ABSTRACT
Introduction: Childhood obesity is a matter of growing public health concern worldwide and may be associated with risks of illness and premature death in adulthood. In the light of increasing numbers of individuals presenting excessive weight, studies in Brazilian schools have shown that the prevalence of obesity and overweight among children varies according to the region, age group and type of school attended (public or private). Objective: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in private schools in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric examinations (weight, height and calculations of body mass index (BMI) and percentiles) were conducted on 600 children aged 7 years to 12 years and 11 months at five private schools in Aracaju. All of them were asked about their physical exercise practices. To determine overweight and obesity, respectively, the 85th and 97th percentiles of the World Health Organization’s BMI curve were used. Results: Among the children studied, 21.5% (129) presented obesity (95% CI:18.3%- 24.8%) and 22.3% (134) presented overweight (95% CI:18.8-25.3). There was greater prevalence of obesity among male children (p=0.05). Only 10% of the children did not practice physical activities. Conclusions: High prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity was found in our study, which signals that there is a need to concentrate on preventive, screening and care actions in this population.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUÇÃO: As queimaduras constituem-se em um dos tipos de trauma mais graves e uma das principais causas de morte não-intencional em crianças. O objetivo deste estudo foi traçar o perfil epidemiológico de crianças queimadas. MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo de pacientes vítimas de queimaduras que deram entrada na Unidade de Tratamento de Queimados, no período de janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2006. RESULTADOS: Observou-se predominância das internações em indivíduos do sexo masculino (57,8%), a maioria das crianças atendidas (57,6%) tinha idade entre 1 ano e 3 anos, o líquido aquecido foi o mais frequente agente responsável pelas queimaduras (71,6%), predominaram as queimaduras de segundo grau (59,3%), e o tórax foi o local mais atingido (28,9%). CONCLUSÕES: A maioria das queimaduras constitui acidente doméstico, do qual as crianças são as principais vítimas, especialmente aquelas com menos de 4 anos de idade, e os líquidos aquecidos são os agentes mais comuns.
BACKGROUND: Burn wounds constitute one of the most serious types of trauma and are a major cause of unintentional death in children. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological profile of children experiencing burn wounds. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of burn patients admitted to the Burn Care Unit of the Hospital de Urgência de Sergipe from January 2004 to December 2006. RESULTS: Among the children admitted, there was a predominance for males (57.8%); most of the children (57.6%) were aged between 1 and 3 years. Heated liquid was the most common agent responsible for burns (71.6%), and second-degree burns were predominant (59.3%). The chest was the most commonly affected area (28.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pediatric burn injuries result from domestic accidents. Children, particularly those younger than 4 years, are the main victims, and heated liquids are the most common agents.