Tiago Rodrigues de Lima

This article presents a gravity data integration and a regional geophysical overview of the geological framework in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil. For data processing, we used open-source computational tools based on Python libraries from the Fatiando a Terra Project. Data processing included determining theoretical gravity on the physical surface of the Earth, calculating the Gravity Disturbance, modeling topographic masses to obtain the complete Bouguer Disturbance, data gridding using the equivalent source method, and the application of enhancement techniques. The products obtained were compared with previous geological studies, revealing a robust correlation between our results and the main geological characteristics from literature. Some relatively high values of the Bouguer Disturbance indicate important structural features, such as the Paranapanema Block and the Ponta Grossa Arch. Additionally, enhancement techniques highlighted relevant geological structures, in both the Paraná Basin and the Proterozoic orogenic basement. Using the gravity method and open-source tools, this work aims to serve as a reference for future geophysical and geological investigations in the State of Paraná. The gravity maps of the Paraná are a valuable unified database for the scientific community and for future geophysical investigations. These data will be made available in an open repository, facilitating access and encouraging use in subsequent research and practical applications.

Background: Excess body fat during growth has been associated with impaired bone development; however, evidence on the influence of total and regional body fat on bone mineral content (BMC) in physically active youth remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the association between total and regional body fat and BMC in children and adolescent athletes. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 109 children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years participating in different sports (indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, swimming, track and field, and basketball). Bone mineral content assessed by DXA and normalized by height (BMC/Height) for the total body less head (TBLH), lumbar spine (L1–L4), and femoral neck was considered the dependent variable. Total and regional (android and gynoid) body fat percentages obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were treated as independent variables. Associations were examined using multivariable linear regression adjusted for biological and training-related covariates. Results: Total body fat (β = −0.014; p < 0.05), android fat (β = −0.011; p < 0.05), and gynoid fat (β = −0.014; p < 0.05) were significantly and inversely associated with lumbar spine BMC/Height. No associations were observed between total, android, or gynoid fat percentage and TBLH or femoral neck BMC/Height (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The inverse and site-specific association of total, android, and gynoid fat with lumbar spine BMC/Height highlights the greater susceptibility of this skeletal site to adiposity-related detriments, underscoring the importance of site-specific monitoring of bone mineral content, even among physically active youth.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding possible differences in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) across racial and ethnic groups of children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases, supplemented by complementary searches of reference lists. Studies should have used dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry to assess bone mass in children and adolescents (aged ≤ 19 years) with no special clinical conditions. Results: Of the 1791 articles initially identified, 26 were included. Whites had lower aBMD/BMC than Blacks in 60.2% (47/78) of the analyzed results. In racial/ethnic groups that did not include Blacks, aBMD/BMC values were lower when compared to Blacks or ethnic groups that included Blacks in 80.0% (8/10) of possible results. Most findings indicated a paucity of evidence regarding differences in aBMD/BMC between Whites and Asians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Mexican‐Americans (percentage of results ≤ 50.0%). Conclusions: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that White children and adolescents have lower bone mass values compared to their Black peers. Racial and ethnic groups that do not include Black individuals also exhibit lower bone mass values compared to Black children and adolescents. Additionally, there appears to be no difference in bone mass between White children and adolescents and their Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and Mexican‐American counterparts.

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to examine how obesity and its distribution influence the relationship between healthy lifestyle habits and cardiometabolic health indicators in adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 340 adolescents (54.8% female; mean age, 16.6 ± 1.0 years) from Brazil. The cardiometabolic variables included systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and markers of lipid and glucose metabolism. Information on regular physical activity, healthy diet, reduced alcohol consumption, and non-smoking was collected via a self-reported questionnaire. Body mass index, waist circumference, and skinfold measurements were assessed to determine general obesity, abdominal obesity, and excess body fat, respectively. Multiple linear regression, adjusted for confounding factors, was employed for the analysis. Results: The adoption of ≥3 healthy lifestyle habits was directly associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (up to 1.2 mg/dL) and inversely associated with triglycerides (up to −0.11 p.p.). Engaging in multiple healthy lifestyle habits was inversely associated with SBP among adolescents with general (p = 0.018) and central obesity (p = 0.004). Furthermore, the adoption of multiple healthy lifestyle habits was inversely associated with CRP in adolescents with central obesity (p = 0.037). Conclusions: Even in adolescents with obesity, it is speculated that the adoption of healthy habits may contribute to a reduction in cardiometabolic risk, given the inverse association with SBP in those with general and central obesity and the inverse association with CRP in adolescents with central obesity.

This paper presents the approach proposed by UFPR for calculating a quasi-geoid model within the Colorado Experiment (CE) based on the scalar-free solution of the Geodetic Boundary Value Problem (GBVP), using Molodensky series and numerical solutions of Stokes integrals. The study area covers part of the state of Colorado, USA, where fourteen different research groups sought to model the Earth’s gravity field with centimeter precision. The model was calculated from residual Molodensky gravity anomaly values, calculated using available ground and airborne data, using the Remove-Compute-Restore (RCR) technique. Tests were conducted to identify the optimal Wong and Gore (WG) modification degree and cap size to best fit the model to the GSVS17 reference data. Analysis of the results revealed that the model had a standard deviation of 2.7 cm, an RMSE of 86.4 cm, and lower variability compared to solutions from the other 12 institutions. It was also found that the solution is significantly influenced by changes in the Wong and Gore modification degree. The study concludes that the solution proposed here is an effective alternative for calculating quasi-geoid models and for point-based geopotential modeling within the scope of International Height Reference Frame (IHRF) implementation, even in areas with complex topography.

This study aims to compute two gravimetric quasi-geoid models for the Paraná state, Brazil, called PR_QG_A and PR_QG_B. The first referenced to the International Height Reference System and the second to the Brazilian Vertical Local Datum in Imbituba. A dataset of 67,618 terrestrial and oceanic gravimetric data has been used. The Remove-Compute-Restore technique was employed in conjunction with the scalar-free solution of the Geodesy Boundary Value Problem, taking into account the zero and first-order terms of Molodenskii’s series. Before computing the models, an optimal configuration in terms of transition degree/order, modification degree of Stokes’ kernel, and cap size was identified. Iterative multiple pointwise solutions were calculated for GNSS/leveling co-location stations. After validating the quasi-geoid models against GNSS/leveling data, both presented a standard deviation of 0.199 m in terms of height anomaly. For additional validation purposes, the results were compared with those obtained from the SAM_QGEOID2023 model. The differences in terms of standard deviation were approximately 2 mm. However, the values can differ by up to 0.707 meters in certain regions. The computed models will be able to provide normal height values more practically and economically, representing an alternative to leveling, within the indicated accuracy limit.

The objective of the present study was to summarize the prevalences, secular trends, and associated factors of overweight and obesity among Brazilian children and adolescents in order to update the 2018 and 2019 data published in the 2020 Report Card. A systematic search was conducted in nine databases, restricted to studies published between January 2020 and December 2024. After the analysis of 82 studies, the overall prevalences were 18.4% for overweight, 10.7% for obesity, and 29.7% for excess weight. When considering the overall data stratified by sex, boys presented slightly higher prevalences than girls for overweight (18.3% vs. 18.1%), obesity (11.2% vs. 9.7%), and excess weight (31.9% vs. 29.9%). When stratified by children and adolescents, prevalences of 18.3% and 18.5% were observed for overweight, 16.5% and 8.5% for obesity, and 35.3% and 28.5% for excess weight, respectively. Secular trend studies indicate stabilization in the prevalences of overweight, obesity, and excess weight among boys, whereas among girls these prevalences continue to increase. Based on these findings, preventive measures aimed at reducing the prevalences of overweight and obesity should be developed and strengthened, as well as treatment programs focused on the management of childhood obesity, which should be considered a top priority within the public health system.

The present study aimed to identify and summarize evidence regarding muscle strength in Brazilian children and adolescents (aged ≤19 years), in order to update the 2018 and 2019 data previously published by the Brazilian Report Card Project. A systematic search was conducted across seven databases, with a focus on studies published between January 2020 and December 2024. Thirty-six studies, originating from the five major regions of Brazil, were included. Handgrip strength was the most frequently adopted test across the included studies (29 out of 58 measurements – 50%). The prevalence of children and adolescents with adequate levels of muscle strength was 44.1% (40.1% for males and 47.8% for females). Compared to the results of the previous review (2018–2019), an increase was observed in the prevalence of youth with adequate muscle strength levels (from 29.8% to 44.1%). However, upon analyzing the totality of the Brazilian Report Card Project data (which includes 17,379 participants since 2010), the combined prevalence of adequate muscle strength was 56.1% (58.8% for boys; 53.0% for girls), suggesting a declining trend over the years. Despite the punctual increase in the 2020–2024 period, the majority of young Brazilians still do not reach adequate levels of muscle strength, which reinforces the need for public health strategies to promote muscle-strengthening activities.