Body weight perception and associated factors in students

Objective: analyze the association between body weight perception and related variables in Elementary School students. Methods: cross-sectional study performed in 2007 with students aged 8 to 17, residents of Vitoria (ES). Anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic and sexual maturation data were collected. Body weight perception was established by one single question of what the students thought of their own body weight in relation to their height. Logistic regression analysis stratified by gender was used to verify the associations among body weight perception and age, body mass index, waist circumference, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status. The reference category for analysis was “adequate weight perception”. Results: three hundred and ninety-seven students participated in the study, 52.4% were females, and the age average (standard deviation) was 12 (1.84) years. Nutritional status for boys and girls showed, respectively, 21.7% and 20.1% overweight, 76.9% and 77.8% normal weight for height, 1.4% and 2.1% underweight. There was statistic association between body weight perception and nutritional status (overweight) for both genders (boys: OR = 6.76, girls: OR = 19.58), and age (10 to 14 years) for boys (OR = 0.40). The other variables did not show any association. Conclusion: body weight perception was associated with nutritional status in both genders, and with age only for boys. This reinforces the need of health professionals to monitor these adolescents in order for them to have a better understanding of their own bodies

Percepção do Peso Corporal e Fatores Associados em Estudantes

AbstractObjective: to analyze the association between body weight perception and related variables in Elementary School students. Methods: cross-sectional study performed in 2007 with schoolchildren aged 8 to 17, residents of Vitoria (ES). Anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic and sexual maturation data were collected. Body weight perception was established by one single question as to what the children thought of their own body weight in relation to their height. Logistic regression analysis stratified by gender was used to verify the associations among body weight perception and age, body mass index, waist circumference, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status. The reference category for analysis was “adequate weight perception”. Results: three hundred and ninety-seven students participated in the study, 52.4% were females, and the average age (standard deviation) was 12 (1.84) years. Nutritional status for boys and girls showed, respectively, 21.7% and 20.1% overweight, 76.9% and 77.8% normal weight for height, 1.4% and 2.1% underweight. There was statistic association between body weight perception and nutritional status (overweight) for both genders (boys: OR = 6.76; girls: OR = 19.58), and age (10 to 14 years) for boys (OR = 0.40). The other variables did not show any association. Conclusion: body weight perception was associated with nutritional status in both genders, and with age only for boys. This reinforces the need for health professionals to monitor these adolescents so that they should have a better understanding of their own bodies.ResumoObjetivo: analisar a associação entre percepção do peso corporal e variáveis relacionadas, em estudantes do ensino fundamental. Método: estudo transversal, realizado em 2007, com estudantes de 8 a 17 anos, residentes em Vitória, Espírito Santo (ES). Dados antropométricos, demográficos, socioeconômicos e de maturação sexual foram coletados. A percepção do peso corporal foi verificada por meio de pergunta única sobre o que os estudantes achavam do próprio peso corporal em relação à sua estatura. Análises de regressão logística, estratificadas por sexo, foram realizadas para verificar a associação entre percepção do peso corporal e faixa etária, estado nutricional, perímetro da cintura, estágio de maturação sexual e nível socioeconômico. A categoria de referência para as análises foi “percepção do peso adequado”. Resultados: participaram 397 estudantes, idade média (desviopadrão) 12 (1,84) anos, sendo 52,4% do sexo feminino. Em relação ao estado nutricional, meninos e meninas, respectivamente, apresentaram prevalências de 21,7% e 20,1% (excesso de peso), 76,9% e 77,8% (peso adequado para a estatura), e 1,4% e 2,1% (baixo peso). Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre percepção do peso corporal e estado nutricional (excesso de peso) em ambos os sexos (meninos: OR = 6,76; meninas: OR = 19,58) e faixa etária (10 a 14 anos) para os meninos (OR = 0,40). Conclusão: a percepção do peso corporal associou-se ao estado nutricional em ambos os sexos, e à faixa etária apenas em meninos. Isso reforça a necessidade do acompanhamento desses adolescentes por profissionais de saúde, visando uma melhor consciência do próprio corpo