Anthropometry, dietary intake, physical activity and sitting time patterns in adolescents aged 15\u201317\u2009years: an international comparison in eight Latin American\xa0countries

Gerson Luis De Moraes Ferrari,Attilio Rigotti,Dirceu Solé,Lilia Yadira Cortés Sanabria,Shaun Scholes,Agatha Nogueira Previdelli,Ioná Zalcman Zimberg,Carlos A Celis-Morales,Mauro Fisberg,Georgina Gomez,Viviana Guajardo,Michael Pratt,Marianella Herrera-Cuenca,Irina Kovalskys,Martha Cecilia Yépez García,Rossina Gabriella Pareja Torres

doi:10.1186/s12887-020-1920-x

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough there is high prevalence of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors among Latin American adolescents, there is limited evidence on dietary intake and physical activity (PA) patterns in this population. Therefore, we characterized anthropometry, dietary intake, PA and sitting time (ST) in adolescents aged 15–17 years from eight Latin American countries.MethodsSix hundred seventy-one adolescents (41.4% girls) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS) were included. Nutritional status was classified by four BMI (kg/m2) categories. Waist circumference (WC) was categorized as above or below thresholds. Dietary intake was assessed through two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. PA and ST were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We calculated overall and country-specific estimates by sex and tested for differences between boys and girls.ResultsDifferences in the prevalence of overweightness (15.1 and 21.6%) and obesity (8.5 and 6.5%) between boys and girls, respectively, were statistically insignificant (p = 0.059). Average energy intake was 2289.7 kcal/day (95% CI: 2231–2350) for boys and 1904.2 kcal/day (95% CI: 1840–1963) for girls (p < 0.001). In relation to macronutrient intake for boys and girls, respectively, the average intake (expressed as percentage of total energy) was 15.0 and 14.9% for protein; 55.4 and 54.9% for carbohydrates; 14.1 and 14.5% for added sugar; 29.5 and 30.1% for total fat; and 9.6 and 9.9% for saturated fat (p > 0.05 for all outcomes). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of total energy (TE) saturated fat and added sugar (>10% of TE) between girls and boys (49.6% versus 44.8 and 81.7% versus 76.1%, respectively). Prevalence of physical inactivity was 19% in boys and 43.7% in girls (p < 0.001). Median levels of vigorous-intensity PA and total PA were significantly higher for boys than for girls (p < 0.05 for both outcomes); whereas levels of ST were similar (273.7 versus 220.0 min/day for boys and girls, respectively; p > 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings highlight the high prevalence of poor dietary intake and physical inactivity in adolescents from Latin American countries. Therefore, effective and sustainable strategies and programmes are needed that promote healthier diets, regular PA and reduce ST among Latin American adolescents.Trial registrationClinical Trials NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

Highlights

There is high prevalence of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors among Latin American adolescents, there is limited evidence on dietary intake and physical activity (PA) patterns in this population
Ferrari et al BMC Pediatrics (2020) 20:24 (Continued from previous page). These findings highlight the high prevalence of poor dietary intake and physical inactivity in adolescents from Latin American countries
Both demographic and nutritional changes have taken place at different rates across Latin American countries (LACs). These are associated with an increase in urbanization and the adoption of westernized lifestyles. This has led to higher levels of sedentary behaviours (SB) such as excessive sitting time (ST), lack of physical activity (PA) and poor dietary patterns characterised by excessive energy intake [5, 6]

Summary

Introduction

There is high prevalence of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors among Latin American adolescents, there is limited evidence on dietary intake and physical activity (PA) patterns in this population. In conjunction with rapid demographic changes, Latin American countries (LACs) are facing a fast nutritional transition [4]. Both demographic and nutritional changes have taken place at different rates across LACs. Both demographic and nutritional changes have taken place at different rates across LACs These are associated with an increase in urbanization and the adoption of westernized lifestyles. This has led to higher levels of sedentary behaviours (SB) such as excessive sitting time (ST), lack of physical activity (PA) and poor dietary patterns characterised by excessive energy intake [5, 6]

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