SOBREPESO EM CRIANÇAS MENORES DE CINCO ANOS EM RIO GRANDE, RS: PREVALÊNCIA E FATORES ASSOCIADOS

Abstract

This cross-sectional study with a populational basis investigated the prevalence and factors associated to overweight of children under 5 years old in Rio Grande (n=384). Overweight was defined as weight/height ³2 z-scores of NCHS standard. Prevalence ratio of overweight were estimated for socioeconomical, demographic conditions, immediate social environment, feeding and health events of the child and the mother`s body mass index (BMI). Overweight prevalence was 15.4%. In the final hierarchic model, the chance of being overweight was positively associated with the child`s age increase (12-23 months old, PR=1.78, CI95%0.39-8.0; 24-35 months old, PR=1.5, CI95% 0.31-7.19; 36-47 months old, PR=2.34, CI95% 0,56-9.74; 48-59 months old, PR=2.33, IC95% 0.62-8.68) and to maternal obesity (BMI>30 Kg/m2, PR= 5.28, CI95%1,59 17.5; BMI 25-29.9 Kg/m2, PR=3.7 IC95%0.78-17.5; BMI 20-24.9kg/m2, PR= 3.29, CI95% 0.69-15.5). The chance was higher for children who had stopped being breastfed before 6 months old (PR=1.9; CI95% 1.08- 3.34) as compared to the ones breastfed for 12 months or longer The mothers nutritional state and the breastfeeding duration were predictive on determining the excessive gain of weight, confirming the influence of the familiar environment on the development of the child overweight