Abstract:

The physical growth can be assessed through anthropometric variables, allowing the verification of changes in body components such as body mass and body fat percentage. The study describes the prevalence of obesity among school men and women 11 to 14 years of age. 1612 students participated in this research the network of private and public schools in southern Minas Gerais, both sexes aged between 11 and 14 years and 801 boys and 812 girls. Were submitted to anthropometric measurements for subsequent calculation of body fat percentage as indicators of obesity, to indicate the nutritional status was calculated Body Mass Index. The statistical treatment was performed in SPSS 17.0 software specific. Of the 1,612 students surveyed found that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 49.93% for males, 38.46% for females and 44.20% average of the total sample and the prevalence in males than observed in females. It is therefore concluded that high levels of overweight and obesity observed among schoolchildren in southern Minas Gerais, especially among males serve as a warning and indicates need for intervention by public agencies in partnership with health professionals in school.

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