Perfil nutricional de adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade Nutritional profile of the adolescents with overweight and obesity

Abstract

Objective: To assess the profile of overweight and obesity adolescents seen at a health unit. Methods: Fifty-eight overweight and obese adolescents (25 girls and 33 boys) aged 10 to 18 years, attend upon in the Nutrition Service of the Endocrinology outpatient clinic of Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro, were studied. The variables analyzed were gender, age, body mass, height, body mass index (BMI), nutritional status, physical activity, sexual maturation stage, educational level, number and type of meal, and dietary history. Nutritional status was classified as proposed by Cole et al. (2000). Descriptive analysis, t-tests, chi-square (χ 2 ) test and graphics were used to correlate nutritional status with the frequency of meals and physical activity. Results: Of the adolescents studied, 79.4% were obese, with a predominance of obesity in boys but without statistical significance between genders (χ 2 =1.17;p=0.34). Only 15.5% of the adolescents practiced physical activity and obesity predominated among sedentary individuals and those consuming fewer than four daily meals. The habit of consuming fruit and vegetables was low. Salt was added to the meals by 82% of the adolescents and 31% used sweeteners. Intake of simple carbohydrates originating from densely caloric foods as cookies, cakes, ice cream, sweet, and chocolate was observed in 65% of the adolescents. Conclusions: In conclusion, although all adolescents require attention directed at behavioral changes in terms of feeding habits and sedentarism, the situation of girls was more serious since they were in the post menarche stage of sexual maturation whereas boys were in the initial stages.