[Nutritional status of first to fourth-grade students of urban schools in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil]. / Estado nutricional de escolares de 1 feminine a 4 feminine séries do Ensino Fundamental das escolas urbanas da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

This cross-sectional study included 20,084 students from urban schools (first to fourth-grade) in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Weight and height were measured, and nutritional status was classified according to the World Health Organization (height deficit) and International Obesity Task Force (overweight and obesity) criteria. The study also recorded the variables age, gender, type of school, and schooling (grade-for-age adequacy). Prevalence of height-for-age deficit was 3.5% (3.9% in boys and 3.1% in girls). Prevalence rates for overweight and obesity were 29.8% and 9.1%, respectively. Overweight and obesity were more frequent in private schools, while height-for-age deficit was more frequent in municipal or State schools. For both boys and girls, age was positively associated with underweight and inversely related to overweight and obesity. Inadequate schooling was associated with increased risk of height deficit and decreased risk of overweight and obesity. In conclusion, primary students' nutritional status depends not only on demographic and socioeconomic factors, but also on type of school.

Estado nutricional de escolares de 1ª a 4ª séries do Ensino Fundamental das escolas urbanas da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Nutritional status of first to fourth-grade students of urban schools in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Foi realizado um estudo transversal incluindo 20.084 escolares de 1ª a 4ª séries, matriculados nas escolas urbanas de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Peso e altura foram coletados e o estado nutricional foi classificado segundo os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (déficit do crescimento linear) e International Obesity Task Force (excesso de peso). Também foram coletadas as variáveis idade, sexo, tipo de escola e escolaridade (adequação entre idade e série). A prevalência de déficit do crescimento linear foi de 3,5 por cento (3,9 por cento entre os meninos e 3,1 por cento nas meninas). As prevalências de sobrepeso e de obesidade foram 29,8 por cento e 9,1 por cento, respectivamente. O sobrepeso e a obesidade foram mais prevalentes entre os estudantes de escolas particulares em comparação com aqueles de escolas municipais e estaduais, enquanto o oposto foi observado para o déficit do crescimento linear. Em ambos os sexos, a idade mostrou-se positivamente associada à desnutrição e negativamente associada ao sobrepeso e à obesidade. A escolaridade inadequada mostrou-se associada com maior risco de desnutrição e menor risco de sobrepeso e obesidade. Conclui-se que o estado nutricional de escolares depende, além de fatores demográficos e sócio-econômicos, do tipo de escola.

This cross-sectional study included 20,084 students from urban schools (first to fourth-grade) in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Weight and height were measured, and nutritional status was classified according to the World Health Organization (height deficit) and International Obesity Task Force (overweight and obesity) criteria. The study also recorded the variables age, gender, type of school, and schooling (grade-for-age adequacy). Prevalence of height-for-age deficit was 3.5 percent (3.9 percent in boys and 3.1 percent in girls). Prevalence rates for overweight and obesity were 29.8 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. Overweight and obesity were more frequent in private schools, while height-for-age deficit was more frequent in municipal or State schools. For both boys and girls, age was positively associated with underweight and inversely related to overweight and obesity. Inadequate schooling was associated with increased risk of height deficit and decreased risk of overweight and obesity. In conclusion, primary students' nutritional status depends not only on demographic and socioeconomic factors, but also on type of school.