HIPERTENSÃO EM ESTUDANTES DA REDE PÚBLICA DE VITÓRIA/ES: INFLUÊNCIA DO SOBREPESO E OBESIDADE

Proposition of Cutoff Points for Anthropometric Indicators to Identify High Blood Pressure in Adolescents

Aim

To propose cutoff points for anthropometric indicators for high blood pressure (HBP) screening in adolescents and to identify, among these indicators, those more accurately for boys and girls.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out in the city of São José, SC, Brazil with 634 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years. Blood pressure levels were measured using a digital oscillometric sphygmomanometer and adolescents were classified as having HBP or not. Anthropometric indicators were calculated based on anthropometric measurements such as body mass (BM), height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and triceps, subscapularis, suprailiac, and midcalf skinfold thickness (SF). The Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predictive capacity of anthropometric indicators in the identification of HBP.

Results

Higher values of Area Under the Curve (AUC) were for the anthropometric indicators BM (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.72), body mass index (BMI) (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.72), and WC (0.67; 95%CI: 0.62-0.71) for males. For females, no anthropometric indicator had discriminatory power for HBP screening. The cutoff points for the anthropometric indicators with discriminatory power for HBP screening in males were BM > 64.80 Kg, BMI > 21.76 Kg/m2, fat percentage (FP) > 15.75, waist height to ratio (WHtR) > 0.41, WC > 73.00 cm, and HC > 92.25 cm.

Conclusion

Anthropometric indicators of body adiposity had greater discriminatory power of HBP screening in males. For females, caution is suggested because the anthropometric indicators showed AUC values (95%CI) below 0.60.

VOLLEYBALL AS AN EXERCISE PROGRAM FOR OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE FEMALE ADOLESCENTS

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sport is very important in the lives of children and adolescents, as it brings countless benefits at the physical, psychological and social levels. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects on physical fitness of an exercise program for overweight and obese female adolescents, with an emphasis on teaching volleyball. Methods: Twenty-five volunteers participated, aged between 13 and 14 years, of which 11 were overweight or obese for statistical analysis. Anthropometric and physical capacity assessments were performed, before and after 12 weeks, through activities related to volleyball. Results: There was an increase in height and span and a reduction in waist circumference, with no significant differences in body weight, BMI, arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness; there was an increase in the sit-and-reach test, in the number of sit-ups and in the distance of the horizontal jump. There was a decrease in the time in the square test and the 20-meter run, with no significant differences in the medicine ball throw and in the 6-minute run test. Conclusion: It is concluded that the volleyball teaching program provided benefits for the physical fitness of overweight and obese adolescents. Level of evidence II; Lower quality RCT (example, <80% follow-up, no randomization code masking or inadequate randomization).

Overweight and obesity associated with high blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in Brazilian students

OBJECTIVE

To verify the association among overweight, obesity and high blood pressure in Brazilian students aged between 6 and 10 years old.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Macaé, RJ, in which body mass, height and blood pressure were collected. The body mass index was calculated using the Anthro Plus software and classified according to SISVAN. High systolic/diastolic blood pressure when ≥ 90th percentile by age, gender and height/age percentile (7th Brazilian Guideline on Hypertension). Logistic regression with a 95% confidence interval, using SPSS software were done.

RESULTS

A total of 911 children were evaluated and, after stratification by nutritional status, the underweight were excluded. Among the remaining 888 children, the prevalence of overweight was 17.7% and obesity 16.2%. The prevalence of high blood pressure was 34%, with no statistical difference between gender (p=0.57). Overweight was significantly associated with high blood pressure in the 8-9 year old group (OR 1.99; p=004), while obesity was associated in both groups (6-7 year old OR 2.50; p=0.004 and 8-9 year old OR 4.21 p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that overweight and obesity significantly increased the chance of high blood pressure among children aged 6 to 10 years old.

Nutrient intake of Swiss toddlers

PURPOSE

During the first years of life, food preferences are shaped that might last throughout a person's entire life affecting his/her health in the long term. However, knowledge on early feeding habits is still limited for toddlers. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to: (1) assess toddlers' nutrient intake; (2) compare the findings to past studies as well as to national feeding recommendations and (3) identify major food sources for energy and macronutrients.

METHODS

A food survey using a 4-day diary was conducted. The dietary software nut.s^® was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

A cohort of 188 healthy toddlers (aged 1-3 years) was analysed. The energy intake of most toddlers was below the recommended daily intake (RDI) but in accordance with earlier studies. Protein intake was three- to fourfold higher than the RDI and reached the proposed upper limit of 15% of total energy intake. Fat intake was in accordance with the RDI, but the balance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids should be improved. Carbohydrate intake met the RDI. For the micronutrients, iron and vitamin D intakes showed critical values.

CONCLUSION

As in other European countries, the diet of Swiss toddlers in general seems adequate but does not meet all nutritional requirements. In particular, the quality of the fats and vitamin D supplementation should be improved. For proteins and iron, additional research is needed to gain more confidence in the recommendations.