Prevalência e Fatores Associados ao Comportamento Sedentário em Escolares

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of new technologies may lead children to sedentary behaviors that may persist into adolescence and into adulthood. GOAL: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with sedentary behavior in children. METHOD: A cross-sectional study conducted between April and July 2014 with 6 and 7-year-old schoolchildren of both sexes enrolled in public elementary schools in the city of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. For the data collection, a form containing socio-demographic and lifestyle information was used. The use of television and / or computer / video games for a time equal to or greater than 4 hours / day was defined as sedentary behavior. The differences between proportions were evaluated by the Chi-square test. The independent variables with p value ≤ 0.20 in the bivariate analysis were selected for multiple analysis and included in the binomial logistic regression model. A statistical significance level of 5% was considered. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of sedentary behaviors was 43.6%. Among the 482 children studied, 52.9% were female. In the multivariate analysis, the variables that remained associated with the sedentary behaviors were: male (OR = 1.72, 95% CI, 1.20-2.50); passive transfer to school (vehicle / motorbike) (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.06-1.56) and number of people in the residence (≥ 6 people) (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.39 -4.22). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of schoolchildren in sedentary activities was high. Boys with passive transfer to school and belonging to large families were associated with sedentary behavior. Stimulating physical activity and healthy lifestyle at school, community and family should be established early in life.