Obesity, overweight and thinness in schoolchildren of the city of Florianópolis, Southern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of obesity, overweight (including obesity) and thinness in children of the city of Florianopolis (southern Brazil). Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Representative sample of 7-10-y-old schoolchildren of the first four grades of elementary schools (1432 girls, 1504 boys). Methods: Measurements of weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were taken following standard techniques. The body mass index (BMI) was computed as weight/height 2 . Nutritional status was defined using two references: (1) the Must et al reference for BMI and TSF to define thinness, overweight and obesity (5th, 85th and 95th percentiles, respectively); (2) the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) BMI cutoffs to define overweight and obesity. Results: Using BMI, according to the Must et al, and IOTF references, the prevalence of obesity was 10.6 and 5.5%, respectively; overweight (including obesity) affected 26.2 and 22.1% of children, respectively. According to the Must et al reference, the prevalence of thinness was 3.2%. Using TSF rather than BMI, according to the Must et al references, fewer children were classified as obese (8.0%) or overweight (20.2%) and more children were classified as thin (4.9%). Conclusion: This study supports the previously reported high frequencies of childhood overweight and obesity in developing countries. The data allow comparisons with other studies carried out in Brazil and other parts of the world.

Estado nutricional de escolares de 1ª a 4ª séries do Ensino Fundamental das escolas urbanas da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

“…As prevalências de sobrepeso e de obesidade encontradas no presente estudo foram maiores do que as observadas em escolares de escolas públicas brasileiras, como aqueles do Rio de Janeiro 13 e aqueles da cidade de Florianópolis, Estado de Santa Catarina 14 . As escolas particulares apresentaram prevalências de obesidade e sobrepeso maiores do que as escolas públicas, padrão semelhante ao observado em estudos realizados em países em desenvolvimento 10,11,12 .. No presente estudo, apenas entre as meninas as prevalências de sobrepeso ajustadas para idade apresentaram diferenças significativas segundo o tipo de escola; entre os meninos, as diferenças foram significantes tanto para obesidade como para sobrepeso.…”

Fatores comportamentais associados ao sobrepeso e à obesidade em escolares do Estado de Santa Catarina

“…Valores semelhantes foram encontrados em levantamento realizado em escolas públicas e particulares na cidade de Florianópolis, capital do Estado de Santa Catarina, com escolares entre 7 e 10 anos de idade: 15,5% de sobrepeso e 5,5% de obesidade (ASSIS et al, 2005 (1) Renda familiar per capita, escolaridade dos pais, sexo e idade da criança.…”

Hábitos alimentares e fatores de risco para aterosclerose em estudantes de Bento Gonçalves (RS)

“…Among the risk factors for atherosclerosis, the following rates were found: overweight, 24.6% (n = 145), 16.3% overweight and 8.3% obesity; active smoking, 0.5% (n = 3); passive smoking, 35.4% (n = 208); while 52.3% (n = 306) of students exercised less than three times a week, and 57.5% (n = 335) spent more than five hours a day watching TV/playing videogame/using the computer. High blood pressure levels on examination were found in 11.1% (n = 65) of students.…”

“…High blood pressure levels on examination were found in 11.1% (n = 65) of students. [13][14][15][16][17] . In the city of Bento Gonçalves (RS), the prevalence of obesity from 1990 to 1991 was 6.33% compared to the current prevalence, an increase of 1.97%, but this study was not population-based 18 .…”