Modificações introduzidas pelos treinamentos cardiopulmonar e neuromuscular nos níveis séricos basais de fatores de crescimento insulina símile i (igf-1), cortisol, autonomia funcional e qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas

Changes introduced by cardiopulmonar and neuromuscular training on basal serum insulin-like grow factor-1 (IGF-1) and cortisol levels, functional autonomy and quality of life in elderly women The aim of this study was to compare the effects of strength and aerobic training on basal serum IGF-1 and Cortisol levels, functional autonomy (FA) and quality of life (QoL) in elderly women after 12 weeks of training. The subjects were submitted the strength training (75-85% 1-RM) with weight exercises (SG; n=12; age=66.08 ± 3,37 years; BMI=26,77 ± 3,72 kg/m2), aerobic training with aquatic exercises (AG; n=13; age=68,69 ± 4,70 years; BMI=29,19 ± 2,96 kg/m2) and control group (CG; n=10; age=68,80 ± 5,41 years; BMI=29,70 ± 2,82 kg/m2). Fasting blood was analyzed to measure basal IGF-1 and cortisol levels by chemiluminescence method. The t-Student test showed increased IGF-1 in the SG (p<0.05) for intragroup comparison. The Repeated-measure ANOVA presented increased IGF-1 (p<0.05) in the SG compared to the other two groups. There were no differences in cortisol levels. All the FA tests (GDLAM autonomy protocol) presented decreased significant in the time marked in seconds to the SG. The same results were found in the AG, except in the rise from a sitting position test. The autonomy index presented significant improvements (p<0.05) in the SG related to the AG and CG and in the AG to the CG. The SG showed increased QoL (p<0.05) (by WHOQOL-Old questionnaire) in the facet 1 (sensorial functioning) and facet 5 (death and dying). Thus, the SG obtained positive changes on IGF-1 and FA levels when compared to the AG. This suggests that strength training can indicated to decrease the effects of ageing.

Tradução, adaptação e validação da versão brasileira do questionário utian quality of life (uqol) para avaliação da qualidade de vida no climatério

The present study had as objective translates, to do equivalence and validation of the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) for the Brazilian population through methods internationally accepted, in which the original questionnaire was translated for the Portuguese by three teachers and the consensual version was translated back for English by two American teachers (back translation). A multidisciplinary committee evaluated all versions and the final version in Portuguese was applied to climacteric women for the process of adaptation. Validation of the instrument was performed by measuring the reliability and validity properties. Construct validity was examined through the comparison between UQOL and the general measuring scale of quality of life Short Form-36 (SF-36). The final version of translation process was easily recognized by the target population, that didn't tell understanding problems. The results obtained for the reliability intra and interobserver showed significant agreement in all of the subjects. The construct validity was obtained through correlations statistically significant among the domains occupational, health and emotional of UQOL with the SF-36 domains. For the exploratory factorial analysis, it was verified that three factors explain 60% of the total variance of the data, the present study allowed concluding that UQOL was appropriately translated and adapted for applicability in Brazil, presenting high reliability and validity. In that way, the executed project provided the involvement of different areas as gynecology, psychology and physiotherapy (interdisciplinary). Thus, this instrument can be included and used in Brazilian studies to assessment the quality of life during the climacteric years

Atividade física na terceira idade: Uma análise de sua contribuições para o estilo de vida através das representações sociais

Temáticas emergentes e estratégicas da política de saúde em nível mundial têm suscitado reflexões para ações sócio educativas com idosos. Esta pesquisa questiona as aspirações desse segmento social face às experiências de qualidade proporcionadas pela atividade física. Objetivo: investigar as representações sociais da atividade física na terceira idade. Método: pesquisa de corte transversal com abordagem quanti-qualitativa. A amostra foi nãoprobabilística e por conveniência apoiada na Teoria das Representações Sociais e a Teoria do Núcleo Central. O estudo foi realizado com alunos de um projeto para a terceira idade com sede no Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica do Rio Grande do Norte (CEFET), no município de Natal/RN, Brasil. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se de questionário semi-estruturado, composto de três partes: A Parte I, para a caracterização social da amostra e identificação da percepção da atividade física para a saúde; a Parte II, com evocação livre de palavras e a Parte III, com uma questão aberta. Análise dos dados: A exploração do material deu-se a partir dos seguintes softs: do SPSS para análise de freqüência simples (parte I); do EVOC (parte II) e do ALCESTE (parte III). Complementarmente, foi utilizada a análise de conteúdo a fim de inferir/corroborar sobre os núcleos de sentido da comunicação. Resultados: O núcleo central da representação foi composto por felicidade/saúde/dança e ginástica, revelando diferentes entendimentos e mostrando também que o conhecimento construído da atividade física assume um papel preponderante na vida de idosos, adquirindo gradativamente, a representação de vida com mais saúde e qualidade na velhice . A composição do núcleo central ao considerar elaborações mentais, emoções, práticas e explicações oriundas do cotidiano que se introduzem na constituição da representação social em foco, poderá influenciar as escolhas e estratégias de se desenvolver melhora nos padrões de saúde e na qualidade de vida dos idosos.

Distribuição regional da ventilação pulmonar em indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca crônica após serem submetidos a um programa de treinamento da musculatura inspiratória e sua correlação com dados funcionais

Introduction: Chagas Disease is a serious public health problem, with 5 million infected individuals in Brazil. Of these, approximately 30% develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), where the main symptoms are fatigue and dyspnea. Objective: To correlate maximal exercise capacity with pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life in patients with CCC. Methodology: Twelve individuals suffering from CCC were evaluated (7 men), with a mean age of 54.91± 8.60 years and the following inclusion criteria: functional class II and III according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA); left ventricle ejection fraction below 45%; clinical stability (> 3 months); symptom duration > 1 year, body mass index (BMI) < 35Kg/m2 and non-smokers or ex-smokers with a history of smoking <10 packs/day. All subjects were submitted to spirometry, manometer testing, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) and a quality of life questionnaire (Minnesota). Results: A negative correlation was observed between VO2máx and MLHFQ scores (r=-0.626; p=0.03) and a positive association with MIP (r=0.713; p=0.009). Positive correlations were also recorded between MIP and spirometric variables [FEV1(r=0.825;p=0.001 ), FVC(r=0.66;p=0.01 and FEF25-75%(r=0.639;p=0.02)]. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that in patients with CCC: VO2MAX is directly related to inspiratory muscle strength and quality of life, while deteriorating lung function is directly associated with respiratory muscle weakness

HIV/AIDS e estilo de vida: parâmetros imunológicos, virológicos, síndrome lipodistrófica e sua relação com a prática de exercícios

This descriptive study aimed to investigate the relationship between expression of immunological (TCD4 +) and virological (viral load) parameters, lipodystrophy syndrome and lifestyle variables of people living with HIV who underwent a program of physicalexercise. Initially, the sample was composed by 17 persons, recorded at the Department of Giselda Trigueiro Hospital Care (GTH), Natal-RN . With the passing of the stages of intervention (physical training program- PTP) the number of participants has changed (17, 9, 8 and 7) as the training phases (I, II, III and IV). Data collected were on total cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides. The % fat (% F), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), lean mass (LM), central fat (BF), total (TF) and peripheral (PF), weight and height were used to measure the morphological parameters. For control of variables (TCD4 +, viral load, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, HDL), the information contained in the blood tests every four months were investigated. After Phase I and II, it was used a structured interview. Then sampling was carried out considering the pre-and post-tests 1, 2, 3 and 4 (after 16, 32, 48 and 64 weeks of training, respectively). Daily, the intensity of the work was checked by the scale of perceived exertion for exercises adapted to resistance34. Procedures used were descriptive statistics (dispersion, absolute and relative frequencies, means, standard deviations and minimum and maximum values) as well as Spearman linear correlation adopting a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Positive changes were observed for TCD4 + and viral load in all phases of the PTP. For the morphological components, the loss of central subcutaneous fat (CSF) and total subcutaneous fat (TSF) for both sexes and the decrease in % BF among women were the most dramatic results after the training phase I. For men, results were more significant to % F and LM in Phases I and II and peripheral subcutaneous fat (PSF) declined in all phases of the exercise. As for women, results were more expressive for % F and TM in the phases I and II and the PSF decreased in all phases of the exercise. Whereas for women, the waist/hip ratio (WCQ) and 0% F decreased and showed a positive association with triglycerides (WHR r * 0.82, p 0.042, r 0.88 TSF *, p 0.019 and r 1.00 ** CSF, p <0.001) and among men with limb subcutaneous fat (LSF)* r 0.65, p 0.029). The PTP provided improvement in the health, self-esteem and quality of life, proving to be a possible strategy to positively influence the expression of immunological parameters (TCD4 +) and virological (viral load) and morphological components of people living with HIV causing no deleterious effects in these parameters

Análise do óxido nítrico, perfil lipídico, resistência arterial e capacidade funcional de idosas submetidas a um treinamento aquático

A prática regular de exercício físico possibilita redução dos efeitos das disfunções hormonais e envelhecimento biológico natural que promovem desajustes hemodinâmicos, vasculares e músculo-esqueléticos, principalmente na população feminina no período pós-menopausa. Nesta fase da vida, o exercício aquático representa mais do que uma forma de ajuste funcional, é uma forma de manutenção de independência para as atividades da vida diária (AVD s) e melhoria na qualidade de vida. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as modificações adquiridas pela prática regular de um programa de exercício aquático concorrente de intensidade moderada no nível de óxido nítrico (ON), no índice de resistividade arterial (IR), no perfil lipídico, na capacidade funcional e na qualidade de vida de idosas. A amostra foi formada por idosas (60 a 80 anos) selecionadas por randomização, por sorteio simples divididas em grupo controle e grupo de intervenção as quais foram submetidas a um programa de exercícios aquáticos proposto inicialmente em projeto piloto, por 12 semanas (n=34) e o ensaio clínico teve duração de 16 semanas (n=40). Foi coletada amostra sanguínea das idosas e avaliado o perfil lipídico pelo método enzimático com kit Labtest e o ON por medida indireta a partir da concentração de nitrito no sobrenadante das células em cultura em leitor de ELISA. A avaliação das artérias carótidas e vertebrais foi feita utilizando o método de ultra-som Doopler. A capacidade funcional foi avaliada por quatro testes que simulam atividades da vida diária que são: caminhar 10 metros (C10m), levantar da posição sentada (LPS), levantar da cadeira e locomover-se pela casa (LCLC) e o de levantar-se da posição decúbito ventral (LPDV). No estudo piloto foi avaliado o índice geral de autonomia funcional (IG) e a qualidade de vida através do questionário WHOQOL-100. Empregou-se a análise de variância (ANOVA) com medidas repetidas nos fatores grupo (GH e GC) e tempo (pré e pós-teste) para as comparações intra e intergrupos nas variáveis seguida do post hoc de Scheffé. Utilizou-se o teste de correlação de Pearson e adotado o valor de p<0,05 para a significância estatística. Houve aumento do ON circulante, redução nos índices de resistividade arterial, melhoria significativa nos níveis de colesterol e triglicérides e ganho na capacidade funcional das idosas após a intervenção. Existiu correlação inversa entre a resistividade da artéria vertebral direita (VERTD) e níveis de ON e entre a VERTD e os níveis plasmáticos de HDL, assim como entre estes e o teste C10m nas idosas em estudo. Não houve modificações significativas na qualidade de vida das idosas. Em conclusão, o programa de exercício proposto foi capaz de oferecer melhorias funcionais, aumentar o nível de óxido nítrico circulante, diminuindo a resistência arterial promovendo modificações no perfil lipídico de idosas

Prevalência e fatores associados à sintomatologia dolorosa e a qualidade de vida de odontólogos da cidade de Teresina-PI

Objective: Identify the factors associated to the painful symptomatology and the quality of life and in dentists in the city of Teresina-PI. Brazil. Methods It was accomplished a cross-sectional study with 175 dentists registered with the Regional Council of Dentistry-PI from March to May, 2007. For characterization of the dentists we used a multidimensional questionnaire containing sociodemographic (age, sex) and professional information (time of service, journey to work). The evaluation of the presence of pain was performed by the Protocol of Painful Symptoms of McGILL. The WHOQOL-Bref was used to assess quality of life through physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. Results / Conclusions The painful symptomatology was reported in 69,7% of individuals, being observed in 77.3% of women and 60.3% of men. Body regions where pain was prevalent was the regions of neck (69,2%) lower back (69,7%). The dentists had high levels of self-perception of quality of life satisfaction and health. 96,0% of the individuals reported quality of life as very good, and only 16.6% reported dissatisfied with health. The Physical and Environmental domains showed values higher than the psychological and social domains. The painful symptomatology of studied dentists is associated with female sex (RP=1.28; IC95% 1.04-1.58; p<0.01). A multivariate analysis by logistic regression was performed and only the painful symptoms (OR = 2.51, IC95% 1,21-5,21) remained associated with the quality of life of these professionals when adjusted for other variables studied

Qualidade de vida, funcionalidade e morbidade referida : avaliação em idosos na atenção básica de saúde

Demographic and epidemiological transformations have led to an increase in elderly populations in the world, and chronic diseases become the main health problem in this population, with consequences for the independence and autonomy, and interfering in the lifestyle and daily activities, and may decrease the welfare and quality of life. So, there is an urgent need for multidisciplinary research on the quality of life, understood as a multidimensional and subjective concept, as well as the associated factors, such as health habits, presence of chronic conditions and functional capacity. Thus, In qualitative terms, the Article 1 provides an assessment and perception of the elderly about their quality of life. Article 2, in turn, presents the results of more extensive quantitative research, which can be seen that age, presence of chronic diseases and depression were associated with the quality of life. Thus, we discuss the need for action was planning and health strategies, with interdisciplinary approach, considering the environmental context and reality of family elders, promoting quality in the process of aging

Análise da efetividade do transplante renal na qualidade de vida dos receptores no estado do Rio Grande do Norte

This study was developed with the aim of analyzing the effectiveness of renal transplantation on quality of life of kidney recipients in the Rio Grande do Norte State. This is a descriptive study with longitudinal design, panel type with quantitative approach to data analysis. The Quality of Life (QoL) of chronic disease kidney patients before and after kidney transplantation was assessed by the WHOQOL-bref, The population consisted of patients in pre and post-renal transplantation, the sample had 63 patients older than 18 years. The study was conducted after approval by the Research Ethics Committee of the Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, No. CAAE 0008.0.294.000-10. Data collection was performed at a referral center for renal transplantation in Rio Grande do Norte, from May 2010 to May 2013. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables and graphs. For statistical analyzes, Microsoft Excel XP and SPSS 15.0 software were used. The tests used were simple variance (ANOVA), t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon test to compare means, and Spearman correlations. P values <0.05 were considered significant. The demographic data showed a predominance of people between 18 and 45 years (68.2%) with a mean age of 39.9 years (SD 12.2), male (63.5%), married (58.7%), with children (51.0%). Regarding the education level was observed that 49.2% of participants had completed primary school, and most did not engage in any work activity (90.4%) during the study period. Hemodialysis was the predominant renal replacement therapy (96.8%) and the average waiting time for execution of transplantation was 1.9 years (SD 1.9). Comparison of QoL before and after transplantation showed significant differences in all areas analyzed, demonstrating that kidney transplantation had a positive impact on QoL in chronic renal patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Sociodemographic factors did not influence the quality of life in this group of patients, indicating that transplantation was the main factor to explain the improvement in quality of life. Thus, the alternative hypothesis of the study was accept, that there is a significant difference in quality of life before and after kidney transplant. It is expected that the results of this study may contribute to the development of strategies to encourage organ donation and kidney transplantation process

Avaliação da autopercepção estética e qualidade de vida em pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS com síndrome lipodistrófica (SLD) em uso de antirretrovirais

Em 1996 com a introdução no Brasil da Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) melhorando a sobrevida e diminuindo o número de óbitos entre os portadores do HIV/Aids, surgem relatos de alterações metabólicas e morfológicas - Síndrome Lipodistrófica (SLD). Portanto, este estudo busca avaliar a partir da autopercepção estética de pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS (PVHA) em uso de terapia antirretroviral (TARV) o impacto da SLD na qualidade de vida. Pesquisa exploratória observacional com dados quantitativos e qualitativos, que contou com a multidisciplinaridade, a partir dos critérios de inclusão os voluntários eram captados pelo médico infectologista assistente. Foi realizada com base nos princípios da Resolução 196/96-CNP. A amostra foi composta por 48 PVHA, com idade entre 32 a 66 anos. 89,6% demonstraram interesse em mudar partes do corpo que perceberam enquanto alteradas ou comprometidas pela SLD, dado reforçado quando estes afirmam que se percebem (35,4%) e sentem (35,4%) que as outras pessoas os vêem de forma diferente. Quanto a qualidade de vida o domínio da espiritualidade, religião e crenças pessoais alcançou maior média (14,7) com DP 4,0 neste estudo. A pesquisa permitiu uma publicação internacional (Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology-JPHE) e várias participações com publicação em eventos (nacionais e internacionais). O estudo sugere que a infecção por HIV e a presença da SLD a partir da autopercepção dos sujeitos entrevistados pode afetar a qualidade de vida. E destaca a importância de ações que ressaltem o suporte social como motivador para o autocuidado

Impacto da atividade física na qualidade de vida em mulheres de meia idade: estudo de base populacional

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Fatores associados à mortalidade dos idosos com as condições de vida da população do Nordeste do Brasil

As condições de vida são usualmente entendidas como importantes fatores intervenientes das causas básicas de mortalidade e da qualidade de vida da população. Ao considerar esta questão em uma população idosa e sua influência nas causas mais relevantes que as levam à morte, teve-se como objetivo principal, estudar a associação da mortalidade dos idosos por doenças cardiovasculares para ambos os sexos, com indicadores que expressam as condições de vida da população do Nordeste, nos anos 2000 e 2010. Para atingir tal propósito foi traçado um desenho de estudo ecológico com cortes transversais nos anos 2000 e 2010 tendo como unidades de análises as microrregiões e a mesorregiões do Nordeste. Utilizou-se a Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (MEE) para explicar essas associações, tomando como base as estatísticas de óbitos por doenças cardiovasculares (construto endógeno) e variáveis socioeconômicas e demográficas (construto exógeno) das microrregiões do Nordeste, para o ano 2000. Utilizou-se o Método dos Componentes Principais como recurso metodológico na construção de um índice sintético que permitiu classificar as condições de vida nas mesorregiões do Nordeste, tomadas como unidades de análises, nos anos 2000 e 2010, de acordo com as condições de vida e as principais causas de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares. A aplicação da MEE sugeriu uma forte associação do construto exógeno condições de vida, composto pelos indicadores: anos de estudo dos homens idosos, percentual de idosos em domicílios com banheiro/água encanada e probabilidade de sobrevivência aos 60 anos, com a variável desfecho taxa de mortalidade por doenças cardiovasculares dos homens e mulheres idosos. O índice sintético construído permitiu identificar os diferentes ritmos de envelhecimento populacional entre as regiões e distintos processos de evolução dos níveis de mortalidade pelas doenças cardiovasculares, muitas delas compatíveis com as condições de vida no Nordeste. Os resultados sugerem que o construto condições de vida está fortemente associado por esta causa de morte entre os idosos para ambos os sexos no Nordeste do Brasil. Neste sentido, sugere-se que estes resultados sejam considerados como relevantes para formulação de políticas de saúde regionais voltadas para este contingente populacional do Nordeste do Brasil

Relações trabalhistas e estilo de vida do atleta profissional de futebol do Rio Grande do Norte

Brazilian Law n° 9.615 of 24 March, 1998 established new paradigms in the employment relations existent between the soccer athlete and the sport association, both of whom are accustomed to the former legislation. They do not seem to have organized themselves in the sense of understanding the practical effects of the legal precepts currently in force, raising doubts that hinder the professional practice of the former and the performance of the latter in relation to managing these human resources. The purpose of this study is to analyze the degree of knowledge displayed by the professional soccer athlete about the legal recourses at his disposal in relation to the employment relations established in his work contract, as well as investigating the stress habits and stress situations that he most often experiences. This descriptive study consisted of a sample of 105 players under contract with clubs participating in the final phase of the state soccer championship. A questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument, whose analysis allows us to verify the lack of knowledge, on the part of the subjects studied, about the laws that regulate their profession, as well as identifying the stress habits and stress situations that are most reflected in their lifestyle. The lack of knowedge of regulate norms of their profession influences, in a negative way, in the lifestyle of soccer professional athlete from Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Exercício físico, saúde e qualidade de vida em pessoas com HIV/AIDS em Natal/Rio Grande do Norte

A sobrevida das pessoas com AIDS tem aumentado com o uso das terapias com antiretrovirais (TARV), esses, entretanto, possuem efeitos colaterais que interferem no padrão morfofuncional e hematológico, o que pode levar a alterações na qualidade de vida (QV). Este estudo quase-experimental objetivou avaliar parâmetros antropométricos, funcionais, hematológicos e de QV em pessoas com HIV/AIDS submetidas a um programa de exercícios de 16 semanas. Os participantes tinham idade entre 35 e 51 anos (n=15), eram registrados no Núcleo de atendimento do Hospital Giselda Trigueiro em Natal/Rio Grande do Norte e apresentaram CD4350cel/mm3, lipodistrofia e estavam em TARV. Foram avaliados o índice de massa corpórea (IMC), a relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), o percentual de gordura (%G), a força escapular e manual, a contagem de CD4, carga viral e QV, antes e após a intervenção. Essa foi realizada com exercícios de aquecimento e utilizou como base os exercícios resistidos, realizados 3x/semana, com 1h e intensidade de 60 a 75% de 1RM. Observaram-se modificações significativas no %G (p=0,031), força escapular (p=0,007) e preensão manual (p=0,039). Houve aumento no CD4 e a carga viral manteve-se indetectável. Nos domínios da QV, houve mudança significativa no do meio ambiente (p=0,021), espiritualidade, religiosidade e crenças pessoais (p=0,032) e na percepção da qualidade de vida e saúde geral (p=0,005). Os resultados sugerem que os exercícios resistidos para essa população constituem agente terapêutico coadjuvante no controle dos efeitos colaterais advindos da TARV, promovendo modificações na composição corporal, aumento da capacidade funcional e dos níveis de CD4, mantendo estável a carga viral e melhorando a QV. Sugerimos novos estudos com maior tempo de intervenção e com o acompanhamento de equipes multidisciplinares, o que poderá promover melhorias mais significativas na qualidade de vida e efetuar maior controle nas variáveis intervenientes

Estilo de vida individual de universitários jovens com excesso de peso da Universidade Católica de Murcia-Espanha

Individual lifestyle includes health and risk behaviors that can altar health status. Excess weight is a public health problem of modern civilization and there is an estimated mean prevalence of 45% in European countries. In Spain, the Murcia Region is an area of high morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disorders. In this study we assess the differences in health and risk behaviors in ove/weight and normal weight undergraduates at the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM). Methods: Transversal design of parallel groups (overweight - cases and normal weight - control) , formed using the anthropometric technique. A questionnaire applied to a sample of 471 undergraduates of either sex, between the ages of 18 and 29 years, enrolled in 4 bachelor degree courses (ADE, CA, PER, PUB) at UCAM. We performed a standardized measurement of body mass (weight in kg), height (in meters) using a Seca® scale with calibrated stadiometer, waist and hip circumferences (in cm) with an inelastic tape and skinfolds thickness (triceps and subscapular in mm) with a Holtain® caliper, to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and the sum of skinfolds (SSF). We applied a lifestyle questionnaire about alcohol and tobacco consumption, knowledge and behaviors related to health indicators (arterial pressure and cholesterol), diet and physical activity. The information was collected in April and May, 2001 at the UCAM laboratory of Applied Nutrition. Statistical analysis: analysis of independent groups, contingency tables that reveal which qualitativa variables show differences and associations between the groups, Pearson's chi-square,and a significance levei of p < 0.05 followed by a residual analysis (1.96). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to establish the two groups: case and contrai with 65 men and 26 women each who had BMI < 25 kg/m2. Results: A total of 65 of the men assessed (14%) and 26 (6%) of the women were overweight. Mean body mass index of the case group was 27. 78 ±: 2.83 kg/m2 in the men and 26.26 ± 1.37 kg/m2 in the women, while contrai group men had mean BMI of 22.36 ± 1.72 kg/m2, while for the women it was 20.76 ±: 2.13 kg/m2. The self-declared values of weight and height were underestimated, but with high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. Thus, these can be used to calculate the BMI of overweight Spanish undergraduates. Regular vigorous physical activity was observed only in normal weight men. The analysis showed the following significant differences for the qualitativa variables of the two groups. The contrai group was interested in arterial hypertension, believed that they were not overweight, that they had no abdominal fat, and had not considered controlling 'fatty food consumption. Those who thought of controlling it sometimes, did so without professional help. However, part of the overweight group believed that they were overweight and had abdominal fat between average and considerable, had often or always considered controlling fatty foods and had often or always tried to control consumption with the help of professionals. They had always thought of engaging in physical activities, unlike the normal weight individuals. Nearly all (95%) of the overweight undergraduates and most (75%) of the normal weight group reported that they sometimes or always controlled fatty food ingestion. Mean physical activity was nearly twice as high in the summer than in the winter. Conclusions: The overweight undergraduates in this sample displayed a lifestyle with a greater number of healthy behaviors when compared to normal weight individuals