Estado ponderal e aspectos socio-demográficos do consumo de hortofrutícolas em crianças : trabalho de investigação : Weight status and socio-demographical aspects of fruit and vegetable consumption in schoolchildren

Abstract

Resumo da tese: Introdução: A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) e o World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recomendam um consumo diário de fruta e hortícolas de pelo menos 400g, sendo este fundamental para que se reduza a crescente disseminação de algumas doenças crónicas. Este estudo teve como objectivos: quantificar o consumo de hortofrutícolas em crianças, identificar os factores socio-demográficos associados a este consumo e avaliar a associação entre o estado ponderal e o consumo de hortofrutícolas na amostra estudada. Participantes e métodos: Foram convidadas a integrarem este estudo transversal, 389 crianças de quatro escolas do 1ºciclo do ensino básico da freguesia de Canelas. Aceitaram 299 crianças, tendo devolvido o questionário 246. A amostra incluiu 144 raparigas e 155 rapazes dos 5 aos 12 de idade. Os encarregados de educação dos participantes preencheram um questionário que incluiu dados socio-demográficos. Foi avaliado o peso e a altura das crianças, calculou-se o IMC, tendo sido usados, para a classificação ponderal, os pontos de corte definidos pelo Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A ingestão alimentar foi avaliada por recordação das 24 horas anteriores. Resultados: Verificou-se uma mediana mais baixa de consumo de fruta nas raparigas com excesso de peso (114g vs. 174g nas raparigas com peso normal; p=0,034) e nas que tomaram a merenda da tarde em casa (59g vs. 174g na escola e outros locais; p=0,002), nos rapazes que frequentavam os 2º e 3ºanos de escolaridade (119g e 100g, respectivamente vs. 257g nos que frequentavam o 1ºano e 128g nos que frequentavam o 4ºano; p=0,029) e nos alunos que almoçaram em casa (5g vs. 174g na escola e 139g nos outros locais; p=0,003 nas raparigas; 50g vs. 174g na escola e 150g nos outros locais; p=0,037 nos rapazes). (...)

Thesis abstract:Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) recommend a daily intake of vegetables and fruit of at least 400g, as it is crucial in reducing the increasing dissemination of the non-communicable diseases. The objectives of this study were: to quantify the fruit and vegetables consumption among children; to identify the social-demographical factors associated with this consumption and to evaluate the association between weight status and vegetable and fruit consumption in the study population. Participants and methods: 389 children from four primary schools from Canelas, were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. 299 children have accepted, although only 246 have returned the questionnaire. The study population included 144 girls and 155 boys, 5- to 12- years-old. A 24h recall questionnaire was used to assess food intake and a questionnaire on socio-demographical characteristics was filled out by parents. Children weight and height were measured and BMI was than computed. Anthropometric measures (weight and height) were obtained, Body Mass Index (BMI) computed and overweight/obesity classified according to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut-off points. Results: We observed a lower mean of fruit consumption in: overweight girls (114g vs. 174g in girls with normal weight, p=0,034); in girls who had snacked at home during the afternoon (59g vs. 174g in school and other places, p=0,002); in 2nd and 3rd grade boys (119g and 100g, respectively vs. 257g in 1st grade and 128g in the 4th, p=0,029); and in students who had lunch at home (5g vs. 174g in school and 139g in other places, p=0,003 in girls; 50g vs. 174g in school e 150g in other places, p=0,037 in boys). The consumption of vegetables was null in girls who had dinner at home and in the boys who had lunch at home. (...)