Maria Raquel G. Silva

Dietary supplements are frequently used by athletes to enhance physical and mental health and performance, meet energy needs, manage micronutrient deficiencies, and recover from injuries. This study aimed to assess the consumption of dietary supplements by Portuguese male and female athletes engaged in team and individual sports, including the types of supplements used, the sources of information on them and the main reasons for their usage, and to reach athletes from less studied sports. High-performance-level participants (N = 567, age = 24.5 ± 5.0 years, 183 females and 384 males) completed an online survey; 67.9% reported using dietary supplements (DSs), with an average duration of 6.4 years. Male athletes were the most common users (69.1%) and consumed supplements significantly more frequently than females (p < 0.01). The most popular options were sports drinks (85%), multivitamins/minerals (70%), protein (68%), and creatine (65%). Primary motivations differed by sex: females mainly sought to increase resistance (13.4%), gain muscle mass (12.6%), and correct eating errors and prevent injuries (6.7% each), while males focused on gaining muscle mass (21.4%), increasing resistance (11.3%), and correcting eating errors (8.6%). Most athletes relied on nutritionists (21.0%) and coaches (15.4%) for guidance. These findings suggest that any nutritional deficiencies should be objectively identified and corrected with the guidance of a qualified professional through a personalized nutritional plan.

Background Walking to school contributes to children’s health and development, yet its prevalence has declined in recent decades. Identifying factors associated with walking to school is essential for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to determine a context-specific feasible walking distance for children aged 6–10 years in Porto, Portugal, and to examine factors associated with walking to school among children living within this distance. Method This cross-sectional study included 596 children. Home-to-school walking distances were calculated using OpenRouteService. Four perceived neighborhood environmental attributes were assessed. Complex samples logistic regression models accounting for clustering within schools were estimated. Results A context-specific feasible walking distance of 1400 m was identified. Among children living within this distance, those whose mothers had a medium educational attainment were more likely to walk to school than those whose mothers had a high educational attainment (OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.56–4.55). Children living in households without access to a motorized vehicle were also more likely to walk (OR = 5.48, 95% CI = 2.49–12.06). The likelihood of walking decreased with increasing home-to-school distance (OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.22–0.47 per 350-m increase). Among the neighborhood environmental attributes, only the presence of interesting to look at while walking was independently associated with walking to school (OR = 6.55, 95% CI = 3.78–11.36). Conclusion Beyond home-to-school distance and household socioeconomic circumstances, perceived attractiveness of the walking route was independently associated with walking to school. Enhancing school route attractiveness may complement existing strategies to promote walking to school.

Introduction: Sleep duration, sun exposure, and obesity are important and potentially interconnected factors in child health. In this study, we aimed to analyze the associations between sleep duration, sun exposure, and obesity indicators in Portuguese children. Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 4755 children aged 3–10 years from public and private schools across Portugal. Parents reported children's sleep duration, sun exposure, screen time, active play, and physical activity using validated questionnaires. Trained professionals measured weight and height to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) and assessed skinfold thickness to estimate body fat percentage (%BF). Multiple linear regression analyses, stratified by sex and adjusted for demographic, behavioral, and anthropometric factors, analyzed associations between sun exposure and sleep duration. Results: In partially adjusted models (Model 1), negative associations persisted among boys, and positive associations emerged in girls for average sleep duration ( β = 2.11; 95% CI: 0.25 to 3.96; p = 0.026) and weekdays ( β = 2.40; 95% CI: 0.47 to 4.33; p = 0.015). In fully adjusted models (Model 2), the negative association remained only for boys on Sundays ( β = −4.57; 95% CI: −8.22 to −0.91; p = 0.014), with no significant associations in girls. Conclusions: Sun exposure exhibits modest, sex‐specific associations with sleep duration in children. These findings emphasize the importance of considering behavioral and environmental factors when designing interventions to promote healthy sleep, support growth, and prevent childhood obesity.

This cross‐sectional study examined the association between neighborhood social fragmentation and excessive body weight in childhood. The sample included 832 children aged 3–10 years living in the municipality of Porto, Portugal. Excessive body weight was classified using International Obesity Task Force sex‐ and age‐specific cut‐offs. Neighborhood social fragmentation was assessed using a composite index derived from 2021 Portuguese Census data at the statistical section level. Associations were estimated using sex‐stratified multivariable logistic regression adjusted for relevant confounders. No association was observed between neighborhood social fragmentation and excessive body weight among boys. In contrast, girls living in the least fragmented neighborhoods had lower odds of excessive body weight compared with those in the most fragmented neighborhoods (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.32–0.94, p = 0.030). These findings suggest that neighborhood social structure may be differently associated with childhood body weight by sex and may contribute to observed gender disparities in excess body weight among children.

Transmission of water, vector, and foodborne diseases tends to increase with climate variability, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Globally, this dynamic contributes to adverse health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries such as Mozambique. Nevertheless, the influence of climate variability on disease patterns remains unclear. We assessed the potential relationship between climate variables and diseases, including diarrheal diseases, malaria, and malnutrition, in four districts around the Revuè sub-basin. An ecological, longitudinal, retrospective study conducted from 2016 to 2024 used secondary weekly disease data and annual malnutrition records. We applied a Generalized Additive Model framework to evaluate non-linear associations between climate factors and disease case counts. Our main findings showed that while higher maximum temperature was associated with increased cumulative malaria case counts, cumulative and heavy rainfall (~100 mm/week) was associated with decreased diarrheal disease case counts. Higher prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition is associated with a decrease in annual mean total precipitation (p = 0.0062). In contrast, higher prevalence of severe acute malnutrition is associated with a decrease in annual mean temperature (p = 0.0312). This study contributes to understanding climate variables associated with water, vector, and foodborne diseases, enhancing our understanding of factors contributing to overall food insecurity and affecting public health.

: Konzo, a neurodegenerative disease prevalent in Nampula Province, Mozambique, presents debilitating symptoms known locally as “mantakassa” (“that which breaks legs”). Although the biomedical literature attributes its cause to insufficiently processed cassava amid food insecurity, traditional narratives often cite supernatural explanations, like witchcraft. This review analyzed the existing literature to understand social perceptions of konzo, focusing on traditional leaders’ perspectives and their implications for public health. It found that konzo cases cluster within families owing to shared dietary habits and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, disproportionately affecting women and children. Community narratives often link the disease to spiritual causes, differing from biomedical views. Health care workers noted low diagnostic accuracy and limited knowledge of the condition. Notably, the role of traditional healers, often the first line of care in rural areas, remains underdocumented, highlighting a critical knowledge gap. Further research into their understanding of konzo is essential for developing culturally sensitive health interventions and improving public health strategies.

Background: The global nutrition crisis continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations’ health in regions where artisanal mining is high. Objective: This study assessed the nutritional status of children, adolescents, and women living in the Revuè sub-basin, who are potentially exposed to heavy metal contaminants. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional design was used to combine anthropometric and sociodemographic data with laboratory analysis for the assessment of heavy metal contaminants in drinking water sources. Results: Results indicated a high prevalence of stunting among children under five (28.4% of boys and 19.9% of girls) while female adolescents were underweight (25.7%), particularly during the rainy season. In contrast, 19% of women were overweight and 3.1% were obese. A modified Poisson regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between mercury exposure (RR = 0.77, p = 0.02) and stunting in children, whereas higher educational attainment among husbands was protective for women (RR = 0.76, p = 0.03). The assessment of mercury exposure through water consumption showed statistically significant variations across regions and seasons (p < 0.001). Water analyses identified high concentrations of arsenic (0.03 mg/L, 95% CI: 0.02–0.10) and mercury (0.09 mg/L (95% CI: 0.003–0.009), exceeding safety standards. Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight the nutritional and health risks potentially linked to artisanal mining.

Introduction: The microgravity exerts enormous changes andimpact on human physiology, specifically on astronauts, such as their food habits, physical activity and awake-sleep cycle. Prolonged exposure to microgravity environments induces a series of adaptations and physiological changes that directly affect body composition, nutrient absorption, and sleep homeostasis. While essential for survival during spacial missions, these changes present significant challenges to the health and well-being of crew members, speciallay in long term missions. Objectives: To analyze the main effects of microgravity on astronauts regarding their food habits, physical activity, and sleep, and review the contemporary strategies to address them Methodology: To conduct this narrative review, scientific articles were searched in PubMed and ScieloPortugal, using the following keywords: “astronaut”, “microgravity”,“food intake”, “nutrition”, "physical activity”, “sleep”, combined with the Boolean operators AND or OR. Fifty three scientific publications were selected and analysed. Results: Literature studies showed that during, long-duration space flights, astronauts typically consume less energy than needed and present low energy availability, which can negatively affect their health with consequences upon body composition, including muscle and bone mass losses. In addition, sleep is also disrupted leading to physical and mental fatigue. Conclusion: Improved nutritional strategies and sleep hygiene are needed to ensure maintainance of an adequate energy availability during prolonged space missions.

Introduction: Adequate physical activity and eating habits are directly linked and contribute positively to the prevention of hypokinetic diseases and aid in the treatment of diseases such as obesity, bronchial asthma, diabetes and movement disorders. Objective: Identify and analyse the behaviours demonstrated by this population according to the types of physical activity practiced and eating habits.85 individuals aged between 26 and 90 years old participated (M=54.69±16.33).Of these participants, 48 (56.5%) were male and 37 (43.5%) were female. Methods: participants were informed and explained about the study and how to complete the questionnaires with the corresponding formal request for informed consent.A questionnaire entitled “Daily Life Routines, Leisure Habits, Physical Activity and Health of Church Members” was used.The questionnaire was originally constructed using other validated questionnaires to assess life routines, eating habits, physical activity and health status.Results: Participants presented behaviours, both in terms of physical activity, in terms of the number of times they practice it and the time spent on them, and healthy eating habits, demonstrating concern about the amount of intake and type of food consumed. Discussion: According to the results obtained, watching television and using Social Networks were the most practiced weekly activities by church members participating in this study. Conclusion: Given their social context and specific life mission, church members evaluated exhibited behaviours conducive to an adequate level of physical activity, as well as demonstrating appropriate eating habits considered positive to a healthy lifestyle.