PREVALENCE OF RISK FACTORS IN CHILDREN’S OBESITY IN MUNICIPAL KINDERGARTENS IN MARINGÁ PR BRAZIL 2010

  • Vanusa Pereira da Silva Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM
  • Robsmeire Calvo Melo Zurita Centro Universitário de Maringá - CESUMAR
Keywords: Children’s nutrition, Obesity, Risk factors, Feeding habits, Nursing

Abstract

Since childhood is the period in which human potential develops, weight-related disorders that occur during this period may have serious consequences to individuals and communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is a growing problem in childhood and may affect between 25 and 30% of children population in developed countries. Obesity has been mainly attributed to environmental, social and cultural factors, such as propaganda on poor diet, with high fatty proportions, and to sedentary attitudes. Current analysis identifies the risk factors of child obesity in children who attend the municipal kindergartens in Maringá PR Brazil. Two hundred and twenty-nine children, between 0 and 5 years old, of both sexes, 51.53% females and 48.47% males, attending the kindergartens, participated in current research. An anthropometric evaluation analyzed children’s weight and height and their Body Mass Index calculated. Whereas 15.31% of males were overweight and 19.81 were obese, 16.95% of females were overweight and 11.86 obese. Children’s obesity is a serious public health problem worldwide and its predominance is increasing both in developed and in developing countries. If the disease is not controlled or treated as soon as possible, it will cause serious health problems to those concerned due to the fact that articulation, cardiovascular, endocrine-metabolic, neoplasm, respiratory, gastro-intestinal complications affect children’s growth and development and may even cause psycho-social harm.

Author Biographies

Vanusa Pereira da Silva, Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM
Graduada em Enfermagem pelo Centro Universitário de Maringá - CESUMAR; Enfermeira; E-mail: vanusapaulo_@hotmail.com
Robsmeire Calvo Melo Zurita, Centro Universitário de Maringá - CESUMAR
Mestre em Enfermagem pela Universidade Estadual de Maringá – UEM; Docente de Enfermagem no Centro Universitário de Maringá – CESUMAR; Enfermeira; E-mail: robsmeire.zurita@cesumar.com.br
Published
2012-02-15
Section
Artigos Originais