OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of excess weight in preschoolers in Natal/RN and analyze the variables involved such as: gender, age, type of school (public and private) and city zones. METHODS: Transversal study was performed in 20 public and 20 private schools in Natal, Brazil, between August and December, 2004. A total of 3721 children, from 2 to 6 years of age were analyzed. Children whose BMI was > 85 percentile were considered as excess weight and those with BMI > 95 percentile as overweight . RESULTS: Prevalence of excess weight found was 26.5% (95%CI=24.4-28.9), with 14.1% (95%CI=13.0-15.3) risk of overweight and 12.4% (95%CI=11.4-13.6) overweight. In overweight children there were more males (13.9%, 95%CI=12.4-15.6) than females (10.8%, 95%CI=9.4-12.4) (p<0.01, Prevalence ratio [PR]=1.29, 95%CI=1.08-1.53). Excess weight was found in 19.7% (95%CI=17.1-22.7) of public school students and in 32.5% (95%CI=29.3-35.9) of private school students (p<0.01, [PR]=1.64, 95%CI=1.47-1.84). Overweight prevalence was 7.1% (95%CI=6.0-8.4) and 17.1% (95%CI=15.5-18.8), respectively (p<0.01, [PR]=2.41, 95%CI=1.98-2.93). The East + South zones, areas with a better quality of life index, showed higher percentages of excess weight (p<0.01) and overweight (p<0.01) than the North +West zones. CONCLUSION: Excess weight and overweight prevalence in preschoolers in Natal is high, mainly in private schools, showing the need to implement prevention and intervention programs.
Epidemiology; Obesity; Preschool child; Body mass index
