Background: Hand grip strength (HGS) may represent an epidemiologically relevant alternative as an initial screening tool for sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. However, no study evaluated the performance capacity of HGS compared to other biomarkers in discriminating these conditions in adults. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the performance of HGS as discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, compared to urinary biomarkers of creatinine and potassium in 24 h for Brazilian adults. Methods: Cross‐sectional study. Women ( n = 5431) and men ( n = 6351) aged 38–79 years who participated in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA‐Brasil) at second follow‐up of the cohort (2012–2014). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated for men and women in different age groups to assess the performance of HGS as a discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, compared to the biomarkers of potassium and creatinine in urine in 24 h. The outcomes were classified based on the skeletal muscle mass index (BMI/height ² ) and fat percentage, estimated from the bioimpedance analysis data. Sensitivity, specificity and Brier score were calculated for each estimated HGS cut‐off point. Results: It can be observed that 18.20% (15.51% women; 21.34% men) of the population showed a decline in skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia). Of this total, 11.61% (10.52% women; 12.89% men) presented the isolated outcome of sarcopenia and 6.59% (4.99% women; 8.45% men) of sarcopenic obesity. The HGS areas under the ROC Curve ranged from 0.54 (CI = 0.493–0.596) to 0.76 (CI = 0.650–0.878) according to sex and age group. HGS performance compared to biomarkers was significantly higher in virtually all strata and outcomes analysed. The cut‐off points that demonstrated greater accuracy and better performance in outcome discrimination were ≤ 42, ≤ 41, ≤ 38 and ≤ 36 kgf among males aged 38–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years and 65–79 years, respectively. For women in the same age groups, HGS cut‐offs were ≤ 26, ≤ 23, ≤ 23 and ≤ 21 kgf, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that HGS is a good discriminator of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, capable of achieving superior or equal performance to muscle mass biomarkers, especially in middle‐aged adults.

The EISI study protocol aims to address the low participation rate in physical exercise programs among older individuals, emphasizing its significance as a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for overall health and increased physical activity. The objectives include implementing physical activity (PA) and educational health programs in Jequié, Bahia, Brazil, targeting the Family Health Strategy population to enhance local physical activity levels among older individuals. The study also seeks to evaluate the program's feasibility, safety, and sustainability for large-scale implementation, along with assessing its impact on immune and inflammatory response biomarkers to the SARS-CoV virus, as well as physical-functional and brain health. Participants, aged 60 or above, will be divided into two groups: multicomponent exercise (MCE) and behavioral change interventions (BCI). The study employs a mixed-method approach, utilizing a non-randomized controlled short-term pathway model for a 4-8 weeks of pilot study and 16-week intervention impact assessment. Data collection encompasses various aspects such as sociodemographic information, mental health, physical fitness, fall risk, functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, hemodynamic assessment, habitual physical activity, and health-related quality of life. Blood and saliva samples are collected for cytokine and antibody biomarker analysis related to SARS-CoV immunity. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations for both groups will be conducted, with the hypothesis that MCE will yield more favorable responses compared to BCI. The study's holistic approach, including the assessment of feasibility, safety, and sustainability, aims to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and SDG 9 b y promoting accessible and sustainable healthcare initiatives for older individuals. This research aligns with global efforts to enhance health and well-being, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise in the aging population.

Introdução: A avaliação da capacidade funcional e da autopercepção de saúde podem ser consideradas importantes marcadores de condição de saúde do idoso no contexto de envelhecimento populacional da população brasileira. Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência de incapacidade funcional e a sua associação com a autopercepção de saúde e demais características em idosos residentes na zona rural. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, do tipo inquérito domiciliar, realizado com 95 idosos residentes na zona rural de um município da Região Nordeste do Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário padronizado, respondido pelo participante em seu próprio domicílio. Foram utilizados procedimentos da estatística descritiva e realizada análise bivariada usando o Teste Qui-Quadrado de Pearson e sendo calculada a Razão de Prevalência como medida de associação. Foi adotado para análise e interpretação dos dados nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). Resultados: A maioria dos sujeitos investigados era do sexo feminino (57,9%), com idade entre 60 e 79 anos (75,8%), 47,4% eram hipertensos e 8,4% cardiopatas. A autopercepção de saúde negativa foi relatada por 57,9% dos idosos e a prevalência de incapacidade funcional foi 13,7%. Foi evidenciada associações estatisticamente significantes entre incapacidade funcional e hipertensão (RP=3,63; IC95%: 1,07-12,36) e cardiopatia (RP=4,78. IC95%:1,89-12,10), não sendo observada significância estatística entre incapacidade e autopercepção de saúde (RP=0,86; IC95%:0,31-2,37). Conclusão: Tais resultados apontam para importância da manutenção da independência funcional dos idosos, sendo os achados potencialmente úteis e válidos para o planejamento e elaboração de políticas de atenção à saúde dos idosos.

Negative health behaviors incorporated into lifestyle are considered the main risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in adults and the elderly. However, the relationship between the aggregation of these factors and the sociodemographic conditions of the elderly needs to be better elucidated. The aim of this study was to analyze the simultaneity of the five risk factors for NCDs in the elderly with low economic status living in a rural city in Brazil, and their association with sociodemographic variables. Cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly people from Family Health Units of the city of Ibicui-Bahia, Brazil, where 310 elderly were enrolled. Rates of physical inactivity in leisure (PIL), alcohol consumption, sedentary behavior, overweight/obesity and tobacco consumption were collected through a questionnaire in an individual interview. The average age among participants was 71.62 (± 8.16) years. The group presenting the five behaviors had high scores in both sexes (men O/E = 242.5; women O/E = 161.7). Among men and women, the highest scores found through clustering of simultaneous NCD risk factors were for the consumption of alcohol with smoking, and physical inactivity with smoking. When analyzing the association between groups and sociodemographic characteristics, men were more physically inactive than women (OR = 0.96, CI = 0.92-0.98) and concomitantly had unhealthy habits (smoking). In conclusion, the elderly are exposed to health risk factors for concurrent CNCDs and the accumulation of these risk factors was not associated with sociodemographic variables, it is suggested that further studies be carried out with the prevalent variables as well as to analyze why the elderly population presents these levels.

Background: Diabesity is a condition characterized by the coexistence of type 02 diabetes and obesity. The causes are multifactorial, resulting from a complex interaction of genetic and behavioral factors. Among the behavioral factors, there are physical inactivity, inadequate eating habits and excessive consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Objective: To investigate the clustering of physical inactivity and other risk factors and the association between risk factor combinations and the presence of diabesity in quilombola adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving a sample of 332 middle-aged and older adults (≥ 50 years) selected among participants in the "Epidemiological Profile of Quilombolas in Bahia" study. Data were collected by interview and anthropometric assessment. Descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, and multinomial logistic regression procedures were used for data analysis. Results: The highest prevalence of clustering was identified for the combinations of regular alcohol consumption in the absence of the other factors (O/E=14.2; 95%CI 0.87-1.15), followed by regular alcohol and tobacco consumption (O/E=10.3; 95%CI 0.64-0.95) and regular consumption of alcohol, tobacco and foods high in sugar and fat (O/E=6.8; 95%CI= 1.31-1.75). Unadjusted analysis revealed an association between physical inactivity in the absence of the other factors (OR=0.82; 95%CI 0.78-0.86) and diabesity. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption was the most prevalent factor among the largest combinations evaluated. Furthermore, the presence of physical inactivity without the other behaviors analyzed and the absence of all behaviors were associated with diabesity only in unadjusted analysis.

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent worldwide. Leisure time physical inactivity (LTPI) is a key modifiable behavior increasingly recognized for its contribution to CMD risk, alongside tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and nonparticipation in social activities (NPSA). Despite this, most studies examine these lifestyle factors individually rather than investigating their concurrent clustering and combined impact on mental health. To examine the association between clusters of unhealthy lifestyle habits centered on LTPI and CMDs among primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) in the state of Bahia, Brazil. A cross-sectional analysis of 3,343 PHCWs was conducted. CMDs were screened with the Self-Report Questionnaire-20. Unhealthy behaviors (LTPI, tobacco use, alcohol use, and NPSA) were analyzed individually and as clusters (observed/expected ratios). Associations with CMDs were estimated via logistic regression. Participants were predominantly female (78.9%); 57.1% were ≤40 years. Prevalences were as follows: LTPI: 56.6%, tobacco: 6.2%, alcohol: 37.3%, NPSA: 61.3%; and CMDs: 22.6%. LTPI [odds ratio (OR) = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23–1.99], and NPSA (OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.27–2.03) were independently associated with CMDs. The LTPI + NPSA cluster showed higher odds of CMDs (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.29–2.31). Clustering patterns also revealed combinations involving LTPI and tobacco use. CMDs among PHCWs are linked not only to single behaviors but to clusters centered on LTPI, particularly when combined with social isolation. Mental health strategies in primary care settings should prioritize increasing leisure time physical activity and social engagement alongside broader lifestyle risk reduction.