Influência da atividade física na composição corporal de adolescentes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of physical activities on body composition of adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years old from public and private schools. The survey included 496 individuals – 248 males and 248 females – and the anthropometric characteristics measured were weight and height, which were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). A questionnaire was applied to investigate the type of physical activity practiced for them, the time spent on that practice during the week, as well as the time spent playing games, watching television, and using computers in order to evaluate further influences in the youths´ body build-up. Another factor investigated in the study was the existence of obese relatives and their relationship with the subjects. The obesity prevalence found was 16.3% (n=40) in private schools, and 6.8% (n=17) in public schools detected through BMI (a reference for estimating the body mass index). The study shows that there is some controversy on the results obtained through both BMI and the fat percentage, which implies that it is necessary to evaluate the approach adopted in the measurement of obesity in adolescents. Also, it points out that the physical activities just became significant when practiced for more than two hours a day and that it leads us to believe in their importance in schools.