Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém
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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among primary school children in the Tagus Lezíria region, Portugal: a study on eating habits
Publication . Andrade, Vanda; Ferrão, I.; Figueiredo, M.; Dias, Igor; Pinto, Paula; Ruivo, Paula
Poor dietary habits remain a significant public health concern,
highlighting the need to promote healthy and sustainable eating patterns, especially in
childhood and adolescence. This study assessed the eating habits of primary school
children in the Tagus Lezíria region, focusing on adherence to the Mediterranean Diet
(MD), recognized for its health and environmental benefits. Methods: The KIDMED
index (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents) was applied to
435 children, the vast majority (97.7%) aged 6–10 years. Results: The data showed that
64.6% of participants exhibited high adherence to the MD, 32.0% medium, and 3.5% low
adherence. Despite these encouraging levels, several gaps were identified: 80% of the
children did not meet the recommendation for regular nut consumption (≥2–3 times/week),
44% consumed legumes less than once a week, and 43% failed to eat vegetables more than
once a day. Regarding demographic factors, no significant differences were observed in
overall adherence categories; however, differences emerged in specific eating behaviours.
For example, girls consumed more vegetables and cereals than boys, and children in rural
areas consumed less dairy than those living in urban settings. Conclusions: These findings
emphasize the importance of reinforcing targeted school-based educational interventions
to promote healthier dietary behaviours, particularly increased consumption of fruits,
vegetables, fish, pulses, and nuts. Strengthening children’s adherence to the MD from
an early age may contribute to improving their health and fostering sustainable eating
practices.
Sintomatologia depressiva em idosos : resultados da EDG-15 no Projeto They Day Life Span Nowadays
Publication . São João, Ricardo; Galinha, Sónia; Carvalho, Olívia
Introdução: O projeto The Day Life Span Nowadays (2022–2030) tem como foco a análise de questões relacionadas com
a proteção e promoção de um ciclo de vida saudável em grupos vulneráveis. Neste contexto, foi aplicada a Escala de
Depressão Geriátrica [EDG-15] para avaliar a Sintomatologia Depressiva (SD) num grupo de utentes ERPIs. Objetivos: i)
analisar a relação entre SD e variáveis sociodemográficas; ii) avaliar a prevalência de depressão geriátrica como suporte
à criação de programas formativos para equipas multidisciplinares. Metodologia: Amostra por conveniência com 162
utentes de duas ERPI no território continental. Caracterização sociodemográfica realizada através de percentagens. Para a análise de associação, recorreu-se aos testes Qui-Quadrado e Exato de Fisher. Associações significativas foram avaliadas com o coeficiente V de Cramer. Foi fixado um erro de 5%. Resultados: Distribuição equilibrada dos sexos (49,38% F; 50,62% M) com a maioria dos utentes entre 65–74 anos (70,99%). Quanto ao estado civil, 54,94% eram casados, 24,07% viúvos, 11,11% separados, 7,41% solteiros e 2,47% em união de facto. No que respeita à SD, 83,33% não apresentaram sintomas, 11,73% revelaram depressão ligeira e 4,94% depressão severa. Não se verificou associação entre SD e o sexo (p = 0,74), mas encontraram-se associações significativas com a faixa etária (p = 0,003) e o estado civil (p < 0,001), com intensidades forte (V = 0,22) e muito forte (V = 0,32), respetivamente. Conclusões: Salienta-se 11,73% com depressão ligeira e 4,94% depressão severa. A análise confirma os dados qualitativos do projeto, apontando para a necessidade de formação das equipas em torno de uma abordagem de desenvolvimento de estratégias personalizadas de promoção da saúde e do bem-estar focadas na melhoraria da qualidade de vida com impacto para o propósito de vida.
Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15):uma ferramenta de rastreio da depressão em idosos
Publication . São João, Ricardo; Galinha, Sónia; Carvalho, Olivia
Objetivo da Escala : Avaliar sintomas depressivos em pessoas idosas de forma rápida e simples ; Foco em rastreio, não diagnóstico ; Útil em contextos clínicos, comunitários e institucionais
Data Science com software open source+livre e grátis:um bom casamento
Publication . São João, Ricardo
Data Science ; Software livre ; Software open source ; Características & Vantagens
Psychosocial risk and engagement in early childhood professionals: insights from a regional portuguese study
Publication . São João, Ricardo; Mendes, Nélia
Introduction:
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work recognizes psychosocial risks in the workplace as a major threat to workers' health and safety. Work engagement has emerged as a strong predictor of performance and productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate these concepts among professionals from the Local Early Intervention Teams (LEI) of the National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI) within the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Regional Subcommittee (SCRLVT), who are often exposed to high work demands. This study aimed to identify psychosocial risks and engagement levels, analyze variations according to sociodemographic and professional characteristics, examine differences across engagement dimensions, and explore the relationship between psychosocial risks and engagement.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 468 professionals from the ELIs of SCRLVT during November and December 2024, using an online questionnaire comprising three instruments: a sociodemo-graphic questionnaire, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III (COPSOQ III), and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), both validated for the Portuguese population. Psychosocial risk and work engagement levels were assessed, as well as their correlation. Additionally, associations between sociodemo-graphic and professional variables and these constructs were analysed. Finally, post hoc analysis was performed to compare the domains of UWES-9.
Results:
The response rate was 22.20% (n=103), with a predominantly female sample. High psychosocial risk levels were found in cognitive (90.29%) and emotional demands (81.55%). Health and well-being domains showed moderate risk, while others exhibited low risk. Overall work engagement was moderate, with Absorption standing out at a high level (M = 4.46). Post hoc tests revealed significant differences between Dedication and Vigor (p = 0.005). A significant negative correlation was found between global psychosocial risk and engagement (p < 0.001; ρ = -0.536), with relevant associations with sociodemographic and professional variables.
Conclusions:
This study identified a significant relationship between psychosocial risks and work engagement among ELI professionals at SCRLVT, with higher risks associated with lower engagement. Positive aspects, such as the perceived meaning of work and high Absorption levels, were also highlighted. Macro, organizational, and individual-level measures are suggested to promote well-being and engagement. This research is pioneering within this professional group and contributes to the validation of COPSOQ III in Portugal, despite limitations such as a low response rate and the scarcity of comparable studies.