RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY OF CHILDREN AND THEIR GUARDIANS: A STUDY IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF VITÓRIA/ES
Name: KÉLLYDA CINNARA DA SILVA MOURA
Publication date: 07/12/2023
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| MARIA DEL CARMEN BISI MOLINA | Advisor |
Summary: Obesity is a major challenge for public health, as it is a multifactorial problem that is difficult to resolve and must be faced by several countries. In Brazil, data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN), from 2021, showed that approximately 18% of children under 10 years of age are overweight, while 19% were classified as obese. The etiology of obesity is complex, influenced, among several factors, by genetics, quantity and quality of food and lifestyle. There is evidence that parents can have an important influence on their children's health habits and weight. And in some cases, caregivers may inadvertently promote behaviors that contribute to childhood overweight and obesity. This work investigated the correspondence between the nutritional status of children and their guardians in four municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória-ES, as well as the factors associated with overweight and obesity of those responsible for participating children. This is a cross-sectional study with baseline data from an intervention study. The collection period took place from July to December 2021. Families with children between 7 and 10 years of age enrolled in 26 Family Health Units (USF) in the municipalities of Cariacica, Serra, Vila Velha and Vitória were included in the study. Clinical examinations were performed using standardized protocols by a certified team. A face-to-face interview was conducted to obtain sociodemographic data, lifestyle and health habits. Nutritional status was classified using the Body Mass Index (BMI) (children and guardians). The chi-square test was used to identify differences in proportions of sociodemographic variables, life habits and health between nutritional status (children and guardians). The kappa (k) test was used to verify the agreement between the nutritional status of children and guardians. Multinomial logistic regression models were established to identify factors associated with overweight and obesity of caregivers. Analyzes were conducted using SPSS software version 21.0, adopting p<0.05. 455 children (52.3% girls) and their parents/guardians (93.6% mothers) were evaluated. Most children actively went to school and did not have the habit of taking lunch. Greater agreement was found in the obesity condition (k=0.124, p<0.001), with 56.5% of children classified as obese having obese parents/guardians. Guardians over 30 years of age and self-perceived health as fair/poor/very poor were more likely to be overweight/obese. The nutritional status of children is related to that of their parents/guardians, especially when they are obese. Higher age range and worse self-perception were associated with overweight/obesity in parents or guardians.
