Influência da televisão na prevalência de obesidade infantil em Ponta Grossa, Paraná

Abstract

The popularization of television has led to a reduction of physical activity during infancy. In addition, food advertisements on TV can attract the attention and desires of children. The objectives of this study were: i) determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in schoolchildren (n=548) between 6 and 11 years old enrolled in public schools in the city of Ponta Grossa, Parana State, Brazil, ii) time spent in front of the TV and, iii) survey the food groups most eaten in front of the TV. The global prevalence of overweight and obesity observed was 11.5% and 5.8%, respectively. The data showed that 37.5% of obese children dedicate 2 to 3 hours per day weekly watching TV, and that 51.9% of the obese ingest starchy foods while watching television. The results indicate an association between time spent in front of the TV and the prevalence of obesity and overweight (p=0.01).