Abstract

FARIAS, Edson dos Santos et al. Excess weight and associated factors in adolescents. Rev. Nutr. [online]. 2012, vol.25, n.2, pp. 229-236. ISSN 1415-5273.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-52732012000200005.

OBJECTIVE: This study verified the prevalence of excess weight and associated factors in adolescents from private schools in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 741 adolescents from private schools in Rio Branco, Acre. The following data were collected: sex, age, socioeconomic status, parents' education level, number of people in the household, number of siblings, level of physical activity, and number of hours spent daily watching television and using a computer. Logistic regression was used to investigate possible relationships between excess weight and associated factors. RESULTS: The general prevalence of excess weight was 26.9% (30.0% for males and 24.2% for females). Inactive (OR=2.75) males (OR=1.34) from the upper middle class (OR=2.06) or upper class (OR=2.36) were at highest risk of excess weight. CONCLUSION: Inactive male adolescents belonging to the upper middle and upper classes are at high risk of excess weight in this region of Brazil.

Keywords : Physical activity; Socioeconomic status; Obesity; Sex; Overweight.