[Prevalence of excess weight in preschoolers in the Northeast of Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
Determine the prevalence of excess weight in preschoolers in Natal/RN and analyze the variables involved such as: gender, age, type of school (public and private) and city zones.


METHODS
Transversal study was performed in 20 public and 20 private schools in Natal, Brazil, between August and December, 2004. A total of 3721 children, from 2 to 6 years of age were analyzed. Children whose BMI was > or = 85 percentile were considered as excess weight and those with BMI > or = 95 percentile as overweight .


RESULTS
Prevalence of excess weight found was 26.5% (95%CI=24.4-28.9), with 14.1% (95%CI=13.0-15.3) risk of overweight and 12.4% (95%CI=11.4-13.6) overweight. In overweight children there were more males (13.9%, 95%CI=12.4-15.6) than females (10.8%, 95%CI=9.4-12.4) (p<0.01, Prevalence ratio [PR]=1.29, 95%CI=1.08-1.53). Excess weight was found in 19.7% (95%CI=17.1-22.7) of public school students and in 32.5% (95%CI=29.3-35.9) of private school students (p<0.01, [PR]=1.64, 95%CI=1.47-1.84). Overweight prevalence was 7.1% (95%CI=6.0-8.4) and 17.1% (95%CI=15.5-18.8), respectively (p<0.01, [PR]=2.41, 95%CI=1.98-2.93). The East + South zones, areas with a better quality of life index, showed higher percentages of excess weight (p<0.01) and overweight (p<0.01) than the North +West zones.


CONCLUSIONS
Excess weight and overweight prevalence in preschoolers in Natal is high, mainly in private schools, showing the need to implement prevention and intervention programs.
Barreto
Anna Christina do Nascimento Granjeiro
AC
Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte/Hospital de Pediatriada UFRN e Departamento de Pediatria. annachristina@nata.digi.com.br
Brasil
Lana do Monte Paula
Ldo M
Maranhão
Hélcio de S
Hde S
D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data