Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major public health problems nowadays in Africa. From prospective studies, it is also known that risk factors for CVDs start early in life and increase morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan African adults. Mostly the risk factors of CVDs are malnutrition and hypertension. Economic development in South Africa leads to lifestyle changes that contribute to a high prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) and malnutrition. However, little is known about the relationship of anthropometric indicators and BP in children from the developing countries. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the association between anthropometrics indicators and BP among rural children in Ellisras area of Limpopo province, South Africa. All 1961 children (n=1029 boys, n=932 girls) aged 5-12 years underwent anthropometric and BP measurements using standard procedure. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of anthropometric indicators to discriminate children with high BP. ROC was used to determine the area under curve (AUC), cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity for underweight in children for each age and gender. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between anthropometric indicators and BP. ROC curve showed that height (AUC = 0.700, 95%Cl 0.581 to 0.818), SH (AUC= 0.690, 95%Cl 0.573 to 0.786) and SH/H (AUC=0.670, 95% 0.533 to 0.807) can significantly (P<0.05) identify Ellisras children with hypertension. AUC for neck circumference (NC) (0.698), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) (0.677) and body mass index (BMI) (0.636) for boys were statistically significant (P<0.05) for high systolic blood pressure (SBP), while in girls AUC of BMI was not significant (P>0.05) for high diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The regression analysis showed a positive significant (P<0.05) association of SBP with NC (β=0.764, 95%CI 0.475 to 1.052) and MUAC (β=1.286, 95% Cl 0.990 to 1.581) for unadjusted and adjusted age and gender. NC (β=0.628 95% Cl 0.303 to 0.953) and MUAC (β=1.351 95% CI 1.004 to 1.697) showed a significant association with SBP. However, MUAC had a significant association with DBP for both unadjusted and adjusted age and gender. Sitting height (SH) was significantly associated with SBP (β = 0.134, 95% Cl 0.210 to 0.416) and DBP (β = 0.088, 95% Cl 0.086 to 0.259) for unadjusted. After adjusted for age and gender, SH was significantly associated with both SBP (β = 0.161, 95% Cl 0.220 to 0.532) and DBP (β = 0.101, 95% Cl 0.066 to 0.329). There was a positive significant association between BP and anthropometric indicators in this population study, though the association of DBP and NC disappeared after adjustments for age and gender. Furthermore, there is a positive significant association between DBP and SBP with the components of height amongst Ellisras rural children. NC and MUAC are the simplest techniques with good interrater reliability and could be used to screen underweight in children. / Vrije University, Amsterdam, The netherlands University of Limpopo National Research Foundation (NRF)

No description available.

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as a condition in which an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation exists to an extent in which health and well-being are impaired. The most recent South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) reported that the prevalence of overweight and obesity, according to body mass index (BMI) classification, in all South African women was significantly higher than in men (24.8% and 39.2% compared to 20.1% and 10.6% for women and men, respectively). Blood pressure is often increased in obese patients and is probably the most common co-morbidity associated with obesity. Currently approximately one third (30.4%) of the adult South African population has hypertension. Hypertension is responsible for a significant percentage of the high rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke in South Africa. Limited South African data are available regarding the agreement between the measures of adiposity, including BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat (%BF), and the association with high blood pressure. Measures of adiposity were found in previous research to be ethnicity, age and gender specific. Measuring %BF to classify adiposity takes body composition into account and is a more physiological measurement of obesity than BMI. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the agreement between adiposity classified by BMI categories and %BF cut-off points, and the association between the different measures of adiposity and high blood pressure. Method: A representative sample of black women (n=435), aged 29 years to 65 years from Ikageng in the North West Province of South Africa were included in this cross-sectional epidemiological study. Socio-demographic questionnaires were completed. Pregnancy and HIV tests were performed and those with positive test results or those who declined HIV testing were excluded. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. WC, %BF using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and blood pressure were measured. Results: The prevalence of overweight (BMI 25.0 kg/m² – 29.9 kg/m²) was 24.4% and obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m²) was 52.4%. High blood pressure was found to be present in more than two thirds of the study participants (68.5%). In this study BMI, WC and %BF as measures of adiposity were significantly correlated. There were significant agreements between combined overweight/obesity that was defined by %BF (≥35.8% 29-45 years; ≥37.7% ≥50 years) and BMI ≥ 25kg/m² (ᵡ²=199.0, p<0.0001; κ=0.68, p<0.0001), and between the presence of high %BF and obesity only, that was defined by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (ᵡ²=129.1, p<0.0001; κ=0.48, p<0.0001). The effect size of the agreement between the WHO BMI category for combined overweight/obesity and %BF cut-off points according to the kappa value of κ=0.68 was substantial (κ range 0.61-0.80). The effect size of the agreement between the WHO BMI category for obesity only and %BF cut-off points according to the kappa value of κ=0.48 was moderate (κ range 0.41-0.60). No association was found between high blood pressure and BMI categorised combined overweight/obesity (ᵡ²=3.19; p=0.74), but a significant association was found between high blood pressure and BMI categorised obesity only (ᵡ²=4.10; p=0.043). A significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of high blood pressure existed in the obesity BMI category (OR=1.52; p=0.045) as opposed to the overweight/obesity BMI category (OR=1.51; p=0.075). There were significant associations between high blood pressure and WC ≥ 80cm (ᵡ²=10.9; p=0.001; OR=2.08; p=0.001), WC ≥ 92cm (ᵡ²=20.1; p<0.0001; OR=1.79; p=0.011) and %BF above the age-specific cut-off points (ᵡ²=6.61; p=0.010; OR=1.70; p=0.011). Discussion and conclusion: This study found that in a sample of black urban South African women significant agreements existed between adiposity defined by %BF cut-off points for combined overweight/obesity and both WHO BMI categorised combined overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity only (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), respectively. A stronger agreement was found between WHO categorised combined overweight/obesity and %BF. Furthermore, this study concluded that the BMI category according to the WHO cut-off point for overweight/obesity had insufficient sensitivity to detect the presence of high blood pressure, and that the BMI category according to the WHO cut-off point for obesity alone could detect the presence of high blood pressure. The WHO BMI classification for obesity, in contrast to the WHO BMI classification for combined overweight/obesity, is therefore appropriate to classify these black South African women at increased risk for high blood pressure. The WC and %BF cut-off points used which were specific to ethnicity, age and gender, had significant associations with high blood pressure and have good capacity to detect high blood pressure. In this study abdominal obesity as defined by the South African cut-off point of WC ≥ 92 cm had a stronger association with high blood pressure, than the international cut-off point (WC ≥ 80 cm). The South African cut-off point is, therefore, more appropriate to screen black South African women for increased risk for high blood pressure. The study therefore concluded that a stronger agreement was found between WHO categorised combined overweight/obesity and %BF than with obesity only (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). To ensure consistency and accuracy, and to take body composition into consideration, it is recommended that, where possible, in clinical practice the appropriate WC and %BF cut-off points together with BMI categories should be used as measures of adiposity for diagnosis of overweight and obesity and to screen or detect an increased risk for high blood pressure. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as a condition in which an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation exists to an extent in which health and well-being are impaired. The most recent South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) reported that the prevalence of overweight and obesity, according to body mass index (BMI) classification, in all South African women was significantly higher than in men (24.8% and 39.2% compared to 20.1% and 10.6% for women and men, respectively). Blood pressure is often increased in obese patients and is probably the most common co-morbidity associated with obesity. Currently approximately one third (30.4%) of the adult South African population has hypertension. Hypertension is responsible for a significant percentage of the high rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke in South Africa. Limited South African data are available regarding the agreement between the measures of adiposity, including BMI, waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat (%BF), and the association with high blood pressure. Measures of adiposity were found in previous research to be ethnicity, age and gender specific. Measuring %BF to classify adiposity takes body composition into account and is a more physiological measurement of obesity than BMI. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the agreement between adiposity classified by BMI categories and %BF cut-off points, and the association between the different measures of adiposity and high blood pressure. Method: A representative sample of black women (n=435), aged 29 years to 65 years from Ikageng in the North West Province of South Africa were included in this cross-sectional epidemiological study. Socio-demographic questionnaires were completed. Pregnancy and HIV tests were performed and those with positive test results or those who declined HIV testing were excluded. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. WC, %BF using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and blood pressure were measured. Results: The prevalence of overweight (BMI 25.0 kg/m² – 29.9 kg/m²) was 24.4% and obesity (BMI ≥ 30kg/m²) was 52.4%. High blood pressure was found to be present in more than two thirds of the study participants (68.5%). In this study BMI, WC and %BF as measures of adiposity were significantly correlated. There were significant agreements between combined overweight/obesity that was defined by %BF (≥35.8% 29-45 years; ≥37.7% ≥50 years) and BMI ≥ 25kg/m² (ᵡ²=199.0, p<0.0001; κ=0.68, p<0.0001), and between the presence of high %BF and obesity only, that was defined by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (ᵡ²=129.1, p<0.0001; κ=0.48, p<0.0001). The effect size of the agreement between the WHO BMI category for combined overweight/obesity and %BF cut-off points according to the kappa value of κ=0.68 was substantial (κ range 0.61-0.80). The effect size of the agreement between the WHO BMI category for obesity only and %BF cut-off points according to the kappa value of κ=0.48 was moderate (κ range 0.41-0.60). No association was found between high blood pressure and BMI categorised combined overweight/obesity (ᵡ²=3.19; p=0.74), but a significant association was found between high blood pressure and BMI categorised obesity only (ᵡ²=4.10; p=0.043). A significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of high blood pressure existed in the obesity BMI category (OR=1.52; p=0.045) as opposed to the overweight/obesity BMI category (OR=1.51; p=0.075). There were significant associations between high blood pressure and WC ≥ 80cm (ᵡ²=10.9; p=0.001; OR=2.08; p=0.001), WC ≥ 92cm (ᵡ²=20.1; p<0.0001; OR=1.79; p=0.011) and %BF above the age-specific cut-off points (ᵡ²=6.61; p=0.010; OR=1.70; p=0.011). Discussion and conclusion: This study found that in a sample of black urban South African women significant agreements existed between adiposity defined by %BF cut-off points for combined overweight/obesity and both WHO BMI categorised combined overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity only (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), respectively. A stronger agreement was found between WHO categorised combined overweight/obesity and %BF. Furthermore, this study concluded that the BMI category according to the WHO cut-off point for overweight/obesity had insufficient sensitivity to detect the presence of high blood pressure, and that the BMI category according to the WHO cut-off point for obesity alone could detect the presence of high blood pressure. The WHO BMI classification for obesity, in contrast to the WHO BMI classification for combined overweight/obesity, is therefore appropriate to classify these black South African women at increased risk for high blood pressure. The WC and %BF cut-off points used which were specific to ethnicity, age and gender, had significant associations with high blood pressure and have good capacity to detect high blood pressure. In this study abdominal obesity as defined by the South African cut-off point of WC ≥ 92 cm had a stronger association with high blood pressure, than the international cut-off point (WC ≥ 80 cm). The South African cut-off point is, therefore, more appropriate to screen black South African women for increased risk for high blood pressure. The study therefore concluded that a stronger agreement was found between WHO categorised combined overweight/obesity and %BF than with obesity only (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). To ensure consistency and accuracy, and to take body composition into consideration, it is recommended that, where possible, in clinical practice the appropriate WC and %BF cut-off points together with BMI categories should be used as measures of adiposity for diagnosis of overweight and obesity and to screen or detect an increased risk for high blood pressure. / MSc (Dietetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Motivation: Abdominal obesity (hereafter referred to as "obesity") is becoming the biggest "global epidemic" of our modern times. It is associated with a range of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. Recent research showed that an increase in sympathetic activity is of central importance in the pathogenesis of obesity-related diseases. Increased leptin levels and impaired baroreflex sensitivity have both been independently associated with abdominal obesity and increased sympathetic activity. A perception of poorer health may also contribute to the physiological characteristics of obesity-related diseases. A lack of data regarding sympathetic activity, leptin levels, baroreflex sensitivity and perception of health in Africans, serves as a motivation for conducting this study. Objective: To investigate the contributions of leptin levels, baroreflex sensitivity and perception of health data to increased sympathetic activity in lean and obese African women from South Africa. Methodology: The manuscript presented in Chapter 2 made use of the data obtained in the POWIRS (Profiles of Obese Women with the Insulin Resistance Syndrome) study. A group of 102 urbanized African women, living in the North-West Province of South Africa, was recruited according to body mass indexes. Only 85 subjects were included for analysis due to incomplete datasets. For this study, subjects were divided into lean and obese groups according to their waist circumferences. Anthropometric measurements were done according to standardized methods. Resting cardiovascular measurements were obtained from Finometer observations. Resting, fasting levels of leptin were calculated after radioimmunoassay analyses. Subjective perception of health was determined by means of the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. Comparisons between the groups were done using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) whilst adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (age. smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity). Correlation coefficients were determined to indicate any associations between leptin, baroreflex sensitivity and perception of health with sympathetic activity (represented by heart rate) and other cardiovascular variables. The study was approved by the Ethics committee of the North-West University and all the subjects gave informed consent in writing. The reader is referred to the Methods section in Chapter 2 for a more detailed description of the subjects, study design and analytical procedures used in this dissertation. Results and conclusion: Results from this study indicate that obese African women, compared to lean African women, were older, reported higher physical activity, and exhibited higher diastolic and mean blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, arterial compliance, leptin and hypertension prevalence rate values. In lean African women social dysfunction was positively associated with diastolic and mean blood pressure and arterial resistance, and negatively with arterial compliance. In obese African women baroreflex sensitivity was negatively associated with diastolic blood pressure, which could be an indication of impaired baroreflex sensitivity. In this obese group a perception of social dysfunction was associated with decreased heart rate. Although leptin and heart rate were significantly higher in the obese Africans, no significant correlations existed between these variables to reflect leptin's enhancement of sympathetic activity. However, leptin correlated weakly but positively with cardiac output (p = 0.054, r = 0.32). In conclusion, baroreflex sensitivity (although similar between groups) and leptin seem to contribute to blood pressure and thus hypertension in obese African women, possibly through increased sympathetic activity and volume loading. A perception of poorer health, especially a perception of social dysfunction, could possibly contribute to this image. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Introdução: O perímetro cefálico (PC) é definido como o tamanho da cabeça da criança em sua maior área. O crescimento da caixa craniana está relacionado ao crescimento e volume cerebral e, por isso, deve ser rotineiramente medido e utilizado para seguimento individual, pois é um forte preditor do neurodesenvolvimento. Sabe-se que o PC é relacionado a condições ambientais e de saúde materna, e sua avaliação adquiriu grande importância após a recente epidemia de infecção pelo vírus Zika no Brasil e em outras partes do mundo, que se associou ao aumento da incidência de microcefalia. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação do perímetro cefálico de recém-nascidos com características sociodemográficas e hábitos maternos durante a gestação em duas coortes de nascimentos de Ribeirão Preto, SP, em 1978/79 e 2010. Método: foram analisados dados referentes a dois estudos de coortes de nascimento realizados em Ribeirão Preto, SP, um em 1978/79 e o outro em 2010. Foram incluídos recém-nascidos vivos de parto único hospitalar que tiveram a informação do PC ao nascer. Os dados foram coletados de forma semelhante nos dois momentos, utilizando questionário criado para o estudo e dados coletados nos prontuários. As variáveis utilizadas nas análises foram sexo do RN, restrição do crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), idade gestacional, idade e escolaridade maternas, tabagismo durante a gestação, situação conjugal, paridade, tipo de parto e tipo de hospital. Foram realizadas análises de regressão linear simples e múltipla para testar a associação da variável resposta \"perímetro cefálico\" com as variáveis independentes em cada ano, utilizando o pacote estatístico SAS 9.3. Resultados: Na coorte de 1978/79 participaram 2941 recém-nascidos e em 2010 participaram 7353. A média geral do PC em 1978/79 foi de 34,10 cm, um pouco menor do que a de 2010, de 34,29 cm. Nasceram mais meninos em 1978/79 e mais meninas em 2010. Excetuando a RCIU, as demais variáveis apresentaram mudanças na frequência nesse intervalo de tempo. A escolaridade materna aumentou, a proporção de mães adolescentes ficou estável, em torno de 12% e a de mães >=35 anos aumentou de 8,3% para 12,5%. Tabagismo materno na gestação se reduziu de 28,3% para 11,8% e a taxa de cesáreas mais que dobrou, de 27,5% para 58,6%. Todas as variáveis estudadas se associaram com o PC na análise não ajustada, exceto paridade em 1978/79. Nos dois momentos, as variáveis que foram mais fortes preditoras de maiores valores de PC foram sexo masculino e parto cesárea, e de menores valores de PC o tabagismo materno na gestação e RCIU. A RCIU foi o fator que mais impactou, sendo que essas crianças tiveram medida de PC reduzida em 1,30cm (IC95% -1,43; -1,18) em 1978/79 e em 1,74cm (IC95% - 1,87; -1,61) em 2010, quando comparadas com as nascidas sem restrição. Conclusão: Características maternas durante a gestação, apesar de terem melhorado com o passar dos anos, ainda precisam de atenção. Muitas mulheres ainda carecem de informações e de cuidados pré-natais. Esforços devem ser realizados para detecção precoce e intervenção visando a redução das taxas e dos efeitos da RCIU / Introduction: The head circumference (HC) is defined as the size of the child\'s head in its larger area. Cranial case growth is related to brain growth and volume and therefore should be routinely measured and used for individual follow-up as it is a strong predictor of neurodevelopment. It is known that HC is related to environmental and maternal health conditions, and its evaluation has acquired great importance after the recent epidemic of Zika virus infection in Brazil and in other parts of the world, which was associated with the increase in the incidence of microcephaly. Objective: To evaluate the association of the HC of newborns with sociodemographic characteristics and maternal habits during gestation period in two birth cohorts of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1978/79 and 2010. Method: Data were analyzed for two cohort studies of birth in Ribeirão Preto, SP, one in 1978/79 and the other in 2010. We included live births of single hospital delivery that had the information of the HC at birth. The data were collected in a similar way in both moments, using a questionnaire created for the study and data collected in the medical records. The variables used in the analysis were gender of the newborn, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), gestational age, maternal age and schooling, smoking during pregnancy, marital status, parity, type of delivery and type of hospital. Simple and multiple linear regression analyzes were performed to test the association of the response variable \"head circumference\" with the independent variables in each year, using the statistical package SAS 9.3. Results: In the 1978/79 cohort, 2941 newborns participated and 7353 participated in 2010. The general average of the HC in 1978/79 was 34.10 cm, slightly lower than that of 2010, 34.29 cm. More boys were born in 1978/79 and more girls in 2010. Except for IUGR, the other variables showed changes in the frequency in that time interval. Maternal education increased, the proportion of adolescent mothers remained stable at around 12% and that of mothers >=35 years increased from 8.3% to 12.5%. Maternal smoking in pregnancy decreased from 28.3% to 11.8% and the cesarean rate more than doubled, from 27.5% to 58.6%. All variables studied were associated with HC in the unadjusted analysis, except for parity in 1978/79. At the two moments, the variables that were the strongest predictors of higher HC values were male sex and cesarean delivery, and lower values of HC were maternal smoking in pregnancy and IUGR. The IUGR was the factor that most impacted, and these children had a HC reduced by 1.30 cm (95% CI -1.43; -1.18) in 1978/79 and 1.74 cm (CI 95% -1.87; -1.61) in 2010 when compared to those born without restriction. Conclusion: Maternal characteristics during gestation, although they have improved over the years, still need attention. Many women still lack information and prenatal care. Efforts should be made for early detection and intervention to reduce the rates and effects of IUGR.

Introdução: O perímetro cefálico (PC) é definido como o tamanho da cabeça da criança em sua maior área. O crescimento da caixa craniana está relacionado ao crescimento e volume cerebral e, por isso, deve ser rotineiramente medido e utilizado para seguimento individual, pois é um forte preditor do neurodesenvolvimento. Sabe-se que o PC é relacionado a condições ambientais e de saúde materna, e sua avaliação adquiriu grande importância após a recente epidemia de infecção pelo vírus Zika no Brasil e em outras partes do mundo, que se associou ao aumento da incidência de microcefalia. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação do perímetro cefálico de recém-nascidos com características sociodemográficas e hábitos maternos durante a gestação em duas coortes de nascimentos de Ribeirão Preto, SP, em 1978/79 e 2010. Método: foram analisados dados referentes a dois estudos de coortes de nascimento realizados em Ribeirão Preto, SP, um em 1978/79 e o outro em 2010. Foram incluídos recém-nascidos vivos de parto único hospitalar que tiveram a informação do PC ao nascer. Os dados foram coletados de forma semelhante nos dois momentos, utilizando questionário criado para o estudo e dados coletados nos prontuários. As variáveis utilizadas nas análises foram sexo do RN, restrição do crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), idade gestacional, idade e escolaridade maternas, tabagismo durante a gestação, situação conjugal, paridade, tipo de parto e tipo de hospital. Foram realizadas análises de regressão linear simples e múltipla para testar a associação da variável resposta \"perímetro cefálico\" com as variáveis independentes em cada ano, utilizando o pacote estatístico SAS 9.3. Resultados: Na coorte de 1978/79 participaram 2941 recém-nascidos e em 2010 participaram 7353. A média geral do PC em 1978/79 foi de 34,10 cm, um pouco menor do que a de 2010, de 34,29 cm. Nasceram mais meninos em 1978/79 e mais meninas em 2010. Excetuando a RCIU, as demais variáveis apresentaram mudanças na frequência nesse intervalo de tempo. A escolaridade materna aumentou, a proporção de mães adolescentes ficou estável, em torno de 12% e a de mães >=35 anos aumentou de 8,3% para 12,5%. Tabagismo materno na gestação se reduziu de 28,3% para 11,8% e a taxa de cesáreas mais que dobrou, de 27,5% para 58,6%. Todas as variáveis estudadas se associaram com o PC na análise não ajustada, exceto paridade em 1978/79. Nos dois momentos, as variáveis que foram mais fortes preditoras de maiores valores de PC foram sexo masculino e parto cesárea, e de menores valores de PC o tabagismo materno na gestação e RCIU. A RCIU foi o fator que mais impactou, sendo que essas crianças tiveram medida de PC reduzida em 1,30cm (IC95% -1,43; -1,18) em 1978/79 e em 1,74cm (IC95% - 1,87; -1,61) em 2010, quando comparadas com as nascidas sem restrição. Conclusão: Características maternas durante a gestação, apesar de terem melhorado com o passar dos anos, ainda precisam de atenção. Muitas mulheres ainda carecem de informações e de cuidados pré-natais. Esforços devem ser realizados para detecção precoce e intervenção visando a redução das taxas e dos efeitos da RCIU / Introduction: The head circumference (HC) is defined as the size of the child\'s head in its larger area. Cranial case growth is related to brain growth and volume and therefore should be routinely measured and used for individual follow-up as it is a strong predictor of neurodevelopment. It is known that HC is related to environmental and maternal health conditions, and its evaluation has acquired great importance after the recent epidemic of Zika virus infection in Brazil and in other parts of the world, which was associated with the increase in the incidence of microcephaly. Objective: To evaluate the association of the HC of newborns with sociodemographic characteristics and maternal habits during gestation period in two birth cohorts of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1978/79 and 2010. Method: Data were analyzed for two cohort studies of birth in Ribeirão Preto, SP, one in 1978/79 and the other in 2010. We included live births of single hospital delivery that had the information of the HC at birth. The data were collected in a similar way in both moments, using a questionnaire created for the study and data collected in the medical records. The variables used in the analysis were gender of the newborn, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), gestational age, maternal age and schooling, smoking during pregnancy, marital status, parity, type of delivery and type of hospital. Simple and multiple linear regression analyzes were performed to test the association of the response variable \"head circumference\" with the independent variables in each year, using the statistical package SAS 9.3. Results: In the 1978/79 cohort, 2941 newborns participated and 7353 participated in 2010. The general average of the HC in 1978/79 was 34.10 cm, slightly lower than that of 2010, 34.29 cm. More boys were born in 1978/79 and more girls in 2010. Except for IUGR, the other variables showed changes in the frequency in that time interval. Maternal education increased, the proportion of adolescent mothers remained stable at around 12% and that of mothers >=35 years increased from 8.3% to 12.5%. Maternal smoking in pregnancy decreased from 28.3% to 11.8% and the cesarean rate more than doubled, from 27.5% to 58.6%. All variables studied were associated with HC in the unadjusted analysis, except for parity in 1978/79. At the two moments, the variables that were the strongest predictors of higher HC values were male sex and cesarean delivery, and lower values of HC were maternal smoking in pregnancy and IUGR. The IUGR was the factor that most impacted, and these children had a HC reduced by 1.30 cm (95% CI -1.43; -1.18) in 1978/79 and 1.74 cm (CI 95% -1.87; -1.61) in 2010 when compared to those born without restriction. Conclusion: Maternal characteristics during gestation, although they have improved over the years, still need attention. Many women still lack information and prenatal care. Efforts should be made for early detection and intervention to reduce the rates and effects of IUGR.

Este trabalho traz uma pesquisa feita com alunos do 3º ano do Ensino Médio de uma escola da rede privada da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, na qual o objetivo foi analisar as contribuições do software GeoGebra no estudo da circunferência, transitando entre diferentes registros de representações semióticas, algébrica e geométrica, e utilizando parâmetros para chegar a raciocínios generalizados. Para a realização desta pesquisa, foi utilizado o estudo de caso como metodologia. A coleta de dados se deu por meio de observações da professora/pesquisadora, questionamentos sobre as atividades trabalhadas no GeoGebra, registros escritos feitos pelos alunos e dos arquivos com extensão .ggb. Foi criado um website com a sequência das atividades aplicadas em sala de aula e os trabalhos finais produzidos pelos alunos, nos quais o uso de parâmetros foi utilizado no GeoGebra, com o intuito de levar os alunos a compreenderem os elementos da equação da circunferência, generalizar o raciocínio e reconhecer as representações gráfica e algébrica do mesmo objeto matemático. A análise dos dados coletados aponta a importância desta ferramenta ao ter instigado reflexões nos alunos que os levaram à compreensão da circunferência e das relações existentes entre os registros geométrico e algébrico, desencadeando o processo de conversão entre estes registros, e assim, proporcionando aos alunos o conhecimento global do objeto de estudo. / This work presents a survey carried out with 3rd year high school students from a private school in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, in which the objective was to analyze the contributions of GeoGebra software in the study of circumference, passing between different registers of semiotic representations, Algebraic and geometric, and using parameters to arrive at generalized reasoning. In order to carry out this research, the case study was used as methodology. Data collection was done through teacher/researcher observations, questions about the activities worked on GeoGebra, written records made by the students and the files with extension .ggb. A website was created with the sequence of activities applied in the classroom and the final works produced by the students, in which the use of parameters was used in GeoGebra, in order to get students to understand the elements of the circumference equation, generalize the reasoning and recognize the graphical and algebraic representations of the same mathematical object. The analysis of the collected data points out the importance of this tool in having instigated reflections in the students that led them to understand the circumference and the existing relations between the geometric and algebraic registers, triggering the process of conversion between these registers, and thus, knowledge of the object of study.

Orientadores: Lucia Helena Simões da Costa Paiva, Luis Otavio Zanatta Sarian / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-09T15:59:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pinheiro_RosilenedeLima_M.pdf: 979982 bytes, checksum: d2884ebad26e9df7e5560eea68502e27 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre parâmetros corporais usados para definir obesidade central, circunferência da cintura (CC) e relação cintura quadril (RCQ), e a expressão de receptores esteróides em mulheres com carcinoma de mama na pré e pós-menopausa. Métodos: Realizado um estudo seccional com 473 mulheres com doença maligna da mama, estadiamento I a III, tratadas no Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Brasil, em 2004. Dados epidemiológicos e clínicos foram obtidos. Os parâmetros antropométricos usados para definir obesidade foram obtidos na visita de admissão, antes do procedimento cirúrgico, com técnicas recomendadas pela Organização Mundial de Saúde: peso (Kg), altura (cm), circunferência da cintura (cm), Índice de massa corporal (IMC, peso/(altura2)) e relação cintura quadril. A expressão de receptores para estrogênio (RE) e progesterona (RP) foi determinada por imunohistoquimica. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Instituição. Comparações de freqüências foram analisadas através do teste exato de Fisher. Razão de prevalência (PrevR) foi calculada para avaliar as diferenças nas prevalências de RH com as categorias para IMC, CC e RCQ. Resultados: A maior parte das mulheres apresentava sobrepeso (68,9%) e obesidade central (CC > 88cm e RCQ > 0,85 em 64,3% e 73,4%, respectivamente). A maioria (54,1%) apresentou tumores com expressão para RE e RP, sendo 78,6% expressando, pelo menos, um dos RH. Existiu uma proporção significantemente maior de tumores RE+/RP+ em mulheres na pósmenopausa (p<0,001). BMI (p=0,12), WC (p=0,07) e RCQ (p=0,55) não foram relacionados à expressão de RH em mulheres na pré-menopausa. Em mulheres na pós-menopausa, BMI (p=0,30), WC (p=0,35) e RCQ (p=1,00) também não foram relacionados à expressão de RH. Conclusão: O presente estudo reforça o conceito de que a expressão dos receptores hormonais para tumores mamários é dependente do estado menopausal. CC e RCQ podem não ser bons preditores de expressão de RH em doenças malignas da mama para mulheres na pré e pósmenopausa. Palavras-chave: câncer de mama, obesidade, receptor hormonal, circunferência da cintura / Abstract: Objective: to evaluate the relation between body parameters used to define central obesity -waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WRH)- and steroid receptor status in breast carcinomas of pre- and postmenopausal women. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 473 women with breast malignancies stage I-III, treated at the National Cancer Institute, Brazil, in 2004. Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained. The anthropometrics used to define obesity were obtained at the admission visit, before the surgical procedure, with the techniques recommended by the World Health Organization: weight (Kg), height (cm), the waist and hip circumferences (cm), body mass index (BMI, weight/(height^2)), and the waist to hip ratio. The expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (RP) receptors were determined with imunohistochemistry. The institutons¿ ethics review board has approved the study. Frequency comparisons were analyzed with Fisher¿s exact tests. Prevalence ratios (PrevR) were calculated to assess the differences in prevalence for HR within the categories for BMI, WC and WHR. Results: Most women were overweight or obese (68.9%), and had central obesity (WC>=88 and WHR>=0.85 in 64.3 and 73.4%, respectively). The majority (54.1%) of the women had tumors that expressed ER and PR, being that 78.6% of the sample expressed at least one of the HR. There was a significantly higher proportion of positive RE+/RP+ tumors in postmenopausal women (p < 0.001). BMI (p=0.12), WC (p=0.07) and WHP (p=0.55) were not related to the HR status in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, BMI (p=0.30), WC (p=0.35) and WHP (p=1.00) were also not related to the HR status. Conclusions: The present study reinforces the concept that the HR status of breast tumors is dependent upon the menopausal status. WC or WHR may not be good predictors of HR status in breast malignancies of pre- and postmenopausal women. Keywords: breast cancer, obesity, hormonal receptor, waist circumference / Mestrado / Ciencias Biomedicas / Mestre em Tocoginecologia

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2014-09-30T20:34:31Z No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao - Carlos Andre Neiva de Oliveria - 2013.pdf: 4577991 bytes, checksum: c4ce39371c5be37c41bdb274970e4d66 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-09-30T21:44:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao - Carlos Andre Neiva de Oliveria - 2013.pdf: 4577991 bytes, checksum: c4ce39371c5be37c41bdb274970e4d66 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-30T21:44:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 dissertacao - Carlos Andre Neiva de Oliveria - 2013.pdf: 4577991 bytes, checksum: c4ce39371c5be37c41bdb274970e4d66 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This work refers to the GeoGebra application use for teaching analytic geometry. In this work it was made a guidelines approach about the PCNEM, to teach and discuss the use of the technologies in analytic geometry about computers, software and mathematics. It was made a brief history about the applications testing some tools checking if they are useful to develop circumference studies to apply in high school rst grades using that GeoGebra study. / Esse trabalho refere - se ao uso do aplicativo GeoGebra para o ensino de geometria anal tica. Nele e feito uma abordagem sobre as orienta ções do PCNEM para o ensino da geometria anal tica e discussões acerca do uso de tecnologias, como, computador e software no ensino da matem atica. Fizemos um breve hist órico do aplicativo mostrando algumas ferramentas que dispõe, e que são út eis para o desenvolvimento de atividades sobre o estudo da circunferência, e no final, apresentamos algumas atividades sobre a circunferência que podem ser aplicadas na 3ª s érie do ensino m édio, utilizando o software GeoGebra.