Excessive body weight, body fat, and eating habits of students from public and private elementary education

Abstract

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of excessive body weight and eating habits among students of 3th and 4th periods of elementary school. Methods: 202 children (87 girls and 115 boys) in four schools (two publics, n=104 and two privates, n=98) from Barra do Garças (MT), Brazil were evaluated. A food frequency and physical activity questionnaire was applied. After measurement of height, weight and body mass index, the body fat (%) was estimated using a bioimpedance scale. The estimation of frequencies and the statistical analysis were performed by the epitools® program. Results: Prevalence of both overweight and obesity were higher in private schools compared to the public ones. The prevalence of overweight ranged from 18.92% to 32.43%, whereas the obesity prevalence varied from 18.2% to 36.4%. Body fat distribution was highest among girls than boys. The daily dietary intake of vegetables, legumes and fruits reached only 57.4%, 50% and 43.6%, respectively. 36.6% of the students did not drink or eat milk and its derivatives. The dietary intake of fatty foods and soft drinks 5 to 7 days per week were high, reaching 24.26% and 27.23%, respectively. The weekly consumption of sweeties and candies was excessive, reaching 39.11% for 5 to7 days. Conclusions: obesity was higher among students from private schools and dietary intake of vegetable foods was inadequate, wherea