OBJECTIVE: To identify the variables associated with overweight among schoolchildren in Cuiaba, MT, Brasil. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in a sample of schoolchildren aging from 6 to 11 years. The study consisted of 158 overweight schoolchildren (body mass index >85th percentile) and 316 children with body mass index <85th percentile randomly chosen as controls. Interviews were held to obtain information regarding the children's socioeconomic status, household conditions, family characteristics and physical activity levels. The children's and the parents' weight and height were measured according to standardized procedures. Multiple, hierarchical logistic regression analysis was applied to the obtained data. RESULTS: The results revealed that overweight was higher among schoolchildren with the following characteristics: per capita family income of more than three minimum wages (OR=3.75), the children's mothers with a high level of education (OR=1.91), a family history of just one marital union (OR=2.53), maternal age ranging from 25 to 29 years (OR=1.74), a maximum of one sibling (OR=1.94), play time per week <10 hours (OR=2.58), mothers and fathers with body mass index >30 (OR=7.27 and 2.65, respectively), birth weight >3,500g (OR=2.27) and female gender (OR=2.15). CONCLUSION: The results pointed out variables, at different hierarchical levels, correlated with overweight among schoolchildren. Interventions should consider the complex pattern of obesity determination and the groups at higher vulnerability.
anthropometry; schoolchildren; risk factors; overweight
