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Publication

Muscular Strength of Upper and Lower Limbs and Self-Esteem in Chilean SchoolChildren: Independent Associations with Body Composition Indicators

2021 , Cristian Cofre Bolados , Gerson Ferrari , Mónica Suárez-Reyes , QUINTILIANO SCARPELLI DOURADO , DAIANA APARECIDA , Helen Diaz-Peña , Tito Pizarro

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between muscular strength from upper and lower limbs with self-esteem among Chilean schoolchildren, drawing independent associations with body composition indicators. The sample consisted of 1078 schoolchildren. The muscular strength of the upper and lower limbs was evaluated using a digital dynamometer and long jump performance. The general strength index was calculated based on Z-score values. Rosenberg’s test was used to determine the level of self-esteem of participants. Body fat and body mass index were employed as body composition indicators. Boys had significantly more upper and lower strength, and a general strength index higher than girls (11.7 vs. 10.6; 109.7 vs. 97.4; 0.19 vs. −0.24, respectively). For boys and girls combined, there were no significant associations between all muscular strength variables and self-esteem. In boys, upper and lower limb strength was positively associated with self-esteem. In girls, no association between muscular strength and self-esteem was found. In both sexes, the general strength index was not associated with self-esteem. Strategies and programs that promote mental health and muscular strength among schoolchildren, specifically in boys, are needed.

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Effects of school closure on lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes in children during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Chile: A time‐matched analysis

2024 , Mónica Suárez‐Reyes , Rodrigo Fernández‐Verdejo , QUINTILIANO SCARPELLI DOURADO , DAIANA APARECIDA , Anna Cristina Pinheiro , Tito Pizarro

SummaryBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic led to school closures, potentially impairing children's behaviours and health. We aimed to explore the effects of school closure on lifestyle behaviours (dietary habits, physical activity) and health outcomes (adiposity, fitness, self‐esteem, self‐concept) in children.MethodsWe measured 247 children before school closure (October–November 2019) and after school reopening (October–November 2021) (COVID‐19 group). To distinguish the changes due to school closure from changes due to growth, we included 655 age‐matched children with cross‐sectional measurements in October–November 2019 (control group). The response of this group (i.e., differences between children with 2 years of difference) was considered the expected response to growth. Two‐way ANOVA was used to test age‐by‐group interactions, indicating an effect of school closure.ResultsIn 7‐to‐9‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had larger‐than‐expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.4 points), resulting in higher physical inactivity prevalence (by 19 percent points) at 9 years. This was accompanied by larger‐than‐expected increases in fat percentage (by 6.1 percent point). In 8‐to‐10‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had higher physical inactivity prevalence at 10 years (by 20 percent points). This was accompanied by larger‐than‐expected increases in fat percentage (by 8.3 percent points), z‐score BMI (by 0.90 units), and waist circumference (by 6.1 cm). In 9‐to‐11‐year‐old children, the COVID‐19 group had larger‐than‐expected decreases in physical activity (by 0.3 points) and increases in self‐concept (by 0.2 points). The response in dietary habits, fitness, or self‐esteem was not different between groups.ConclusionOverall, school closure negatively impacted physical activity and adiposity, particularly in the youngest children.

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Food insecurity and its determinants in a vulnerable area of Santiago, Chile

2022 , ANNA CHRISTINA, PINHEIRO FERNANDES , Daiana Quintiliano-Scarpelli , Jacqueline Araneda-Flores , Rogerio Antonio de Oliveira , Tito Pizarro , Mónica Suarez-Reyes , Maria Rita Marques de Oliveira

This study aims to identify the determinants associated to food insecurity in a group of households composed of schoolchildren and their mothers/caregivers, who lived in a low-to-medium community development index area of the city of Santiago, Chile with a high presence of migrant population. The non-probabilistic and convenience sample was made up of 646 people, who answered a series of surveys with the aim of characterizing this group in sociodemographic terms (sex, age, number of inhabitants in the household, place of food purchase, conditional or non-conditional state transfer program beneficiary status, persons in charge of purchasing food for the household, mothers/caregivers education level and basic knowledge of food and nutrition). To assess moderate-to-severe food insecurity and severe food insecurity, the Food Insecurity Experience Scale-FIES was applied between September and October 2021. Logistic regression analysis were used to carry out multivariate analyses, with the use of stepwise back-and-forward strategies for the selected variables and defining p < 0.05. These models were adjusted per number of inhabitants in the household. The results indicate that 25.4% of households presented moderate-to-severe food insecurity, and 6.4% severe food insecurity experience. The variables that presented significant odds of risk to food insecurity were being a migrant, low maternal education level, low performance on basic knowledge in nutrition and when the father was responsible for food purchases. Several public policies have been implemented in Chile during the most recent decades aimed at increasing access to healthier foods and the implementation of healthier food environments. Despite this, there are still social and economic health determinants that contribute to the risk of odds insecurity for the most vulnerable groups in the country, thus putting at risk the fulfillment of the human right to adequate food at risk.