Biomedical subjects

L A Anjos

Publications and source records attributed to L A Anjos.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Basal metabolic rate of Brazilians living in the Southwestern United States.

Estimation of energy requirements relies on adequate values of basal metabolic rate (BMR). Prediction equations recommended for international use have been shown to overestimate BMR in populations living in the tropics. We have previously shown the inadequacy of these equations in samples of Brazilians living in tropical and temperate regions of the country. We sought to investigate whether BMR could adequately be estimated by prediction equations in a sample of Brazilians living in a different setting: the Sonoran desert of the Southwestern USA. BMR was measured under standard conditions in 33 subjects (14 men). Mean bias (estimated-measured) varied from 404.4 to 708.6 kJ day(-1) in women and 566.8 to 1122.8 kJ day(-1) in men, representing 8.5-15 and 8.9-17.6% overestimation, respectively, using the Schofield equations. Bland and Altman analyses showed large, relevant limits of agreement. The results using the recommended equations for the American population (IOM, 2005) were only 2% different from the Schofield equations. The Harris and Benedict equations yielded higher overestimations (15.0 and 16.8% for women and men, respectively) and the Henry and Rees equations also overestimated BMR (8.5 and 8.9%) even though they were developed for populations from the tropics, although to a lesser degree. It is concluded that the equations currently recommended for international use are not appropriate for Brazilians living in the Southwestern USA.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Helminths of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia from a rock outcrop area in southeastern Brazil.

The helminth fauna of 291 Hemidactylus mabouia (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae) from a rock outcrop area in the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, was studied. Five species were recovered, namely one unidentified species of centrorhynchid acanthocephalan (present only as cystacanths) and the nematodes Parapharyngodon sceleratus, P. largitor (Oxyuroidea: Pharingodonidae), Physaloptera sp. (Spiruroidea: Physalopteridae) and one indeterminate species of Acuariidae (Acuaroidea), with the latter two forms present only as larvae. Infection rates tended to increase with host size, but appeared to be unaffected by season. Hemidactylus mabouia shared most of its helminth fauna with two other sympatric lizard hosts, Mabuya frenata and Tropidurus itambere. The helminth assemblage of the H. mabouia population appears to have been entirely acquired by this exotic gecko from the local helminth species pool, rather than possessing any species from the parasite faunas of the original African populations.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Nutritional surveillance and morbidity of children under 5 years of age seen in a primary health care unit: historical series 1987-91].

This paper presents preliminary analysis of the nutritional status assessment (NS) and morbidity of low-income children under 5 years of age seen by the Food and Nutritional Surveillance System of a primary health care unit in Rio de Janeiro between 1987 and 1991. The distribution of lengh/stature for age (LSA) was skewed to the left as early as the first semester of life. Approximately 20% of the children had values of body mass for age (BMA) below the 10th percentile of the reference growth curve (NCHS). The prevalence of stunting (Z LSA < - 2) decreased yearly during the period. The eight most frequent causes of visit to the unit were the same but the frequencies varied from year to year. In the last three years upper respiratory (URD) and digestive diseases (DD) and undernutrition prevailed. NS did not correlate with UPD but the prevalence of DD was inversely associated with BMA percentile. These data indicate relevant growth deficits in the children which justifies the implementation of nutritional surveillance in health units. It is also clear that morbidity and NS must be correlated in future studies, so that, the role of nutritional surveillance is enhanced in the Health Sector.

English Abstract↗

PubMed2003

A simplified method for assessing physical activity level values for a country or study population.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a method to estimate physical activity level (PAL) values based on household surveys in which representative information of the population on the distribution of sex, age, occupation and daily working hours is obtained, and to compare them to the recommended PAL (RPAL) values. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Data of 267446 individuals of a probabilistic sample from a Brazilian food consumption and family budget survey were used to estimate two different sets of estimated PAL (EPAL) values: (1) considering sex, age group and geographical area and (2) the above plus expenditure class, defined by the quartiles of per capita expenditure. RESULTS: The EPAL values derived by the proposed method indicated that: (l) the RPAL values for 18+y-old women represent higher energy requirements (ERs) than necessary, which could make these women become obese; (2) the RPAL values for 18 to 59-y-old males can only be used to calculate the mean for the total population, because their use for the rural and urban populations separately will lead to severe physiological effects-under- and overnutrition, respectively; and (3) the RPAL values for 10 to 17 and 60+y-old males and 11 to 17-y-old females will lead to undernutrition by not incorporating provisions for the occupational activities. CONCLUSIONS: Sex- and age-specific RPAL values are not appropriate for the calculation of ERs of the Brazilian population. PAL values must be estimated and constantly recalculated as soon as the required information becomes available. It is important that these EPAL values be disseminated so that more adequate ERs are calculated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Validation of predictive equations of basal metabolic rate of women living in Southern Brazil].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the basal metabolic rate of women (aged 20 to 40 years) living in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and to compare it with estimated values bored on published predictive equations. METHODS: Basal metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry under standard conditions in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle of 60 volunteers. RESULTS: Mean measured basal metabolic rate (+/- standard deviation) was 1,185.3+/- 148.6 kcal/24 hours. Estimated basal metabolic rates were significantly greater (7% to 17%) than measured basal metabolic rate (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that predictive equations are not suitable to estimate basal metabolic rate in these groups of women and that the use of estimated basal metabolic rate will lead to an overestimation of energy requirements in women with similar characteristics.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Relationship between maternal nutritional status and obesity in Brazilian children].

The relationship between maternal (age between 20 and 50 years) nutritional status (NS) and children's (age < 10 years) obesity level was studied in a probabilistic sample of the Brazilian population of all ages (n = 63,213) conducted in 1989. Maternal NS was classified as underweight (UW-Body mass index (BMI) < 20 kg.m-2), normal (20 < or = BMI < 25) and overweight (OW, BMI < or = 25). Overweight was identified in children with body mass of stature > or = + 2 standard deviations of the American growth reference curve (NCHS). There were a total of 12,414 mother-child pairs. OW was observed in 4.8% of the children. UW and OW were seen in 15.3 and 35.9% of the mothers, respectively. With the UW mothers as reference, the odds ratio (OR) of a child being obese and his/her mother's NS being normal or OW was 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.7-3.5) and 3.2 (2.2-4.5), respectively. This relationship was influenced by maternal education, OR = 2.9 (1.7-4.8) for mothers with 12 years of education in relation of the ones without any formal education and family per capita income, OR = 3.8 (2.8-5.2) for mothers in the 4th in relation to those in the 1st quartile. These data suggest a positive relationship between maternal and child obesity in the Brazilian population.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Body mass index (body mass.body height-2) as indicator of nutritional status in adults: review of the literature].

The limitations and possible uses of the body mass index (BMI) or Quételet index, calculated as the ratio of body mass (kg), and squared stature (m), as an indicator of the nutritional status of adults, are reviewed. The cut-off values for overweight (BMI > or = 25) and chronic energy deficiency (BMI < 18.5) are discussed in the light of the available international literature. Even though BMI does not assess the body composition (BC) of individuals, the case with which it is measured is a strong argument for the use of BMI in epidemiological studies associated otherwise with other anthropometric measurement until such a time as simpler field methods of the assessment of BC are developed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Stunting in Brazilian children: relationship with social-environmental conditions and maternal nutritional status].

The relationship between stunting in Brazilian children with their mother's nutritional status and their social-environmental situation was assessed in a probabilistic sample of the Brazilian population in 1989. Data from 12644 mother-son pairs were analyzed. Maternal nutritional status was classified based on the body mass index and stunting was identified in children with stature or length for age Z < or = -2 of the American growth reference curve (NCHS). Stunting was observed in 14.4% of the children (15.9% of boys and 12.9% of girls) There was an inverse relationship between the level of stunting and maternal education, income and house living conditions. Children of illiterate mothers showed more stunting (OR = 17.2) than children whose mothers had had at least 9 years of formal education. Stunting was more frequently observed in children whose mothers were underweight (OR = 2.5), and who were from the first quartile of family income in comparison to the fourth quartile (OR = 11.0) and lived in the poorest living conditions (OR = 7.6). These results suggest a positive association between stunted children and underweight mothers.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Anthropometric profile of the elderly Brazilian population: results of the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 1989].

This paper presents the nutritional status of the elderly Brazilian population (60 years and older) based on a probabilistic sample survey in 1989. Nutritional assessment used the BMI (kg/m2), with cut-off points recommended by the WHO (1995). Socio-demographic variables included age, gender, region and place of residence in the country (urban/rural area), income, education, and housing conditions. Prevalence rates for thinness (BMI < 18.5) and overweight (BMI ( 25) were 7.8% and 30.4% in men and 8.4% and 50.2% in women, higher than in the young adult population. Thinness was more frequent in older women, in rural areas from the Midwest/Northeast regions (women) and Southeast/Midwest (men), in groups with lower income, less schooling, and worse housing conditions. Overweight was more frequent in women from urban areas in the South and Southeast and groups with higher income, more schooling, and better housing conditions. The results indicate problematic nutritional status in the Brazilian elderly, particularly women.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The evaluation of the physiological workload in the Brazilian legislation should be revised! The case of garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro].

The physiological workload (PW) involved in garbage collection was assessed in a probabilistic sample of 70 Rio de Janeiro city garbage collectors to determine the adequacy of Brazilian labor legislation regarding classification of work. PW was measured as energy expenditure (EE) and heart rate (HR) during total work time (TT) and actual time (AT) in garbage collection on 4 consecutive days. Median EE values were 288.4 and 319.1 kcal.h-1 during TT and AT, respectively, indicating moderately intense work according to Brazilian legislation. However, PW was considered heavy when work classifications based on individual response to work were used: 1) ratio of EE and resting metabolic rate was above 5.0, indicating heavy workload according to the WHO; 2) mean percentage of maximal EE was higher (36.2 and 41.1% for TT and AT, respectively) than the limit for garbage collection (30%) suggested as maximal for Dutch workers; and 3) percentage of maximal HR reserve was also higher than 30% (32.2 and 37.5% for TT and AT, respectively). These results indicate the need for a revision of the workload classification in the Brazilian legislation to take individual workers' characteristics into account.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Access to food stamps and nutritional status of adults from Northeast and Southeast Brazil, 1997].

Access by adults (>/=20 years of age) to the Workers' Food Program was investigated in a probabilistic sample of the Brazilian population living in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Only 19.9% (Northeast = 11.7% and Southeast = 24.9%) of the working population were beneficiaries of the Program. Receiving the benefit increased in direct proportion to income in both regions, but with a huge gap in the NE: 19.% of individuals in the 5th income quintile and only 3.6% in the 1st quintile were beneficiaries of the Program. Overweight (BMI >/= 25kg.m(-2)) was more prevalent (38.5%) than underweight (BMI < 18.5). Underweight was more prevalent in women (6.1%) than men (3.4%). More overweight than underweight individuals were beneficiaries of the Program (31.7 and 23.5%, respectively). These data indicate that the Program fails to provide food supplementation to the most needy workers in the two regions of Brazil, i.e., its original target population.

Adult↗