicated that individuals who engaged in more physical activity had a more positive perception of quality of life compared to those who were less active in physical aspects related to the ability to work, energy for day-to-day activities and locomotion.

Consumo alimentar, estado nutricional e nível de atividade física em comunidade universitária brasileira

OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a variabilidade e a frequência do consumo alimentar, o estado nutricional e o nível de atividade física em uma comunidade universitária brasileira. MÉTODOS: A amostra constitui-se de 303 voluntários (130 homens e 173 mulheres) pertencentes à comunidade universitária do interior de São Paulo e avaliada por meio da disponibilização pela Internet do Questionário de Frequência Alimentar do International Physical Activity Questionaire e por meio da coleta da descrição autorreferida do peso e da altura. Foi realizada análise descritiva dos dados, análise de frequência alimentar e teste do coeficiente de correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Foram observados inadequação dos hábitos alimentares, sobrepeso e obesidade na amostra estudada. As correlações entre os grupos alimentares apresentaram valores de magnitude maiores no grupo de mulheres que se alimentam de forma mais adequada do que os homens, mas não foram observadas diferenças entre os sexos no nível de atividade física. Não houve correlação significativa entre grupos de alimentos consumidos, índice de massa corporal e nível de atividade física em ambos os sexos. CONCLUSÃO: A comunidade universitária estudada apresentou baixo consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras, bem como consumo insuficiente de alimentos do grupo de cereais e leguminosas.

Lifestyle and health among Spanish university students: differences by gender and academic discipline

Today the need to analyze health behaviour from a gender perspective is as imminent as ever, particularly at university, where the number of women who register is on the rise and has exceeded the number of male students worldwide. We carried out a prevalence study aimed at analyzing Spanish university students’ lifestyles and identify differences according to gender and academic discipline. Of 3,646 eligible subjects doing university courses related to health (Group A), education (Group B) and other professions (Group C), 985 (27.0%) participated in the study. Information was elicited about their physical activity level, disturbed eating attitudes, consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances. Prevalence and Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated according to sex and kind of academic discipline. The obtained data confirmed that only 27.4% of the students were considered as sufficiently active, while 14.9% of them suffered from disturbed eating attitudes (DEA). Women were particularly less active (OR 0.46 (0.32–0.66); p < 0.0001), and more sedentary than men (OR 1.40 (1.00–1.97); p = 0.03). Binge drinking was more frequent in female than in male students (OR 1.79 (1.29–2.47); p = 0.0004). A third of the analyzed sample admitted that they had used illegal substances, while a lower consumption prevalence was found in women (OR 0.53 (0.40–0.71); p < 0.0001). The studied population was not very active (27.4%), especially women (OR = 0.45). Therefore, it seems that Spanish university students lead an unhealthy lifestyle, a situation which seems more conspicuous amongst females.

Transtornos alimentares e imagem corporal em acadêmicos de Educação Física

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as associações entre excesso de peso corporal, provável transtorno alimentar e distorção da imagem corporal em acadêmicos de educação física. A amostra foi formada por 229 universitários (45,6% rapazes). A imagem corporal foi analisada pelo questionário Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) e os indicadores de transtorno alimentar pelo Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). A presença de transtorno alimentar esteve associada às distorções da imagem corporal (p<0,001) e não ao estado nutricional (p=0,448). Já a distorção com a imagem corporal esteve associada tanto com o provável distúrbio alimentar (p<0,001) e com o estado nutricional (p=0,016). Os universitários com distorção da imagem corporal apresentaram uma prevalência 5,29 vezes maior (IC 95%: 2,15-13,09) de transtorno alimentar em relação ao grupo sem distorção. Os indicadores de transtorno alimentar e distorção da imagem corporal foram superiores no grupo feminino e a maior prevalência de excesso de peso no sexo masculino.