Identification of dietary patterns of adolescents attending public schools

Objectiveto identify the dietary patterns of adolescents attending public municipal schools in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to test the association between these patterns and socioeconomic variables and nutritional status of the adolescents.Methodsthis was an analytical, cross-sectional study with randomized sample of 474 adolescents of both genders, between 11 and 17 years of age, attending municipal public schools in the urban area of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil. The parents provided demographic and economic data. The nutritional status (body mass index - BMI) of the adolescents was determined at school, and their dietary habits were assessed though the administration of the Food Frequency Questionnaire for Adolescents (FFQA). Based on 26 categories extracted from FFQA, dietary patterns were determined using principal component analysis (PCA) and associated to anthropometric and socioeconomic factors using multiple regression analysis.Resultsthe three dietary patterns identified, “junk food,” “healthy,” and “traditional”, explained 23.26%, 6.90%, and 5.24% of data variability, respectively. Adolescents with per capita family income exceeding half a minimum wage were more likely to consume the “junk food” pattern (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.07-2.56), and overweight adolescents had lower chances of eating the “healthy” food pattern (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.35-0.91).Conclusionsdeviations from the “healthy” patterns were not associated to low income, but rather to bad eating habits in the studied population. Overweight adolescents did not adhere to the “healthy” dietary pattern, emphasizing the need for nutritional education among them.     

Preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes: association with sociodemographic factors and maternal genitourinary infections

Objectivethis study aimed to investigate the incidence of premature rupture of fetal membranes in preterm singleton pregnancies and its association with sociodemographic factors and maternal self-reported genitourinary infections.Methodsthis was a population-based cross-sectional study, which included all mothers of newborns of singleton deliveries that occurred in 2010, with birth weight ≥ 500 grams, who resided in the city of Rio Grande. Women were interviewed in the two maternity hospitals. Cases were women who had lost amniotic fluid before hospitalization and whose gestational age was less than 37 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed by levels to control for confounding factors using Poisson regression.Resultsof the 2,244 women eligible for the study, 3.1% had preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes, which was more frequent, after adjustment, in women of lower socioeconomic status, (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.94), with lower level of schooling (PR = 2.43), age > 29 years (PR = 2.49), and smokers (PR = 2.04). It was also associated with threatened miscarriage (PR = 1.68) and preterm labor, (PR = 3.40). There was no association with maternal urinary tract infection or presence of genital discharge.Conclusionsthe outcome was more common in puerperal women with lower level of schooling, lower socioeconomic status, older, and smokers, as well as those with a history of threatened miscarriage and premature labor. These factors should be considered in the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy approach.     

Association between family structure,maternal education level,and maternal employment with sedentary lifestyle in primary school-age children

ObjectiveTo determine the association between family structure, maternal education level, and maternal employment with sedentary lifestyle in primary school-age children.MethodData were obtained from 897 children aged 6 to 12 years. A questionnaire was used to collect information. Body mass index (BMI) was determined using the age- and gender-specific Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Children were categorized as: normal weight (5^th percentile ≤ BMI < 85^th percentile), at risk for overweight (85^th ≤ BMI < 95^th percentile), overweight (≥ 95^th percentile). For the analysis, overweight was defined as BMI at or above the 85^th percentile for each gender. Adjusted odds ratios (adjusted ORs) for physical inactivity were determined using a logistic regression model.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight was 40.7%, and of sedentary lifestyle, 57.2%. The percentage of non-intact families was 23.5%. Approximately 48.7% of the mothers had a non-acceptable educational level, and 38.8% of the mothers worked outside of the home. The logistic regression model showed that living in a non-intact family household (adjusted OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.04-2.66) is associated with sedentary lifestyle in overweight children. In the group of normal weight children, logistic regression analysis show that living in a non-intact family, having a mother with a non-acceptable education level, and having a mother who works outside of the home were not associated with sedentary lifestyle.ConclusionLiving in a non-intact family, more than low maternal educational level and having a working mother, appears to be associated with sedentary lifestyle in overweight primary school-age children.     

Alcohol Consumption and Violence among Argentine Adolescents

ObjectiveThis study investigated the association between alcohol and violence among Argentine youth.MethodsData from the 2007 Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), a nationally representative survey of middle school students, were examined using age-adjusted logistic regression models.ResultsOf the 1,328 participating students aged 13 to 15 years old, 51.9% reported drinking alcohol in the previous month, with higher rates among males (p = 0.04) and older students (p < 0.01). Both male and female drinkers were nearly twice as likely as non-drinkers to report being physically attacked, being in a physical fight, and having thoughts about self-directed violence. Among drinkers, those who reported poor mental health, were victims of bullying, used tobacco or drugs, or skipped school without per- mission were approximately twice as likely as other drinkers to have engaged in violent activities.ConclusionPublic health interventions targeting violence among young adolescents should be developed in combination with alcohol education programs.     

Sociodemographic,anthropometric and dietary determinants of dyslipidemia in preschoolers

ObjectiveTo investigate the determinants of dyslipidemia in preschoolers.MethodsA total of 227 preschoolers residing in an urban area of the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil were evaluated at age 5 years, using a cross-sectional design. Dietary intake from a food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric/biochemical parameters, and socioeconomic/behavioral information from a questionnaire were evaluated. ‘Mixed diet’, ‘snack’, and ‘unhealthy’ dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. The determinants of dyslipidemia were examined using Poisson regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of dyslipidemia in this study was 65.19%. Preschoolers who less frequently consumed foods in the ‘mixed diet’ dietary pattern had a higher risk of high concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (PR = 2.30; p = 0.004) when compared with those with more frequent consumption of the ‘mixed diet’ dietary pattern. Preschoolers whose mothers had lower levels of education presented a lower risk of high concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (PR = 0.43; p = 0.003), and preschoolers who were overweight/obese presented with greater risk of high concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (PR = 2.23; p = 0.003).ConclusionThe determinants of dyslipidemia identified in this study were less frequent consumption of foods in the ‘mixed diet’ dietary pattern, higher body mass index, and lower level of maternal education. This study shows that despite the young age of the group under study, they already present a high prevalence of dyslipidemia, which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease.     

Degree of compliance with the ten steps of the Breastfeeding Friendly Primary Care Initiative and its association with the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding

ObjectiveTo analyze the association between the degree of compliance with the ten steps of the Breastfeeding-Friendly Primary Care Initiative (BFPCI) and the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in infants younger than six months in the city of Rio de Janeiro.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted in a representative sample of 56 primary health care units of this municipality. The assessment of compliance with the ten steps of the BFPCI was carried out by interviewing health care professionals, pregnant women, and mothers; the generated performance scores were classified into tertiles. To obtain the outcome, i.e., the EBF, a data collection questionnaire was applied to mothers of children younger than six months who were followed up at these units in November of 2007. Prevalence ratios were obtained for the EBF using Poisson regression with robust variance.ResultsThe prevalence of EBF was 47.6%. In the multivariate analysis, the upper tertile of performance showed a 34% higher prevalence of EBF (PR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.44) and the second tertile was 17% higher (PR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.27) than the first tertile. Mothers who did not work outside home had a 75% higher prevalence of EBF (PR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.53 to 2.01); assistance in a basic health unit, as opposed to a family health unit, implied a 10% higher prevalence (PR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.19). The prevalence of EBF decreased 1% for each day of the infant's life (PR = 0.993, 95% CI: 0.992 to 0.993).ConclusionGiven the contribution of BFPCI to the practice of EBF, a greater investment in the expansion and sustainability of this initiative is recommended, as well as its association with other strategies to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding.     

Association between physical education classes and physical activity among 187,386 adolescents aged 13–17 years from 50 low- and middle-income countries

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the association between physical education classes and PA among adolescents from 50 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsA self-reported questionnaire from the Global School-based Student Survey (GSHS) was used to collect information on participation frequency of physical education classes and being physically active over the last week, as well as other control variables (e.g., sex, age, country, sedentary behavior). Multivariable logistic regression and a pooled meta-analysis were performed to explore the association and compared country-wise differences.ResultsIncluded adolescents aged from 13 to 17 years (n = 187,386, %boys = 51.7; mean age = 14.6 years), the prevalence of sufficient PA (meeting the PA guidelines) was 14.9%. The prevalence of 5 days or more to engage in physical education classes was 16.5%. Compared with adolescents who had 0 days for physical education classes, higher participation frequency was more likely related to sufficient PA (OR: 1 day = 1.34, 2 days = 1.66, 3 days = 1.67, 4 days = 1.79, 5 days or more = 2.46), these findings were also observed in both sexes. A moderate inconsistency on the association across the included countries was found (I² = 53%, p < 0.01), although the pooled OR was 1.50 (95% CI: 1.36–1.65).ConclusionsParticipating in more physical education classes may be an effective approach to increase physical activity levels among adolescents in LMICs. However, promoting physical activity levels among adolescents in LMICs through physical education classes should consider more country-specific factors.     

Construction and validation of a questionnaire on the knowledge of healthy habits and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in schoolchildren

ObjectivesTo develop and analyze the reliability and validity of a questionnaire on the knowledge of healthy habits and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CARDIOKID) to be used in schoolchildren.MethodsThe study included 145 children aged 7 to 11 years. The measured factors were the knowledge of healthy habits and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Cronbach's alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to verify reliability, and exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the validity of the questionnaire.ResultsThe sample consisted of 60% females and 40% males. In factorial analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test result was measures of sampling adequacy (MSA) = 0.81 and Bartlett's test of sphericity was X² = (66) = 458.64 (p < 0.001). In the factorial analysis with varimax rotation, two dimensions were defined. The “healthy habits” dimension was composed of five factors (ICC = 0.87 and α = 0.93) and the “cardiovascular risk factors” dimension was composed of seven factors (ICC = 0.83 and α = 0.91). In the individual factor analysis, Cronbach's alphas were between 0.93 and 0.91. Total variance was 46.87%. There were no significant differences between test and retest applications.ConclusionThe questionnaire presented satisfactory validity and reliability (internal consistency and reproducibility), allowing for its use in children.     

Associations between child disciplinary practices and bullying behavior in adolescents

Objectiveto investigate associations between different types of child disciplinary practices and children and adolescents’ bullying behavior in a Brazilian sample.Methodscross-sectional study, with a school-based sample of 10- to 15-year-old children and adolescents. Child disciplinary practices were assessed using two main subtypes: power-assertive and punitive (psychological aggression, corporal punishment, deprivation of privileges, and penalty tasks) and inductive (explaining, rewarding, and monitoring). A modified version of the Olweus Bully Victim Questionnaire was used to measure the frequency of bullying.Results247 children and adolescents were evaluated and 98 (39.7%) were classified as bullies. Power-assertive and punitive discipline by either mother or father was associated with bullying perpetration by their children. Mothers who mostly used this type of discipline were 4.36 (95% CI: 1.87-10.16; p < 0.001) times more likely of having a bully child. Psychological aggression and mild forms of corporal punishment presented the highest odds ratios. Overall inductive discipline was not associated with bullying.Conclusionsbullying was associated to parents’ assertive and punitive discipline. Finding different ways of disciplining children and adolescents might decrease bullying behavior.     

Comparison of six-minute walk test in children with moderate/severe asthma with reference values for healthy children

Objectiveto compare physical performance and cardiorespiratory responses in the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in asthmatic children with reference values for healthy children in the same age group, and to correlate them with intervening variables.Methodsthis was a cross-sectional, prospective study that evaluated children with moderate/severe asthma, aged between 6 and 16 years, in outpatient follow-up. Demographic and spirometric test data were collected. All patients answered the pediatric asthma quality of life (QoL) questionnaire (PAQLQ) and level of basal physical activity. The 6MWT was performed, following the American Thoracic Society recommendations. Comparison of means was performed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation to analyze the 6MWT with study variables. The significance level was set at 5%.Results40 children with moderate or severe asthma were included, 52.5% males, 70% with normal weight and sedentary. Mean age was 11.3 ± 2.1 years, mean height was 1.5 ± 0.1 m, and mean weight was 40.8 ± 12.6 Kg. The mean distance walked in the 6MWT was significantly lower, corresponding to 71.9% ± 19.7% of predicted values; sedentary children had the worst values. The difference between the distance walked on the test and the predicted values showed positive correlation with age (r = 0.373, p = 0.018) and negative correlation with cardiac rate at the end of the test (r = -0.518, p < 0.001). Regarding QoL assessment, the values in the question about physical activity limitations showed the worst scores, with a negative correlation with walked distance difference (r = -0.311, p = 0.051).Conclusionsasthmatic children's performance in the 6MWT evaluated through distance walked is significantly lower than the predicted values for healthy children of the same age, and is directly influenced by sedentary life style.     

Effects of sexual orientation-based bullying on feelings of loneliness and sleeping difficulty among Brazilian middle school students

ObjectiveTo investigate the extent to which sexual orientation-based bullying relates to self-reported feelings of loneliness and sleeping difficulty among Brazilian middle school students.MethodThis is a cross-sectional study using data from the 2015 PeNSE (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar), a survey designed to monitor the health of children and adolescents enrolled in the ninth grade in public and private Brazilian schools. Multiple linear regressions stratified by sex were used on a sample of 101,646 students, considering as reference students who had not experienced bullying, as well as students who had experienced other causes of bullying; a significance level of p < 0.05 was accepted.ResultsWhen the reference group was composed of students who had not experienced bullying, the associations between sexual orientation-based bullying and feelings of loneliness and between sexual orientation-based bullying and sleeping difficulty were positive (p < 0.05) for both male and female students, with magnitudes about twice as large as those found among those who reported having experienced other cause s of bullying. However, when the reference group was composed of students who had experienced other causes of bullying, only the association between sexual orientation-based bullying and feelings of loneliness was positive (p < 0.05) for both male and female students.ConclusionThis study highlights that sexual orientation-based bullying is a predictor of feelings of loneliness.     

¿Qué variables influyen en el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de actividad física en preescolares?

IntroductionThere are established European guidelines for physical activity in childhood. The main goal of our study was to determine the factors that may influence compliance with European recommendations for physical activity in young children.MethodsWe included 136 children (aged 2-8 years) classified by weight status, calculated based on the body mass index z-score using the growth standards of the World Health Organization. We measured physical activity over 5 consecutive days with accelerometers and recorded the food intake.ResultsA greater level of physical activity was associated with a lower weight status category (B = −1.55; 95% CI: −2.02 to −1.08; P < .001), lower age (B = −1.33; 95% CI: −1.72 to −0.93; P < .001) and greater energy expenditure (B = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.03; P < .001). The overall physical activity in the sample was light (mean = 589 cpm/day). Children with overweight and obesity spent less time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (P = .005) and more time engaged in sedentary activities (P = .005) compared to children with normal weight. All groups spent between 90 and 130 minutes a day in sedentary activities, with a mean time spent that amounted to 15.5% of their time (excluding time spent sleeping). The adherence to European recommendations varied in association with sex (P = .010) and weight status (P = .038).ConclusionYoung children spent more than 100 minutes a day engaged in sedentary activities. Most of the sample met the European recommendations for daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. However, the degree of adherence depended on sex and weight status.     

Evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness and factors associated with cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease

ObjectiveTo assess the carotid intima-media thickness and factors associated with cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease.Material and methodsObservational, cross-sectional study carried out at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (chronic kidney disease outpatient clinics) with 55 patients (60% males) with a median age of 11.9 years (I25–I75: 9.2–14.8 years). Of the 55 patients, 43 were on conservative treatment and 12 were on dialysis. Serum laboratory parameters (creatinine, uric acid, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol and fractions, and triglycerides), nutritional status (z-score of body mass index, z-score of height/age), body fat (fat percentage and waist circumference), and blood pressure levels were evaluated. The carotid intima-media thickness measure was evaluated by a single ultrasonographer and compared with percentiles established according to gender and height. Data collection was performed between May 2015 and March 2016.ResultsOf the children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease, 74.5% (95% CI: 61.0; 85.3) showed an increase (>P95) in carotid intima-media thickness. In patients with stages I and II hypertension, 90.9% had increased carotid intima-media thickness. Nutritional status, body fat and laboratory tests were not associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness. After multivariate adjustment, only puberty (PR = 1.30, p = 0.037) and stages I and II arterial hypertension (PR = 1.42, p = 0.011) were independently associated with carotid intima-media thickness alterations.ConclusionThe prevalence of increased carotid thickness was high in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease. Puberty and arterial hypertension were independently associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness.     

Existe-t-il un développement moteur et psychoaffectif spécifique de l’enfant à haut potentiel ? Influence sur les activités de la vie quotidienne et sur le profil du quotient intellectuel

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the neurodevelopmental trajectory of motor milestones and psychoaffective development in children with high intellectual potential (IQ ≥ 130) regarding their IQ-profile (homogeneous/heterogeneous).Population and methodThe Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-V), child's health record, and anamnestic questionnaire completed by parents were administered and analyzed in 76 healthy children (58 HIP/18 neurotypical), aged 6 to 13 (mean 10 years; SD 2.2). Seventy-six children with high intellectual potential were involved in the intragroup analysis (36 heterogeneous vs. 22 homogeneous). Two groups were matched for intergroup analyses: 18 neurotypical children (90 ≤ IQ ≤ 110) and 18 children with high intellectual potential (IQ ≥ 130).ResultsSignificant negative correlations were demonstrated between IQ and sitting (7 months) (r = ?0.32, P = 0.01, [95% CI = ?0.52 to ?0.09]), walking (12 months) (r = ?0.30, P = 0.03, [95% CI = ?0.51 to ?0.01], and expression of the first sentences (18 months) (r = ?0.60, P ≤ 0.001, [95% CI = ?0.71 to ?0.39]); with a significantly high rate of early development in children with high intellectual potential compared to neurotypical children. Significant correlations were also determined between VSI, WMI, and PSI with clumsiness in daily life abilities, games and school abilities, explaining 41% of the variance of heterogeneous IQ-profile of high intellectual potential. No significant difference was noted between children with high intellectual potential and neurotypical in psychoaffective characteristics. However, we demonstrated significant correlations between the heterogeneous IQ-profile of the HIP group and “isolation”, “separation anxiety”, “strong reaction to frustration” and “need for parents to be present during homework”.ConclusionEarly motor and language development has been demonstrated in children with high intellectual potential compared to neurotypical children regardless of the psychometric profile. Nevertheless, a significant part of the heterogeneous profile meets the DSM-5 criteria of a developmental coordination disorder (DCD), detected early with significant difficulties impacting daily life abilities, games and school abilities. The finding underlines the importance of analyzing the variability of index scores in the IQ-profile at school age in light of daily life abilities and anamnestic data.     

Prevalence and risk factors associated with wheezing in the first year of life

Objectiveto investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with wheezing in infants in the first year of life.Methodsthis was a cross-sectional study, in which a validated questionnaire (Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes - International Study of Wheezing in Infants - EISL) was applied to parents of infants aged between 12 and 15 months treated in 26 of 85 primary health care units in the period between 2006 and 2007. The dependent variable, wheezing, was defined using the following standards: occasional (up to two episodes of wheezing) and recurrent (three or more episodes of wheezing). The independent variables were shown using frequency distribution to compare the groups. Measures of association were based on odds ratio (OR) with a confidence interval of 95% (95% CI), using bivariate analysis, followed by multivariate analysis (adjusted OR [aOR]).Resultsa total of 1,029 (37.7%) infants had wheezing episodes in the first 12 months of life; of these, 16.2% had recurrent wheezing. Risk factors for wheezing were family history of asthma (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.76-2.54) and six or more episodes of colds (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.91-2.97) and pneumonia (OR = 3.02; 95% CI: 2.43-3.76). For recurrent wheezing, risk factors were: familial asthma (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.22–2.46); early onset wheezing (aOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.75-3.75); nocturnal symptoms (aOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.75-3.75), and more than six colds (aOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.43- .00).Conclusionthe main risk factors associated with wheezing in Fortaleza were respiratory infections and family history of asthma. Knowing the risk factors for this disease should be a priority for public health, in order to develop control and treatment strategies.     

Chloride and sodium ion concentrations in saliva and sweat as a method to diagnose cystic fibrosis

ObjectiveCystic fibrosis diagnosis is dependent on the chloride ion concentration in the sweat test (≥ 60 mEq/mL – recognized as the gold standard indicator for cystic fibrosis diagnosis). Moreover, the salivary glands express the CFTR protein in the same manner as sweat glands. Given this context, the objective was to verify the correlation of saliva chloride concentration and sweat chloride concentration, and between saliva sodium concentration and sweat sodium concentration, in patients with cystic fibrosis and healthy control subjects, as a tool for cystic fibrosis diagnosis.MethodsThere were 160 subjects enrolled: 57/160 (35.70%) patients with cystic fibrosis and two known CFTR mutations and 103/160 (64.40%) healthy controls subjects. Saliva ion concentration was analyzed by ABL 835 Radiometer^® equipment and, sweat chloride concentration and sweat sodium concentration, respectively, by manual titration using the mercurimetric procedure of Schales & Schales and flame photometry. Statistical analysis was performed by the chi-squared test, the Mann–Whitney test, and Spearman's correlation. Alpha = 0.05.ResultsPatients with cystic fibrosis showed higher values of sweat chloride concentration, sweat sodium concentration, saliva chloride concentration, and saliva sodium concentration than healthy controls subjects (p-value < 0.001). The correlation between saliva chloride concentration and sweat chloride concentration showed a positive Spearman's Rho (correlation coefficient) = 0.475 (95% CI = 0.346 to 0.587). Also, the correlation between saliva sodium concentration and sweat sodium concentration showed a positive Spearman's Rho = 0.306 (95% CI = 0.158 to 0.440).ConclusionsSaliva chloride concentration and saliva sodium concentration are candidates to be used in cystic fibrosis diagnosis, mainly in cases where it is difficult to achieve the correct sweat amount, and/or CFTR mutation screening is difficult, and/or reference methods for sweat test are unavailable to implement or are not easily accessible by the general population.     

Evidence of underdiagnosis and markers of high blood pressure risk in children aged 6 to 13 years

Objectiveto estimate the prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in schoolchildren, as well as the reported frequency of previous measurements of BP in these children, and to identify high BP risk markers in the sample.Methodsthis was a cross-sectional study involving 794 children aged 6 to 13 years, enrolled in public elementary schools. A questionnaire was given to parents/guardians, consisting of perinatal, socioeconomic data, and information on previous measurements of BP in these children. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist, hip, and arm and neck circumference, in addition to the three BP measurements. Classification of BP levels was carried out according to current international recommendations, established in 2004.Resultsthe prevalence of high BP (hypertension or prehypertension) was 7%. Only 21.7% of children had previously undergone BP measurements. The odds ratio of high BP among children with and without overweight was 2.9 (95% CI = 1.7 to 5.0, p < 0.001). None of the anthropometric measurements was superior to the Z-score of BMI as a predictor of high BP. History of hypertension during pregnancy (p < 0.001), prematurity (p = 0.006), maternal hypertension (p = 0.01), and paternal hypertension (p = 0.008) were also correlated with the presence of high BP in children.Conclusionsoverweight and family history constitute the main risk markers of high BP in children. The low frequency of BP measurement in children observed in this municipality contributes to the underdiagnosis of the disease, with irreversible consequences for these individuals.     

Les joueurs de jeux video : Qui sont-ils ? Qui joue à quoi ? Quels sont les risques ?

IntroductionVideo-gaming has often been investigated during the past decades, especially pathological use of videogames. Yet, psychological studies investigating gamers’ characteristics and features of videogames are rare, especially in France. Would it not be relevant to better understand players and videogames in order to better understand results from the scientific literature?ObjectivesThe present study aims to answer the following questions: Who plays videogames? Who plays what? What are the risks?Method and resultsA questionnaire was distributed to 1600 participants aged 26,39 ± 7,41 years. To investigate player characteristics depending on each type of videogame, we divided our sample into several groups including action-adventure gamers (N = 826), simulation gamers (N = 331), role and battle gamers (N = 277) and strategy gamers (N = 115). Questions were about sociodemographic characteristics, gaming habits and gaming disorder (Game Addiction Scale). Results pointed out that strategy gamers were mainly female and older with shorter gaming times. Moreover, they would be less subject to gaming disorder. In contrast, role and battle gamers, simulation gamers and action-adventure gamers were more apt to be male and younger with longer gaming times for the first type (i.e., role and battle games). The latter and action-adventure games were also more associated with gaming disorder.ConclusionThe present study has allowed us to clarify contradictory results from the scientific literature, and at the same time it gathered considerable relevant information about gamers’ characteristics, especially French gamers.     

Association between breastfeeding and breathing pattern in children: a sectional study

Objectiveto determine the prevalence of mouth breathing and to associate the history of breastfeeding with breathing patterns in children.Methodsthis was an observational study with 252 children of both genders, aged 30 to 48 months, who participated in a dental care program for mothers and newborns. As an instrument of data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the children's mothers assessing the form and duration of breastfeeding and the oral habits of non-nutritive sucking. To determine the breathing patterns that the children had developed, medical history and clinical examination were used. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the effects of exposure on the primary outcome (mouth breathing), and the prevalence ratio was calculated with a 95% confidence interval.Resultsof the total sample, 43.1% of the children were mouth breathers, 48.4% had been breastfed exclusively until six months of age or more, and 27.4% had non-nutritive sucking habits. Statistically significant associations were found for bottle-feeding (p < 0.001) and oral habits of non-nutritive sucking (p = 0.009), with an increased likelihood of children exhibiting a predominantly oral breathing pattern. A statistically significant association was also observed between a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding and a nasal breathing pattern presented by children.Conclusionan increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding lowers the chances of children exhibiting a predominantly oral breathing pattern.