Energy balance and obesity in Brazilian schoolchildren: A study in public and private schools

Abstract

Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterised by a chronic inflammatory condition and an excessive accumulation of body fat. The last four decades have seen an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children worldwide, with an emphasis on an accelerated growth in countries such as Brazil. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and to quantify energy intake, energy expenditure, and energy balance in children attending public and private schools. The sample consisted of 132 children from 6 to 12 years old, enrolled in the public and private network of 4 schools in the municipality. The children's body mass index (BMI), the parents' BMI and their concern about their children's body mass were evaluated. For the assessment of energy expenditure and intake, a record of physical and food activities was filled out by the students' parents. Using the Compendium of Physical Activities, energy expenditure was measured and, using the Food Composition Table, energy intake was measured. The total prevalence of obesity among schoolchildren in Divinópolis was 28%. The results indicate a high prevalence of obesity in children from both schools. It was also found that children from private schools have a higher energy balance than children from public schools, which is related to the lower energy expenditure in children from private schools. This indicates that children from private schools are more likely to develop overweight and obesity if no intervention or lifestyle change is performed.