ABSTRACT The study aimed to estimate sex differences in body mass index (BMI), motor competence (MC), health-related physical fitness (HRPF), perceived motor competence (PMC), and physical activity (PA) and to identify individual predictors associated with overweight in Brazilian children. A cross-sectional study was conducted, sampling 217 Brazilian children aged between 6-10 years old. PA was measured through pedometers. MC and PMC were estimated, respectively, by the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd edition) battery and the Pictographic Scale of Perceived Competence Assessment in Motor Skills, while the HRPF was estimated through the curl up, push up, horizontal jump, sit and reach, and 6-minute walk/run tests. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was computed. Statistical analyses involved the use of the Mann Whitney U test and multiple logistic regression. Sex differences were observed for HRPF score, mean of weekend steps and total steps/week, favouring boys (p< 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that MC (OR= 0.97; 95%CI 0.92– 0.98) and HRPF (OR= 0.78; 95%CI 0.66– 0.93) were significantly associated with overweight, while any significant association were observed for PA and PMC. Results highlight that increases in MC and HRPF reduced the chances of children being overweight.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the cluster of lifestyle behaviors among Brazilian adolescents and to identify the association of these clusters with overweight. Information related to food consumption, TV time and physical activity were used, from a sample of 14141 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 11 and 17 years, from the National School Health Survey (2015), who were split into three classes: physically active (FA), risky behavior (CR), and physically inactive with healthy eating (AI). Results showed that girls and older adolescents have less chances to be overweight when compared to boys and younger adolescents, respectively. Moreover, subjects classified as CR have less chances of being overweight, whereas those classified as AI are more prone to be overweight compared to those belonging to FA class. We conclude that the adoption of healthy habits seems to be of relevance in the expression of overweight, because although the high prevalence of "unhealthy" diet among subjects from the CR class, their physical activity levels are similar to their peers from the FA class, which may mitigate the impacts unhealthy behaviors associated with food consumption.

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever a agregação de comportamentos de estilo de vida em adolescentes brasileiros e identificar a associação dessas agregações com o excesso de peso. Informações sobre consumo alimentar, tempo em frente à televisão e prática de atividade física de uma amostra composta por 14141 adolescentes, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 11 e 17 anos, da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (2015), que foram divididos em três classes: fisicamente ativo (AF), comportamento de risco (CR) e fisicamente inativo com alimentação saudável (IA). Os resultados mostraram que meninas e adolescentes mais velhos são menos propensos a desenvolver excesso de peso em comparação com crianças e adolescentes mais novos, assim como os sujeitos pertencentes à classe CR, que são menos propensos ao excesso de peso, enquanto os adolescentes da classe IA são mais propensos em relação aos AF. Pode-se concluir que a adoção de hábitos saudáveis parece ter influência importante no resultado do excesso de peso, pois, no entanto, a adoção de dietas “não saudáveis” é prevalente na classe CR, os níveis de atividade física são semelhantes aos da classe AF, o que pode atenuar os efeitos de comportamentos negativos relacionados à alimentação.

RESUMEN Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir la agregación de comportamientos del estilo de vida en adolescentes brasileños e identificar la asociación de estas agregaciones con el exceso de peso. Se ha utilizado información sobre el consumo alimentario, tiempo frente a la televisión y práctica de actividad física de una muestra compuesta por 14141 adolescentes, de ambos sexos, con edades entre 11 y 17 años, procedente de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud del Escolar (2015), que fueron divididos en tres clases: físicamente activos (FA), comportamiento de riesgo (CR) e inactivos físicamente con alimentación saludable (IA). Los resultados mostraron que las niñas y adolescentes mayores tienen menos probabilidades de desarrollar exceso de peso en comparación con los niños y adolescentes más jóvenes, así como los sujetos pertenecientes a la clase CR, que tienen menos probabilidades de presentar exceso de peso, mientras que los adolescentes de clase IA tienen más probabilidades en comparación con la FA. Se puede concluir que la adopción de hábitos saludables parece ejercer una influencia importante en cuanto al resultado de sobrepeso, ya que, no obstante, la adopción de alimentación "no saludable" es prevalente en la clase CR, los niveles de actividad física se asemejan a la clase FA, que puede mitigar los efectos de los comportamientos negativos relacionados con la alimentación.

Abstract Aims: (i) to compare the running performance of non-professional female runners from different Brazilian states; (ii) to estimate the relationship between environmental state-related variables and running performance; and (iii) to analyze the mediation role of training commitment in the relationship between the environment and running performance. Methods: A total of 418 non-professional female runners were sampled from the five Brazilian regions. An online questionnaire was used for data collection and included self-reported information about age, body weight, body height, place of residence, training volume, and running pace. Environmental characteristics were based on the Census 2010 and included percentages of public illumination, asphalt, sidewalks, and green areas for state capital cities. Linear regression, Pearson correlation, and mediation analysis were performed using SPSS 26, at a 95% confidence interval. Results: The fastest women were from the Rio Grande do Sul. Significant differences were observed between Rio Grande do Sul and Rio Grande do Norte (β= 45.79; 95%CI = 16.86 − 74.73), Distrito Federal (β = 34.55; 95%CI = 1.87−67.24), and Sergipe (β = 35.34; 95%CI = 14.09−56.60). A negative relationship was observed between running pace with green areas (r = −0.206; 95%CI = −0.305 − −0.110) and training volume (r = −0.343; 95%CI = −0.427−0.167). Training volume explained 23% of the relationship between the percentage of green areas and running performance. Conclusion: The fastest runners were from the Rio Grande do Sul. Higher percentages of green areas can favor performance, which is partly mediated by increased training volume.

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity (PA) indicators and TV viewing as a function of the Human Development Index (HDI). Method: This cross-sectional study was based on data from the National School Health Survey, which was composed of 102,072 students (14.28±1.03; 51.3% girls). Total PA, active commuting to school (ACS) and TV viewing were assessed by questionnaires and classified through a gradual scale ranging from “F” (low) to “A+” (high). The correlation between total PA, ACS, TV viewing and HDI was verified by Spearman’s Correlation and presented in rs. Results: HDI was positively associated with total PA [girls: rs = 0.572 (p < 0.001); boys: rs = 0.843 (p < 0.001)] and ACS [girls: rs = 0.433 (p < 0.001); boys: rs = 0.554 (p < 0.001)]; while a negative correlation was found between HDI and TV viewing [girls: rs = -0.330 (p < 0.001); boys: rs = -0.348 (p < 0.001)]. Conclusions: Brazilian adolescents from states with higher HDI were more active and spent more time watching TV than their counterparts from states with lower HDI.

Abstract Aims: to identify and describe the clustering of characteristics related to running amongst Brazilian runners using latent class analysis and to verify if there is a profile associated with better performance. Material and Methods: a sample of 1149 Brazilian runners answered an online questionnaire, that provided information about biological (sex, age, height, weight), training (running pace, frequency and volume/week, motivation), and socioeconomic factors, as well as a multidimensional questionnaire of fear of failure. Latent Class Analysis was used to identify subgroups of Brazilian runners, based on BMI, training volume and frequency/week, motivation, socioeconomic factors, and the fear of failure. Further, a χ2 test was computed to verify statistical differences in the frequency of the descriptive variables between classes. Finally, binary logistic regression analysis estimated factors associated with running performance, with running pace as the dependent variable. Results: It was possible to identify two different classes among Brazilian runners, which were called “amateur runners” and “recreational runners”. Variables that highlighted classes’ differences were: volume and frequency training/week, motivation for the practice, and BMI. Regarding the running performance, logistic regression analysis showed that men (OR=5.39; 95%CI=4.00-7.25), young runners (OR=0.38; 95%CI=0.28-0.51), and “amateur runners” (OR=4.19; 95%CI=2.95-5.94) were more prone to have higher performance. Conclusion: Two distinct classes were found among Brazilian runners that were linked to their performance, highlighting that even among non-professional runners, differences can be observed regarding their classification. Hence, future studies should consider using these classes to properly stratify or identify non-professional runners.

Abstract Aims: 1) to identify the prevalence of active commuting to school (ACS) among Brazilian regions; and 2) to determine associated factors related to ACS in this population. Methods: Cross-sectional study comprising 16,493 adolescents (mean age 14.09±2.12 years). The data comes from the National School Health Survey (2015), and the information was collected by a self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regression models were performed to identify correlates of ACS. Results: Adolescents who live in the Southeast are more prone to have ACS compared to those who live in other regions. Do not have motor vehicles been positively associated with ACS [girls: 2.04 (1.72;2.42); boys 1.85(1.63;2.10)]. Those whom self-reported white was less prone to have ACS compared to their peers from other ethnicities. Those enrolled in private schools [girls: 0.43(0.34;0.54); boys (0.45(0.39;0.53)] and schools setting in rural area [girls: 0.38(0.25;0.57); boys: 0.51(0.37;71)] are less prone to show ACS. In addition, adolescents who accumulated less active time during physical education classes [girls: 0.80(0.66;0.97)] and extracurricular shifts [boys: 0.69(0.60;0.80)] were less prone to have an ACS, compared to their most active peers. Lastly, girls who spent ≤ 2 hours presented fewer odds to have an ACS [0.75(0.63;0.90)]. Conclusions: ACS was most prevalent among those who live in the Southeast region and seems to be negativity associated with the socioeconomic level. Moreover, less active adolescents during both school and leisure time may be more prone to have passive travel go/from school.

RESUMO Objetivo Este artigo teve por objetivo descrever a velocidade do crescimento físico (massa corporal e estatura) e a composição corporal (percentual de gordura e massa isenta de gordura) de crianças; investigar a magnitude das diferenças interindividuais em função da idade, gênero e categoria do peso ao nascer; e examinar a diferenciação das trajetórias médias das crianças com Baixo Peso ao Nascer e com Peso Adequado ao Nascer, relativamente às referências internacionais. Métodos A amostra foi composta por 534 crianças (279 meninos e 255 meninas, na faixa etária entre 7 e 10 anos de idade), avaliadas no primeiro ano de estudo e seguidas por três anos, com sobreposição de idade entre 7 e 9 anos. Foram medidas a estatura e a massa corporal, e estimados o percentual de gordura (%Gord) e a Massa Isenta de Gordura. As análises foram realizadas com a Modelagem Multinível. Resultados O peso ao nascer não apresentou associação com as variáveis de crescimento físico e composição corporal aos 7 anos de idade, bem como com seus incrementos dos 7 aos 10 anos (p>0,05). Há diferenças interindividuais significativas nas trajetórias de crescimento físico (estatura, massa corporal; p<0,001) e composição corporal (%Gord e Massa Isenta de Gordura; p<0,001). Na plotagem realizada em cartas percentílicas internacionais, independentemente do peso ao nascer, as trajetórias do crescimento e composição corporal encontram-se dentro dos valores esperados para idade e gênero. Conclusão O estudo concluiu que existem diferenças significativas no dinamismo do crescimento estatural, massa corporal e Massa Isenta de Gordura, e o Baixo Peso ao Nascer não exerce nenhuma influência nessa trajetória. Ademais, os seus valores estão dentro do expectável para idade e gênero.

ABSTRACT Objective To describe children’s physical growth (body mass and height) velocity and body composition (fat percentage and Fat Free Mass); to investigate the magnitude of interindividual differences according to age, gender and birth weight categories, as well as to examine the differences in the average trajectories of children with Low Birth Weight and Normal Weight according to international references. Methods The sample consisted of 534 children (279 boys and 255 girls, 7 to 10 years old) evaluated in the first year of study and followed for 3 years with overlap between the ages of 7 and 9 years. Physical growth and body composition measurements included: height, body mass, fat percentage (%Fat) and Fat Free Mass. Multilevel Modelling was used. Results Birth weight was not associated with physical growth and body composition markers at 7 years old or with the velocity of their changes (p>0.05). There were significant interindividual differences in the trajectories of physical growth (height and body mass; p<0.001) and body composition (%Fat and Fat Free Mass; p<0.001). In plotting on international percentile charts, the trajectories of growth and body composition were within expected values for age and gender, regardless of birth weight. Conclusion There are significant differences in the dynamics of stature growth, body mass and Fat Free Mass, and Low Birth Weight has no influence on this trajectory. In addition, values are within the expected range for age and sex.

Abstract Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and country of origin (Mozambique versus Portugal) on physical activity and sedentariness. Methods: Sample size was comprised of 593 adolescents from Mozambique (n=258) and Portugal (n=335), aged 10-15 years old. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was computed; furthermore, subjects were classified in two groups (normal weight and overweight/obese). The mean time (min/day) spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), and sedentary activity were assessed using the GT3X Actigraph accelerometer over at least 4 days (1 weekend day) with a minimum of 10 hours/day of monitoring. Multiple regression analysis was done in SPSS 20. Results: A low percentage of Mozambican (3.9%) and Portuguese (4.3%) youth complied with the MVPA recommendations (60min·day-1). However, Portuguese boys spend more time in MVPA. Girls and those with higher BMI spend more time in sedentary activities and less time in MVPA and LPA; older adolescents spend more time in sedentary activities and less time in LPA. There is a significant effect of the country of origin on MVPA, favouring Portuguese youth. Conclusions: Results suggest country differences in MVPA between Mozambican and Portuguese youth - the Mozambicans are less involved in MVPA than the Portuguese, probably reinforcing the undesirable effect of the urbanization process in developing nations.

Resumo Tem-se verificado, nas últimas décadas, uma redução substancial nos níveis de atividade física (AF), com o consequente aumento da prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade e fatores de risco metabólico entre jovens. O presente estudo teve por objetivos identificar os níveis de AF e as prevalências de sobrepeso/obesidade e risco metabólico, e associar o índice ponderal com os níveis de AF e risco metabólico em jovens portugueses. A amostra foi composta por 212 jovens portugueses (12-16 anos). Estatura e peso foram mensurados. AF foi estimada a partir do recordatório de 3 dias de Bouchard e pelo uso do pedômetro (durante 5 dias). Os indicadores de risco metabólico considerados foram: glicose, triglicerídeos, HDL-colesterol, tensão arterial sistólica e perímetro da cintura. Os sujeitos foram classificados consoante índice ponderal a partir do índice de massa corporal, enquanto que o estatuto maturacional foi estimado a partir do offset maturacional. Score contínuo de risco metabólico (zRM) foi calculado, e a AF foi dividida em tercis. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram o Qui-quadrado, teste t independente e ANOVA, as análises foram conduzidas no SPSS 18.0 e WinPepi (p<0,05). Observou-se uma prevalência moderada a elevada de sobrepeso/obesidade e HDL-colesterol, uma elevada prevalência de risco para tensão arterial, e níveis de AF baixos a moderados entre jovens portugueses. A relação entre índice ponderal e zRM mostrou que adolescentes obesos apresentam maior zRM comparativamente aos adolescentes normoponderais ou com sobrepeso. Incrementos nos níveis de AF e redução da prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade podem ter um papel relevante na redução de fatores de risco metabólico.

Abstract It has been reported, in the last decades, a significant decrease in physical activity (PA) levels, with a consequent increase in obesity and metabolic risk factors among youth. The aims of this study were to describe PA levels, the prevalence of overweight/ obesity and metabolic risk factors, and to examine the association between PA and body mass index (BMI) with metabolic risk among Portuguese youth. The sample comprises 212 Portuguese adolescents (12-16 years old). Height and weight were measured. PA was estimated with the Bouchard questionnaire (3 days recall), as well as with the use of a pedometer (used for 5 consecutive days). Metabolic risk factors comprised fasting glucose, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference. Subjects were classified as normal weight, overweight or obese according to BMI; the maturational status was indirectly estimated with the maturity offset procedure. A continuous metabolic risk score was computed (zMR) and PA values were divided into tertiles. Quisquare test, t-test and ANOVA were used in statistical analyses. SPSS 18.0 and WinPepi softwares were used and p<0.05. A moderate to high prevalence of overweight/obesity and HDL-cholesterol was found, as well as a high prevalence of high blood pressure and low to moderate PA levels among Portuguese youth. The relationship between BMI and zMR showed that obese adolescents have higher zMR when compared to normal weight or overweight adolescents. This finding suggests that increased levels of PA and reduction in the prevalence of overweight/obesity may have a positive role against the development of metabolic risk factors.

O propósito deste estudo é apresentar o uso da modelação multinível (MMN) com informação oriunda de um estudo longitudinal-misto sobre o crescimento, desenvolvimento e saúde de adolescentes portugueses. A amostra foi composta por 5155 indivíduos divididos em quatro coortes que abrangem as faixas etárias dos 10 aos 12, 12 aos 14, 14 aos 16 e 16 aos 18 anos. As variáveis de estudo foram a força de preensão manual e o percentual de gordura total (%GTotal). A análise mostrou trajetórias curvilíneas do desempenho de força de preensão, com maiores incrementos anuais nos meninos. O %GTtotal apresentou associação positiva com o desempenho da força estática; constatou-se uma forte variabilidade interindividual. O recurso ao delineamento longitudinal-misto permitiu a recolha mais célere da informação; e a metodologia MMN mostrou-se suficientemente flexível e robusta para acomodar, num modelo único, aspectos da mudança individual e das diferenças interindividuais do desempenho da força estática condicionados à ação do tempo.

The main aim of this study was to introduce the use of multilevel modeling in the data from a mixed longitudinal study concerning growth, development and health of Portuguese adolescents. The sample comprises 5155 subjects from 4 age cohorts: 10 to 12, 12 to 14, 14 to 16 and 16 to 18 years. Variables chosen for analysis were handgrip strength and percentage of total body fat. Multilevel modeling analysis showed a quadratic trajectory of adolescents' handgrip strength performance, with higher annual increasing in boys. The percentage of total body fat was positively associated with the static strength and there were marked interindividual differences. The use of a mixed longitudinal design allowed a faster data collection process; in addition, multilevel modeling analysis was sufficiently flexible and robust to accommodate, in a single model, aspects of individual and interindividual changes in static strength development over the time.