Estudo descritivo sobre estilo de vida de crianças e adolescentes quilombolas e proposta de intervenção em ensino em saúde

Abstract

Physical Activity (PA) has been referred to by some studies as a protective factor against several Non-Communicable Diseases and injuries (NCDs) – obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, PA is of key importance when it comes to the integral development of the individual, especially children and adolescents. However, not all children and adolescents enjoy the right to movement, as many of them do not have adequate space, stimulation or environment to move. There is an increase in sedentary lifestyle in all age groups, accompanied by an increase in the number of obese or overweight children and young people. Therefore, the study aims to describe the level of physical activity, nutritional status, food consumption and screen time of Quilombola children and adolescents. A descriptive study with a quantitative approach was carried out. The present work is part of the umbrella project: “Evaluation and monitoring of risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension in Quilombola children and adolescents”, started in 2015. The participants were children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years old belonging to the community. To assess nutritional status, a stadiometer and digital scale were used to measure height and body weight, respectively, to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI). Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) was used to estimate fat and fat-free mass. The Physical Activity Level (PAL) was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long version. For the children, the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of the Level of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior of students aged 10 to 13 years was used. As for food consumption, the “food consumption marker” questionnaire was used. As an extension activity, an Educational Booklet on health education was proposed, which will be delivered to the community, aiming at the understanding of children, adolescents and their parents regarding the benefits of practicing PA and healthy eating. The study results show that 65.85% of the participants were classified as eutrophic. It was found that a good part (40%) of the interviewees do not eat breakfast and that the majority (71.43) eat in front of the TV. The food most consumed by quilombola children and adolescents are cookies, sweets/delicacies. As for screen time, 62.06% were classified as “acceptable”. Finally, regarding the level of physical activity, there was divergence between data from children (from 10 to 13) and adolescents (over 13), with 74.19% of children and 50.01% of adolescents being classified as insufficiently active. The descriptive work presented important data for the literature, especially regarding the BMI, which was adequate in most subjects, in addition, the level of physical activity converges with other studies, showing a tendency towards an increase in sedentary lifestyle in the population younger. It is hoped that the Educational Notebook proposed by the researchers can serve the interests of the Quilombolas and that it will be enforced in this population, in order to alleviate the problems that the lack of movement, poor diet and high levels of fat can cause.