ANALYSIS OF OBESITY INDEX AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN STUDENTS AGED 7 TO 12 YEARS IN A WESTERN AMAZON CITY

Carlos Alberto Paraguassú-Chaves, Helio Franklin Rodrigues de Almeida, José Roberto de Maio Godoi Filho, Fabricio Moraes de Almeida* and Fábio Robson Casara Cavalcante

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to describe the obesity rate and possible childhood blood pressure in public and private school students in the city of Porto Velho, state of Rondônia, Western Amazon. Body mass index (BMI) and body composition (skinfolds) protocols were used to assess obesity, and a World Health Organization protocol was used to measure blood pressure. After measuring weight, height, skinfolds at the triceps, biceps, suprailiac, subscapular points and blood pressure measurement, it was found that 16.9% of children from private schools and 11.9% from public schools were overweight and obesity. It was also verified that 11.2% of overweight and obese private school students had high blood pressure, and 12% of public school students had high blood pressure values. It is concluded that children have accentuated degrees of obesity, and a high rate of elevation of blood pressure. There are several factors that can lead to an explanation for the findings, for example, in the obesity variable, it can be said that factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and the automation of games can be key factors for this increase in the obesity rate. In the blood pressure variable, other factors may influence, such as genetic factors, ethnicity and the way these children go to school, lifestyle, among others.

Keywords: BMI, Body composition, Blood pressure, Child, Students.