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This cross-sectional study aimed at (i) characterizing pedometer-determined physical activity and (ii) examining its associations with dietary intake and anthropometric and metabolic profile in healthy women. Anthropometric and metabolic profile was evaluated in 68 healthy women of reproductive age. Habitual physical activity was assessed using a pedometer for 6 consecutive days, including weekends. Participants were stratified into active and inactive according to the mean steps·day–1(≥6000 and <6000, respectively). Food consumption was evaluated by 24-h recall in a subsample of 35 participants. Thirty-eight women were defined as active and had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), fat percentage, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, insulin, and HOMA than the sedentary group. Mean BMI was 27 kg·m–2(overweight) in active participants and 31 kg·m–2(class I obesity) in inactive participants. Active women consumed more carbohydrates (55.5% ± 9.4% vs. 46.3% ± 7.6%) and calories (2138 ± 679 vs. 1664 ± 558 kcal), and less protein (15.4% ± 4.2% vs. 19.9% ± 5.8%) and lipids (29.0% ± 7.2% vs. 33.8% ± 6.2%) than inactive individuals (p < 0.05). Fiber, cholesterol, and fatty acid intake was similar in both groups. The number of steps was lower on Sunday than on weekdays for the overall group. Using a pedometer for 3 days was sufficient to determine habitual physical activity (sensitivity: 94%; specificity 91% vs. 6 days of pedometer use). In the present study, nonstructured physical activity was associated with more adequate dietary consumption and contributed toward a healthier anthropometric and metabolic profile in young women, despite the high prevalence of overweight.

Heartburn and/or regurgitation affected health-related quality of life of third trimester pregnant women.

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Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in post menopausal women, and inflammation is involved in the atherosclerosis process. Purpose to assess whether dietary pattern, metabolic profile, body composition and physical activity are associated with low-grade chronic inflammation according to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in postmenopausal women. Methods ninety-five postmenopausal participants, with no evidence of clinical disease, underwent anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal assessments. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire, habitual physical activity was measured with a digital pedometer, and body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Patients with hs-CRP ≥10 mg/L or using hormone therapy in the last three months before the study were excluded from the analysis. Participants were stratified according to hs-CRP lower or ≥3 mg/L. Sedentary lifestyle was defined as walking fewer than 6 thousand steps a day. Two-tailed Student's t-test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square (χ(2)) test were used to compare differences between groups. A logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio of variables for high hs-CRP. Results participants with hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L had higher body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), triglycerides, glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.01 for all variables) than women with hs-CRP <3 mg/L. Also, women with hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L had a higher glycemic load diet and lower protein intake. Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (p < 0.01) and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01) was higher in women with hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L. After adjustment for age and time since menopause, the odds ratio for hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L was higher for sedentary lifestyle (4.7, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.4-15.5) and carbohydrate intake (2.9, 95%CI 1.1-7.7). Conclusions sedentary lifestyle and high-carbohydrate intake were associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk in postmenopause.