Nutritional Status of Adolescents: Differences Between Students of Private and Public Schools

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of low-weight, over-weight and obesity of adolescents of private and public schools from the city of Lapa, Paraná/State, Brazil. METHODS: The sample consisted of 608 adolescents, ages between 14-20 years old (15.9±1.2). Body mass (kg) and stature (m) were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). BMI classification were based in the cut-off points developed by Conde & Monteiro (2006); for adolescents above 19 years of age the world health organization cutoff points was used (who, 1995). Percentage scores were used to determine the prevalence and qui-square was calculated to analyze differences between adolescents of private and public schools (p<0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of adolescents with low-weight, over-weight and obesity were 2.3%, 11.0% and 2.0%, respectively. The adolescents of private schools presented superior values of over-weight (16.7% x 10.8%) and obesity (12.5% x 1.5%) compared to their peers of public schools (p<0.001). No differences between the two groups were presented for low-weight. CONCLUSION: In general, the adolescents of this sample presented inadequate nutritional status, especially those enrolled in private schools. The result followed International trends for over-weight and obesity, demanding immediately local intervention strategies.