Suchergebnisse

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of demographic and occupational characteristics, anthropometric indices, lifestyle adopted and physical activity levels, free (leisure) or structured in the form of institutional training (Physical Education), sources of Stress and coping strategies, and the perception of the state of physical and mental health of the State Police of Puglia. Methods: The sample consists of 101 police officers (age 46.08 ± 5.66 years, weight 81.60 ± 14.04 kg, height 173.47 ± 6.14 cm) volunteers for this study. The Occupational Stress Indicator and the Short Form-12 were used, along with a questionnaire of socio-demographic, occupational and anthropometric data. Statistical analyzes were performed using descriptive analyzes followed by the analysis of multiple linear regression with the stepwise method. The level of significance was set at p <0.05. Results: To follow an active lifestyle, practicing motor sports or sports at any level, especially in institutional training environments (Physical Education), can enable State Police operators to cope with stress by adequately increasing coping strategies. In addition, the beneficial effects of active lifestyle on some sources of stress and perception of the physical health status are mediated by some bio-anthropometric data, such as abdominal circumference, which inversely correlate with the intensity and continuity of the sports motorcycle practice Structured and motivated. Conclusions: These findings encourage Formation of the Order's Forces to adopt an institutional policy that allows police practitioners to regularly attend Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education programs to their age and working characteristics in order to maintain and improve their form Psycho-physical, performance and quality of life. Scopi: Il presente studio ha voluto determinare gli effetti delle caratteristiche demografiche e occupazionali, indici antropometrici, stile di vita adottato e livelli di attività fisica, libera (Tempo Libero) o strutturata sotto forma di percorso formativo istituzionale (Educazione Fisica), sulle fonti di stress e le strategie di coping, e sulla percezione dello stato di salute fisica e mentale degli operatori della Polizia di Stato della Puglia. Metodi: Il campione è costituito da 101 operatori di polizia (età 46.08 ± 5.66 anni, peso 81.60 ± 14.04 kg, altezza 173.47 ± 6.14 cm) volontari per questo studio. Sono stati utilizzati l'Occupational Stress Indicator e lo Short Form-12, insieme ad un questionario di dati socio- demografici, occupazionali e antropometrici. Le analisi statistiche sono state effettuate usando le analisi descrittive seguite dall'analisi della regressione lineare multipla con il metodo stepwise. Il livello di significatività è stato fissato a p<0.05. Risultati: Seguire uno stile di vita attivo, praticando attività motoria o sportiva a qualsiasi livello, soprattutto nei contesti formativi istituzionali (Educazione Fisica), può consentire agli operatori della Polizia di Stato di fronteggiare lo stress adeguatamente incrementando le strategie di coping. Inoltre, gli effetti benefici dello stile di vita attivo su alcune fonti di stress e sulla percezione dello stato di salute fisica sono mediati da alcuni dati bioantropometrici, come la circonferenza addominale, che correlano inversamente all'intensità ed alla continuità della pratica motorio sportiva strutturata e motivata. Conclusioni: Questi risultati incoraggiano i responsabili della Formazione delle Forze dell'Ordine ad adottare una politica istituzionale che consenta agli operatori di polizia di seguire regolarmente programmi formativi di Educazione Fisica Adattata all'età ed alle caratteristiche lavorative allo scopo di mantenere e migliorare la loro forma psico-fisica, la prestazione lavorativa e qualità della vita.

Submicroscopic deletions in chromosome 19 have been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to describe the genotype-phenotype correlation of a 19p13.11-p13.12 deletion. A male patient was referred for genetic evaluation by presenting neurodevelopmental delay and facial dysmorphisms. He is the first child of non-consanguineous parents. Pregnancy and delivery were uneventful. Anthropometrical data at seven-year-old were weight 25,4 kg (p75), length 120 cm (p50) and head circumference 47,3 cm (< -2SD). It was also observed malar hypoplasia, low-set and dysmorphic ears, bilateral preauricular tags, synophrys, short nose with anteverted nares and flat nasal bridge, down-turned corners of the mouth, long philtrum, micrognathia, high palate and congenital clubfoot. Abdominal ultrasonography showed pyelocaliceal ectasia, transfontanellar ultrasound revealed mild enlargement of magna cisterna and a small cyst ate nucleous caudatus. GTG-banding was normal and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), using the CytoScan HD Array (Affymetrix®, Santa Clara, CA, USA) showed an interstitial

BackgroundAdvanced HIV infection can result in lipoatrophy and wasting, even in the absence of ongoing opportunistic infections, suggesting that HIV may directly affect adipose tissue amount and distribution.MethodsWe assessed the relationship of fat (measured using anthropometry, DEXA, MRI scans) or markers related to glucose and lipid metabolism with viral load in a cross‐sectional sample of 83 antiretroviral‐naïve HIV‐1‐infected South African women. A multivariable linear model was fitted to log10VL to assess the combined effect of these variables.ResultsIn addition to higher T cell activation, women with viral load greater than the population median had lower waist circumference, body mass index and subcutaneous abdominal fat, as well as lower serum leptin. We demonstrate that leptin serum levels are inversely associated with viral replication, independent of the amount of adipose tissue. This association is maintained after adjusting for multiple variables associated with disease progression (i.e., cellular activation and innate immunity effector levels).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that serum leptin levels are inversely associated with viral replication, independent of disease progression: we postulate that leptin may affect viral replication.

Obesity represents a growing public health concern worldwide. The latest data in Switzerland rely on self-reported body mass index (BMI), leading to underestimation of prevalence. We reassessed the prevalence of obesity and overweight in a sample of the Swiss population using measured BMI and waist circumference (WC) and explored the association with nutritional factors and living in different linguistic-cultural regions. Data of 1,505 participants of a cross-sectional population-based survey in the three linguistic regions of Switzerland were analyzed. BMI and WC were measured, and a 24-h urine collection was performed to evaluate dietary sodium, potassium and protein intake. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity was 32.2, 14.2 and 33.6%, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the regional distribution, with a lower prevalence in the Italian-speaking population. Low educational level, current smoking, scarce physical activity and being migrant were associated with an higher prevalence of obesity. Sodium, potassium and protein intake increased significantly across BMI categories. Obesity and overweight affect almost half of the Swiss adolescents and adults, and the prevalence appears to increase. Using BMI and WC to define obesity led to different prevalences. Differences were furthermore observed across Swiss linguistic-cultural regions, despite a common socio-economic and governmental framework. We found a positive association between obesity and salt intake, with a potential deleterious synergistic effect on cardiovascular risk.

PURPOSE: Obesity is becoming one of the most common public health problems worldwide. In particular, central obesity which indicates abnormal fat accumulation in the abdominal regions is highly associated with the risk of getting cardiometabolic diseases and their progression to end stage diseases or death. However, in developing countries, including Ethiopia less attention has been given to analyze the magnitude and associated factors of it. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of central obesity and its associated factors among adults in urban areas of Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 773 adults who lived in urban areas of Northwest Ethiopia from April 1 to May 30, 2019. Central obesity was assessed using both waist to hip ratio and waist circumference of the participants. Data were analyzed using STATA 14.0. The factors associated with central obesity were identified by binary logistic regression analyses using 95% confidence interval and the degree of association of the factors was measured using adjusted odds ratio (AOR). P-value <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. RESULTS: The prevalence of central obesity with waist circumference and waist to hip ratio definition criteria was 37.6% and 35.7%, respectively. According to body mass index, about 26.26% and 10.29% of the study participants were overweight and obese, respectively. A one-year increase in age (AOR=1.05; 95%CI: 1.03–1.07), being female (AOR=9.62; 95%CI: 4.84–19.12) and eating of liquid oils (AOR=2.58; 95%CI: 1.71−3.90) were found to have statistically significant variables with central obesity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of central obesity was relatively high in comparison with similar studies. Thus, governmental and nongovernmental organizations that work in the health system as well as health professionals should focus on the preventive measure of central obesity to control its associated disorders at an early stage.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Since 1965, the Brazilian Army (BA) has participated in peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN), sending large contingents to various parts of the world, such as Angola, Mozambique, East Timor and Haiti. To do so, the military must be in a minimum physical condition to face any obstacles in the course of action in the theater of operations. Objective: To verify the effects of Military Physical Training (MPT) on muscular strength of upper limbs, anthropometric variables and body composition of Brazilian military personnel of the 24th UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti. Methods: The sample consisted of 192 male soldiers with mean age of 23.2 ± 3 6 years. They observed a weekday residential regime, with a defined schedule of meals and activities and time off on weekends. The MPT was applied four times a week, 90 minutes long for 14 weeks and involved aerobic and resisted exercises. In the pre- and post-MPT period, body mass (MC), height, waist circumference (WC) and abdomen circumference (AC) were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage (%F) through the protocol of Salem. In addition, 12-minute run tests, push-ups, pull up and abdominal flexions were performed to calculate the Rogers Index (RI). Results: When comparing pre- and post-MPT, a significant difference was observed in all anthropometric variables and body composition (BM, BMI and %F) and in the RI for the upper limb muscle strength. Conclusion: The 14-week MPT indicates an improvement in the anthropometric and body composition variables, as well as an increase in upper limb muscular strength in Brazilian soldiers of the UN peacekeeping contingents in Haiti. This study concluded that RI could be an effective tool for assessing military muscular strength. Level of Evidence II; Therapeutic studies - Investigating the results of treatment.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy of reproductive-aged women that manifests itself with a variety of features. For this reason, three different diagnostic criteria have been introduced. For adults, the National Institutes of Health Conference (NIH) criteria, which consists of hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation, is the most widely used. Symptoms of PCOS usually start with puberty and may overlap with normal pubertal development. Hormonal fluctuations during this period make the diagnosis of PCOS more difficult. Until now, there is no validated diagnostic criteria for PCOS in adolescents. Although menstrual disorders and cosmetic problems are the most common complaints of adolescents with PCOS, patients should also be evaluated for the potential risk for insulin resistance, obesity, subclinical atherosclerosis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Obesity is the most prominent predictor of metabolic syndrome. As the incidence of obesity is increasing both in childhood and adolescence, governments will be faced with a social and economic burden in the future. Adolescents with PCOS are more obese than normal adolescents and have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. It is suggested that abdominal adiposity increases the risk of metabolic syndrome by inducing various cytokine secretions. Although there is no consensus on metabolic syndrome criteria in the adolescent period, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria may be used for children older than 10 years. Various clinical and metabolic markers are investigated for the prediction of metabolic syndrome in the literature. Waist circumference, serum triglycerides and androgens are the suspected predictors of metabolic syndrome. The prevention of abdominal adiposity and the early diagnosis of PCOS in adolescence should be the main target for the prevention of metabolic syndrome. Clinicians should investigate adolescents with PCOS for metabolic and cardiovascular risks and take preventive action. A ...

[Abstract] Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is essential to healthy mental and physical development in early life. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity, which is considered a key modifiable driver of childhood obesity, has reached alarming levels among European youth. There is a need to update the data for Spain, in order to establish if current measures are effective or new approaches are needed. Methods and analysis: We present the protocol for Physical Activity, Sedentarism, lifestyles and Obesity in Spanish youth (PASOS). This observational, nationally representative, multicentre study aims to determine the PA levels, sedentary behaviours and prevalence of physical inactivity (defined as <60 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day) in a representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents. The PASOS study has recruited a representative random sample of children and adolescents aged 8–16 years from 242 educational centres in the 17 'autonomous regions' into which Spain is divided. The aim is to include a total of 4508 youth participants and their families. Weight, height and waist circumference will be measured by standardised procedures. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, quality of life, sleep duration, PA and sedentary behaviour are being measured by validated questionnaires. PA is measured by the Physical Activity Unit 7-item Screener. A representative subsample (10% of participants) was randomly selected to wear accelerometers for 9 days to obtain objective data on PA. Parents are asked about their educational level, time spent doing PA, diet quality, self-perceived stress, smoking habit, weight, height, their child's birth weight and if the child was breast fed. ; PASOS study has been funded mainly by Fundación PROBITAS and Gasol Foundation. Additional funds were received from the Barça Foundation, Banco Santander, IFA, Viena and Fundación Deporte Jóven. MMB is funded by the official funding agency for biomedical research of the Spanish government, Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII), which is cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund (CIBEROBN CB12/03/30038), grant of support to research groups number 35/2011 (Balearic Islands Gov) and EU COST Action CA16112. PASOS has the institutional support of Spain's Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare through the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (ASEAN), the High Commission against Child Poverty, the High Sports Council, the General College of Professional Associations of Physical Education and Sports, and the Departments of Education and/or Health and/or Sports of Spain's 17 autonomous regions. The CIBERESP and the CIBEROBN are initiatives of the Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. ; Gobierno de las Islas Baleares; 35/2011 ; European Cooperation in Science and Technology; CA16112

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may increase risk of obesity later in life. OBJECTIVE: We examined the relation of in utero POPs exposure to offspring obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors at 4 years of age in the Rhea mother-child cohort in Crete, Greece (n = 689). METHODS: We determined concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in first-trimester maternal serum. We measured child weight, height, waist circumference, skinfold thicknesses, blood pressure (BP), blood levels of lipids, C-reactive protein, and adipokines at 4 years of age. Childhood obesity was defined using age- and sex-specific cut points for body mass index (BMI) as recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. RESULTS: On multivariable regression analyses, a 10-fold increase in HCB was associated with a higher BMI z-score (adjusted β = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.86), obesity [relative risk (RR) = 8.14; 95% CI: 1.85, 35.81], abdominal obesity (RR = 3.49; 95% CI: 1.08, 11.28), greater sum of skinfold thickness (β = 7.71 mm; 95% CI: 2.04, 13.39), and higher systolic BP (β = 4.34 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.63, 8.05) at 4 years of age. Prenatal DDE exposure was associated with higher BMI z-score (β = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.5), abdominal obesity (RR = 3.76; 95% CI: 1.70, 8.30), and higher diastolic BP (β = 1.79 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.13, 3.46). PCBs were not significantly associated with offspring obesity or cardiometabolic risk factors./nCONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to DDE and HCB was associated with excess adiposity and higher blood pressure levels in early childhood. ; The Rhea project was financially supported by European Union (EU) grants for specific projects (EU FP6-2003-Food-3-NewGeneris; EU FP6. STREP HiWATE; EU FP7 ENV.2007.1.2.2.2. Project no. 211250 ESCAPE; EU FP7-2008-ENV-1.2.1.4 Envirogenomarkers; EU FP7-HEALTH-2009-single stage CHICOS; EU FP7 ENV.2008.1.2.1.6. Proposal no. 226285 ENRIECO; EU-FP7-HEALTH-2012 Proposal no. 308333 HELIX), MeDALL (FP7 European Union project, no. 264357), and the Greek Ministry of Health (Program of Prevention of obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool children, in Heraklion district, Crete, Greece: 2011–2014; "Rhea Plus": Primary Prevention Program of Environmental Risk Factors for Reproductive Health, and Child Health: 2012–15). E.O. was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (K24 HD069408).

This study aimed to provide reference values for anthropometric characteristics of elite male and female soccer players, considering a group of individuals from the general population as controls. The anthropometric profiles of 357 elite soccer players [184 males (age 24.3 ± 4.3 y) and 173 females (age 25.2 ± 5.1 y)] participating in the first Italian league (Serie A) and 363 subjects from the general population [188 males (age 24.2 ± 4.8 y) and 175 females (age 25.0 ± 5.1 y)] were measured according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Reference percentiles for stature, body mass, circumferences, eight skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, supraspinal, abdominal, front thigh, and calf), breadths, and somatotype were calculated and stratified by player position and sex. No difference (p > 0.05) was found in age between the two groups. Soccer players showed lower values for the sum of the eight ISAK skinfolds than individuals from the general population of the same sex. This suggests lower adipose tissue, as indicated by a lower endomorphic component. The somatotype was endomorphic mesomorph and mesomorphic endomorph for the male and female individuals from the general population, respectively. The male soccer players were ectomorphic mesomorphs, while the females were balanced mesomorphs, defining a sport-specific morphology. This study provides sex- and role-specific anthropometric standards for elite soccer players. Raw anthropometric reference values may be useful for evaluating body composition without using any predictive equations or assumptions.

AbstractParental and pregnancy characteristics can affect proportions and tissue composition of the child's bodyand thereforecan influence their present and future health, as well as overall wellbeing. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between selected parental and birth-related parameters among preschool (3-7 years of age) children of varying adiposity status (n=541 girls and n=571 boys).The research was carried out in 20 randomly selected kindergartens in Krakow (Poland). Thickness of 6 skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal and calf) was measured. Sum of skinfolds was calculated and participants were divided into low, normal or high body fat groups. Birth-related characteristics were obtained using a questionnaire filled out by the children's parents. Children of mothers who gained the most gestational weight were characterised by high adiposity. Preschoolers with the highest birth weight, body length and head circumference had the greatest adiposity. Children of relatively younger mothers had higher body fat, in comparison to the rest of the study group. Parents of preschoolers in the high adiposity category were characterised by a greater body mass, compared to the parents of children in other body fat groups and that boys with the highest adiposity relatively more often had a close relative with obesity. Children in varying adiposity categories differed in terms of some birth-related factors. Particular attention should be paid to familial and parental characteristics, because they may influence the child's predisposition to excess adiposity deposition later in life.

Physical activity levels are low in Malaysia and this study was undertaken to determine if a four week work-based intervention program would be effective in changing physical activity levels. The study was conducted in a Malaysian Government Department and had three stages: baseline data collection, four-week intervention and two-month post intervention data collection. During the intervention and two-month post intervention phases, physical activity levels (determined by a pedometer) and basic health profiles (BMI, abdominal obesity, blood pressure) were measured. Staff (58 males, 47 females) with an average age of 33 years completed baseline data collection. Pedometer steps averaged 7,102 steps/day at baseline, although male step counts were significantly higher than females (7,861 vs. 6114). Health profiles were poor: over 50% were overweight/obese (males 66%, females 40%); hypertension (males 23%, females 6%); excess waist circumference (males 52%, females 17%). While 86 staff participated in the intervention, only 49 regularly reported their steps. There was a significant increase (17%) in average daily steps from 8,965 (week 1) to 10,436 (week 4). Unfortunately, participation in the intervention program was avoided by the less healthy staff. Two months after the intervention there was no significant difference in average steps/day, despite the fact that 89% of staff reporting they planned to make long-term changes to their lifestyle. An unexpected average increase of 2kg in body weight occurred in participants, although this was less than the 5.6kg in non-participants. A number of recommendations are made for future interventions, including the conclusion that pedometers were a useful tool and popular with participants.

Objective Independently of total caloric intake, a better quality of the diet (for example, conformity to the Mediterranean diet) is associated with lower obesity risk. It is unclear whether a brief dietary assessment tool, instead of full-length comprehensive methods, can also capture this association. In addition to reduced costs, a brief tool has the interesting advantage of allowing immediate feedback to participants in interventional studies. Another relevant question is which individual items of such a brief tool are responsible for this association. We examined these associations using a 14-item tool of adherence to the Mediterranean diet as exposure and body mass index, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) as outcomes. Design Cross-sectional assessment of all participants in the "PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea" (PREDIMED) trial. Subjects 7,447 participants (55–80 years, 57% women) free of cardiovascular disease, but with either type 2 diabetes or ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors. Trained dietitians used both a validated 14-item questionnaire and a full-length validated 137-item food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary habits. Trained nurses measured weight, height and waist circumference. Results Strong inverse linear associations between the 14-item tool and all adiposity indexes were found. For a two-point increment in the 14-item score, the multivariable-adjusted differences in WHtR were −0.0066 (95% confidence interval, –0.0088 to −0.0049) for women and –0.0059 (–0.0079 to –0.0038) for men. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for a WHtR>0.6 in participants scoring ≥10 points versus ≤7 points was 0.68 (0.57 to 0.80) for women and 0.66 (0.54 to 0.80) for men. High consumption of nuts and low consumption of sweetened/carbonated beverages presented the strongest inverse associations with abdominal obesity. Conclusions A brief 14-item tool was able to capture a strong monotonic inverse association between adherence to a good quality dietary pattern (Mediterranean diet) and obesity indexes in a population of adults at high cardiovascular risk. ; The Official funding agency for Biomedical Research of the Spanish Government, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), provided the grants for his study: RTIC G03/140, CIBERobn, RD 06/0045, PI04-2239, PI 05/2584, CP06/00100, PI07/0240, PI07/1138, PI07/0954, PI 07/0473, PI10/01407 and PI11/01647. CIBERobn and RTIC RD 06/0045 are initiatives of ISCIII, Spain. RT is supported by a Rio-Hortega post-residency fellowship of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Government. ; Peer reviewed

Vários estudos têm mostrado relações entre diferentes fatores de risco à saúde (como hipertensão, obesidade, adiposidade de tronco e baixa atividade física) e adaptações na resposta autonômica. Contudo, o maior corpo de conhecimento está estabelecido para adultos. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as possíveis associações entre indicadores de risco à saúde e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em adolescentes. A amostra foi composta por adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 12 e 17 anos, regularmente matriculados em escolas públicas de ensino fundamental. A coleta de dados iniciou-se com questionário de prática de atividade física, seguido de medidas antropométricas (estatura, massa corporal e circunferência da cintura). Em seguida, a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca foi avaliada. Em seguida, os adolescentes foram cuidadosamente posicionados na posição sentada para a aferição da pressão arterial. O teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar as associações entre a pressão arterial (variável dependente) e outras variáveis. Aquelas que se associaram significativamente foram submetidas à regressão de Poisson para identificação da magnitude da associação. Adolescentes obesos demonstraram 76% mais propensão a elevados valores de razão LF/HF (RP=1,76 [IC95% 1,02-2,75] P<0,001). Adolescentes com obesidade abdominal apresentaram 4,32 vezes mais prevalência de LF elevado (RP=4,32 [IC95% 1,07-8,17] P=0,046) e adolescentes com pressão arterial elevada tiveram 60% mais prevalência de LF elevado (RP=1,60 [IC95% 1,13-2,29] P=0,008). A variabilidade da frequência cardíaca não foi associada à prática habitual de atividade física. Adolescentes com hipertensão, obesidade e adiposidade abdominal apresentam maior prevalência de atividade autonômica exacerbada. A prática de atividade física não está associada à variabilidade da frequência cardíaca em adolescentes.

Palavras-chave: Sistema Nervoso Autonômico. Pressão Arterial. Fatores de Risco Cardiometabólico. Exercício.

Abstract
Several studies have shown relationships between different health risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, trunk adiposity and low physical activity and adaptations in the autonomic response, however, the largest body of knowledge is established for adults. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the possible associations between health risk indicators and heart rate variability in adolescents. The sample was composed of adolescents of both sexes, ages ranging from 12 to 17 year-old , regularly registered in public elementary schools. Data collection began with physical activity practice questionnaire, followed by anthropometric measures (height, body mass, and waist circumference). Next, heart rate variability was assessed. Then, the adolescents were carefully positioned in the sitting position for blood pressure measurement. The chi-square test was used to assess associations between blood pressure (dependent variable) and other variables. Those that were significantly associated were submitted to Poisson regression to identify the association magnitude. Obese adolescents were 76% more likely to have high LF/HF ratio values (PR=1.76 [IC95% 1.02-2.75] P<0.001). Abdominal obesity adolescents presented 4.32 times more prevalence of high LF (PR=4.32 [IC95% 1.07-8.17] P=0.046) and adolescents with elevated blood pressure had 60% more prevalence of high LF (PR=1.60 [IC95% 1.13-2.29] P=0.008). The heart rate variability was not associated with physical activity practice. Adolescents with high blood pressure, obesity and truncal adiposity have a higher prevalence of exacerbated autonomic activity. The physical activity practice is not associated with heart rate variability in adolescents.

Keywords: Autonomic Nervous System. Blood Pressure. Cardiometabolic Risk Factors. Exercise.

Background:Several studies have estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CRFs) in various communities in Nigeria. However, few have investigated the prevalence patterns in semi-urban communitiesof North-Central Nigeria. We aim to determine the prevalence patterns of CRFs in this geographical location, as a result of the growing incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Heart Failure (HF) in Nigeria. Methods:A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted. The study was conducted across nine (9) local government councils in the southern part of Benue state, one of the six (6) states that make up the North-Central region of Nigeria. Overall, 108 participants aged > 18 years participated in the study. Risk factors were estimated by collecting information about the participants age, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Questionnaires, results of laboratory and instrumental diagnosis were used to collect information about the variables. Results:The overall mean of age was 50.35 ± 22.02 years. Findings showed that the prevalence of the examined cardiovascular disease risk factors was as follows: hypertension – 55(52.4%), generalized obesity (BMI > 30) – 10(9.26%)abdominal obesity –35 (32.4%) diabetes –9 (8.3%), hypercholesterolemia – 17(15.7%). The result also indicated an increase in the prevalence of hypertension with an increase in age the indices of obesity increased significantly with age but later decreased slightly among the elderly. Conclusion:Findings from the study revealed that about half of the population were hypertensive. Other key risk factors were also prevalent in this population. There is a call on relevant stakeholders for important preventive and control initiatives for awareness, as this population is at high risk of the complications that arise from the ...