Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and associated factors in middle-aged breast cancer survivors (BCS). Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 70 BCS of 45-65 years of age undergoing complete oncology treatment. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with low BMD (osteopenia and osteoporosis taken together as a single group). Results: The mean age of participants was 53.2 +/- 5.9 years. BMD was low at the femoral neck in 28.6% of patients and at the lumbar spine in 45.7%. Body mass index <= 30 kg/m(2) (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-11.3) and postmenopausal status (OR adjusted 20.42; 95% CI 2.0-201.2) were associated with low BMD at the lumbar spine. Femoral neck measurements, age > 50 years (OR 3.41; 95% CI 1.0-11.6), and time since diagnosis > 50 months (OR adjusted 3.34; 95% CI 1.0-11.3) increased the likelihood of low BMD. Conclusion: These findings show that low BMD is common in middle-aged BCS. Factors were identified that may affect BMD in BCS and should be considered when implementing strategies to minimize bone loss in middle-aged women with breast cancer.

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o nível de conhecimento sobre HIV/aids nos indivíduos de meia idade, participantes de grupos de convivência do Vale do Sinos (RS). O estudo caracterizou- se como transversal, obtendo-se uma amostra de 168 indivíduos, sendo 9,5% homens e 90,5% mulheres, na faixa etária entre 40 e 59 anos. Utilizou- se como instrumento um questionário composto pelos domínios “conceito”, “transmissão”, “vulnerabilidade”, “prevenção” e “tratamento”. O ensino fundamental caracterizou 61,3% da escolaridade dos participantes e a renda mensal situouse entre um e três salários mínimos para 45,2%. No domínio “conceito”, 65,2% desconheciam a fase assintomática da infecção e 34,5% apontaram o mosquito como transmissor da aids, no domínio “transmissão”. Nos domínios “prevenção” e “vulnerabilidade”, 19,5% desconheciam a existência do preservativo feminino e 29,2% acreditaram que a doença é característica de grupos específicos. Quanto ao “tratamento”, 12,5% ignoraram a sua existência. De acordo com os achados, os indivíduos da meia idade participantes de grupos de convivência do Vale do Sinos tinham conceitos errôneos sobre HIV/aids que poderiam aumentar o risco à infecção. Sendo assim...

Objective This study investigated how consumption of orange juice associated with aerobic training affected serum lipids and physical characteristics of overweight middle-aged womenMethods The experimental group consisted of 13 women who consumed 500 mL/d of orange juice and did 1 h aerobic training 3 times a week for 3 months The control group consisted of another 13 women who did the same aerobic training program but did not consume orange juiceResults At the end of the experiment the control group lost an average of 15% of fat mass (P < 0 05) and 25% of weight (P < 0 05) whereas the experimental group lost 11% of fat mass and 1 2% of weight (P < 0 05) Consumption of orange juice by the experimental group was associated with Increased dietary intake of vitamin C and folate by 126% and 61% respectively Serum LDL-C decreased 15% (P < 0 05) and HDL-C increased 18% (P < 0 05) in the experimental group but no significant change was observed in the control group Both groups improved the anaerobic threshold by 20% (P < 0 05) but blood lactate concentration decreased 27% in the experimental group compared to the 17% control group suggesting that experimental group has less muscle fatigue and better response to trainingConclusions The consumption of 500 mL/d of orange juice associated with aerobic training in overweight women decreased cardiovascular disease risk by reducing LDL-C levels and increasing HDL-C levels This association also decreased blood lactate concentration and increased anaerobic threshold showing some improvement in the physical performance (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and associated factors in middle-aged breast cancer survivors (BCS). Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 70 BCS of 45-65 years of age undergoing complete oncology treatment. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with low BMD (osteopenia and osteoporosis taken together as a single group). Results: The mean age of participants was 53.2 +/- 5.9 years. BMD was low at the femoral neck in 28.6% of patients and at the lumbar spine in 45.7%. Body mass index <= 30 kg/m(2) (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-11.3) and postmenopausal status (OR adjusted 20.42; 95% CI 2.0-201.2) were associated with low BMD at the lumbar spine. Femoral neck measurements, age > 50 years (OR 3.41; 95% CI 1.0-11.6), and time since diagnosis > 50 months (OR adjusted 3.34; 95% CI 1.0-11.3) increased the likelihood of low BMD. Conclusion: These findings show that low BMD is common in middle-aged BCS. Factors were identified that may affect BMD in BCS and should be considered when implementing strategies to minimize bone loss in middle-aged women with breast cancer.

We investigated the effects of aerobic training on the efferent autonomic control of heart rate (HR) during dynamic exercise in middle-aged men, eight of whom underwent exercise training (T) while the other seven continued their sedentary (S) life style. The training was conducted over 10 months (three 1-h sessions/week on a field track at 70-85% of the peak HR). The contribution of sympathetic and parasympathetic exercise tachycardia was determined in terms of differences in the time constant effects on the HR response obtained using a discontinuous protocol (4-min tests at 25, 50, 100 and 125 watts on a cycle ergometer), and a continuous protocol (25 watts/min until exhaustion) allowed the quantification of the parameters (anaerobic threshold, VO2 AT; peak O2 uptake, VO2 peak; power peak) that reflect oxygen transport. The results obtained for the S and the T groups were: 1) a smaller resting HR in T (66 beats/min) when compared to S (84 beats/min); 2) during exercise, a small increase in the fast tachycardia (D0-10 s) related to vagal withdrawal (P<0.05, only at 25 watts) was observed in T at all powers; at middle and higher powers a significant decrease (P<0.05 at 50, 100 and 125 watts) in the slow tachycardia (D1-4 min) related to a sympathetic-dependent mechanism was observed in T; 3) the VO2 AT (S = 1.06 and T = 1.33 l/min) and VO2 peak (S = 1.97 and T = 2.47 l/min) were higher in T (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that aerobic training can induce significant physiological adaptations in middle-aged men...

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of an intermittent intense aerobic exercise session and a resistance exercise session on blood cell counts and oxidative stress parameters in middle-aged women. Thirty-four women were selected and divided into three groups: RE group (performing 60 min of resistance exercises, N = 12), spinning group (performing 60 min of spinning, N = 12), and control group (not exercising regularly, N = 10). In both exercise groups, lymphocytes and monocytes decreased after 1-h recuperation (post-exercise) compared to immediately after exercise (P < 0.05). Immediately after exercise, in both exercised groups, a significant increase in TBARS (from 16.5 ± 2 to 25 ± 2 for the spinning group and from 18.6 ± 1 to 28.2 ± 3 nmol MDA/mL serum for the RE group) and protein carbonyl (from 1.0 ± 0.3 to 1.6 ± 0.2 for the spinning group and from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.5 ± 0.2 nmol/mg protein for the RE group) was observed (P < 0.05). A decrease in antioxidant activities (non-protein sulfhydryl, superoxide dismutase, catalase) was also demonstrated with a negative correlation between damage markers and antioxidant body defenses (P < 0.05). These results indicate that an acute bout of intermittent or anaerobic exercise induces immune suppression and increases the production of reactive oxygen species...

Objective To investigate the relationship between physical activity level and sexual function in middle-aged women. Methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 370 middle-aged women (40-65 years old), treated at public health care facilities in a Brazilian city. A questionnaire was used containing enquiries on sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral characteristics: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short form, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results The average age of the women studied was 49.8 years (± 8.1), 67% of whom exhibited sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.55). Sedentary women had a higher prevalence (78.9%) of sexual dysfunction when compared to active (57.6%) and moderately active (66.7%) females (p = 0.002). Physically active women obtained higher score in all FSFI domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) and total FSFI score (20.9), indicating better sexual function than their moderately active (18.8) and sedentary (15.6) counterparts (p <0.05). Conclusion Physical activity appears to influence sexual function positively in middle-aged women.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex clinicopathological entity characterized by diffuse or focal fat accumulation in the hepatic parenchyma of patients who deny abusive alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess idiopathic NAFLD in community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults living in the Brazilian Federal District. Associations between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome and the whole syndrome were investigated. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study on 139 subjects aged 55 years or older. METHODS: NAFLD was diagnosed by means of clinical procedures, to exclude subjects with signs of liver disorders, abusive alcohol consumption and influence from hepatotoxic drugs. Phenotypes were graded based on ultrasound examination. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the NCEP ATP III criteria. Laboratory tests were performed to assist clinical examinations and define the syndrome. RESULTS NAFLD was present in 35.2% of the subjects. Taken together, the two most intense phenotypes correlated with increased serum fasting glucose, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25.9% of the sample. In addition to associating NAFLD with specific traits of metabolic syndrome...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the medication prescribed for a group of middle-aged and older adults that reside in the outskirts of Brasilia and practice physical exercises regularly at a local University. This analysis considered qualitative and quantitative aspects of the medications prescribed to subjects aged 54 to 81 years-old, including their appropriateness and compliance to the Brazilian essential drug list. The units of analysis consisted in each single medication and each individual subject. Among the one hundred twenty-one individuals interviewed, 19.7% declared not to take any medicine whereas the remaining 80.3% revealed to use an average of 3.2 drugs. Among all drugs consumed, 98.1% consisted of physician prescribed medications, being antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and analgesic products the most frequent therapeutic classes. Consumption of drugs that should be generally avoided by elderly was found not to vary significantly according to age strata, having nonetheless increased (P < 0.05) according to the amount of drugs prescribed. Overall, the group investigated exhibited a homogeneous pattern of drug usage since either the mean general consumption or consumption of particular drug subsets displayed no statistically significant differences related to gender...

Purpose We aimed to compare the associations between semen quality, associated reproductive indicators and the main prostate-related parameters in middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study on 422 middle-aged men who underwent the screening for prostate health. Their reproductive function, semen quality and prostate-related pathologies were investigated. Results Significant associations between semen quality and prostate-related parameters could be seen. Total sperm count and sperm density decreased along with the increase of the I-PSS score and total prostate volume. Also, the related lower urinary tract characteristics showed a negative correlation with main semen parameters for all investigated subjects. No significant differences in age, testicular size, and hormonal parameters were found between the subjects with or without lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate enlargement. Conclusions Our study suggests that altered seminal parameters in middle-aged men are associated with LUTS, prostate enlargement and/or bladder outlet obstruction. Although the assessments of prostate and lower urinary tract symptoms may not replace the semen parameters evaluating the male reproductive status, there is a need for further and more detailed investigations about the pathways behind these associations as well as possible related conditions.

The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of sufficient physical activity (PA) in middle-aged women from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The sample included 1,011 women ranging in age from 45 to 59 years. Physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The sample was divided into three age groups (A: 45-49; B: 50-54; C: 55-59 years). According to WHO recommendations, 87% of the participants were sufficiently active. Walking (C: 55±41 vs. A: 45±41 min/day; p=0.013) and vigorous PA (C: 17±33 vs. A: 13±30 min/day; p=0.117) were more frequently performed by women of group C compared to group A. Linear regression analysis showed that total PA did not increase with age (R²=0.248; p=0.059), educational level (R²=0.259; p=0.076), or body mass index (R²=0.072; p=0.334), although total PA tended to be positively associated with age and educational level. In conclusion, 87% of the middle-aged women studied were sufficiently active. Higher levels of PA were observed among women aged 55-59 years, which were mainly a consequence of more frequent walking and vigorous PA.

We use the first three waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examine the retirement plans of middle-aged workers (aged 45-55). Our results indicate that approximately two-thirds of men and more then half of women appear to be making standard retirement plans. At the same time, more than one in five individuals seem to have delayed their retirement planning and approximately one in ten either do not know when they expect to retire or expect to never retire. Retirement plans are closely related to current labor market position. Specifically, forming expectations about the age at which one will leave the labor market appears to be easier for workers in jobs with well defined pension benefits and standard retirement ages. Moreover, those who report that they do not know when they expect to retire do in fact appear to face greater uncertainty in their retirement planning. Those who anticipate working forever seem to do so out of concerns about the adequacy of their retirement incomes rather than out of increased job satisfaction or a heightened desire to remain employed. Finally, men alter their retirement plans in response to labor market shocks, while women are more sensitive to their own and their partners’ health changes.; no

Background The Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS) describes the prevalence of self-reported reproductive health disorders as well as related concerns and health behaviours among middle-aged and older Australian men. Methods A representative sample population (n=5990) of Australian men (≥40 years) was obtained by contacting a random selection of households with unbiased sampling, stratified by age and state. A 20-min computer-assisted telephone interview was done to assess reproductive health and related knowledge and beliefs, sociodemographic factors, general health, and lifestyle factors. Findings A response rate of 78% (5990/7636) was achieved. 34% (1627/4737) of men surveyed reported one or more reproductive health disorder, all of which were most common in the oldest age group. Age-standardised prevalence of significant lower urinary tract symptoms was 16%, erectile dysfunction was 21%, and prostate disease was 14%. About 50% of participants reported having had a prostate cancer test whereas only 30% (300/1012) of men with erectile dysfunction sought medical help. Willingness to seek medical help for erectile dysfunction was related to age and ethnic origin. Although men aged 40–69 years expressed a moderate or high level of concern about prostate cancer and loss of erectile function...

Within a health context, men in Western societies are a hard-to-reach population who experience higher rates of chronic disease compared with women. Innovative technology-based interventions that specifically target men are needed; however, little is known about how these should be developed for this group. This study aimed to examine opinions and perceptions regarding the use of Internet and mobile phones to improve physical activity and nutrition behaviors for middle-aged men. The authors conducted 6 focus groups (n = 30) in Queensland, Australia. Their analyses identified 6 themes: (a) Internet experience, (b) website characteristics, (c) Web 2.0 applications, (d) website features, (e) self-monitoring, and (f) mobile phones as delivery method. The outcomes indicate that men support the use of the Internet to improve and self-monitor physical activity and dietary behaviors on the condition that the website-delivered interventions are quick and easy to use, because commitment levels to engage in online tasks are low. Participants also indicated that they were reluctant to use normal mobile phones to change health behaviors, although smartphones were perceived to be more acceptable. This pilot study suggests that there are viable avenues to engage middle-aged men in Internet- or in mobile-delivered health interventions. This study also suggests that to be successful...

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex clinicopathological entity characterized by diffuse or focal fat accumulation in the hepatic parenchyma of patients who deny abusive alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess idiopathic NAFLD in community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults living in the Brazilian Federal District. Associations between NAFLD and components of metabolic syndrome and the whole syndrome were investigated. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study on 139 subjects aged 55 years or older. METHODS: NAFLD was diagnosed by means of clinical procedures, to exclude subjects with signs of liver disorders, abusive alcohol consumption and infl uence from hepatotoxic drugs. Phenotypes were graded based on ultrasound examination. Metabolic syndrome was defi ned using the NCEP ATP III criteria. Laboratory tests were performed to assist clinical examinations and defi ne the syndrome. RESULTS: NAFLD was present in 35.2% of the subjects. Taken together, the two most intense phenotypes correlated with increased serum fasting glucose, triglyceride and VLDL cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25.9% of the sample. In addition to associating NAFLD with specifi c traits of metabolic syndrome...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the medication prescribed for a group of middle-aged and older adults that reside in the outskirts of Brasilia and practice physical exercises regularly at a local University. This analysis considered qualitative and quantitative aspects of the medications prescribed to subjects aged 54 to 81 years-old, including their appropriateness and compliance to the Brazilian essential drug list. The units of analysis consisted in each single medication and each individual subject. Among the one hundred twenty-one individuals interviewed, 19.7% declared not to take any medicine whereas the remaining 80.3% revealed to use an average of 3.2 drugs. Among all drugs consumed, 98.1% consisted of physician prescribed medications, being antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and analgesic products the most frequent therapeutic classes. Consumption of drugs that should be generally avoided by elderly was found not to vary significantly according to age strata, having nonetheless increased (P < 0.05) according to the amount of drugs prescribed. Overall, the group investigated exhibited a homogeneous pattern of drug usage since either the mean general consumption or consumption of particular drug subsets displayed no statistically significant differences related to gender...

Objectives: To examine the effect of height, weight and body mass index (BMI) on the risk of hip and knee replacement in middle-aged women. Methods: In a prospective cohort study 490 532 women aged 50-69 yrs who were recruited in the UK in 1996-2001 were

Apesar do aumento na quantidade de trabalhos que visam a abordar a morte como tema de investigação, observa-se que ainda prevalece a interdição do assunto morte, dificultando que ela seja abordada e discutida. Este estudo buscou ampliar a compreensão de como pessoas, em diferentes etapas desenvolvimentais, lidam com perdas e com a própria finitude. Para isso, 7 adolescentes, 14 adultos de meia-idade e 10 idosos foram entrevistados, e os dados foram compreendidos mediante análise de conteúdo. Entre os participantes, os adultos foram os que mostraram mais aflição e inquietação, ao falarem sobre a própria finitude e sobre a possibilidade da morte de pessoas queridas. Os adolescentes abordaram-na como um acontecimento distante e impessoal, enquanto os idosos se referiram a ela com maior proximidade e aceitação. Sugere-se a realização de estudos que aprofundem tais compreensões, relacionando-as às diferentes religiões, classes sociais e experiências com perdas.; A pesar del aumento en la cantidad de trabajos que pretenden estudiar la muerte como un tema de investigación, se observa que predomina la prohibición sobre la question de la muerte, lo que impide que ella sea discutida. Este estudio trató de ampliar la comprensión de cómo las personas en diferentes edades trabajan con las pérdidas y con su propia finitud. Siete adolescentes...

O escopo deste estudo consistiu em avaliar a medicação prescrita para um grupo composto por indivíduos de meia-idade e idosos que reside na periferia de Brasília e pratica exercícios físicos regulares em uma Universidade local. Este estudo considerou aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos das medicações prescritas para indivíduos com idades entre 54 e 81 anos, incluindo sua adequação e sua concordância com a Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (RENAME). As unidades de análise consistiram em cada medicamento e em cada indivíduo. Entre os cento e vinte e um indivíduos investigados, 19,7% declararam não fazer uso de medicamento, enquanto os demais 80,3% revelaram fazer uso de média de 3,2 medicamentos. Entre os medicamentos sendo consumidos, 98,1% eram prescritos por médicos, sendo anti-hipertensivos, antiinflamatórios e analgésicos as classes terapêuticas mais freqüentes. O consumo de medicamentos que devem ser evitados por idosos não mostrou variar significativamente com a progressão das faixas etárias, tendo, no entanto, exibido aumento marcante (P < 0.05) conforme a quantidade de medicamentos prescritos. O grupo investigado exibiu perfil homogêneo de uso de medicamentos, uma vez que tanto o consumo geral quanto o consumo de determinados grupos de medicamentos não mostraram variação significativa em função do gênero...

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2013v15n6p677O principal objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência de mulheres de meia-idade do município de Florianópolis, SC suficientemente ativas. Participaram 1011 mulheres dos 45-59 anos. A atividade física (AF) foi avaliada por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). De acordo com a idade, a amostra foi categorizada em três faixas etárias (A:45–49; B:50–54; C:55–59 anos). Conforme as recomendações da OMS, 87% das participantes foram consideradas suficientemente ativas. O grupo C revelou valores mais elevados de caminhada (C:55±41 vs. A:45±41 min/d; p=0,013) e de AF vigorosa (C:17±33 vs. A:13±30 min/d; p=0,117) comparativamente ao grupo A. A regressão linear mostrou que a AF total não aumentou com a idade (R2=0,248; p=0,059), com a escolaridade (R2=0,259; p=0,076), ou com o índice de massa corporal (R2= 0,072; p= 0,334), apesar de uma tendência positiva associada à idade e à escolaridade. Concluindo, 87% das mulheres de meia-idade do município de Florianópolis–SC eram suficientemente ativas; os níveis mais elevados de AF foram observados nas mulheres de 55-59 anos, principalmente, devidos à caminhada e à prática de AF vigorosa.; DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2013v15n6p677The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of sufficient physical activity (PA) in middle-aged women from Florianópolis...