Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
[Prevalence and factors associated to overweight and obesity in adolescents]
Nicole Gomes Terres1, Ricardo Tavares Pinheiro, Bernardo Lessa Horta
1Curso de Mestrado e, Saúde e Comportamento, Universidas Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. nicot.rs@terra.com.br
Objective:
To assess the prevalence and factors associated to overweight and obesity in urban area adolescents.
Methods:
A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out in the municipality of Pelotas, Southern Brazil, between 2001 and 2002. Adolescents between 15 and 18 years old were weighed, measured and asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Of 90 areas drawn, 86 dwellings were visited in each area, comprising a total of 960 adolescents interviewed. Overweight and obesity prevalences were defined based on the body mass index, according to cutoff values and adjusted to age and sex. Multivariate analysis with Poisson regression was performed using a hierarchical model of variables associated to overweight and obesity.
Results:
Overweight and obesity prevalences were 20.94% and 5% respectively. There was found an inverse relationship between obesity and age and schooling. An association of overweight and obesity with reporting parents' obesity (p=0.03) and adolescents' sexual maturation (p=0.01) was seen. Dieting and skipping meals were associated to obesity with a risk of 3.98 (95% CI: 1.83-8.67) and 2.54 (95% CI: 1.22-5.29) respectively.
Conclusions:
Overweight and obesity prevalences in the area studied are of concern despite adolescents' behaviors to prevent to obesity. There is a need to implement more effective campaigns to provide better guidance to adolescents.
Related Concept Videos
Obesity
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...

