BACKGROUND: Being active has been shown to have beneficial effects for the health of individuals with chronic diseases. However, data on the association between multimorbidity and physical activity are limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between chronic diseases, multimorbidity and insufficient physical activity among older adults in southern Brazil, according to sex. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional population-based and household-based study derived from the second wave (2013-2014) of the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study. METHODS: Insufficiency of physical activity (outcome) was ascertained using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (≤ 150 minutes/week). Eleven self-reported chronic diseases were identified. Multimorbidity was defined from the number of chronic diseases (none; 2 or 3; or 4 or more). The adjustment variables were age, schooling, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol consumption and cognition. Additionally, each chronic disease was adjusted for the others. Associations were tested using logistic regression (crude and adjusted). RESULTS: Among the 1197 participants (≥ 63 years), women (54.0%) were more likely than men (39.6%) to be insufficiently active. In the adjusted analysis, women and men with depressive symptoms, and men with diabetes, were more likely to be insufficiently active than those without symptoms. Multimorbid women were more likely to be insufficiently active, and the magnitude of the effect was strongest for 4 or more diseases. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the associations were sex-specific. Depressive symptoms and multimorbidity were associated with insufficient physical activity among women, while diabetes was associated with insufficient physical activity among men.

Objective This cross-sectional population-based study aimed to determine the cutoff points of anthropometric indicators to screen for sarcopenia and the association between sarcopenia and these indicators. Methods The sample consisted of 601 older adults. Sarcopenia was detected by appendicular skeletal muscle index. The receiver operating characteristic curve identified the cutoff points for body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference, and handgrip strength to screen for sarcopenia. Based on the cut-off points, principal component analysis determined which indicators had a better fit as discriminants to compose an indicator. Finally, logistic regression analysis was performed with this indicator as the main independent variable. Results The results showed that all anthropometric indicators and handgrip strength were capable of discriminating sarcopenia; however, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio were the best discriminants in principal components analysis, composing the new indicator. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that sarcopenia was associated with the indicator in both sexes. Conclusion The concomitant presence of low body mass index, low waist circumference, and low waist-to-height ratio may help to discriminate sarcopenia.

Resumo Os exergames, videogames ativos, necessitam do movimento corporal e vêm sendo utilizados como alternativa para aumentar o nível de atividade física de pessoas de diferentes faixas etárias. Este estudo qualitativo investigou a percepção de adultos mais velhos quanto à prática de exergames. O grupo focal (GF) foi conduzido após 12 semanas da realização de um programa de exercícios físicos com exergames (50 min., 3dias/semana), utilizando jogos eletrônicos que simulam atividades esportivas (Xbox 360 Kinect Sportstm). Participaram do GF 14 pessoas (55 a 77 anos). Um moderador treinado conduziu o GF, sendo as sessões gravadas em audio e transcritas, posteriormente, para análise. A técnica de análise de conteúdo foi realizada utilizando o software ATLAS.ti®. Os participantes relataram benefícios psicológicos (autoestima, concentração, humor, raciocínio, memória e bem estar), físicos (agilidade e condições físicas) e de interação social (troca de experiências, amizade e competitividade). Quanto às experiências vivenciadas pelo grupo, a inovação, a ludicidade e o estímulo visual foram citados como características dos jogos. A percepção de benefícios com a prática de exergames facilita a adesão ao exercício e aumenta a motivação dos participantes.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é investigar a associação entre demência e indicadores antropométricos em idosos de Florianópolis. Estudo transversal, de base populacional, realizado com 1.197 idosos (≥ 60 anos) em 2013/2014. A demência foi considerada como a presença conjunta de escore baixo no Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e a incapacidade funcional moderada/grave nas atividades de vida diária (AVD). As variáveis independentes avaliadas foram: índice de massa corporal (IMC), perímetro da cintura (PC), índice de conicidade e relação cintura/estatura (RCEst). A regressão logística (bruta e ajustada) foi utilizada para identificar os fatores associados. A prevalência estimada de demência foi de 15,1%. Após ajustes para características sociodemográficas, estilo de vida e sintomas depressivos, a demência foi positivamente associada aos tercis superiores do IMC (OR: 2,32; IC95%: 1,26-4,25), PC (OR: 2,22; IC95%: 1,20-4,11) e RCEst. (OR: 2,30; IC95%: 1,19-4,43). De acordo com os resultados, tanto a obesidade quanto a gordura abdominal foram associados ao desfecho, sugerindo que o IMC, o PC e a RCEst. devam ser considerados na investigação dessa relação.

Objective: To verify the variation of the premature mortality rate caused the group of the main chronic noncommunicable diseases. Method: This is a time-series ecological study, which used secondary data of the Mortality Information System, from 2006 to 2014, from the 26 federal units and from the Federal District. Deaths caused by circulatory system diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases were included. The trend of adjusted mortality rate was analyzed by segmented linear regression. Results: Premature mortality tended to be reduced in most states, except for Maranhão and Rio Grande do Norte, which presented a stable premature mortality rate. Bahia, Pernambuco, Sergipe, Roraima and all the states from the South, Southeast and Central-West Regions reached the goal of reducing 2% per year in premature mortality caused by main diseases. Conclusion: Most of the states showed a reduced mortality rate and are reaching the proposed target.