Massa óssea e composição corporal em estudantes universitários

Body Composition Profiles of Applicants to a Physical Education and Sports Major in Southeastern Mexico

This study aimed to determine the body composition profile of candidates applying for a Physical Education and Sports major. 327 young adults (F: 87, M: 240) participated in this cross-sectional study. Nutritional status and body composition analysis were performed, and the profiles were generated using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm. Body mass index (BMI), percentage of fat mass (%FM), percentage of muscle mass (%MM), metabolic age (MA), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and visceral fat level (VFL) were used as input variables. BMI values were normal-weight although VFL was significantly higher in men (<0.001; η² = 0.104). MA was positively correlated with BMR (0.81 [0.77, 0.85]; p < 0.01), BMI (0.87 [0.84, 0.90]; p < 0.01), and VFL (0.77 [0.72, 0.81]; p < 0.01). The hierarchical clustering analysis revealed two significantly different age-independent profiles: Cluster 1 (n = 265), applicants of both sexes that were shorter, lighter, with lower adiposity and higher lean mass; and, Cluster 2 (n = 62), a group of overweight male applicants with higher VFL, taller, with lower %MM and estimated energy expended at rest. We identified two profiles that might help universities, counselors and teachers/lecturers to identify applicants in which is necessary to increase physical activity levels and improve dietary habits.

Asymptomatic vertebral fractures in patients with low bone mineral density

OBJECTIVE

Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is a test technique that can be used to detect asymptomatic vertebral fractures (AVF). It uses dual energy X-ray bsorptiometry (DXA) and can be performed concurrently with bone densitometry. This study aims to assess the prevalence of AVF in patients with low bone mass.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 135 individuals with low bone mineral density (BMD) with a T-score < -2.0 standard deviation (SD) in a densitometry clinic located in the city of Blumenau (state of Santa Catarina). Anthropometric, clinical and lifestyle variables were obtained from history-taking and physical examination. Densitometric variables were obtained by bone mineral densitometry and VFA (Explorer, Hollogic®). Vertebral fractures were classified according to the Genant criteria. Student's t, chi-square and logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

AVFs occurred in 24.4% of the subjects. They were older compared to those without AVF (65±9.25 versus 60.1±8.66; p=0.005), and had a history of lowimpact fractures (38.24% versus 19.8%; OR 2.5; p=0.03). Half of the patients that reported steroid therapy had AVFs, compared to one fifth of those who did not use steroids (50% versus 21.49%; OR 3.6; p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic vertebral fractures were present in approximately one fourth of patients. The risk factors associated were history of low-impact fracture, use of steroids and age > 61 years.