Abstract

BARROS, Cláudia Renata dos Santos; ZUCCHI, Eliana Miura  and  FRANCA JUNIOR, Ivan. Physical activity level among children and adolescents orphaned by AIDS. Rev. bras. epidemiol. [online]. 2010, vol.13, n.3, pp. 446-456. ISSN 1415-790X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2010000300008.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the level of physical activity among children and adolescents orphaned by AIDS according to socio-demographic and orphanhood-related characteristics. METHODS: A population-based study was carried out with 235 children and adolescents aged 7 to 14 years in the municipality of São Paulo, SP, in 2007. Children were classified as active and inactive. The cut-off point established was 300 minutes of weekly physical activity. All variables were compared between both groups and sexes. RESULTS: An overall prevalence of 42% of inactivity was found. Active commuting and child's play were the main physical activities for most of the children and adolescents. As for physical activity level, a significant difference was observed between sexes (p < 0.001). Boys were more active and played outdoors more than girls. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of physical inactivity among children and adolescents orphaned by AIDS, especially girls.

Keywords : AIDS; Orphans; Physical activity; Inactivity; Children; Play.