This paper describes the methods of a multidisciplinary epidemiological survey conducted in schools in Pelotas, in the Southern Region of Brazil. This cross-sectional study evaluated a representative sample (n = 1,211) of eight to 12-year-old children attending public (15) and private (5) schools. Questionnaires were applied to parents to obtain information about socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics. Children were interviewed to provide information on demographic characteristics, oral health behavior and physical activity habits. Oral health examinations were performed on the children and anthropometric data was collected to assess nutritional status. School principals responded a questionnaire about the social and physical environment of the school. A total of 1,744 children were eligible for the study; a response rate of 69.4% was achieved, with no significant differences between schools. The method used allowed investigators to obtain data on several health outcomes as well as on possible risk factors. This strategy optimizes the use of financial resources for research and promotes interprofessional collaboration.

O Programa de Pós-graduação em Epidemiologia da UFPel realizou um intenso trabalho de auto-avaliação para resolver problemas identificados com seu curso de mestrado. O resultado foi a introdução de uma estrutura curricular baseada em dois pilares. De um lado, disciplinas de cunho teórico, fornecendo a base da formação do mestrando; de outro, disciplinas de cunho prático, onde os alunos trabalham coletivamente a construção de seu projeto de pesquisa, passando pela escolha de um tema, revisão da literatura, definição de objetivos e da metodologia. Esse esforço conjunto culmina na realização de um trabalho de campo único, na forma de um estudo transversal de base populacional, em que todos os mestrandos participam de maneira integral, obtendo dados para sua dissertação. Essa estratégia tem garantido a formação de mestres em epidemiologia com forte base teórica e com experiência de preparação e condução de um trabalho de campo. Além disso, tem sido possível manter um tempo de titulação abaixo de 24 meses. Cerca de 80% dos egressos têm publicado pelo menos um artigo baseado em seu mestrado. Destas publicações, quase 90% têm se dado em periódicos classificados como Internacional-A no Qualis da Capes.

This paper describes the methods of a multidisciplinary epidemiological survey conducted in schools in Pelotas, in the Southern Region of Brazil. This cross-sectional study evaluated a representative sample (n = 1,211) of eight to 12-year-old children attending public (15) and private (5) schools. Questionnaires were applied to parents to obtain information about socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics. Children were interviewed to provide information on demographic characteristics, oral health behavior and physical activity habits. Oral health examinations were performed on the children and anthropometric data was collected to assess nutritional status. School principals responded a questionnaire about the social and physical environment of the school. A total of 1,744 children were eligible for the study; a response rate of 69.4% was achieved, with no significant differences between schools. The method used allowed investigators to obtain data on several health outcomes as well as on possible risk factors. This strategy optimizes the use of financial resources for research and promotes interprofessional collaboration.

This study aimed to assess the association between individual and school environment variables and physical activity levels in Brazilian schoolchildren with 8-12 years of age. A sample of children from 20 private and public schools (n=1,210) was selected. Total and leisure-time physical activities and active transportation to school (AT) were measured using a self-report instrument. Total and leisure-time physical inactivity (PI) were defined as <300min/week of Physical activity. Physical and social school environment features were assessed through a questionnaire. The prevalence of PI, leisure-time PI, and AT to school were 69.2%, 75.8% and 70.5%, respectively. Multilevel models showed that PI was more frequent among girls, and was negatively associated with older age and higher maternal schooling. Girls were more inactive during leisure-time. For contextual variables, greater Physical Education teacher/student ratio was associated with lower levels of both total and leisure-time PI. AT was negatively associated with higher income and positively associated with older age. Students from public schools use more AT. Based on the prevalence of PI found, strategies focused at increasing physical activity levels should be implemented immediately. Also, our findings suggest that both individual and school contextual variables were associated with levels of PI, varying between domains. KeywordsSocial Environments, Epidemiology, Physical Education, Physical Activity. Resumo Este estudo objetivou avaliar a associação entre variáveis individuais e do contexto escolar com os níveis de atividade física em escolares de 8 a 12 anos de idade. Uma amostra de crianças de 20 escolas públicas e privadas (n=1210) foi selecionada. Os níveis de atividade física total e no lazer e o transporte ativo para a escola foram mensurados por meio de um instrumento validado. Crianças foram con-

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