The scope of this study is to analyze the prevalence of malnutrition among adolescents in two Brazilian cities and to analyze possible associations with leisure-time physical activity. 2782 adolescents ranging from 10 to 17 years of age enrolled in public and private schools from a city in the southeastern and another in the southern region participated in the study. Body weight and height were duly recorded. Physical activity was assessed: sports, walking; cycling and watching television. The Chi-square and Poisson regression tests were applied. The prevalence of malnutrition was 13%, being higher among females (14.5%) than among males (11.9%) (p = 0.047). Practicing sport was associated with a lower occurrence of the condition (p = 0.001). The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly lower among those who maintained moderate walking frequency in comparison with those who walked less. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in this study was considered to be high. In addition to this, inadequate nutritional status in adolescents seems associated with risk-related health behavior, such as insufficient leisure-time physical activity.
Malnutrition; Physical activity; Adolescents