Eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behavior among Brazilian schoolchildren: National Student Health Survey, 2015.

Abstract

Urbanization and industrialization have contributed to changes in eating patterns, as well as the emergence of sedentary behaviors and reduced physical activity. To identify and describe the prevalence of eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behavior in Brazilian schoolchildren, and to analyze their association with sociodemographic characteristics. Data from the National Student Health Survey (PeNSE) of 2015 were used. Prevalence rates, prevalence ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. The analyses were adjusted for age and maternal schooling. The majority of adolescents: consumed beans (65.1%) and snacks (52.3%); had more than three days of physical education at school (50.7%); practiced physical activity out of school for more than three days (55.4%); had a sedentary behavior (73.3%); and, had physical activity during 60min/day for less than four days a week (72.7%). In general, girls were more exposed to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary behavior, and a higher socioeconomic level was associated with higher prevalence of the indicators studied. High consumption of unhealthy foods, increased sedentary behavior and reduction in the practice of physical activity. An association of unhealthy attitudes with sociodemographic characteristics was observed among schoolchildren. Strategies that focus on reducing these behaviors will contribute to health promotion actions in the school and family environments.