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Objective: To analyze the obesity, overweight, and thinness trends among Brazilian schoolchildren by sex, age group, and type of school according to World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Methods: We conducted four surveys between 2002 and 2018/19 involving schoolchildren aged 7–14 years from a state capital in southern Brazil. Weight status was classified using both WHO and IOTF criteria. Results: In the total sample, obesity prevalence based on the IOTF and the WHO criteria were 72% and 44% higher in 2018/19 compared with 2002, respectively. Over the whole period, the obesity prevalence increased among children (WHO: 10.1% vs. 14.1%; IOTF: 5.0% vs. 8.3%), and those from public schools (WHO: 10.5% vs. 16.4%; IOTF: 5.6% vs. 10.1%). There was no significant reduction in thinness prevalence over the analyzed period. Conclusion: Obesity prevalence remains on an upward trend in a state capital in southern Brazil, especially among children from public schools. A higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed using the WHO criteria compared with IOTF criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this systematic review was to summarise the evidence from observational studies regarding the association between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity in adolescents. To our knowledge, no review study has analysed this association in this age group. A systematic search was conducted in Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scopus, PubMed Central and Web of Science databases, with no language or time restrictions. Studies that included adolescents (10–19 years old) were selected using data-driven methods that combined the diet domain with at least one of the following behavioural domains: physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. Twenty-one articles met all eligibility criteria. Of these, twelve studies were used for synthesising the results. Studies differed in many aspects, such as sample size, behavioural assessment tools, and lifestyle pattern and weight status indicators. Overall, cross-sectional studies found no association between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity, even when the data were stratified by sex. However, when analysing the results stratified by risk of bias, a positive association between predominantly unhealthy and mixed lifestyle patterns with overweight/obesity was identified in cross-sectional studies with moderate risk of bias. A prospective study revealed an increase in BMI over time associated with mixed and predominantly unhealthy lifestyle patterns. Current findings regarding the association between lifestyle patterns and overweight and obesity in adolescents are inconsistent. More studies are needed to clarify possible associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the association between serum vitamin D (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol) (25(OH)D) concentrations and cognitive impairment in older adults living in Southern Brazil.Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the second follow-up wave of the populational-based EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study was collected in 2013-2014.Setting: Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Blood samples were collected to measure serum vitamin D concentrations using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Vitamin D concentrations were distributed in quartiles (Q1: 4·0-20·7 ng/ml; Q2: 20·8-26·6 ng/ml; Q3: 26·7-32·0 ng/ml and Q4: 32·1-60·1 ng/ml), and its association with cognitive impairment was tested by crude and adjusted logistic regression (sociodemographic, behavioural and health aspects) using Q4 as a reference group.Participants: 200 men and 371 women aged 60 years or older participated in this study.Results: The prevalence of probable cognitive impairment was 21·7 %. Those without cognitive impairment had a higher mean of vitamin D serum concentrations (26·8 v. 24·6, P = 0·014). In the crude analysis, only individuals in Q2 of vitamin D presented an increased risk for probable cognitive impairment compared with Q4 (highest quartile) (OR 2·65, 95 % CI 1·46, 4·81), remaining significant in the adjusted analysis (OR 6·04, 95 % CI 2·78, 13·13). While Q1 (lowest quartile) was not associated in the crude analysis, but when adjusted, an increased risk of cognitive impairment was observed.Conclusion: The lowest quartile of vitamin D was directly associated with probable cognitive impairment in older adults in Southern Brazil. More studies are needed to investigate whether maintaining adequate serum levels may represent a significant factor in preventing age-related neurological disorders as well as to verify the need for new cutoff points for this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A secular trend of earlier puberty has been observed in girls, and, although more uncertain in boys, is associated with an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. We aimed to compare the median ages of sexual maturation stages in schoolchildren from a city in southern Brazil over a 5‐year period, according to weight status and type of school. Methods: Two cross‐sectional studies were performed in 2007 and 2012/2013, including 2215 and 1614 schoolchildren, respectively. Body mass index z‐scores were calculated and categorized as either nonoverweight or overweight (including obesity). The type of school was categorized as either public or private. Sexual maturation was self‐assessed according to the Tanner stages. Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed to compare the median ages of sexual maturation stages. Results: The median age decreased for almost all stages over the 5‐year period in both sexes. In boys, the decrease ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 years (stages 2, 3, 4, and 5 for genitalia, and stages 2 and 4 for pubic hair), and from 0.3 to 0.7 years (stages 2, 3, and 4 for breast, and stages 3, 4, and 5 for pubic hair). In 2012, overweight students had lower median ages for most stages compared to those in 2007, especially in girls. Differences by type of school were balanced across years. Conclusions: The median age of Tanner's stages after 5 years was reduced in both sexes. In overweight girls, the reduction was more pronounced. The results by type of school were inconsistent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]