Association between sedentarianism and excess of weight in schoolchildren of the periphery of São Paulo

A obesidade infantil é considerada uma doença crônica e vem aumentando de forma significativa, sendo a inatividade física umas das suas causas. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a associação entre variáveis relacionadas à atividade física e o estado nutricional entre os escolares. Estudo prospectivo, transversal, desenvolvido com escolares de uma escola pública e uma particular, com idade entre sete e 10 anos, da periferia do município de São Paulo, no ano de 2017. Foram avaliados dados sociodemográficos; antropométricos de peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura; e de atividade física. Entre os 77 escolares avaliados mais da metade eram do sexo feminino, estudavam em escola pública e a mediana (intervalo interquartis) da idade foi de 8,68 anos (6,94-9,9). Dessas crianças, 45,45% foram diagnosticadas com sobrepeso ou obesidade, sendo mais prevalente naquelas que estudavam em escola privada, e 26,0% tinham excesso de adiposidade abdominal, de acordo com o indicador razão cintura-estatura. Além disso, 44% das crianças relataram praticar alguma atividade física fora da escola, mais da metade caminha a pé até a escola e a média de tempo gasto assistindo televisão ou com celular e jogos eletrônicos foi de três horas por dia. Os escolares apresentaram elevada frequência de excesso de peso, sendo mais prevalente entre as crianças da escola particular, sem associação atividade física ou práticas sedentárias. ABSTRACT Association between sedentarianism and excess of weight in schoolchildren of the periphery of São PauloChildhood obesity is considered a chronic disease and has been increasing significantly, with physical inactivity being one of its causes. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between variables related to physical activity and nutritional status among schoolchildren. A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out with schoolchildren of a public and private school, aged between seven and 10 years, from the periphery of the city of São Paulo, in 2017. Socio-demographic data were evaluated; anthropometric weight, height and waist circumference; and physical activity. Among the 77 schoolchildren evaluated, more than half were female, studied in public schools and the median (interquartile range) of age was 8.68 years (6.94-9.9). Of these children, 45.45% were diagnosed as being overweight or obese, being more prevalent in those who studied in private schools, and 26.0% had excess abdominal fat, according to the waist-to-height ratio indicator. In addition, 44% of the children reported that they practiced some kind of physical activity outside of school, more than half walked on foot to school and the average time spent watching television or cell phones and games was three hours a day. Schoolchildren presented a high frequency of overweight, being more prevalent among the children of the private school, without association with physical activity or sedentary practices.Childhood obesity is considered a chronic disease and has been increasing significantly, with physical inactivity being one of its causes. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between variables related to physical activity and nutritional status among schoolchildren. A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out with schoolchildren of a public and private school, aged between seven and 10 years, from the periphery of the city of São Paulo, in 2017. Socio-demographic data were evaluated; anthropometric weight, height and waist circumference; and physical activity. Among the 77 schoolchildren evaluated, more than half were female, studied in public schools and the median (interquartile range) of age was 8.68 years (6.94-9.9). Of these children, 45.45% were diagnosed as being overweight or obese, being more prevalent in those who studied in private schools, and 26.0% had excess abdominal fat, according to the waist-to-height ratio indicator. In addition, 44% of the children reported that they practiced some kind of physical activity outside of school, more than half walked on foot to school and the average time spent watching television or cell phones and games was three hours a day. Schoolchildren presented a high frequency of overweight, being more prevalent among the children of the private school, without association with physical activity or sedentary practices