Association between physical inactivity and overweight among adolescents in Salvador, Bahia--Brazil.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between physical inactivity and overweight in an adolescent 10-14 year-old population of students in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil).

METHODS

Cross-sectional study assessing adolescents enrolled in state and municipal schools of the city of Salvador (Bahia, Brazil). Subjects' anthropometric status, level of physical activity, sexual maturation, and food consumption were investigated as well as their socioeconomic and environmental status. A BMI equal to or above the 85th percentile ranked an adolescent in the overweight category. Physical inactivity characterized the adolescent who practiced moderate or vigorous physical activity for less than 300 minutes per week. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to check the associations of interest.

RESULTS

The prevalence of excess weight was 11.8%. A positive association was shown between physical inactivity and overweight/obesity (PR male: 2,263 95%CI: 1,132 - 4,258), only statistically significant for male subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest a positive association between physical inactivity and overweight only among male participants. The investigation of this gender difference is vital and the authors suggest studies with more appropriate designs to elucidate the relationship.