@article {4431, title = {The environment contribution to gender differences in childhood obesity and organized sports engagement}, journal = {Am J Hum Biol}, volume = {32}, number = {2}, year = {2020}, note = {Nogueira, Helena
Costeira E Pereira, Margarida M
Costa, Diogo
Gama, Augusta
Machado-Rodrigues, Aristides
Silva, Maria-Raquel
Marques, Vitor R
Padez, Cristina M
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
2019/09/11
Am J Hum Biol. 2020 Mar;32(2):e23322. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23322. Epub 2019 Sep 9.}, month = {Mar}, pages = {e23322}, edition = {20190909}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze gender-specific associations between sports activity outside of school and obesity, observing to what extent the local built environment contributes to the patterns found. METHODS: A total of 2253 children aged 6.0-11.0 years were assessed: 49.3\% girls and 50.7\% boys. Children{\textquoteright}s weight and height were measured, age and sex-specific BMI cut-off points were used to define normal vs overweight/obesity. Children{\textquoteright}s organized sports (OS) activity was assessed by questionnaire, and local facilities for children{\textquoteright}s engagement in OS were analyzed. Logistic regression models were computed, adjusted for confounding variables. RESULTS: Results showed greater overweight and obesity (25.1\% vs 20.1\%) and lower OS engagement (66.5\% vs 73.8\%) in girls as well as greater impact of OS engagement on weight status in girls (OR for having a normal weight = 1.434 in girls vs 1.043 in boys). Additionally, opportunities to engage in OS were scarce for girls. CONCLUSIONS: The gender gap in children{\textquoteright}s weight status and OS engagement might be enhanced by an environmental mismatch that undermines girls{\textquoteright} opportunities to play sports. There should be more opportunities for girls to engage in their favorite sports as a means to tackle the obesity epidemic and to promote gender equality.}, keywords = {*Environment, Child, Female, Humans, Male, Overweight/epidemiology/etiology, Pediatric Obesity/*epidemiology/etiology, Portugal, Regression Analysis, Sex Factors, Youth Sports/*statistics \& numerical data}, isbn = {1520-6300 (Electronic)
1042-0533 (Linking)}, author = {Nogueira, H. and Pereira, M. and Costa, D. and Gama, A. and Machado-Rodrigues, A. and Silva, M. R. and Marques, V. R. and Padez, C. M.} } @article {4441, title = {The role of urban design in childhood obesity: A case study in Lisbon, Portugal}, journal = {Am J Hum Biol}, volume = {31}, number = {3}, year = {2019}, note = {Pereira, Margarida
Nogueira, Helena
Padez, Cristina
eng
SFRH/BD/133140/2017/Foundation for the Science and Technologies/International
PTDC/DTP-SAP/1520/2014/Foundation for the Science and Technologies/International
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
2019/03/15
Am J Hum Biol. 2019 May;31(3):e23220. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.23220. Epub 2019 Mar 14.}, month = {May}, pages = {e23220}, edition = {20190314}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that physical features of the urban environment might enhance or prevent childhood obesity. Thus, this study{\textquoteright}s main goal was to verify if there is an association between the neighborhood urban design and childhood obesity-independent of well-known childhood obesity determinants, such as, father{\textquoteright}s level of schooling (as a proxy for socioeconomic status), and parent{\textquoteright}s weight status. METHODS: This study classifies neighborhoods according to land use and building features using hierarchical clusters analysis and examines their association with childhood obesity through logistic regression models. RESULTS: Four clusters resulted from the analysis: Cluster 1 represents areas with older buildings and mixed land use, cluster 2 is an area with small rented buildings and urban areas, cluster 3 comprises newer buildings with parking and urban green space, and cluster 4 is a forest area. Living in cluster 3 protects from childhood obesity, even when adjusting for father{\textquoteright}s level of schooling or parent{\textquoteright}s weight status. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct urban configurations in Lisbon{\textquoteright}s municipality and children who live in Cluster 3 (more recent and greener neighborhoods) seem to be protected from obesity. Therefore, public policy should focus on healthy urban planning at the neighborhood level, to promote positive impacts on peoples{\textquoteright} health.}, keywords = {Built Environment/*statistics \& numerical data, Child, Child, Preschool, Cities, Female, Humans, Male, Pediatric Obesity/*etiology, Portugal, Residence Characteristics/*statistics \& numerical data}, isbn = {1520-6300 (Electronic)
1042-0533 (Linking)}, author = {Pereira, M. and Nogueira, H. and Padez, C.} } @article {4445, title = {Patients{\textquoteright} views on the embryo storage time limits}, journal = {Reprod Biomed Online}, volume = {31}, number = {2}, year = {2015}, note = {Pereira, Margarida
Samorinha, Catarina
Alves, Elisabete
Machado, Helena
Amorim, Mariana
Silva, Susana
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
Netherlands
2015/06/23
Reprod Biomed Online. 2015 Aug;31(2):232-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.04.015. Epub 2015 May 8.}, month = {Aug}, pages = {232-8}, edition = {20150508}, abstract = {The establishment of the length of embryo storage has been based on socio-political criteria. There are different regulations, guidelines and health care policies worldwide. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the opinion of patients about the embryo storage time limit, and the perception of the criteria underlying the establishment of the storage period offered to them. Between August 2011 and December 2012, 534 IVF patients from Portugal participated in a quantitative questionnaire and 34 couples were interviewed. Overall, 38\% of participants preferred the duration of 4-5 years, 38\% extended it beyond 5 years and 23\% indicated 3 years. Having experienced at least one previous cycle was directly associated with agreeing with a duration of storage longer than 5 years, for both women and men. Having children was inversely associated with longer duration of storage, among women. One-third of the 34 interviewed couples stated that their knowledge concerning embryo storage was insufficient. Nevertheless, all the interviewees reported at least one possible reason for the legal establishment of the storage period offered to them, highlighting financial costs and decreased embryo quality. There are misconceptions and gaps in awareness of cryopreservation, which may shape patients{\textquoteright} opinions. Accurate information regarding policy on storage of embryos is needed.}, keywords = {*Cryopreservation, *Embryo, Mammalian, *Time Factors, Adult, cryopreservation, embryo disposition, Female, Humans, Ivf, Male, Portugal, public policy, Surveys and Questionnaires}, isbn = {1472-6491 (Electronic)
1472-6483 (Linking)}, author = {Pereira, M. and Samorinha, C. and Alves, E. and Machado, H. and Amorim, M. and Silva, S.} } @article {4447, title = {Factors associated with the donation and non-donation of embryos for research: a systematic review}, journal = {Hum Reprod UpdateHum Reprod Update}, volume = {20}, number = {5}, year = {2014}, note = {Samorinha, Catarina
Pereira, Margarida
Machado, Helena
Figueiredo, Barbara
Silva, Susana
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
Systematic Review
England
2014/06/08
Hum Reprod Update. 2014 Sep-Oct;20(5):641-55. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmu026. Epub 2014 Jun 6.}, month = {Sep-Oct}, pages = {641-55}, edition = {20140606}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Systematic knowledge on the factors that influence the decisions of IVF users regarding embryo donation for research is a core need for patient-centred policies and ethics in clinical practice. However, no systematic review has been provided on the motivations of patients who must decide embryo disposition. This paper fills this gap, presenting a systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies, which synthesizes the current body of knowledge on the factors and reasons associated with IVF patients{\textquoteright} decisions to donate or not to donate embryos for research. METHODS: A systematic search of studies indexed in PubMed, ISI WoK and PsycINFO, published before November 2013, was conducted. Only empirical, peer-reviewed, full-length, original studies reporting data on factors and reasons associated with the decision concerning donation or non-donation of embryos for research were included. Eligibility and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers and disagreements were resolved by discussion or a third reviewer, if required. The main quantitative findings were extracted and synthesized and qualitative data were assessed by thematic content analysis. RESULTS: A total of 39 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. More than half of the studies (n = 21) used a quantitative methodology, and the remaining were qualitative (n = 15) or mixed-methods (n = 3) studies. The studies were derived mainly from European countries (n = 18) and the USA (n = 11). The proportion of IVF users who donated embryos for research varied from 7\% in a study in France to 73\% in a Swiss study. Those who donate embryos for research reported feelings of reciprocity towards science and medicine, positive views of research and high levels of trust in the medical system. They described their decision as better than the destruction of embryos and as an opportunity to help others or to improve health and IVF treatments. The perception of risks, the lack of information concerning research projects and the medical system and the conceptualization of embryos in terms of personhood were the most relevant motives for not donating embryos for research. Results relating to the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive and gynaecological history were mostly inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Three iterative and dynamic dimensions of the IVF patients{\textquoteright} decision to donate or not to donate embryos for research emerged from this review: the hierarquization of the possible options regarding embryo disposition, according to the moral, social and instrumental status attributed to embryos; patients{\textquoteright} understanding of expectations and risks of the research on human embryos; and patients{\textquoteright} experiences of information exchange and levels of trust in the medical-scientific institutions.}, keywords = {assisted reproductive technologies, Decision Making, embryo disposition, Embryo Disposition/ethics/*psychology, Embryo Research/*ethics, Emotions, Female, Fertilization in Vitro/psychology, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, human embryo research, Humans, in vitro fertilization, Motivation, Reproductive History, systematic review, Tissue Donors/*psychology}, isbn = {1460-2369 (Electronic)
1355-4786 (Linking)}, author = {Samorinha, C. and Pereira, M. and Machado, H. and Figueiredo, B. and Silva, S.} } @article {4427, title = {Perceived neighbourhood environmental characteristics and physical activity according to socioeconomic status in adolescent girls}, journal = {Ann Hum Biol}, volume = {38}, number = {1}, year = {2011}, note = {Mota, Jorge
Santos, Rute
Pereira, Margarida
Teixeira, Laetitia
Santos, Maria Paula
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
England
2010/06/10
Ann Hum Biol. 2011 Jan;38(1):1-6. doi: 10.3109/03014460.2010.486769. Epub 2010 Jun 9.}, month = {Jan}, pages = {1-6}, edition = {20100609}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the associations between physical activity (PA) and several characteristics of the built environment with socioeconomic status (SES) in adolescent girls. METHODS: The sample comprised 599 girls (mean age 14.7, SD = 1.6 years) living in the Aveiro Region of Portugal. Questionnaires were used to describe physical activity level and perceived neighbourhood environments. SES was established by maternal education level. Girls were grouped into low, middle or high SES group. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that girls assigned to the higher SES group were more likely (OR = 2.4; 95\%CI = 1.3-4.5) to belong to the active group than their low SES peers. Girls in high (OR = 2.4; 95\%CC = 1.3-4.4) and medium (OR = 1.6; 95\%CC = 1.14-2.3) SES groups were more likely to have a higher perception of better aesthetics in their neighbourhoods than their low SES peers and higher SES was also associated with better perception of a street connectivity (OR = 2.9; 95\%CI = 1.7-5.4). CONCLUSION: The study showed that girls of higher SES are more active than those of lower SES and that social background might be associated with differences in neighbourhood environmental perceptions.}, keywords = {*Motor Activity, *Residence Characteristics, *Social Class, *Social Environment, Adolescent, Cross-Sectional Studies, Educational Status, Environment, Female, Humans, Logistic Models, Portugal, Socioeconomic Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires}, isbn = {1464-5033 (Electronic)
0301-4460 (Linking)}, author = {Mota, J. and Santos, R. and Pereira, M. and Teixeira, L. and Santos, M. P.} }