Abstract Background: evidence suggests that exposure to risk factors related to excess body weight is more frequent in the second and third decades of life. Thus, one of the most propitious environments for the acquisition of habits that can inhibit overweight is the university. Objective: to identify the frequency of aerobic and strength exercises and of fruit/vegetable intake in university students, and subsequently establish associations between both health behaviors and excess body weight. Methods: the sample was comprised of 5,310 university students. An online questionnaire was used to collect the frequency of exercises and fruit/vegetable intake. The body mass index was used to define body weight status. The data were analyzed statistically by employing a bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression. Results: the practice of aerobic and strength exercises was reported by 80.4 % and 51.6 % of the sample, respectively. Only 13 % of the surveyed university students had an adequate fruit/vegetable intake. The proportion of excess body weight was 39.1 %, the condition being significantly higher in men. The risk for excess body weight identified in the university students who reported not consuming fruits/vegetables daily was two to three times higher than in their peers who reported an adequate intake (women: OR = 2.92 [95 % CI 2.07-4.12]; men: OR = 1.98 [95 % CI 1.41-3.02]). Exposure to the risk for excess body weight was progressively lower as the reported frequency of aerobic exercise became higher. Conclusion: these findings suggest the need to promote initiatives aimed at the preparation and implementation of health education and promotion programs in the university context, through actions of guidance about exercise and food intake that may help to minimize the risks of onset and development of excess body weight.

Resumen Antecedentes: las evidencias sugieren que la exposición a factores de riesgo relacionados con el exceso de peso se produce con mayor frecuencia en la segunda y tercera décadas de la vida. Por lo tanto, uno de los entornos más propicios para la adquisición de hábitos que puedan inhibir el sobrepeso es la universidad. Objetivos: identificar la frecuencia de los ejercicios aeróbicos y de fuerza y del consumo de frutas/verduras en estudiantes universitarios, y posteriormente establecer asociaciones entre los dos comportamientos de salud y el exceso de peso. Métodos: la muestra estaba compuesta de 5310 estudiantes universitarios. Las frecuencias de los ejercicios físicos y del consumo de frutas/verduras se recopilaron mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario online. El exceso de peso se estableció a partir del índice de masa corporal. Los datos se analizaron estadísticamente empleando análisis bivariados y de regresión logística binaria. Resultados: la práctica de ejercicios aeróbicos y de fuerza fue relatada por el 80,4 % y el 51,6 % de la muestra, respectivamente. Solamente el 13 % de los estudiantes universitarios presentaron un consumo adecuado de frutas/verduras. La proporción del exceso de peso fue equivalente al 39,1 %, siendo dicha proporción significativamente más elevada en los hombres. El riesgo de padecer exceso de peso identificado en los estudiantes universitarios que relataron no consumir frutas/verduras diariamente fue de dos a tres veces mayor que el de sus pares que refirieron un consumo adecuado (mujeres: OR = 2,92; IC 95 %, 2,07-4,12; hombres: OR = 1,98; IC 95 %, 1,41-3,02). La exposición al riesgo del exceso de peso fue progresivamente menor conforme mayor era la frecuencia reportada de ejercicios aeróbicos. Conclusión: los hallazgos sugieren la necesidad de promover iniciativas dirigidas al diseño e implementación de programas de educación y promoción de la salud en el contexto universitario a través de acciones de orientación sobre ejercicio físico y consumo de alimentos que puedan ayudar a minimizar los riesgos de aparición y desarrollo del exceso de peso.

resumo O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a prevalência do excesso de peso corporal em estudantes universitários de um estado representativo da região sul do Brasil e estabelecer associações com correlatos demográficos, do ambiente universitário e de condutas de saúde. Amostra aleatória de 5310 estudantes universitários respondeu questionário online com dados demográficos, do ambiente universitário e de oito condutas de saúde. O excesso de peso corporal foi identificado mediante o índice de massa corporal (IMC ≥ 25 Kg/m2). Os dados foram tratados através de análise bivariada e regressão múltipla hierarquizada. Prevalência global de exposição ao excesso de peso corporal foi equivalente a 39,1% [35,7–42,6], com taxas significativamente diferentes entre sexo, idade e situação conjugal. Da mesma forma, tipo de habitação e ano de estudo apresentaram associações significativas com o excesso de peso corporal. Entre os indicadores de conduta de saúde, com controle de todas as demais variáveis envolvidas no modelo, sintomas de depressão (p = 0,031), estresse elevado (p = 0,045), duração de sono < 6 horas/noite (p < 0,001), atividade física moderada-vigorosa < 150 min/semana (p = 0,022) e consumo de frutas/hortaliças < 5 porções/dias (p < 0,001) mostraram-se independentemente associados ao desfecho. Contudo, tabagismo, consumo nocivo de álcool e uso indevido de medicamentos controlados não permaneceram no modelo multivariado ajustado. Concluindo, os achados enfatizam a importância de propor e implementar ações de intervenção preventivas multifacetadas a fim de prevenir agravos relacionados ao excesso de peso corporal, uma vez identificada associações significativas com fatores modificáveis.

abstract – This study aimed to identify the prevalence of excess body weight in university students from a representative state in Brazil's southern region and establish associations with the demographic, university environment, and health behavior correlates. A random sample of 5,310 university students answered an online questionnaire with demographic, university environment, and eight health behavior data. Excess body weight was identified using the body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). The data were processed using bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. The overall prevalence of excess body weight exposure was equivalent to 39.1% [35.7-42.6], with significantly different rates between gender, age, and marital status. Likewise, housing type and study year showed significant associations with excess body weight. Among health behavior indicators, with control of all other variables involved in the model, depressive symptoms (p = 0.031), high stress (p = 0.045), sleep duration < 6 hours/night (p < 0.001), moderate-vigorous physical activity < 150 min/week (p = 0.022) and fruit/vegetable consumption < 5 servings per day (p < 0.001) were independently associated with the outcome. However, tobacco use, binge drinking, and prescription drug misuse did not remain in the adjusted multivariate model. In conclusion, the findings emphasize the importance of proposing and implementing multifaceted preventive intervention actions to prevent health outcomes related to excess body weight, once since significant associations with modifiable factors have been identified.

O estudo foi realizado na Ilha de Algodoal/Maiandeua no nordeste do Estado do Pará (00° 34' 35" S, 00° 40'00" S e 47° 39'35" WGr, 47° 3Γ25" WGr). Amostraram-se o solo e a matéria orgânica leve, nas profundidades de 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm c 10-20 cm, e a manta orgânica ao longo de uma toposseqüência com solos e cobertura vegetal diversificados. Não foram verificadas diferenças estatísticas entre os componentes químicos da fração ácido fúlvico nos solos estudados.

This paper shows the results of a survey in Algodoal/Mainadeua Island, Pará State Coastal Zone (00° 34' 35" S, 00° 40'00" S e 47° 39'35" WGr, 47° 3125" WGr). Samples were colleted from the organic surface layer (litter), light organic matter and soil (depths 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm) along a toposequence with diversified soils and vegetation cover. There were no statistical differences between the chemical components of the fulvic acid fraction in the soils ander study.