CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, REST, CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND OBESITY IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Introduction: Modern life has brought easiness, but also contributed to a high incidence of physical inactivity and obesity in developed and developing countries, including Brazil. Studies have found a relationship between hours of idleness and childhood obesity, but not in our region. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of obesity among children of both sexes in the city of Guaxupe, MG, Brazil, and correlate indicators with their time of rest and physical activity. Material and Methods: 91 volunteers, of both sexes, aged 9.6±1.4 years, 38.9±9.7 Kg, 1.4±01 m, students from Dom Inácio School in Guaxupe were assessed as to the following variables: body weight, BMI, %BF, relationship waist/height (RWH). The subjects also answered a questionnaire about daily activities. Results: The following results were found for males and females, respectively: ideal weight - BMI (70% and 56%), overweight (25% and 35%) and obesity (5% and 9%); ideal %BF (87% and 46%), moderately high %BF (10% and 24%), high %BF (3% and 21%) and very high %BF (0% and 9%); standard RWH (90% and 85%) and risk (10% and 145%). The mean ± (SD) values of rest and physical activity in hours/week were: TV (18.2 ± 10.5 and 17.8 ± 9.2), internet (12.2 ± 11.8 and 11.8 ± 10.5), study (18.5 ± 10.2 and 17.8 ± 12.1) and total (48.9 ± 18.2 and 47.4 ± 18.2); leisure physical activity (20.6 ± 11.9 and 18.5 ± 11.4), sports (1.6 ± 1.5 and 1.5 ± 1.4), physical education (1.9 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 0.4) and total (24.1 ± 12.0 and 21 8 ± 11.6). Conclusion: we observed a positive relationship between physical inactivity and %BF and RWH. It may be concluded that the volunteers in this study have a high incidence of time spent in resting activities, which indicates a sedentary lifestyle and may contribute to overweight and obesity. DESCRIPTORS Children. Sedentary Lifestyle. Obesity.