Brazilian Adults Research Articles

Tobacco advertising and oral health among never smokers: the mediating role of secondhand smoke exposure.

To determine whether the association between tobacco advertising (TA) exposure and poor self-rated oral health (SROH) is mediated through secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in Brazilian adults who have never smoked. Secondary cross-sectional analysis of The Brazilian National Health Survey 2019 data. The daily, weekly, or monthly exposure to SHS at home or at work was set as the mediator. Mediation analysis within a counterfactual approach used adjusted binary logistic regressions for both poor SROH and SHS exposure, to estimate the natural direct effect (NDE), natural indirect effect (NIE) through SHS exposure, and marginal total effect (MTE) of TA exposure on poor SROH. To assess the robustness of the results, we calculated the E-value for the MTE. The sample comprised 53,295 never smoker adults. The MTE of TA exposure on poor SROH was 1.09 (1.03, 1.16), with the indirect effect through SHS exposure responsible for only 16.6% of the total (NIE: 1.01 [1.01, 1.02] and NDE: 1.08 [1.02, 1.14]). An effect of 1.42 would be required for an unmeasured confounder to explain away the association between TA and SROH. More individuals exposed to TA have poor SROH than those unexposed, with secondhand smoke exposure explaining only a small portion of this effect. Upstream tobacco policies should consider oral health outcomes.

Modeling the potential impact of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax on ischemic heart disease and stroke in Brazil.

A high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke. This study aimed to model the impact of a 20% tax on all SSBs for IHD and stroke among Brazilian adults. This was an ex-ante risk comparative study. The model applied a 20% tax on SSBs and projected the incidence, prevalence and mortality of IHD and stroke over a 20-year period (2019-39). Using data on consumption, previously published cross- and own-price elasticities of SSBs, and relative risk, we estimated changes in IHD and stroke burden. Our model predicts that a 20% SSB tax may reduce new cases of IHD by ~13%, especially among women, and avert ~8% of the deaths attributable to IHD over 20years. These results represent a decrease of 19 543 new cases and 8466 and 7274 fewer deaths in the period for men and women, respectively. Estimates of reduction in incidence, prevalence and deaths from stroke were not significant over 20years. Even under conservative assumptions, our study found that a small reduction in SSB consumption led to a substantial decrease in IHD incidence and mortality in Brazil.

Genome-Wide Admixture and Association Study of Serum Selenium Deficiency to Identify Genetic Variants Indirectly Linked to Selenium Regulation in Brazilian Adults.

Blood selenium (Se) concentrations differ substantially by population and could be influenced by genetic variants, increasing Se deficiency-related diseases. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum Se deficiency in 382 adults with admixed ancestry. Genotyping arrays were combined to yield 90,937 SNPs. R packages were applied to quality control and imputation. We also performed the ancestral proportion analysis. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes was used to interrogate known protein-protein interaction networks (PPIs). Our ancestral proportion analysis estimated 71% of the genome was from Caucasians, 22% was from Africans, and 8% was from East Asians. We identified the SNP rs1561573 in the TraB domain containing 2B (TRABD2B), rs425664 in MAF bZIP transcription factor (MAF), rs10444656 in spermatogenesis-associated 13 (SPATA13), and rs6592284 in heat shock protein nuclear import factor (HIKESHI) genes. The PPI analysis showed functional associations of Se deficiency, thyroid hormone metabolism, NRF2-ARE and the Wnt pathway, and heat stress. Our findings show evidence of a genetic association between Se deficiency and metabolic pathways indirectly linked to Se regulation, reinforcing the complex relationship between Se intake and the endogenous factors affecting the Se requirements for optimal health.

Machine learning algorithms using national registry data to predict loss to follow-up during tuberculosis treatment

BackgroundIdentifying patients at increased risk of loss to follow-up (LTFU) is key to developing strategies to optimize the clinical management of tuberculosis (TB). The use of national registry data in prediction models may be a useful tool to inform healthcare workers about risk of LTFU. Here we developed a score to predict the risk of LTFU during anti-TB treatment (ATT) in a nationwide cohort of cases using clinical data reported to the Brazilian Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN).MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of all TB cases reported to SINAN between 2015 and 2022; excluding children (< 18 years-old), vulnerable groups or drug-resistant TB. For the score, data before treatment initiation were used. We trained and internally validated three different prediction scoring systems, based on Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Light Gradient Boosting. Before applying our models we splitted our data into training (~ 80% data) and test (~ 20%) sets, and then compared the model metrics using the test data set.ResultsOf the 243,726 cases included, 41,373 experienced LTFU whereas 202,353 were successfully treated. The groups were different with regards to several clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. The directly observed treatment (DOT) was unbalanced between the groups with lower prevalence in those who were LTFU. Three models were developed to predict LTFU using 8 features (prior TB, drug use, age, sex, HIV infection and schooling level) with different score composition approaches. Those prediction scoring systems exhibited an area under the curve (AUC) ranging between 0.71 and 0.72. The Light Gradient Boosting technique resulted in the best prediction performance, weighting specificity and sensitivity. A user-friendly web calculator app was developed (https://tbprediction.herokuapp.com/) to facilitate implementation.ConclusionsOur nationwide risk score predicts the risk of LTFU during ATT in Brazilian adults prior to treatment commencement utilizing schooling level, sex, age, prior TB status, and substance use (drug, alcohol, and/or tobacco). This is a potential tool to assist in decision-making strategies to guide resource allocation, DOT indications, and improve TB treatment adherence.

Association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and sociodemographic variables: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

The evidence about the socioeconomic factors associated with the high consumption of ultra-processed foods using the NOVA classification is still poorly understood, especially in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and assess their association with sociodemographic variables in individuals over the age of 18 in the Brazil. Cross-sectional study using data from the National Health Survey (NHS), 2019. UPF consumption was estimated by the sum of positive answers about the consumption of ten subgroups of UPF. Poisson regression was used to describe associations between UPF consumption and sociodemographic variables (sex, age group, race/skin color, income, living with partner, macro-region and area of residence). A total of 88,531 individuals were included. The prevalence of UPF consumption was 14.3% and was twice as high in young people (18-24 years old) compared to the older people (60 years or older), in lower income strata and in more developed regions of the country (region South and urban area). UPF are consumed with high frequency among Brazilian adults. Being male, younger, having a lower income and residing in developed regions are factors that increased UPF consumption.

Body Adiposity Index as a Predictor of Body Fat in an Oldest Old and Independent Cohort of Brazilian Older Adults.

Anthropometry and body mass index (BMI) do not assess body composition or its distribution in older adults; thus, individuals may have different fat percentages but similar BMI values. The body adiposity index (BAI) was recently proposed as a feasible and inexpensive method for estimating the percentage of body fat based on measurements of hip circumference and height. The present study evaluated whether BAI and BMI are useful alternatives to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), which is rarely used in clinical practice, for predicting body fat in independent long-lived older adults. In this cross-sectional study, we used DXA to calculate the percentage of body fat, which was compared with BAI and BMI values. We performed Pearson correlation analyses and used Cronbach's alpha, described by Bland and Altman, to compare the reliability between the indexes. Among 157 evaluated individuals (73.2% women, mean age 87±3.57 years), men had a lower percentage of total fat, as assessed by DXA, and lower BAI indices than women. The correlation between BAI and DXA was moderate (r=0.59 for men and r=0.67 for women, p&lt;0.001). We confirmed the reliability based on Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.67 in men and 0.77 in women. We also observed that the BAI was strongly positively correlated with BMI in both men and women. The BAI, used in combination with BMI, can be an alternative to DXA for the assessment of body fat in the oldest old in clinical practice, mainly women, and can be used to add information to BMI.

Sleep Quality among Older Adults in Brazil during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: The Role of Physical Activity

Abstract Objectives To assess sleep quality and sleepiness among older adults after social distancing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its association with physical activity. Materials and Methods The present cross-sectional study included a sample of 290 Brazilians aged ≥ 60 years. Subjective sleep quality and sleepiness were assessed using the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results Of the 290 participants, 29.7% reported worsening sleep quality during the pandemic, with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) MSQ score of 31.6 ± 8.8. Worsening of the perceived sleep quality during the pandemic and previous COVID-19 diagnoses were associated with higher MSQ scores (p &lt; 0.001 and p = 0.013 respectively). Physical inactivity was not associated with sleep quality but was associated with sleepiness (p = 0.030). Conclusion It is important to develop strategies that encourage physical activity, among other modifiable health factors, to help improve sleepiness among older adults.

Years of Healthy Life among Older Adults in Brazil: An Analysis Based on the Global Activity Limitation Indicator, 1998 and 2008

The aim of the study was to calculate life expectancy and Healthy Life Expectancy (HLY) through a Global Activity Limitation Indicator (GALI) proxy among Brazilian older adults according to sex for the years 1998 and 2008. The study was carried out using data from the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) and from Abbreviated Life Tables in 2000 and 2010 from Brazilian Institute of Demographic Geography and Statistics (IBGE) by sex. The activity limitation-free life expectancy was estimate based on the GALI for both sexes using the Sullivan method. The results showed an increase in life expectancy in the period for both sexes. The time of life without activity limitations in 2008 has decreased for men. For women, a reduction in percentage of the time lived without activity limitation has been shown. A small advantage in favor of men compare to women’s health was found. Comparing the two periods, the proportion of years expected to be lived without activity limitation was higher in 1998 than in 2008 and for both sexes. There are still many uncertainties about how the country is actually ageing. Given this context, an effort to maintain constant health monitoring through different indicators such as GALI is essential. At the same time, strengthening local and regional policies, aiming to build solid paths and mechanisms to promote an active and healthy ageing of its population must be a target.

Identification of the needs and priorities of older people and stakeholders in rural and urban areas of Santo Andre, Brazil.

There are few data reporting the needs and priorities of older adults in Brazil. This hampers the development and/or implementation of policies aimed at older adults to help them age well. The aim of this study was to understand areas of importance, priorities, enablers and obstacles to healthy ageing as identified by older adults and key stakeholders in both urban and rural environments. Two locations were selected, one urban and one rural in the municipality of Santo André, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo (SP). Workshops for older adults (>60 y) and stakeholders were conducted separately in each location. The workshops incorporated an iterative process of discussion, prioritisation and ranking of responses, in roundtable groups and in plenary. Areas of commonality and differences between older adult and stakeholder responses were identified by comparing responses between groups as well as mapping obstacles and enablers to healthy ageing identified by older adults, to the priorities identified by stakeholder groups. The socio-ecologic model was used to categorise responses. There were few shared responses between stakeholders and older adults and little overlap between the top ranked responses of urban and rural groups. With respect to areas of importance, both stakeholder groups ranked policies for older people within their top five reponses. Both older adult groups ranked keeping physically and mentally active, and nurturing spirituality. There was a marked lack of congruence between older adults' obstacles and enablers to healthy ageing and stakeholder priorities, in both urban and rural settings. Most responses were located within the Society domain of the socio-ecologic model, although older adults also responded within the Individual/ Relationships domains, particularly in ranking areas of most importance for healthy ageing. Our results highlight substantial differences between older adults and stakeholders with respect to areas of importance, priorities, enablers and obstacles to healthy ageing, and point to the need for more engagement between those in advocacy and policymaking roles and the older people whose needs they serve.

Epidemiological profile of neuroendocrine tumors in adults in Brazil.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a set of diseases that originate from neuroendocrine cells, which comprises a diffuse endocrine system present in various organs of the body. These tumors are more frequent in the gastrointestinal tract (70%) and the bronchopulmonary system (20%-30%). A NET incidence rate of 1-5 per 100,000 inhabitants has been estimated for several European countries and the USA employing 20 years of data. However, no comprehensive studies on this rare neoplasm are available in Brazil. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiological NET profile in the country. This is a retrospective descriptive observational study based on data from Hospital Cancer Records available at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute and the São Paulo Oncocentro Foundation. Demographic, clinical and treatmentrelated variables were analyzed from selected cases employing descriptive statistics. A total of 15,859 cases were identified, most occurring in males (53.4%) and in individuals under 65 years old (63.3%). Small cell carcinoma was the most frequent histological type (46.7%). Bronchopulmonary tumors were the most frequent NETs, followed by pancreatic tumors, with cases mostly concentrated in high complexity centers in the Brazilian Southeast and treated mainly with surgery and chemotherapy, with over half of the patients diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease.

Ocular complications in adults with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in a referral center in Brazil

PurposeThere is limited literature on the ocular manifestations in patients with psoriasis. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with ocular manifestations in adults with psoriasis.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included Brazilian adults with psoriasis. The dermatological evaluation included diagnosis, clinical form, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) measurement, and location of the lesions. Patients underwent a full ophthalmological examination, including the Schirmer I test, Rose Bengala staining, and tear breakup time tests. The results were analyzed using chi-square and Pearson’s linear correlation tests.ResultsOf the 130 patients assessed, 118 (90.8%) exhibited ocular abnormalities, with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) being the most prevalent (59.2%), followed by dry eye disease (DED) (56.2%). A significant correlation was observed between MGD and PASI (p = 0.05), and between MGD and certain treatment modalities. DED was significantly associated with PASI (p < 0.05). Concurrent use of acitretin was identified as an independent predictor of MGD (odds ratio [OR] = 3.5, p < 0.05), whereas PASI was a protective factor against DED (OR = 0.39, p < 0.01).ConclusionGiven the high prevalence of eye disease among individuals with psoriasis, routine ophthalmological assessments are recommended to prevent possible ocular complications.

Factors of food choice and nutritional intake of Brazilian older adults according sociodemographic and health characteristics

The rapid demographic transition in developing countries has always posed a challenge for the social and economic policies of these nations. The increase in longevity poses new challenges for understanding dietary consumption among different age groups at the old age population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons for food choice and the composition of nutritional intake of older adults and its relationship to individual characteristics. Community-living older adults aged 60 and older were interviewed in their homes at the southeastern region of Brazil, between December 2021 and February 2022. The Food Choice Questionnaire and a Food Frequency Questionnaire were administered to obtain data on the reasons for food choice and nutritional intake. A structured interview was employed to gather information on individual characteristics. 168 older adults (mean age of 72.6 ± 8.9; 69.6% women) participated. The reasons for food choice differed significantly, with weight control being one of the least important and health being one of the most important. But older adults aged 80 and over valued the health criterion less than younger participants (60–69 years old). The intake of macronutrients and energy were below nutritional recommendations. Carbohydrate consumption was positively correlated with the mood motive. There was a relationship between the reasons for choosing food and/or the components of nutritional intake with: gender, age, living with a partner, self-report of depression/anxiety, self-perception of health and nutritional status anthropometric. The results are important to be considered in prevention policies and clinical-nutritional management, with special attention to the oldest-old.

Brewing sustainability: assessing environmental concerns and consumers’ attitudes towards sustainable craft beer purchase intentions

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the interplay between environmental concerns, consumer attitudes and their influence on sustainable practices within the craft beer industry, exploring how consumers’ perception of environmental attributes impact their purchase intentions regarding craft beer.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a quantitative approach, using a self-administered survey instrument comprised 28 Likert-scale items. Data was gathered from a convenience sample of 319 craft beer consumers. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to assess the measurement model’s validity and reliability. Subsequently, partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThis study’s findings challenge established notions within the field, demonstrating that water conservation, carbon footprint reduction, organic farming and local sourcing practices hold significant influence on consumers’ purchase intentions regarding sustainable craft beer. These findings depart from previous research that suggested a less pronounced impact of specific sustainability practices on consumer behavior.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature by revealing consumer insights into the environmental implications of craft beer choices, empowering them to make informed purchasing decisions aligned with their sustainability values. However, acknowledging potential limitations, sample size and demographic composition (young adults in Brazil) potentially impact the generalizability of the findings.Originality/valueThis study addresses the understanding of consumer attitudes and priorities regarding environmental sustainability within the craft beer industry. By focusing on the tangibility of specific sustainable attributes the research shows how these practices influence consumer perceptions and purchasing intentions.

High Adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Inversely Associated with Systemic Inflammation in Older but Not in Younger Brazilian Adults.

The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MPD) has shown promise in preventing low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI). This study tested if a high adherence to the MDP by younger and older Brazilian adults is associated with lower LGSI and investigated which Mediterranean food components may contribute to these associations. We performed a secondary study on 2015 ISA-Nutrition (290 younger adults (20-59 years old) and 293 older adults (≥60 years old)), a cross-sectional population-based study in São Paulo, SP, Brazil. The adherence to the MDP was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore), obtained from two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls (24HDRs). The LGSI score (from plasma CRP, TNF-α, and adiponectin) identified the inflammatory status. Linear regression models assessed the association between LGSI and the MedDietScore. In older adults only, a high adherence to the MDP signified an 11.5% lower LGSI score. Older adults, classified with high adherence to the MDP, differed by consuming lower meat intake and full-fat dairy. Between older adults, the intake of vegetables and olive oil was inversely associated with the levels of LGSI. Thus, among older adults, the intake of some specific Mediterranean food determined high adherence to the MDP and was associated with decreased LGSI.

Association of asthma risk factors and the prevalence of the disease in a population of Brazil.

Background. Asthma, a chronic lower airway disease, affects all age groups worldwide. Its prevalence varies globally, with Brazil estimating over 10% affected. Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and environmental exposures. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between the previously described asthma risk factors and the prevalence of asthma in a population of Brazilian adults. Methods. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted using data collected from 7,891 patients. All patients in the database > 18 years of age were included. The following variables were collected from the health plan database: age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma diagnosis. The frequency of the collected variables was compared between patients with or without an asthma diagnosis, and logistic regression was performed. Results. Of our total sample (7,891 patients), 150 (1.9%) had asthma. The mean age of patients with asthma was 39.4 years. 1.4% of normal weight patients had the diagnosis of asthma, while 2.4% of overweight and 2.2% of obese patients had the diagnosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a sedentary lifestyle and overweight and obesity were independently associated with asthma prevalence Odds Ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval]: (1.61 [1.16-2.22] and 1.25 [1.03-1.52] respectively). Conclusions. Our data provide evidence that some clinical characteristics, such as sedentarism, overweight, and obesity, may be related to the prevalence of asthma in an adult population in southeastern Brazil. Such factors could be modified and better understood through multidisciplinary research and health programs that evaluate the risk factors for asthma in large populations.

Cross-sectional study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity of Brazilian adults in the Southeast region

Cross-sectional study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity of Brazilian adults in the Southeast region

‘Does it matter how old I feel?’ The role of subjective age in a psychosocial intervention for improving depressive symptomatology among older adults in Brazil (PROACTIVE)

Objectives Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that also often affects older adults. The PROACTIVE psychosocial intervention was developed to reduce depressive symptomatology among older adults within primary care settings in Brazil. An important psychological marker that affects individuals’ aging experience relates to how old people feel. Known as subjective age, this marker has been shown to be a risk factor for experiencing greater depressive symptoms if individuals report feeling older than their (chronological) age. In this study, we perform secondary analyses of the PROACTIVE cluster-randomized controlled trial to examine the role of subjective age. Method The sample included 715 Brazilian older adults (74% female, M age 68.6, SD = 6.9, age range: 60–94 years) randomized to intervention (n = 360, 74% female, M age 68.4, SD = 6.6, age range: 60–89 years) or control (n = 355, 74% female, M age 68.9, SD = 7.2, age range: 60–94 years) arms. Here our primary outcome was depressive symptoms at the 8-month follow-up assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a continuous variable. Our previous analyses demonstrated improved recovery from depression at follow-up in the intervention compared with the control arm. Results Relevant main effects and interactions in regression models for PHQ-9 presented here found that those reporting older subjective age had worse depressive symptoms at follow-up but that they benefitted more from the intervention when initial levels of depression were high. For participants who reported younger subjective ages the intervention showed positive effects that were independent of initial levels of depression. Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of investigating possible underlying mechanisms that can help clarify the impact of mental health interventions.

The Brazilian version of the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-Expanded Version: Internal structure, invariance by sex and race, and associations with pathological personality traits.

The Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-Expanded version (IDAS-II) is one of the few tools designed to assess internalizing symptoms based on dimensional models. We conducted two studies, the first testing internal validity aspects of the IDAS-II and the second testing the external validity of the scales. In the first study we adapted the IDAS-II to Brazilian Portuguese and tested its internal structure, including a higher order factorial solution coherent with the internalizing spectrum, the stability of the factor structure, and its measurement invariance for sex and racial groups. Participants were 2,379 Brazilian adults. In the second study, we investigated the IDAS-II scales' associations with broad pathological personality traits in Brazilian (N = 245) and North American (N = 402) samples. The results of the first study indicated that the IDAS-II scales are grouped into three first-order factors (Distress, Obsessions/Fear, and Positive Mood), replicating Wester et al. (2022) and Petre et al. (2023). Our results also suggested the plausibility of an internalizing second-order factor for the IDAS-II Brazilian version. The multigroup confirmatory factor analysis shows that this scale is invariant for males and females and for White and Black/Brown people. In the second study, the IDAS-II scales demonstrated mostly coherent associations with broad domains of pathological personality traits. Besides the internal validity of the Brazilian IDAS-II, our results also provide information about its external validity and expand its nomological network, as it is the first study reporting its associations with broad domains of pathological personality traits. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Intake of Table Sugar and Their Corresponding Food Sources in Adults from the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey.

Excessive intake of free sugars is associated with adverse health outcomes. Table sugar is one of the main dietary sources of free sugars; however, the amount added by Brazilian consumers in their culinary preparations is unknown. The aims were to estimate the daily intake of table sugar (g/day), its contribution to total energy intake (E%) and the main food groups that contribute to the intake of this sugar in a nationwide multi-ethnic sample of Brazilian adults (2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey). Based on two 24-h recalls adjusted for the within-person variation, the overall median table sugar intake was 14.3 g/day, corresponding to 3.2 E%. Males, individuals living in rural areas, with low income, low education and experiencing food insecurity had a higher intake of table sugar. The main food sources of table sugar were coffee (55.8%), juice (33.9%), milk-based preparations and smoothies (3.1%), powdered and processed juice (2.7%), whole milk (1.9%), and tea (1.6%). There are no recommendations regarding the limit of table sugar intake, but considering that the WHO limits the intake of free sugars to <10 E%, it is concluded that table sugar intake by Brazilians corresponds to about 30% of the upper recommended daily intake of free sugars.

Prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia among Brazilian older adults: An exploratory network analysis

ObjectivesThis study aimed to verify the prevalence of sarcopenia and its associations with sociodemographic, clinical and psychological factors in community-dwelling older adults. Study designA randomized cross-sectional study was extracted from a probabilistic cluster conducted on individuals aged 65 years or older residing in the community. MethodsSarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Associations were analyzed using networks based on mixed graphical models. Predictability indices of the estimated networks were assessed using the proportion of explained variance for numerical variables and the proportion of correct classification for categorical variables. ResultsThe study included 278 participants, with a majority being female (61 %). The prevalence of sarcopenia was 39.57 %. Among those with sarcopenia, 67 % were women and 33 % were men. In the network model, age, race, education, family income, bone mass, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, total cholesterol levels and rheumatism were associated with sarcopenia. The covariates demonstrated a high accuracy (62.9 %) in predicting sarcopenia categories. ConclusionThe prevalence of sarcopenia was high, especially in women. In addition, network analysis proved useful in visualizing complex relationships between sociodemographic and clinical factors with sarcopenia. The results suggest early screening of sarcopenia for appropriate treatment of this common geriatric syndrome in older adults in Brazil.