Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and factors associated with high body fat in adolescents. A cross-sectional
study conducted with 601 students from both sexes aged 14–17 years who live in Midwestern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Body adiposity was assessed by the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds. Sociodemographic variables such as lifestyle,
aerobic fitness and nutritional status were assessed. For data analysis, Poisson regression multivariable was used. The prevalence
of high body fat was 51.2% for girls and 31.2% for boys. Higher prevalences of high body fat were observed for girls aged
16–17 years (PR: 1.15, CI 95%: 1.07–1.24) and overweight (PR: 1.36, CI 95%: 1.27–1.44) and for boys with high socioeconomic
level (PR: 1.21, CI 95%: 1.09–1.34), inadequate eating habits (PR: 1.11, CI 95%: 1.02–1.21), physically inactive (PR: 1.10,
CI 95%: 1.02–1.19) and overweight (PR: 1.46, CI 95%: 1.35–1.57). The prevalence of high body fat was high and factors associated
with this outcome are different for each sex; thus, interventions for prevention and control of obesity should be different
for girls and boys.
study conducted with 601 students from both sexes aged 14–17 years who live in Midwestern state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Body adiposity was assessed by the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfolds. Sociodemographic variables such as lifestyle,
aerobic fitness and nutritional status were assessed. For data analysis, Poisson regression multivariable was used. The prevalence
of high body fat was 51.2% for girls and 31.2% for boys. Higher prevalences of high body fat were observed for girls aged
16–17 years (PR: 1.15, CI 95%: 1.07–1.24) and overweight (PR: 1.36, CI 95%: 1.27–1.44) and for boys with high socioeconomic
level (PR: 1.21, CI 95%: 1.09–1.34), inadequate eating habits (PR: 1.11, CI 95%: 1.02–1.21), physically inactive (PR: 1.10,
CI 95%: 1.02–1.19) and overweight (PR: 1.46, CI 95%: 1.35–1.57). The prevalence of high body fat was high and factors associated
with this outcome are different for each sex; thus, interventions for prevention and control of obesity should be different
for girls and boys.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-011-9512-1
- Authors
- Diego Augusto Santos Silva, Federal University of Santa Catarina—Sports Centre, Centre for Cineantropometry and Human Performan—UFSC/CDS/NuCIDH, Campus Universitário—Trindade—Caixa Postal 476, CEP 88040-900 Florianópolis, Brazil
- Juliane Berria, Federal University of Santa Catarina—Sports Centre, Centre for Cineantropometry and Human Performan—UFSC/CDS/NuCIDH, Campus Universitário—Trindade—Caixa Postal 476, CEP 88040-900 Florianópolis, Brazil
- Leoberto Ricardo Grigollo, University of Western Santa Catarina, Acbs, Physical Education, Getulio Vargas 2125, Flor da Serra, CEP: 89600-000 Joacaba, SC, Brazil
- Edio Luiz Petroski, Federal University of Santa Catarina—Sports Centre, Centre for Cineantropometry and Human Performan—UFSC/CDS/NuCIDH, Campus Universitário—Trindade—Caixa Postal 476, CEP 88040-900 Florianópolis, Brazil
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145