Abstract

Author(s): Parente Albuquerque, Lusyanny1; Montenegro Cavalcante, Ana Carolina1; Cézar De Almeida, Paulo2; De Magalhães Carrapeiro, Mariana1

Objective: To relate overweight with students’ eating habits and lifestyle.

Methods: A transversal study was done with 68 students with 7-9 years old of public school in FortalezaCE. A registration form with 4 parts was applied: personal information, anthropometric data, eating habits and lifestyle. According to BMI/A, the students were classified as overweight, obese and extreme obesity, considering the patterns of World Health Organization (WHO). Eating habits were classified as insufficient, appropriate and extreme, according to the portions recommended by children’s pyramid. Lifestyle was investigated, considering physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and the habit of eating in front of television.

Results: It was observed a high frequency of obesity, according to BMI/A (55,9%), lack of physical activity (69,1%), insufficient consumption of fruit and vegetables (100%), milk and milk derivates, high con sumption of oil (30,9%), sugar (44,1%), soda and/or box of juice (75%). Statistical analysis was performed to assess the association between variables (chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact) considering the significance level of 5%. There was no significant difference between the degree of excess weight, eating habits and lifestyle.

Conclusion: It was not observed a significant difference between overweight, eating habits and lifestyle. The students were classified, in general, as obese, instead of overweight, which means an inappropriate food consumption and lifestyle. This discovery is considered worrying, since these children are overweight. This, combining with eating habits and lack of physical activity, results in harmful consequences in short and long term in their health.