RESUMO
(1) Objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the body mass index (BMI) throughout the academic year associated with changes in the lifestyle associated with the place where students live during the course, lifestyle design, and health strategies for the university community. (2) Methods: A total of 93 first-year nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected throughout the course by administering self-reported questionnaires about eating habits and lifestyles, weight, and height to calculate their BMI and place of residence throughout the course. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney, chi-square, Student's t-test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and least significant difference tests). (3) Results: We found that the mean BMI increases significantly throughout the course among all students regardless of sex, age, eating habits, or where they live during the course. At the beginning of the course, the mean BMI was 22.10 ± 3.64. The mean difference between the beginning of the course and the middle has a value of p-value < 0.015 and between the middle of the course and the end a p-value < 0.009. The group that increased the most is found among students who continue to live in the family nucleus rather than those who live alone or in residence. Students significantly changed their eating and health habits, especially those who live alone or in residence. (4) Conclusions: There is an increase in BMI among students. It is necessary to carry out seminars or talks that can help students understand the importance of good eating practices and healthy habits to maintain their weight and, therefore, their health, in the short, medium, and long term and acquire a good quality of life.
RESUMO
La obesidad infantil ha incrementado su prevalencia en España, y aunque se considera un problema multifactorial, es atribuible principalmente al aumento de la ingesta y la disminución de la actividad física por un ocio sedentario mayor. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad infantil en la Zona Básica de Salud (ZBS) de Menasalbas (Toledo, España), y la influencia de los hábitos alimentarios, de actividad física y deporte, y de ocio sedentario. Se realizó un estudio transversal en la población escolarizada de 3 a 12 años de la ZBS de Menasalbas, tomando medidas de peso y talla a 725 menores, calculando su IMC y clasificando su estado ponderal según las tablas de Cole. También se recogieron datos referentes a sus hábitos alimentarios y cuestionario Kidmed de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, y hábitos de actividad física y ocio sedentario, para estudiar su relación con el estado ponderal de los menores. La prevalencia de sobrecarga ponderal (suma de prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad) fue del 24,9%, con un 18,8% de sobrepeso y un 6,1% de obesidad, sin diferencias por edad y sexo. No se observaron diferencias respecto a los hábitos alimentarios, pero si una menor actividad física y un mayor ocio sedentario en aquellos con sobrecarga ponderal. La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en nuestra población es elevada, aunque menor a las de otros trabajos. La alimentación, la actividad física y el ocio sedentario influenciaron el sobrepeso y la obesidad infantil en este estudio(AU)
Childhood obesity has increased its prevalence in Spain, and although it´s considered a multifactorial problem, it is mainly attributable to increased intake and decreased physical activity due to increased sedentary leisure. The objective of this study was to know the prevalence of overweight and childhood obesity in the Basic Health Zone (ZBS) of Menasalbas (Toledo, Spain), and the influence of eating habits, physical activity and sport, and sedentary entertainment. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the school children of 3 to 12 years of age in the ZBS of Menasalbas, taking weight and height measurements for 725 minors, calculating their BMI and classifying their weight status according to Cole´s tables. Data regarding their eating habits and Kidmed questionnaire of adherence to the mediterranean diet, physical activity habits and sedentary leisure habits were also collected, to study its relationship with the weigh status of minors. The prevalence of weight overload (understood as the sum of the prevalence of overweight and obesity) was 24.9% , with 18.8% overweight and 6.1% of obesity, with no differences by age and sex. No differences were observed regarding eating habits, but less physical activity and a more sedentary leisure in those with weight overload was observed. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our population is high, although lower than reported in other works. Diet, physical activity and sedentary leisure are confirmed as fundamental aspects in childhood overweight and obesity(AU)