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Updated: May 10, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Overweight in adolescents: exploring potential risk factors.
Jucemar Benedet1, Maria Alice A de Assis, Maria Cristina M Calvo
1Pós-graduação em Nutrição do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. jucemarb@hotmail.com
Summary
High nutritional food consumption protects adolescents from overweight. Encouraging healthy eating and active leisure time within the family environment is crucial for preventing adolescent obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Overweight prevalence in adolescents is a growing global health concern.
- Understanding associated factors is vital for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate overweight prevalence in Brazilian adolescents.
- To identify sociodemographic, biological, and lifestyle factors associated with overweight.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 1,590 adolescents (11-14 years) in Florianopolis, Brazil.
- Overweight assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI) with Brazilian and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) references.
- Multivariate analysis identified associated factors.
Main Results:
- Overweight prevalence ranged from 19.3% (IOTF) to 25.8% (Brazilian reference).
- In boys, overweight linked to poor diet and inactive commuting.
- In girls, overweight associated with maternal overweight, poor diet, and sexual maturity indicators.
Conclusions:
- High nutritional food consumption acts as a protective factor against adolescent overweight.
- Interventions should focus on family-based behavioral changes, promoting healthy eating and active leisure.
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