Abdominal obesity in schoolchildren: association with socioeconomic and demographic indicators

Abstract

Obesity among children is considered a concern in public health in Brazil. Careful attention must be given to abdominal obesity because of its association with heart diseases and metabolic problems that may reach children. This study aimed to analyze the association between abdominal obesity, and socioeconomic and demographic indicators in schoolchildren engaged in elementary public schools in the city of Santa Izabel do Oeste (Southern Brazil). A cross-sectional investigation was carried out to investigate waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WHR). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze associations. A sample of 361 students from 5 to 9 years old (mean 7.82±1.3) was analyzed, of which 19.1% presented high WC, 22.7% high WHR, and 16.1% had high measurements in both. Among socioeconomic factors ≥11 years of maternal education was significantly associated to high WHR (OR= 1.79; CI95%=1.02-3.15). The active transport provoked lower odds of both WC (OR=0.28 [95% CI=0.09-0.86]) and WHR (OR=0.20 [95% CI=0.07-0.58]). The findings show that schoolchildren whose mothers had higher educational level present higher odds for elevated WHR. Using active transportation was significantly and inversely associated to odds of both higher WHR and WC. The results indicate the importance of adopting strategies to improve the practice of physical activities that result in higher energetic expenditure. Adopting continues actions to promote health food intake are also necessary. Both actions could be planned on behalf of the Health in School Program and the School Feeding Program.

Health Determinants, Applications, and Methods: A Systematic Literature Review on the Relationships Between the Urban Transport of People and Health

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